Torchbearers Celebration Event to Recognize Award Recipients
William Considine, CEO emeritus of Akron Children’s Hospital, and Christopher Richardson, CEO of AxessPointe Community Health Centers, will be honored at Torchbearers’ 16th annual Anniversary Celebration Feb. 21 at The Tangier.
Torchbearers is an organization of emerging leaders focused on enhancing the Greater Akron community through leadership development, talent attraction and retention, as well as community service. Founded in 2003, it works to enrich the community by connecting, developing and engaging leaders in the community and leaders of the future, according to club officials.
“Torchbearers is thrilled to honor two leaders who epitomize our shared commitment and service to the community,” said Samantha Coldwell, 2019 Torchbearers president. “They both have worked passionately to not only make significant impacts throughout the Akron area, but also prepare and inspire the next generation of leaders to follow in their footsteps.”
According to organization officials, Considine will be recognized as the Read Family Friend of Young Leaders Award recipient. This award recognizes an individual or organization that has made a significant impact on the development of young professionals in the Greater Akron area.
Club officials said Considine has been a dedicated steward of the Akron community and young professionals for years, continually advocating for emerging leaders and pushing them to reach their full potential. He has demonstrated support for the education, career development and leadership engagement of developing leaders, and his leadership inside and outside of the hospital has left a lasting impact on the community.
“I am humbled to receive the Read Family Friend of Young Leaders Award, joining the list of distinguished community leaders who have previously been recognized,” said Considine. “Mentoring young people to assume leadership roles in our community is vitally important. Torchbearers and other organizations play a critical role, but so do all of us currently in leadership roles. Identifying and nurturing talent will ensure our organizations and communities stay strong, and continue to grow and attract the best and the brightest.”
Richardson, Torchbearers Class of 2011, will be recognized as the Distinguished Alumni Award recipient. This award recognizes a Torchbearers alumnus who has used the skills and connections acquired through their Torchbearers’ experience to actively and significantly assist young leaders in realizing their full leadership potential.
Club officials said Richardson is being recognized for successfully utilizing his skills and the connections made from Torchbearers to progress his career forward, eventually transitioning to CEO of AxessPointe Community Health Centers. He has remained involved in the Akron community through various organizations and has also been a member of Leadership Akron.
“I am honored and humbled to receive this award. I am grateful to the Torchbearers’ Board of Directors for their recognition and proud to be a TB alumnus,” said Richardson. “Being a Torchbearer has allowed me to enhance my skills and become an impactful, servant leader in this community. John Maxwell said: ‘A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.’ Torchbearers played a key role both in instilling these leadership values and being with me on this path; and this has helped define my mission to be a catalyst for helping create and develop the future leaders of tomorrow.”
The Torchbearers anniversary event also will include a state-of-the-organization address, as well as dinner. The event is open to all. For more information on tickets and sponsorship opportunities, visit Torchbearersakron.com/rsvp. For more information on the organization, visit the website.
Article from West Side Leader at akron.com
