Pulse Volume 19, Issue 1

LO R A I N C O U NT Y’S MAGAZINE Spring 2026 | Volume 19, Issue 1

STRONG & SUCCESSFUL Get to know some of the women who are leading and pushing change forward in Lorain County

SHOP LOCAL Peek inside a few don’t-miss, woman-owned shops DRIVING FORWARD A new CDL program is creating new opportunities FEATURED INSIDE: CARMEN TWILLIE AMBAR • CYNTHIA H. ANDREWS • DR. MARCIA J. BALLINGER • MEGAN CHAMPAGNE • JULIE CHASE-MOREFIELD—ON THE COVER • LISA HUTSON • LEE ANN O'BRIEN

LIVE YOUR BEST LIFE AT ANY AGE It is a powerful reminder that fulfillment, joy, and growth aren’t limited by time. Whether you’re 18 or 80, here are a few timeless principles to help you do just that:

Define What “Best Life” Means to You

Your version of happiness or success may look different from someone else’s. Reflect on your values, passions, and goals—and let those guide your choices.

Stay Curious and Keep Learning Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly

PACE PROVIDES THE FOLLOWING SERVICES:

• Primary Care physician • Medical Specialist • Prescription medication • Medical clinic • Transportation • Adult activity center • Home healthcare • Physical, occupational and speech therapy

• Meals • Dental, vision and hearing • Home Care Nurse • Social Services • Respite Care • Durable medical equipment (canes, walkers, wheel chairs, hospital bed, commodes, shower bench)

Lifelong learning keeps your mind sharp and your world expanding. Read, take up hobbies, travel, or take courses—there’s always something new to discover.

Prioritize Health and Wellness

No matter your age, caring for your body and mind is foundational. Regular movement, balanced nutrition, rest, and mental health practices go a long way.

Nurture Relationships

Meaningful connections—whether with friends, family, or community—are essential to a rich life. Don’t underestimate the power of shared experiences and mutual support.

Embrace Change and Let Go of Regret

Life brings transitions. Embracing them with resilience and learning from the past without being stuck in it allows you to grow forward.

Contribute to Something Bigger

Whether it’s mentoring, volunteering, or creating, contributing gives purpose and can bring deep satisfaction.

Celebrate Every Season of Life

Each stage has its own beauty. Appreciate the wisdom, freedom, or vitality that comes with where you are now.

Lee Ann O’Brien is the Chief Marketing Officer with The McGregor Foundation.

Her philanthropic commitment has helped many organizations.

She can be reached at (216) 268-8999 or leeann.obrien@mcgregoramasa.org

570 570 Leona Leona Street Street Elyria Elyria OH OH 44035 44035 2 puLse ■ VOLUME 19 | ISSUE 1

contents

ORAIN COUNTY

Feature

12 AT THE HELM

Women throughout Lorain County are leading organizations and encouraging growth and change.

As we celebrate women’s history we talk to them about what drives them and who they are.

12

6

Departments 04 FROM THE EDITOR

OUNTY LINE 06 CA career in the driver’s seat, new CDL fast-track program through Lorain County JVS.

8

ATALYST 08 CCheck out these locally owned shops for great gift ideas — or to find something great for yourself.

11

Lorain native Jaclyn Bradley brought her musical talents back home and is now teaching others.

NAPSHOT 22 SLorain County Community College is being

11 COVER: LAURA WATILO BLAKE / THIS PAGE: COURTESY LAURA WATILO BLAKE / LORAIN COUNTY JVS / THE PLANT SHOP / JACLYN BRADLEY

ENTERTAINMENT

recognized for its academic achievements.

PRODUCTION MANAGER COREY GALLOWAY TRAFFIC MANAGER PAIGE SCHULLER

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Julie Bialowas, Sarah Desmond and Tiffany Myroniak

PUBLISHER ■ PAUL KLEIN klein@clevelandstudios.com

AUDIENCE MANAGER KRISTEN BRICKNER

EDITOR ■ JENNIFER BOWEN SIMA bowen@clevelandstudios.com

EVENTS MANAGER JENNIFER ROBERTS

PARTNERS & ADVISORY COMMITTEE Community Foundation of Lorain County Lorain County Chamber of Commerce Lorain County Community College Lorain County JVS ONE Lorain County

ART DIRECTOR ■ JENNY PERDUE perdue@clevelandstudios.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Lara Busbold, Chrissy Kadleck and Jill Sell

CLEVELAND MAGAZINE OHIO MAGAZINE

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1422 Euclid Ave., Suite 730 Cleveland, OH 44115 216-377-3693 clevelandstudios.com

For more information about how Cleveland Studios can assist you with your communications needs, email klein@clevelandstudios.com. pulselorainmag.com 3

ORAIN

FROM THE EDITOR

Celebrating Strength STRONG WOMEN ARE HELPING SHAPE LORAIN COUNTY.

