REGIONAL SUMMIT:
Workforce Solutions in a Child Care Crisis PRESENTER BIOS FRAMING THE ISSUE: THE CHILDCARE CRISIS IN OUR COMMUNITY RONALD H. PAYDO Akron/Canton Market President Ron serves as Market President for Huntington Bank’s Akron/Canton area, enabling Huntington’s ability to drive the bank’s vision to become the country’s leading ‘People-First, Digitally Powered” bank. Previously, Ron worked as the Dedicated Business Banking Group Director and Community President in Medina, Ohio. Ron has been with Huntington or previous banks since 1987, when he began his banking career as a Management Trainee with FirstMerit Bank. Ron was a Regional President for FirstMerit covering Medina, Richland, and Ashland counties, before becoming the Director of Small Business Banking until 2016. He became the Area Manager for Canton, Akron, and the Mahoning Valley upon the FirstMerit merger with Huntington. During his tenure, he’s held regional leadership roles since the merger. Ron is very active in the community and serves on several boards including the American Red Cross of Summit & Media; Boy Scouts of America Great Trail Council; Greater Akron Chamber of Commerce; Greater Medina Chamber - President; Medina Economic Development Corporation - Board Development Committee; Medina Hospital/Cleveland Clinic; Salvation Army Wadsworth Corp; United Way of Summit & Medina - Executive Committee. He is also a founder of the Blue Coats and Downtown Wadsworth organizations. Active in mentoring youth, Ron and his wife Kathleen have fostered more than 160 children. Together, they also hosted seven exchange students through the local Rotary Club. Ron lives in Wadsworth, Ohio with his family.
LYNANNE GUTIERREZ President & CEO, Groundwork Ohio Lynanne Gutierrez is at the helm of Groundwork Ohio asPresident & CEO, leading the organization’s statewide mission to advance early learning and healthy development strategies from the prenatal period to age five that lay a strong foundation for Ohio kids, families, and communities. As a visionary leader and dedicated child advocate, Lynanne guides the overall strategic direction of Groundwork Ohio, overseeing all aspects of the organization’s operations, policy agenda, and initiatives. Her leadership is instrumental in fostering state and national partnerships and coalition development, driving impactful advocacy efforts, and ensuring the effective implementation of research and datadriven strategies to benefit young children and their families. A pivotal figure in Groundwork’s strategic growth and transformation for more than seven years, Lynanne played a crucial role in expanding the organization’s Statehouse footprint, relationships, and reputation across the state. Additionally, her efforts were instrumental in the successful transition to a standalone 501c3 in 2021. Continues next page