LEG UP ON LEADERSHIP
EVENT INFORMATION
We’re excited to invite you to this year’s LEG UP on Leadership Conference, and the 2026 Signature Class Recruitment Event on Wednesday, May 7th.
Check-in will begin at 8:30 AM, with the presentation from 9:00 AM to Noon.
This year’s theme is “Connections That Count: Building Meaningful Networks”. It will feature a Keynote Speaker, panel discussion, and more! Join other LLC alumni, the 2025 Class, 2026 Recruitment candidates, our Board, and Community Partners. We look forward to seeing you there!
Please let us know if you have any questions via phone at 440-281-8535, or by emailing llc@leadershiploraincounty.com
From the Best Class of 2002, Linda Ong Styer served as the senior program officer at the Community Foundation of Lorain County from 1996 to 2021, working to understand a spectrum of community needs represented by hundreds of nonprofits. Prior to joining the Community Foundation, Linda served as a social worker and director for various nonprofit organizations. Linda received the Ohio Department of Human Services Award for Outstanding Case Management in 1988, the Ohio University’s Ping Award for Recent Graduate in 1995, and Leadership Lorain County Difference Makers Award in 2023.
Linda’s initiatives through the Community Foundation include Project Match sending life-saving equipment to twenty-one fire departments, Patchwork Trails of eighteen barn quilt squares created by 4-H Clubs highlighting our farms and the beauty of rural Lorain County, and bringing ioby.org, a small grants program to Lorain County. Linda’s goal with each initiative is to invest and empower individuals to follow their passions to be difference makers in their own ways!
Community involvement through volunteerism and philanthropy is very important to Linda. Linda has volunteered as a Big Sister with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lorain County, on the American Red Cross’ Disaster Services Team, with Mercy Health Hospice, and with many hot meal programs. Linda currently serves on several nonprofit boards.
After serving as the Director of Facility Services for Kendal at Oberlin, Rey Carrion returned to the City of Lorain where he now serves as the Safety/Services Director. Mr. Carrion brings 20+ years of urban planning, construction management, and community development experience back to Lorain where he previously served as the director of Community Development.
Mr. Carrion’s experience allows him to deeply understand the Lorain County community and its needs. He showcases this experience as the 6th Ward Councilman for the City of Lorain, where he also serves as the Chairman of the Federal Programs Committee and is a member of the Finance and Parks & Recreation Committees. He previously served on the Board of Directors for the YMCA of Greater Cleveland and the Light Up Lorain Committee. Rey was instrumental in the development of the Pipe Yard Stadium in Lorain. Rey began serving on the Community Foundation Board in 2014 and is currently the Governance Committee Chair. He is also actively involved in his church, Sacred Heart Chapel, and the grassroots organization he recently created, Friends of South Lorain.
Rey was born in Puerto Rico and currently lives in Lorain with his wife, Orquidia. They have two grown children, Rey Jr., a Cleveland Clinic police officer, and Alexis Carrion, RN at Mercy Hospital. He is also the proud grandfather of Isabel, Hayden, and Camila.
Lisa is the Director of ONE Lorain County, the nonprofit organization focused on growing economic vitality throughout Lorain County. Lisa previously served as the Director of the Small Business Development Center at Lorain County Community College where she worked with small and medium-sized businesses to accelerate their growth. Prior to the SBDC, Lisa worked in the banking industry helping both consumer and commercial clients. Lisa holds a bachelor’s degree from Alma College and an MBA from Lake Erie College. Lisa is a certified Business Advisor through the University of Toledo as well as a Certified Strategic Workforce Planner. Lisa is an alumna of Leadership Lorain County and sits on several nonprofit boards throughout the community. Lisa is also a Rotarian serving as president of the Elyria Sunrise Club.
Jamie is a graduate of Ohio University and had previously served as COO for the Great Lakes Science Center. She has held positions in both the public and nonprofit sectors including an international real estate company and a public relations firm. Jamie lives in Avon with her husband, John, and three sons
Ed Skimin co-founded Emerge Inc., a website and software development firm that works with a wide range of clients including businesses, non-profits, and government offices. Ed also co-founded LorainCounty.com, a local website focused on amplifying Lorain County’s strengths and assets. Ed holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from the University of Dayton and a Master’s in Urban Studies, Economic Development from Cleveland State University. His previous work includes roles in economic development and legislative support. Ed has been married to Nyree Skimin for 18 years. They have two children, E.J. and Kyla, and reside in Avon, Ohio. Ed is also a Leadership Lorain County graduate from the best class of 1998.
Parris M. Smith, a proud native of Lorain County, stands as the dynamic President and CEO of the Lorain County Urban League, leading with unwavering dedication and a visionary spirit. Her journey is marked by academic prowess, having earned a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Cleveland State University and further enriching her knowledge with a Master of Science in psychology, specializing in public administration and social change from Walden University.
Ms. Smith’s commitment to advocacy shines through her certification from the National Urban League Congressional Advocacy Program and her distinction as a certified housing counselor by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Over the past eight years, she has tirelessly championed the needs of the Lorain County community, exemplifying resilience and empathy in her role.
Beyond her organizational leadership, Ms. Smith is an active Mercy Health – Lorain Market Board of Trustees member, contributing her expertise to diverse spheres of community service and development. Additionally, she serves as a mentor to high school and college students through the Rising Star Medical Internship Program, nurturing the next generation of leaders and professionals with her guidance and support. She embodies innovation, vitality, and an unwavering commitment to serving underrepresented populations, striving each day to enact positive change and foster inclusivity within her community.
Bob is a lifelong student of the art of leadership and communication. As an Executive Director of The John Maxwell Team, he is certified to facilitate, speak, train and coach individuals and groups in the areas of leadership development, professional skills, and personal growth. Trained and mentored by John Maxwell and mentors of his world-class faculty, he is equipped with the tools, resources and experience to help you and your team improve your productivity, performance and profitability. Whether you are looking for a facilitator for group workshops, corporate training in leadership, speaking, sales, or coaching skills for your leaders, or a speaker for your next event, he has access to exclusive content that is only available through a certified Executive Director of the John Maxwell Team to help you reach your goals and objectives.