4 puLse ■ VOLUME 19 | ISSUE 1

SINCERELY,

JENNIFER BOWEN SIMA EDITOR, PULSE LORAIN COUNTY’S MAGAZINE

ERIC MULL

March is Women’s History Month.

That’s why it feels especially meaningful to recognize some of the women guiding our county’s growth in this issue of puLse Lorain County’s Magazine. They are thought-leaders, mentors and innovators whose work strengthens our community every day.

The women featured in “At the Helm” serve a wide range of roles — from positions in education and philanthropy to economic development and nonprofit leadership. But what stands out even more is the character behind their leadership. Each woman brings a personal story — a guiding value system — to the community she serves.

Strong leadership rarely begins in a boardroom. More often, it grows from experiences — supportive families, moments of challenge, mentors who believed in them and a desire to create opportunities for others. Those influences shape how leaders think, how they listen and how they guide organizations forward. But we also know their personal favorites (books, movies, food and more as shared in their stories) help round them out as everyday women we like to chat with.

Whether preparing students for the future, connecting donors with meaningful causes or strengthening local businesses, these women are helping build a more vibrant Lorain County. This month we celebrate their impact and the many women whose leadership continues to move our community forward.

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COUNTY LINE

Driving Forward A new commercial drivers’ license program will open more opportunities in the county.

By Chrissy Kadleck

6 puLse ■ VOLUME 19 | ISSUE 1

driving. As developer and training manager, he understands exactly what students need to succeed. “When you earn a Class A license, you are achieving the top tier,” he explains. “You are trained on how to operate tractor-trailers and semis in various situations. At the end, you have to take the federal skills and knowledge test. It is pass or fail. There is no maybe.”

His passion for the industry started early. “My father and grandfather owned trucks, and I stayed with it,” he says. His experience also inspired him to write Trucking Across USA, a reflection on life as an American trucker.

To prepare students for those opportunities, the new CDL program is built for both rigor and safety. The 160hour curriculum includes 40 hours in the classroom and another 120 hours on the training range and road. The school recently constructed a dedicated training range as part of its parking lot renovation, a major investment that brought the program closer to launch. “That was a huge undertaking and exciting to see come to fruition,” Kristian says.

On that range, students gain hands-on experience with realworld maneuvers. “Parallel parking, alley docking, straight line backing, maneuvering around obstacles,” Carlson Smith explains. “They sit behind the wheel of a 53-foot trailer and learn to control it. They need at least ten hours of actual behind-thewheel time.” Training includes both manual and automatic transmissions.

“You push yourself that little extra mile,” he says. “You get the payback.”

Enrollment requires a learner’s permit, a DOT physical and a drug test. Tuition is set at $6,000. “We are not

“When you earn a Class A license, you are achieving the top tier. You are trained on how to operate tractortrailers and semis in various situations.”

– Carlson Smith, Lorain County JVS CDL Instructor

the cheapest, but we are not the most expensive,” Kristian Smith says. With starting wages around $57,000 and experienced drivers earning significantly more, the pathway offers a strong return on investment.

While employment cannot be guaranteed, the JVS Career Services team works closely with area employers who regularly recruit new drivers. Carlson Smith says the training itself will open doors. “We will change their lives. I guarantee that.”

After three years of planning, approvals and navigating regulatory requirements, seeing the program come to life is especially meaningful for the JVS team. “There was a lot of red tape,” Kristian Smith says. “This program is going to be part of what we do here for a very long time. We are excited to offer something that truly serves our community.”

COURTESY LORAIN COUNTY JVS / ISTOCK: APPLEUZR

Lorain County is driving headfirst into a new era of workforce development, powered by the rising demand for commercial truck drivers.

Recognizing the need for certified professionals across municipalities, manufacturers and logistics companies, Lorain County JVS has launched a CDL program designed to prepare residents for high-demand, high-wage careers. A CDL is a commercial drivers license.

