Professionals on purpose: A committed cohort of 25 business leaders makes lasting change

Emerging Leaders put the “fun” in fundraising at their annual Kentucky Derby Party.

Business professionals are used to having an impact in their companies. Through the Emerging Leaders Board at Akron Children’s, they’re able to have an impact on the healthy futures of children. Since its formation in 2011, the group has raised nearly $2 million — and is now fulfilling a $1.5 million pledge.

“In the next 5 years, Emerging Leaders plans to raise even more — by adding board members, enhancing our events and seeking new opportunities to promote Akron Children’s,” said Elise Cuddy, event and conference project manager at Signet Jewelers and past president of Emerging Leaders. “This group is unstoppable.”

Built for impact

Emerging Leaders is made up of 25 representatives from organizations and corporations throughout greater Akron and other areas in which Akron Children’s has a presence. Elise joined the board in 2015. Her role at Signet involves national and international corporate partnerships and charitable giving. Ready to get involved at the local level, the Emerging Leaders Board provided the perfect opportunity to use the skills she’s honed at the corporate level to impact her hometown.

“Everyone on the board is a rising leader who’s embarking on community involvement,” she said. “My mom spent 40 years in nonprofits, so I knew the value of giving back locally. It was my turn.”

Dancing for the Kids

The group focuses on three areas of involvement:

Fundraising

Emerging Leaders coordinates two major fundraising events that benefit Akron Children’s – an annual Kentucky Derby party and Dancing for the Kids, an event where local leaders, patients and former patients partner with dancers for a night of entertainment and giving. The Kentucky Derby party just celebrated its third year, and Dancing for the Kids has been going strong for 13 years.

In 2024, the 2 events raised $264,000. Most of the funds supported the Showers Family Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders. The board continues to consult with the Foundation to address the highest priorities.

Elise recently transitioned to the Foundation’s Corporate Alliance Committee. She is confident these events will grow even more meaningful in the years ahead.

Volunteerism

Emerging Leader members participate in other hospital events. If the hospital needs volunteers, Emerging Leaders help. For example, the Behavioral Health team needed wellness kits packaged for distribution. So, during one of the board meetings, members assembled the kits and made no-sew blankets.

“Volunteering gives us a new perspective on the real needs of children and families,” Elise said. “We didn’t realize that many kids who come to the hospital don’t have anything, from basic needs to blankets. This work ties us to the mission and equips us to talk about experiences as advocates.”

Machelle Syx, senior director of corporate, foundation and community philanthropy, said Emerging Leaders is a powerful group of professionals. “These members are committed to the hospital and improving our community overall. It is an energetic group that works together to fund our work and share our vision with their peers,” she said.

Advocacy

Members share the life-changing work of Akron Children’s with their workplaces, colleagues and families. During board meetings, they hear firsthand from hospital team members and families about the work being done in the hospital, which inspires conversations. They regularly look for ways to introduce Akron Children’s Foundation to people in their circles.

“I think we have a unique opportunity to share about the hospital because we don’t work there,” said Elise. “The stories we tell are because we choose to share them.”

Elise said Emerging Leaders is an organization that helps Akron Children’s and its members as well by fostering leadership skills, building friendship and helping people find purpose in their community involvement.

“I’ve learned about the value of being involved in the community and doing something good that’s bigger than my everyday work and life,” she said. “Emerging Leaders offers a place to grow professionally and personally. I can’t wait to see the group’s future accomplishments.”