Aligning Opportunities 2024 | Agenda & Details

Speakers | FastBreak to Success: Pathways to Economic Vibrancy

Margaret Trimer is Vice President of Strategic Partnerships for Delta Dental of Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana, a dental benefits company that covers more than 14 million lives. She sits on the senior leadership team, providing expert counsel and direction on all issues related to the company’s reputation. In that role, she also guides marketing, public relations, company culture and philanthropic investments dedicated to building healthy, smart, vibrant communities.

Prior to joining Delta Dental in 2018, Trimer served for two-and-a-half years as the President and CEO of Junior Achievement of Southeastern Michigan, a Detroit-based non-profit that teaches young people how to manage their money, think and be entrepreneurial and prepare for the world of work.

Trimer founded and ran University Prep Science and Math (UPSM) schools in Detroit, one of the highest-performing charter school districts in the region. She directed communications for the Michigan Education Association (MEA), the state’s largest teacher’s union, for ten years. There, she advocated and lobbied for resources, support, and development for the association’s then 160,000 public school employees.

While at the MEA, she started a non-profit called Your Child. Your Child is credited with revealing Michigan’s lackluster culture of education and conducting a major public relations campaign designed to spur improvement.

Trimer started her career as a reporter for the Detroit Free Press, co-created the first-ever education team and spent six years covering education issues and trends before leaving the paper in 1995. She attended Michigan State University’s James Madison College and earned her Bachelors in Urban Studies with concentrations in economics and journalism.

Jacob Duritsky leads strategy, research, and talent for the Northeast Ohio Region’s business development efforts to better serve the information requirements and align strategies among Team NEO’s various partners and communities engaged in targeted and sustainable region-wide economic growth. His primary responsibilities include analyzing the regional economy to provide a greater perspective on the challenges and opportunities in Northeast Ohio, developing strategic and coordinated actionable insights to encourage economic growth, and providing a perspective on how the Northeast Ohio economy can perform better. This includes his work in leading Team NEO’s talent strategy and Aligning Opportunities series of reports, the development of the regional Vibrant Economy Index, and regular updates to the community on the evolution and progress of the regional economy with a focus on enabling opportunities for improvement through equity.

Jacob has been with Team NEO since 2008. Previously, Jacob served as an integral part of the organization’s business attraction efforts in leading our national work focused on site selector engagement and the attraction of new companies to the region. He has also led the organization’s proactive renewable energy development efforts. Previously, Jacob has worked for The Center for Public Management, The Great Lakes Environmental Finance Center, and Ohio City Near West Development Corporation.

Jacob holds a Master of Science in Urban Studies from the Levin College of Urban Affairs at Cleveland State University. He leads Team NEO’s Talent Development Council and is an engaged Board member for the Cuyahoga County Workforce Sector Partnership and the Greater Cleveland Career Consortium Leadership Board. Jacob has been recognized by Crain’s Cleveland Business as a member of 40 Under 40 and is a past member of the 2012 class of Cleveland Bridge Builders. He is a resident of the Kamm’s Corners neighborhood of Cleveland and is married with two daughters.

Panel Discussion

Aaron Grossman is a seasoned entrepreneur and visionary leader in the staffing and
recruitment industry with over 25 years of experience. In 2001, he founded Alliance Solutions
Group, a full-service staffing firm in Cleveland, Ohio, which quickly grew through its innovative
service delivery model. Aaron’s achievements have earned him numerous accolades, including
the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year and recognition on the Weatherhead 100. In 2016,
he launched TalentLaunch, a national network of staffing and recruitment companies built on a
platform of shared values, technology, and innovative practices, which is ranked as one of the
largest staffing firms in the U.S. by Staffing Industry Analyst and has been listed multiple times
on Inc. 5000’s Fastest-Growing Private Companies.

Aaron has also ventured into other successful businesses, including co-founding the technology
firm Able, which was sold to Bullhorn in 2022, and establishing the Wrestlers In Business
Network. He’s also majority owner and advisor for Praos Health, a platform that enhances
healthcare staffing. Aaron holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Miami University of
Ohio, where he was a varsity wrestler. He lives in Cleveland, OH and in his free time, he enjoys
traveling, cycling, and coaching wrestling.