The idea began taking shape several years ago during a routine conversation between Lorain County JVS Adult Career Center Director Kristian Smith and officials from the City of Lorain. Their public works division made the challenge clear. “They told me they really needed people with a CDL license,” Smith recalls. Federal law had changed, making it impossible for workers to obtain a temporary commercial permit unless they were enrolled in a certified program. “That really started the wheels turning.”

Further conversations with other municipalities revealed the same message.

“Everyone said they desperately needed people with that licensure,” Smith says. As he researched industry trends, he saw that the need was not only real but growing. With support from the superintendent, he applied for Ohio’s Super Rapids Grant. “We were awarded $290,000 to help get the program started,” he says. Most of the funding went toward purchasing tractors and 53-foot trailers, the same equipment students will encounter on the job.

To build a program that met both regulatory standards and industry expectations, JVS brought in Carlson Smith, a seasoned professional with more than 40 years behind the wheel and over 4 million miles of safe

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CATALYST

Shop Local

Felicia Simulcik, The Plant Shop

Explore these Lorain County stores that bring creativity and passion to the community. By Chrissy Kadleck

8 puLse ■ VOLUME 19 | ISSUE 1

to seven customers at a time as well as a few hundred plants.

Education is at the core of Simulcik’s mission. “Most of my customers are first-time plant parents or people just starting out,” she says. “I want to set them up for success. If a plant fails in their space, it can be discouraging, and I don’t want anyone turned off from the hobby.”

Affordability matters too. Prices range from $5 starter plants to larger specimens around $100. She points to today’s $15 Thai Constellation Monstera, once a $300 rarity just two years ago, as an example of how rapidly the plant world has shifted and become more accessible.

Armed with near-encyclopedic knowledge, Simulcik offers custom arrangements and special-order sourcing trips to Florida. “If you have a wish list plant, we handpick it from growers down there.

You even get a photo of the exact plant you’ll be bringing home,” she says. For Northeast Ohio plant lovers, this level of personalization is a game changer.

In June, Simulcik and her mobile plant truck will return to community favorites like the Lorain International Festival and Jamie’s Flea Market, and will be parked at Lakewood Truck Park on several Saturdays during the summer months. “The truck leaves such a lasting impression,” she says.

COURTESY THE PLANT SHOP

THE PLANT SHOP When Felicia Simulcik launched The Plant Shop in Lorain in July 2019 she had no idea how quickly her small online venture would blossom. What began with Facebook sales and local pickups, especially during the pandemic, soon evolved into a thriving mobile business fueled by demand. “Jamie’s Flea Market was huge for us,” she recalls. “Every weekend we were there with the truck.”

Her momentum continued. After showing at the Christmas Connection at the IX Center in 2021 and preparing for the 2022 Great Big Home & Garden Show, Simulcik opened her first retail location on Oberlin Avenue. She later expanded to a larger space on Broadway Avenue. Still, the mobile model remained closest to her heart, and she plans to transition fully back to life on the road later this year. “Going back to mobile lets me reach more people and expand knowledge and passion for the industry,” she explains.

Her mobile shop is hard to forget: a former USPS truck that she and her uncle completely gutted and redesigned from the inside out. “Think of it as a food truck for plants,” she says.

Shoppers can walk up the steps into the truck, browse an impressive array of houseplants and tropicals, and explore displays that spill onto the street.

The compact space comfortably fits up

FOR EWE When Lisa Whitfield founded For Ewe in April 2022, she was stepping into a new chapter — one shaped not by her decadeslong career as a professional violist, but by the fibers of a lifelong passion. “I learned how to crochet when I was five and how to knit when I was 11,” she says. “I thought Oberlin needed a yarn store because there’s such a vibrant fiber community here.”

“In 2019, there were a lot of people of color finally speaking up about our experiences in fiber spaces,” Whitfield explains. The idea of the shop came out of this conversation.

In July 2024, For Ewe moved into a larger storefront in downtown Oberlin, reflecting both its growth and its founding purpose: inclusivity. “I wanted to create a shop that felt safe and comfortable for all kinds of people.” That intention guided the store’s design and atmosphere. Yarn is arranged by weight, with a dedicated section for non animal fibers to accommodate vegans and those with allergies. Independent dyers, especially women, people of color and LGBTQIA+ makers, fill the shelves. The centerpiece of the space is a 14 foot community crafting table.

Off to one side, a cozy living room nook invites visitors to sit, stitch and stay awhile.

