Leadership Lorain County to celebrate 15th Difference Makers Gala

Event set for Feb. 16 in Elyria

Leadership Lorain County, one of the county’s top leadership development organizations, will be celebrating the outstanding community activism of these 2018 Difference Maker Award honorees at the 15th Difference Makers Gala and Excellence in Leadership Awards ceremony on Feb. 16 at the Spitzer Conference Center in Elyria.

The gala will honor these individuals and organization for their remarkable leadership and significant impact on the Lorain County community and beyond.

In total, Leadership Lorain County received over 20 nominations for the five 2018 awards: Eric Nord, Two Difference Makers; Emerald; and Difference Maker Organization. The DMG honoree selection committee, made up of three Lorain County community leaders and two LLC Board members, went through an extensive review process of each of the nominations. Leadership Lorain County is honored to include General Russel L. Honoré, United States Army, LTG, USA (Retired) as the evening’s Keynote speaker.

The honorees and awards are as follows:

• Eric Nord Award for Excellence in Leadership — Matthew W. Nakon, Esq., president & CEO, Wickens, Herzer, Panza, Cook & Batista Co.

• Emerald Award for Inspirational Leadership — Catherine Woskobnick, vice president, Mission & Values Integration, Mercy Health, Lorain.

• Excellence in Leadership Honore Nakon Gallo Woskobnick

Award — Anthony Gallo, president Lorain County Chamber of Commerce.

• Excellence in Leadership Award — Jeanine Donaldson, executive director YWCA Elyria.

Excellence in Leadership Award — Ross Group Organization.

Each of these leaders has demonstrated outstanding commitment and dedication to the betterment of Lorain County through philanthropy, volunteerism and service to both organizations and individuals in the community, and their efforts have had far-reaching effects across the globe.

More information on each of the 2018 Difference Makers honorees can be found on the LLC website at www.leadershiploraincounty.com.

Leadership Lorain County cultivates a diverse network of innovative leaders who envision what the county and region can be, empower themselves and others to deliver positive change, and expand their awareness of community issues and resources.

Through the signature leadership program, the internship program, and board and organization training, LLC participants experience both personal and professional growth opportunities. These opportunities enhance their leadership roles as they engage in service.