Nathasha Cresap is the Regional Talent Manager for Team NEO, the JobsOhio network partner representing 14 counties in Northeast Ohio. Working with the regional economic development organization, she is focusing on closing the talent supply/demand gap in the area and assisting with promoting greater strategies for talent development, especially in business attraction, expansion & retention, and building a more equitable Northeast Ohio. She is the sole representative focused on collaborating with businesses to access JobsOhio training programs to equip staff with necessary skills for their roles. 

Previously,  Nathasha served as an Economic Development Specialist for the Lorain County Community Development Department focusing on business retention & expansion, diversity, equity & inclusion, transportation needs, and workforce transformation.  Her efforts extended as she sat on the working group committee for the 2022 NOACA CEDS and the steering committee to help drive the regional efforts for economic development.  

She serves as Chair for the Economic Vitality Committee with Main Street Lorain, and serves on the Elyria Community Partnership board where she also is Chair of the Downtown Development Committee. Nathasha is also on the board for MOVE Lorain County, an organization working to improve the transportation system and accessibility in the County. 

Nathasha earned her BS in Criminology from Florida State University and her MPA & MBA from Metropolitan College of New York. Originally from New York City, Nathasha now resides in Maple Heights with her husband and enjoys traveling, sporting events, outdoor activities, cooking & hosting, and quality time with her family. 

Hannah Delis joined Swagelok in 2012 and was named vice president, global human resources in 2021 and promoted to chief human resources in 2022. In this role, she leads the organization’s global human resources and communications functions. Her team oversees talent and communications, global human resources operations, and compensation and bene­fits. She joined the organization as a human resources business partner and in her Swagelok tenure has worked across all HR disciplines. Hannah’s leadership in workforce development, organizational and talent management, and global HR business partnerships has helped establish the company as an employer of choice in Northeast Ohio and beyond.

She is a proud graduate of The Ohio State University, holding a degree in criminology, and earned a Master of Science in social administration from Case Western Reserve University.

Hannah serves on the board of The Children’s Museum of Cleveland, the Tri-C Foundation, and the Swagelok Foundation.

Hannah began her career as a licensed independent social worker, serving as a children and family therapist and case manager for several community organizations.

As Executive Vice President, Human Resources & Labor Relations, Mr. Fischer has executive
responsibility for Cleveland-Cli􀆯s’ Human Resources and Labor Relations matters. His
responsibilities include maintaining the Company’s highly valued relationships with its labor union
partners and the positive workplace culture for its industry-leading workforce.

Prior to his current role, Mr. Fischer held senior leadership roles as Senior Vice President and Vice
President of Human Resources since 2014. Mr. Fischer joined Cleveland-Cli􀆯s’ Legal Department
as Group Counsel, Labor Relations in 2010 where he served in various management positions.

Before his tenure with Cleveland-Cli􀆯s, Mr. Fischer was a partner with the law firm of Taft Stettinius
& Hollister LLP. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and Political Science, summa
cum laude, from Ohio University and a Juris Doctor degree from Vanderbilt University.

Dr Forbes is a Pediatric & Adolescent Intensivist, researcher, and physician executive at Akron Children’s Hospital in Akron, Ohio, USA. He is the Chief Academic Officer, the William H & Rebecca D Considine Endowed Chair of Pediatric Research, and the Head of the Rebecca D Considine Research Institute located on the Akron Campus of Akron Children’s. He was appointed to the faculty at Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) in 2006 and was appointed Professor of Pediatrics in the College of Medicine in 2020. In early 2024 he was awarded the highest honor conferred by the NEOMED Board Trustees, Distinguished University Professor. He is the 4^th such awardee in NEOMED’s 50-year history, and the first NEOMED clinical partner to receive the award.

He arrived in Akron in 2006 and was charged with developing clinical research in critical care. He retired from basic science research and has focused on unraveling the complexities of health services delivery for critically ill infants, children, adolescents, and young adults. He served as Medical Leader of the local Virtual Pediatrics Systems Pediatric Intensive Care Unit national registry and serves on their Technical Advisory Panel. His recent efforts have focused on the integration of the myriad clinical and administrative datasets to gain additional insights into systems of care across the entire continuum from primary care to recovery after hospitalization, as well as the impact of pediatric critical illness on families and communities. The recent integration of population health informatics and community based public health have been added to his repertoire.