“We welcome everybody who walks in the door,” Whitfield says. “Oberlin is diverse. The color doesn’t matter. Who you love doesn’t matter, how you identify doesn’t matter, what your pronouns are doesn’t matter. We just want people to come in. All levels, all ages, and we’re all hanging out together.

It’s kind of a beautiful thing.”

That sense of community is the heartbeat of For Ewe. Weekly Wednesday crafting nights often fill the long table with knitters, crocheters, students and locals. Some

COURTESY THE WHITE SQUIRREL

CATALYST

Oberlin College students become so connected to the space that Whitfield affectionately calls them her “shop cats,” a term of endearment for the young people who show up, stay and return for comfort during both hard days and joyful ones.

Her own journey began with a stranger’s kindness. Whitfield was traveling home from school on a very crowded bus in Philadelphia and sitting next to a woman who was knitting. “I was fascinated. I had always been fascinated by knitting,” she says.

“She took some spare needles and some scrap yarn out of her bag and she showed me how to knit on the bus. I call her my yarn angel because she appeared that one day.

I never saw her again.”

Today, Whitfield pays that gift forward: one stitch, one lesson and one welcoming space at a time.

Lisa Whitfield, For Ewe

THE WHITE SQUIRREL Named after the rare white squirrels spotted near Tappan Square and Morgan Street, The White Squirrel is a warm, inviting space where creativity, community and craft come together.

Oberlin’s only consignment shop dedicated exclusively to local artists

and makers opened in August 2023, founded by Marce and Robert Allen as the couple embarked on a new chapter after distinguished careers in public service — Marce as a paralegal with the Department of Defense and Robert as an emergency manager at NASA. Retirement, they realized, was the

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CATALYST

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10 puLse ■ VOLUME 19 | ISSUE 1

quilts, cards, jewelry, beauty products and more.

“Anything you can think of that is handmade,” Marce says.

“These items bring a uniqueness you can’t find anywhere else.”

The shop also doubles as a creative learning space. Vendors and local artists regularly lead classes in the backroom, offering lessons in crocheting, painting, Cricut crafting, and even a popular “junk journal” workshop where participants build memory-filled books from stitched pages, envelopes and keepsakes.

“I wanted the shop to feel homier — almost like a living room,” Marce says, describing the warm, welcoming atmosphere she intentionally created in their adopted hometown. “We love Oberlin. It’s closeknit and friendly, and we knew it would be the perfect place for a shop.”

PLAN BEFORE YOU BET: SET LIMITS RECOGNIZE THE RISKS KNOW WHEN TO STOP

COURTEY THE WHITE SQUIRREL

Marce and Robert Allen, The White Squirrel

perfect opportunity to turn their longtime hobbies into something that could serve the community.

“I like to do arts and crafts, and my husband does photography,” Marce says. “We thought, well, we’re retired — why not open a shop?”

What began as a personal passion project quickly grew into a special, communitydriven marketplace. At first, Marce wasn’t sure exactly what the store would become. “But we knew we wanted to give back to the community,” she says.

Today, The White Squirrel showcases work from 50 local vendors, most from around Lorain County and Northeast Ohio. The store offers an eclectic and everchanging array of handmade goods, including crochet, pottery, woodworking, original paintings, sculptural pieces,

Jaclyn Bradley’s music career brought her around the world and back to Lorain to help teach others.

COURTESY ROCK TOWN ACADEMY: JACLYN BRADLEY / ISTOCK: MUHAMMAD ARIFIN

By Chrissy Kadleck When Jaclyn Bradley stepped onto a preschool stage at age three and belted out her first solo, Bing Crosby’s “You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby,” she learned something that would shape her entire life. “I realized that in a very short amount of time, one song could make people really joyful,” she says about her performance at Open Door Christian Schools in Elyria.

Decades later, after opera training, rock tours, international television singing competitions and a life lived on stages across the world, she returned to her hometown of Lorain to build a place where music could change lives every day. That place became Rock Town Music Academy.

Bradley’s childhood home was always vibrant with music. “I would watch MTV when I was a kid,” she says. “I was inspired by the performances, and I manifested that someday I am going to be on MTV.” Her talent carried her to Indiana University, which she describes as one of the best voice programs in the country. “I got really good technical training that I use now with my voice students.”

Although she earned a degree in classical vocal performance, her heart leaned toward contemporary music.

“My dad is a lawyer, and he wanted me to go to law school, and I wanted to be a rock star,” she says. “We compromised with classical vocal performance.” But after graduating, she decided to follow her passion fully.

