The new year brought in new opportunities for Leadership Geauga County Executive Director Melanie Scanlon, who decided to leave her post to start a position as a leadership development consultant for Progressive Insurance.
The new year brought in new opportunities for Leadership Geauga County Executive Director Melanie Scanlon, who decided to leave her post to start a position as a leadership development consultant for Progressive Insurance.
Scanlon said her tenure at LG highlighted the good that can be done when community leaders come together and taught her many valuable lessons.
“I learned even more from my time at Leadership Geauga then I could have ever imagined,” Scanlon said. “I learned that people really do want to be of service and make their community better. If you can show people what is needed and how they can help, they will go above your wildest imagination to create positive change.”
For more than a quarter of a century, LG’s annual programs have sought to inform, educate, connect and inspire Geauga County’s seasoned and future decision-makers.
Scanlon took over the executive director role from Dr. Bob Faehnle in June 2016 — overseeing the graduation of four classes and starting a fifth, which has become a virtual/in-person hybrid due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
During her tenure, Scanlon had more than 200 participants go through the adult and youth LG programs while she worked to strategically strengthen each one.
Advancements included enhancing leadership development content in part of the Signature Adult Program and reformatting the Youth Program to a 10-day summer institute, Scanlon said, adding it provides the same high impact and quality experience, but in a format easier for busy high school students to access.
”In addition, we secured the largest multi-year grant Leadership Geauga has ever received to start a program for retirees,” Scanlon said. “I am so proud of that new program and the opportunity to more fully engage retirees into our community.”
The Heritage Program is currently recruiting its first class and is set to launch in May.
Scanlon said LG leveraged the generosity of the alumni community to help raise funds from its annual Emerald Ball events and kick-started Geauga on Board to train local leaders to serve on nonprofit boards.
“Over the years, we also partnered with so many local organizations to provide alumni programs,” she said, listing the Chardon Area Chamber of Commerce, Geauga Growth Partnership, Kent State University–Geauga, Geauga County Library Foundation, Red Key Network and the Rotary Club of Chardon as a few.
“There isn’t a part of this community our alumni haven’t made better,” Scanlon said. “And they do so without want of recognition or thanks — simply because they care and because they can.”
Susan Kruger, LG board president, is interim executive director. She said Scanlon took LG to the next level of maturity.
“She is one of those rare people who can see both the big picture and manage the details,” Kruger said. “She quickly grasped the role of an executive director for a non-profit and led us to be more organized, more intentional about our programming and relationship building with class members, businesses, alumni and other nonprofits in the county.”
Kruger called Scanlon an incredibly smart woman who can think on her feet to manage a crisis, develop well thought out strategic plans and have fun doing it.
“I personally will miss her incredible talent, passion and commitment to Leadership Geauga,” Kruger said. “The only saving grace is that I know as a Geauga resident, she will continue to support Leadership Geauga as time and talent allows.”
Andy Bushman, LG board treasurer, said goodbyes are always hard.
“Melanie had a true passion for Geauga County and the mission of Leadership Geauga that there is a leader in everyone,” Bushman said.
Scanlon said she looks forward to creating learning solutions for individuals and teams at Progressive.
“Leadership Development has always been my true passion, which is why I came to Leadership Geauga in the first place,” Scanlon said. “I was thrilled to run the adult and youth leadership programs to help individuals see how their unique talents and gifts could make their organizations and the community a better place.
“At Progressive, I will get to work on leadership programs 100% of my time which is really exciting. I always believe that people should be looking for new challenges and opportunities to grow professionally. This is an opportunity for me to do that,” she added. “I hope that during my tenure, Leadership Geauga was always seen as a collaborative partner, an organization that was always looking for ways to make our community better. Not for publicity, but because we truly care about this place and want to see it continue to be the best place to live, work and raise a family.”
Scanlon learned that even if they don’t realize it, people thrive when they make new connections.
“Watching class members become real friends was something that always brought me so much joy — and was honestly so unexpected at first,” Scanlon said. “No one joins a program like LG to make new friends, but when you go through a life changing, common experience, real relationships happen naturally.”
Lastly, Scanlon said she learned what an impact people can have in their own community.
“I think it is easier for people to know what is going on nationally, but staying involved at the local level is your opportunity to have a real impact,” Scanlon said. “From local elected officials that will answer the phone when you call, to local organizations who give back to youth sports and schools, there is a real opportunity to make a difference if you stay engaged locally. I was always humbled and amazed by the community leaders who gave of their time to meet with our class members.”
It also inspired Scanlon to get involved in the community in ways she wouldn’t have before coming to LG.
“Leadership Geauga is 26 years young and there is so much more left in store for the organization,” Scanlon said. “With the addition of the Heritage Program for retirees, Leadership Geauga will now have programs that span generations.
“I can’t wait to watch the organization continue to grow and positively impact the community,” she continued. “There will always be a need to help individuals better understand their unique leadership strengths and find ways to use those gifts in their own community. Leadership Geauga isn’t going anywhere. I can’t wait to watch and cheer on the organization as the new executive director takes the lead.”
LG is taking applications for a new executive director. Those interested are asked to submit a resume and letter of interest to careers@leadershipgeauga.org.