He received his bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University of Pittsburgh, then his Doctorate from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Intrigued by Pediatrics, he went on to complete his residency and was appointed Chief Resident at the Pittsburgh Children’s Hospital of the UPMC. He completed a Fellowship in Critical Care Medicine at the Pittsburgh Children’s Hospital of the UPMC followed by acceptance into the Mid-Career Investigator program with the National Institutes of Health Pediatric Critical Care & Trauma Scientist Development Program. In 2013 he completed the NIH/National Library of Medicine’s  Biomedical Informatics and Data Science Research Training Programs at Woods Hole in Massachusetts. In 2022 he was awarded the University of Pittsburgh Distinguished African-American Alumni Award

He and Dr Yolanda Moore-Forbes have been married since 1986 and they are the proud parents of 2 adult professionals.

Jennifer Palmieri joined the organization in 2020 as Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer of Westfield, a leading U.S.-based property and casualty insurance company. With global operations, the 175-year-old company has approximately 2700 employees worldwide and revenue approaching $4 billion.

With over 25 years of experience, Jennifer is a transformational leader and passionate advocate for employees and the company. She ensures that employees are supported and empowered to impact customers’ lives positively. In her role, Jennifer sets the strategic vision for all facets of Westfield’s talent strategy, total rewards programs, operations, and all people-related practices, including diversity, equity, and inclusion, the company’s philanthropic foundation, and Corporate Communications.

As a member of the Enterprise Leadership Team reporting to the CEO, Jennifer drives a close integration between business strategies and talent management capabilities. She emphasizes fostering diversity across the workforce and cultivating a culture of inclusivity and belonging. Jennifer and her team are dedicated to attracting, developing, inspiring, and rewarding talented individuals throughout the organization.

Jennifer spent nearly 18 years at Cigna, a global health services company with $195 billion in revenue and 72,000 employees, operating in over 30 countries. In her most recent role at Cigna, Jennifer served as the VP of HR with the global technology team. Early in her career at a boutique HR consulting firm, Jennifer delivered talent solutions across various companies, focusing on technology. She graduated from Villanova University with a master’s degree in human resources development and an undergraduate degree in human resources and marketing from Drexel University.

Keynote Speaker

Wendell Robinson leads ROCK’s economic development and public-facing activities for the group’s growing Cleveland, Ohio presence. ROCK is the For-More-Than-Profit Family Office for the Gilberts and their Family of Companies. The Family of Companies includes Rocket Mortgage, the Cleveland Cavaliers, Bedrock Development and more than 100 entities collaborating to maximize positive impact for the businesses and people in the communities they serve for generations to come.

Starting as a Mortgage Banker and then moving to the Banker Training Team to lead Quicken Loans’ (now Rocket Mortgage) effort for the development, regulatory approval and implementation of its licensed training curriculum, Wendell has been with the ROCK Family of Companies since 2010. In 2019 he moved to the Government Affairs team and led the 50 State Government Relations practice until May 2023 when he joined the ROCK team. Beyond his focus on development and organizational relations, Wendell supports the Family of Companies’ national portfolio through expertise in Licensing, Compliance, Education and Tax. His professional background includes responsibilities as a business owner, manager, writer, speaker, advocate, and project leader. Immediately prior to coming to the ROCK family, Wendell led an advisory consultancy serving professional athletes, as well as the entertainment and political arenas.

A native Clevelander, Wendell is a Cleveland State University graduate. His wife Kathleen, an accomplished pastry chef, has appeared on the Food Network and the Cooking Channel. The Robinsons live in Mentor, Ohio where they reside with their daughter Paige.

Nic Barlage is Chief Executive Officer of Rock Entertainment Group, the entity behind Cavaliers Chairman Dan Gilbert’s Rock Family of Companies. The group encompasses the NBA Cleveland Cavaliers, the AHL Cleveland Monsters, the NBA G League Cleveland Charge, and the Cavs Legion in the NBA 2K League and manages operations of key venues such as the Legion Lair Lit by TCP, the Cleveland Clinic Courts and Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, the epicenter of entertainment in Cleveland.

Barlage joined the Cavaliers in 2017 as President of Business Operations, where he oversaw the 2019-2020 transformation of Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, solidifying its status as one of the top 30 entertainment venues in the world. In 2021, he was named CEO of the Cavaliers and REG. Barlage now oversees the NBA’s second-largest workforce, with over 500 full-time team members.