Her pursuit of music took her to New York City, where she wrote and recorded original songs. She later moved to Los Angeles and toured as a backup singer for Ty Stone, who was signed to Kid Rock’s label. Life led her

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Lorain Proud

“My dad is a lawyer, and he wanted me to go to law school, and I wanted to be a rock star.”

– Jaclyn Bradley Rock Town Music Academy Founder

across the Atlantic, where she married, became a mother and continued performing. While living in Europe, she competed on The Voice of Holland.

Her journey continued in Ireland, where she competed on Ireland’s Got Talent. Although she sees her path as eclectic, she also sees purpose in it. “It is a hodgepodge when you look at it, but it is also a lot of experiences that I wanted to pay forward,” she says.

In the summer of 2018, she returned home for a visit and offered voice lessons for three months. “I put an ad up on social media, and within half an hour I had like 20 students,” she says.

“I realized there was a need for music lessons in the area.” After moving back to Lorain permanently in 2019, she decided to open a music school. At the same time, her father, Jack Bradley was elected mayor of Lorain, prompting Jaclyn to write the song “Hometown,” which has become a resident anthem for the International City.

Rock Town Music Academy opened in 2020. “We had to improvise with masks and build screens for the singers and do a lot of Zoom lessons,” she says.

“But we continued to grow.”

Today, the school serves about 100 students and offers lessons in voice, guitar, piano, violin, cello, saxophone, drums and recording arts. “It has

Rock Town Music Academy students

grown from just a girl who came home and gave some voice lessons to a fully operating music school with 11 staff members,” she says. Many of her instructors are active performers. “They have a lot of skill and experience to inspire their students with.”

Students perform at the Palace Theater, where “for that day, they see their beauty and become a star,” Bradley says. Some students have become recording artists with songs on streaming platforms. The academy also hosts Rock Band workshops and adult ensembles.

Bradley still teaches voice and loves watching students find their confidence. “We are a place for the creative soul,” she says. “If music is your thing, there is a place for you right in the city of Lorain.” pulselorainmag.com 11

GET TO KNOW SOME OF THE DYNAMIC WOMEN LEADING LORAIN COUNTY. By Jill Sell

A

number of powerful, dynamic women in leadership roles in Lorain County have familiar names and recognizable faces. They grab headlines and are known outside the county. And that’s important. Other incredible women may not be as well known, but quietly, steadily, lead those around them to do their best and to make sure Lorain County is strong and prosperous. A small sample of our women leading the county:

12 puLse ■ VOLUME 19 | ISSUE 1

LISA HUTSON LISA HUTSON IS PRESIDENT AND CEO OF ONE LORAIN COUNTY, a nonprofit

organization that promotes economic development throughout Lorain County. Hutson was named to the leadership position in 2023, shortly after the organization’s establishment.

Prior to this position, she was director of the Small Business Development Center at Lorain County Community College for eight years, and also spent the bulk of her career in the banking industry.

Hutson’s overall goals are “to create more jobs and stronger businesses… so everyone has access to a career path that will create a family-sustaining wage.”

With Hutson’s longevity in Lorain County, her networking skills, former business and organizational partnerships and the fact that she “knows everyone,” she has been able to make ONE Lorain County a respected, effective asset in a relatively short time.

How has ONE Lorain County and your role evolved?

“Year One was kind of a blur. A lot of things needed to be established and contacts made. Luckily, I had made some good relationships and was able to leverage those. Year Two was a continuation, but more established.

Now I am starting Year Three and I am really excited. People are familiar with ONE Lorain County now and things are starting to happen. Lorain County people like Lorain County people and that’s our organization.”

LAURA WATLIO BLAKE

Any misconceptions about what the organization offers?

Sometimes people think we are a duplication of government agencies on the county or city level.

There is some duplication, but it is very complementary. And there are advantages to a nonprofit development organization. We keep confidentiality. Maybe a business wants to relocate here from another state but doesn’t want that

knowledge to go public just yet. And we offer continuity.

Elected officials change. We balance the short-term nature of government with long-term strategic planning.”

What’s your leadership style?

“Leadership is definitely by example. It’s also a two-way street. Sometimes I am the leader and sometimes I am the follower. Everyone has gifts to share, and I am very team-oriented.”

Outside of work, what’s your passion?

“I love animals. I have four dogs and a cat. The cat rules the roost.

