BY CHRISTINE PRICE
Gazette Newspapers
MENTOR – Community leaders, volunteers, nonprofit partners and local businesses gathered Wednesday, May 20, at Paradigm on the campus of Mentor High School as United Way of Lake County (UWLC) hosted its annual meeting and 2026-2027 campaign kickoff, sponsored by Lubrizol Corp.
During the event, United Way leaders highlighted the organization’s effect across Lake County over the past year, announcing that more than $1.5 million was invested in programs and initiatives focused on health, education and financial stability.
The organization’s annual report is available through United Way of Lake County.
Brandi Haught of KeyBank served as the organization’s 2025 campaign chair after serving as board chair previously.
United Way also announced Jim Levine of Express Employment Professionals will serve as the 2026-2027 campaign chair.
United Way recognized several businesses and community partners for their early leadership support and annual sponsorship commitments as 2026 Campaign Pacesetters.
Named 2026 Community Impact Champions were:
• Avery Dennison
• Blakely Insurance
• Component Repair Technologies Inc.
• M.W. Beverage Inc.
• The Kilbourne Family
Recognized as 2026 Community Impact Leaders were:
• Fredon
• Griffin Technology Group
• Mentor Nissan
• Lighthouse Advisers
These annual sponsorship commitments provide critical support for United Way of Lake County’s work to improve lives and strengthen the community through investments in local health, education and financial stability initiatives.
Early leadership support from Campaign Pacesetters helps build momentum for the annual campaign and demonstrates a strong commitment to meeting the needs of Lake County residents.
Their continued investment helps ensure local families, children, seniors and individuals have access to the resources and support they need to thrive.
“We are incredibly grateful for the generosity and leadership demonstrated by our Campaign Pacesetters,” said Dione DeMitro, president and CEO of United Way of Lake County. “Their continued investment in our community helps ensure that local families, children, seniors and individuals have access to the resources and support they need to thrive.”
Several individuals were honored during the meeting for their volunteerism, leadership and community impact.
Award recipients included:
• Richard “Gus” H. Gehring Award: The late Richard J. Regovich, Lake County commissioner
• Matt Logies Ambassador Award: Christine Margalis, Lake County General Health District
• Power of One Award: Kai Nielsen, Our Future ReUse
• Woman Leader of the Year: Christine Weber, Mentor Area Chamber of Commerce
• Emerging Leader of the Year: Leslie Radke, Touring and Cruises
• Legacy Award: The late Anthony Brzytwa, Community Volunteer
United Way also recognized its affinity group leaders, including Dr. Andie Musial of Lakeland Community College, who served as 2025 chair of Women United, and Lindsay Defeo of Leolo Hospitality, who served as 2025 chair of Emerging Leaders and will continue in the role in 2026.
Outgoing Board Chairman Andy Phelps of S&T Bank was recognized for his service, along with outgoing board members Robin Baum, Ian Lewis of Little Scholars Early Learning Center and Danielle Sindelar of University Hospitals.
United Way announced its 2026 board officers:
• Chairman of the Board: Maria Kula, STERIS
• First Vice Chair: Terry Kilbourne, Tec Inc. Engineering & Design
• Second Vice Chair: Craig Heath, Mentor Public Schools
• Treasurer: Rick Bumgardner, Lubrizol Corp.
Additional board members include representatives from business, education, healthcare and community organizations throughout Lake County.
DeMitro closed the event by emphasizing the collective impact created through community partnerships and volunteerism.
“When a community chooses compassion, collaboration and action, lives change,” she said. “Every safe night of shelter, every child paired with a mentor, every family that finds food during a crisis and every senior who feels less alone can be traced back to people like those in this room.”
“It happens because businesses choose to invest in their communities, employees choose to give through workplace campaigns, volunteers continue to show up, and community leaders choose partnership over competition. Most importantly, it happens because people still believe that caring for one another matters.”