Before joining the Cavaliers, Barlage served as the Senior Vice President and Chief Sales Officer for the Phoenix Suns during the 2013-14 season, leading their premium and ticket sales and marketing endeavors. Earlier, Barlage spent five seasons with the Cavaliers, culminating in his role as Vice President of Sales and Service before his move to Phoenix. Prior to his time in Cleveland, he honed his expertise in suite and premium seating during stints with the Suns and the Charlotte Bobcats, totaling three seasons.

Throughout Barlage’s tenure, REG’s impact and influence has extended throughout the Northeast Ohio region. The Cavaliers organization has partnered with organizations and agencies at the local, regional and national levels to make vital investments in our community. Through this collaboration, we have contributed over $48 million to support local initiatives, our team members have volunteered over 52k volunteer hours, and we have supported thousands of community organizations that provide enriching programs, create safe spaces, provide educational resources, address food security, and promote youth wellness & recreation.   

Barlage also serves on advisory boards for esteemed institutions like the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission, American Red Cross, Cleveland Leadership Center, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Cleveland Clinic Pediatrics Leadership Council, the Greater Cleveland Partnership, the Boys & Girls Club of Northeast Ohio and Hathaway Brown School.

A proud graduate of Saint John’s University (Minn.), Barlage earned a degree in Psychology in May 2006. He and his wife, Traci, have two daughters, Brooklyn and Kennedy.

Laura is responsible for overseeing the financial and business operations of Team NEO and supports special assignments including diversity & inclusion initiatives as well as emerging talent. Previously, Laura was a senior manager at Deloitte where she focused on information systems and internal controls audits and was instrumental in leading regional HIPPA activities for the healthcare industry as well as a national facilitator of Sarbanes-Oxley regulations. Prior to Deloitte, Laura spent 11 years at Ernst & Young, working in the Cleveland, National and London offices where she focused on financial services, manufacturing and health care industries in both Ohio and Michigan. Laura is a Certified Public Accountant. She is chairwoman of Holy Name High School and the Alumni Board of the Cleveland Animal Protective League. Laura is a proud graduate of Kent State University majoring in accounting, computer science and business management. 

Speakers | Creating a Welcoming Workplace

Alan K. Nevel is CEO and Managing Partner of INTETHIQ, a noteworthy, management consulting and professional services firm. INTETHIQ is dedicated to equipping businesses with the necessary tools to effectively navigate significant shifts in culture, leadership, talent, and digital platforms.  
 
Alan’s impressive leadership, honed over three decades in the industry, has proven successful in global Fortune 500 companies by promoting inclusive systems, fostering engaging cultures, and deploying equitable, value-generating programs that drive innovation, speed, productivity and growth. 
 
Alan’s voice embodies the vast breadth of his experience. It serves as a beacon of inspiration, firmly anchored in genuineness and uprightness, and unrelentingly advocates for both individual and institutional development. His discourse is persuasive, yet empathetic, seamlessly blending factual insights with profound understanding of human experiences. He communicates in a language that resonates with all individuals, across all walks of life, igniting a collective desire for unity, collaboration, and excellence. 

Bishara Addison is the Director of Workforce Innovation at the Fund for Our Economic Future, leading talent development initiatives in support of the Fund’s agenda to achieve equitable economic growth. Her initiative portfolio spans numerous sectors and workforce entry points, including a hospitality recovery effort in Cuyahoga County, shaping a regional blueprint for increasing opportunities for Black and Brown workers in tech jobs, and testing interventions to strengthen workplaces.

Before joining the Fund in 2021, Bishara managed the policy and advocacy agenda for Towards Employment, was an executive fellow and project manager for the Cleveland Metropolitan School District and was engaged in a statewide advocacy effort to shape policies around collateral sanctions before that. 

Julie Szeltner is Team NEO’s Director of Talent Engagement since February 2022. In this role, Julie develops relationships with the region’s 25+ postsecondary institutions, as well as career centers and workforce development organizations, to better coordinate Northeast Ohio’s talent resources to fill in-demand positions. She is passionate about assisting the residents of the region to improve their families’ lives by accessing and thriving in good jobs at supportive businesses.

Julie spent her previous fifteen years working with youth and adults at College Now Greater Cleveland. She is a proud CSU Viking with a B.A. in History and Teacher Licensure, as well as a University of Akron Zip with an M.S. in Adult Teaching and Training. Julie is a lifelong resident of Cleveland.