I also foster animals and I value anyone who rescues them. I always cry when the day comes my foster animals go with their adopted family.

But I know if I kept everyone, I couldn’t continue to foster others.

And I love to get updates from the people who take them.”

Favorite childhood memory?

“We were fortunate to take great family vacations. The first time I was on a plane, and going to Disney,

the pilot took me into the cockpit and gave me a little set of wings. I also learned to dive off a diving board in Florida that trip and that was a big thing.”

FAVORITES

Book: Home of the American Circus

by Allison Larkin. “I love reading and last year I read about 80 books, audio books included.”

Play: Cats and A Chorus Line.

Musicals! My daughter lives in New York City and that’s often where we will go.”

Food: Fried mozzarella.

“My daughter and I rate restaurants on how good their mozzarella is.”

Plant: “I am death to plants.

Giving me a plant is like sending it on death march.”

Clothing: “Shoes are an easy buy when I need a little pickme up.” pulselorainmag.com 13

we learn.

And for those opportunities we can’t foresee, we stay nimble and responsive.”

How has the college evolved in the past decade?

economic mobility for individuals and families.

How does the college’s new strategic vision build upon its existing legacy?

MARCIA J. BALLINGER AS LORAIN COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE (LCCC) PRESIDENT MARCIA J. BALLINGER, PH.D., enters

14 puLse ■ VOLUME 19 | ISSUE 1

What are the biggest challenges ahead?

“I don’t see anything as a challenge; I see it as an opportunity. From AI to robotics to microchips, technology is always changing and presenting new opportunities. It’s our role as the community’s college to make sure our students and residents can harness these changes, not be hindered by them. Here at Lorain County Community College, we are always aligned to our priorities, many of which include these anticipated changes, and these priorities have been vetted throughout the community and among varied constituents. While we don’t have a crystal ball, we listen and

FAVORITES

Hobby: “I am a wine collector and wine connoisseur. We also try to go to Napa Valley Wine Country whenever possible for vacations. And we also like to get away to Columbus to visit my grandchildren, 9 and 5.”

Play: “I couldn’t pick only one. Just all the plays and performances by Lorain County Community College students at the Stocker Arts Center. Over the 35 years I have been here, I have been so fortunate to see so many outstanding performances. And Stocker is a big part of our community.”

Music: “Listening to jazz is my stress reliever.”

Restaurant: “LCCC’s student-run Sage & Seed. It has an extraordinary menu and showcases what our Culinary Arts students can do. Not only do they prepare the food, but run the front of the house themselves. It’s classroom experience in a restaurant.”

TV Show: “I am hooked on ‘The Pitt.’

It’s an incredible drama. Pittsburgh is also my hometown and they did such a fantastic job infusing realism about the city into this show."

Sport: “I watch football and baseball.

And yes, I am a fan of both Cleveland and Pittsburgh.”

COURTESY MARCIA BALLINGER

her second decade as the college’s fifth — and first female — president, she does so with a continued passion for creating a thriving community where every student’s dream matters.

With over 30 years in community college leadership roles, along with placements on national advisory boards focused on technology and innovation, education and access, and economic development, Ballinger (who joined LCCC in 1991), has taken an active role in engaging staff and students, government officials, nonprofits, manufacturers and the small business community to form partnerships that are bold and effective.

Believing “people support what they help create,” she has empowered an allin culture at LCCC that readies students in the region to not only be prepared for jobs today, but for the future.

Just last fall, the college launched its new strategic vision, THRIVE 2035. The vision is anchored in a bold goal to deliver 35,000 more degrees and credentials of value by 2035 that will advance

“THRIVE 2035 is LCCC’s bold next step in advancing opportunity and meeting our community’s diverse needs. We know Lorain County is poised for impressive economic growth and our new strategic vision supports that growth through student access, academic excellence, and career-connected pathways. It’s the first phase of our 10-year journey ahead and is truly rooted in advancing economic mobility for individuals and families and create a thriving economy and community.

That has always been LCCC’s legacy.”

“Our mission has always centered on access and opportunity for our students. In more recent years however, LCCC shifted how we delivered on that — we went from asking ourselves if the students coming to us were ‘college ready’ to asking ourselves if we at the college were ‘student ready.’

That kind of cultural transformation has been crucial to ensuring that when we say every student’s dream matters, we’re doing all we can to make sure they achieve that dream.”

