Mosaic of Community Leadership Conference a Success

One-hundred twelve nonprofit board members, executive directors, and staff from throughout the region attended the 23rd annual Mosaic of Community Leadership Conference held at Edison State Community College’s Piqua Campus.

Hosted by The Paul G. Duke Academy for Community Leadership and the Center for Leadership Development at Edison State, the one-day conference allowed participants to engage in a keynote address, network with other area nonprofit leaders, attend breakout education and experiential sessions, and enjoy lunch.

Tom Iselin, First Things First Strategic Planning & Board Development/Training Specialist, provided the keynote address. Iselin shared practical strategies for driving impact, drawing on decades of experience and his transition from finance to mission-driven work.

Those in attendance also participated in breakout education and experiential sessions that focused on strengthening nonprofit organizations. Dr. H. Roger Fulk, Edison State; Meme Gillum, Edison State; Dr. Rick Hanes, Edison State; Kalette Hittle, Piqua Community Foundation; Tom Iselin, First Things First; Jordan Knepper, The Community Foundation of Shelby County; Joe Lamb, Edison State; Bill Lutz, New Path Outreach; Brenda Miller, New Madison Public Library; Christina Raterman, Edison State; Kathi Roetter, Troy Area Chamber of Commerce; Lisa Sargent, Miami County Foundation; Sandra and Doug Streitenberger, Edison State and TeKonnect; and Stephanie Waller, Miami County Dental Clinic, led sessions.

The Edison State Center for Leadership Development holds the Mosaic of Community Leadership Conference each year at the conclusion of the Paul G. Duke Academy for Community Leadership series, which helps individuals make a difference on their nonprofit boards and in their communities. A grant from the Duke Foundation made the Academy possible.

The Paul G. Duke Academy for Community Leadership and the Center for Leadership Development at Edison State presented Academy graduates with certificates during the conference.

The 2026 graduates of the Academy for Community Leadership 1.0 included Patricia Anderson, Abbey Credit Union; Brian Ayres, Brukner Nature Center; Andria Beach, Miami County Community Action Council & Metropolitan Housing Authority; Greg Billing, Darke County Visitors Bureau; Kathy Clapp, Preble Arts; Donna Cook, Miami County Home Builders Foundation; Brandon Ervin, Main Street Greenville; Clayton Genth, Home is the Foundation (HIT Foundation); Jill Harris, Grand Lake Area Literature Festival; Patrick Kilbane, Miami County Board of Developmental Disabilities; Samantha McFadden, Tipp City Chamber of Commerce; Christi Reveal, Preble Mini Minds; Emily Rohwer, Home is the Foundation (HIT Foundation); Aubrey Salyers, Home is the Foundation (HIT Foundation); Rose Schutte, Sidney-Shelby County YMCA; Juli Smith, The Community Foundation of Shelby County; Lindsay Watson, Home is the Foundation (HIT Foundation); and Tiana White, Home is the Foundation (HIT Foundation).

The conference also recognized A-Z Nonprofit Board Award recipients, which honors nonprofit boards for their exceptional work in the region and commitment to service and stewardship. Recipients awarded at the Gold level include Brukner Nature Center, Downtown Tipp City, Lincoln Community Center, Mainstreet Piqua, Inc., Miami County Board of Developmental Disabilities, Miami County Dental Clinic, Miami Metropolitan Housing Authority/Miami County Community Action Council, Preble Mini Minds, Shelby County United Way, The Edison Foundation, The Future Begins Today, Tipp City Chamber of Commerce, and Troy Area Chamber of Commerce. The Center for Leadership Development awarded First Place Food Pantry at the silver level. Bronze-level recipients included I Am Well and The Piqua Community Foundation.

To join the Mosaic of Community Leadership Conference mailing list, contact Dr. Rick Hanes by calling 937.778.7806 or emailing.