CARMEN TWILLIE AMBAR CARMEN TWILLIE AMBAR, THE 15TH PRESIDENT OF OBERLIN COLLEGE AND CONSERVATORY, stepped into her

current position in 2017. A native of Little Rock, Arkansas, Ambar has held top administrative roles at Cedar Crest College in Pennsylvania, Rutgers University and the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs.

Determined to continue Oberlin’s reputation as a strong, forward-thinking school, Ambar has initiated and guided a number of positive changes that impact current and future students. Those changes, in turn, have lit paths for other similar thinking schools and also strengthened opportunities for Lorain County and its residents.

Among those accomplishments: expanded scholarship programs, a carbon neutral campus, overseen the launch of an unprecedented number of majors and minors in the college and conservatory, enhanced student tracks for study abroad and community-based learning.

COURTESY CARMEN TWILLIE AMBAR / ISTOCK: ISMAGILOV

How do you see your role as the school’s leader?

“I am reading The Infinite Game by Simon Sinek. It makes you think of your organization as something that will outlast you. That makes you believe in values differently.

When you are leading an institution that has this kind of history and accomplishments, you feel obligated. You know that people who will be here after you will benefit from things you do well and also be affected by things you don’t

do well. I take that seriously. It's an albatross, all right. But some albatrosses are right. The weight is not constricting.”

to give all of me to them and give them what they needed. Then I could go back to my job.”

What has helped form your moral compass?

Book: “I’m reading Atomic Habits by James Clear that encourages you to make small changes. I tell my students that what they read in the next five years and the people they associate with will help determine what kind of person they will become.”

Movie: “Classics including The Godfather or The Lord of the Rings. I like those threehour epics.”

Play: “My mom was chair of a college theater and arts department. I saw lots of plays. But I like musicals best — I want to leave the theater singing. Oberlin has a new music theater major and always, when these students visit my home, someone ends up playing the piano.”

Sport: “I grew up swimming but gave up a lot of actual participation in sports for a while. But since I’ve come to Oberlin, I am back in the gym four to six days a week. I’ve done body building and U-clips.

And tractor tire throwing. The hottest shirt on campus is only given to students who participate. It says, ‘My president is stronger than your president.’”

“Faith is important to me. I am so glad my parents gave me that gift. I don’t necessary wear it on my sleeve. But having faith gives me the ability to think about what is important to me.”

You are the mother of 18-yearold triplets, all in their first year at Oberlin. How has that responsibility shaped your life?

“First of all you have to realize that having three will be fun, even if you have to live with a certain level of chaos and uncertainty. There were days when they were young, when I’d walk out the door and I didn’t have peas in my hair. That was good. That taught me a kind of humbleness. I made it. Everything will be fine. Having triplets helps you understand what is important. We all have jobs that are consuming, but my children taught me what all people need to do. When I came home, the triplets were relentless. But you can’t be split between your children and your job. I learned

FAVORITES

pulselorainmag.com 15

JULIE CHASEMOREFIELD JULIE CHASE-MOREFIELD BECAME THE PRESIDENT AND CEO of Second Harvest

Food Bank of North Central Ohio in 2004. With more than two decades of food bank experience in Ohio, Chase-Morefield has chosen to spend the most recent years with people she knows and serving the local communities she loves.

Established in 1982, Second Harvest works with more than 130 partners providing food assistance and combating food insecurity. In 2025, the organization (which works with 3,000 volunteers) distributed 11 ½ million pounds of food. With Chase-Morefield’s guidance, a $5.1 million capital campaign built a 41,000-square-foot headquarters.

Also, new and expanded school-based and mobile food pantries, as well as improved food access in cities, have flourished under her leadership.

What drew you to making the availability of food for everyone your mission?

“Even in high school, I had the idea of working for a nonprofit, even if I didn’t necessarily know what the term meant back then. It wasn’t until years later that I made the connection to my own family history. My mom actually grew up in poverty and she and her family relied on (subsidized) USDA butter and cheese.

Programs like those have such long histories. And they allowed a single mom with three kids some stability and also gave my mom a better life.”

Why do people donate to Second Harvest?

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“We try to do whatever we can to meet immediate food needs. But we also look at how we can help people with long-term food security.

We don’t want people in our food pantry line. We want them at the grocery store and having a healthy, happy life.”

Has your family shared part of your professional life?

“I have been married to my husband, my high school sweetheart, for 28 years. He is my biggest supporter. My kids also volunteer at distributions.” (ChaseMorefield also mentions Roxy, her French bulldog/pug mix who is a rescue, as great for providing comfort after long days at work.)

What’s your favorite childhood memory?

“Riding the Teacup ride with my grandmother at Disneyland.”

FAVORITES

Book: The Color Purple by Alice Walker.

“I’ve always loved that book since I read it in high school.”

Play: Hell’s Kitchen, the Broadway musical that is a coming-of-age story of Alicia Keys’ life. “It’s a really lovely musical for a mother and daughter to see.”

Movie: Field of Dreams the 1989 sports fantasy drama starring Kevin Costner.

Sports: “I’m a huge Cleveland Guardians fan. And since I have a kid who plays softball, anything baseball or softball related.”

Clothing: “A good jacket, but my husband will tell you I have too many.”

Stress reliever: “I live close to (Lake Erie) so I just like to sit there and it’s very peaceful.”

Favorite junk food: chocolate Culinary talents: “According to some people, I make a really good pie, even my own crust. My husband likes apple and my son likes pumpkin.”

Gardening task: “I like landscaping and also flower arranging.”

LAURA WATILO BLAKE

“We operate a $6 ½ million budget. The average person sees their neighbors struggling or has had some struggles in their own life. They want to give that $25 or $50 and keep doing it.”

What are you goals for Second Harvest?

MEGAN CHAMPAGNE MEGAN CHAMPAGNE, NAMED LORAIN COUNTY JVS’S PRINCIPAL IN LATE 2025,

LAURA WATILO BLAKE

has been gathering relevant experience for this demanding role much of her life. Champagne grew up in Columbia Station where her grandfather was a teacher and her father a school board member. She also has been a school board member and knows Lorain County well. Being an educator, she says, was more or less in her DNA. Champagne joined Lorain County JVS in 2011 as an English teacher and in 2018 moved into several administrative positions.

Her responsibilities have included student discipline, managing student services and keeping curriculum current.

The school, located in Oberlin, has an enrollment of more than 1,400 high school students and 500 adult learners from 13 associate school districts. Champagne says the school’s biggest mission is “to help every single student find success in their career.” And that is a gift to the families of Lorain County.

What’s the most challenging part of your job right now?

“There are a lot of moving parts that I must transition between during the course of the

How did your childhood influence you? day. You go from dealing with details to strategic planning. We are also in a climate where we don’t necessarily know what funding will look like. But I am a really detail-oriented person.

And much of what we do is problem solving, so that can be challenging.”

What do you see as your main focus as a leader?

“I look at servant leadership in the sense that we are all here to serve the families of Lorain County. My job is to recognize that everyone in our building is working very hard to that end. How can I support those people? And I want parents and our associate schools to know that we love what we do, that we are invested in the care of their children.”

“My family rarely said no if I wanted to try anything. That support early on has translated to what I can do. Now I live next to my sister and my parents and they still play a big role in my life.”

Latest personal challenge?

“I have three kids, two son and a daughter. They all ski so they are teaching me.”

FAVORITES

Book: The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali Article of clothing: “Sweaters. I think it is a teacher thing.”

Sports: “I am a Guards fan. And my daughter plays basketball so of course we watch a lot of those games.”

Stress reliever: “I like spending time outside. I have a vegetable garden (cherry tomatoes!) and I also like houseplants.” pulselorainmag.com 17

CYNTHIA H. ANDREWS AS PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF LORAIN COUNTY, Cynthia H. Andrews

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“I was born and raised in Philadelphia by a working mom and my grandmother. I went to Philadelphia public schools and Penn State. That’s where my sense of creating opportunities evolved. Not everyone sees or knows about available opportunities. We all don’t know hiring should be available to everyone or that I should be able to pick the school of my choice. I was very fortune to see those things and that set the stage for me to know we are all here to make things better for all of us.”

The Community Foundation of Lorain County is the hub of the region’s charitable giving.

We know grants and scholarships are a focus. What are some ways you interact and find opportunities for people to connect?

“Taking a phone call from an executive struggling to make payroll, gathering police chiefs together to talk about what community engagement looks like

and taking 40 high school kids to a job fair at the Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland.”

How has the Foundation expanded to meet the needs of today’s donors?

“It’s no longer just about donating money. Participating and volunteering are even more important for the younger generations. But we also now accept cryptocurrency donations and have even found a way to use donated art.”

Stress reliever?

“I practice yoga every morning for my mental and physical health.”

What’s your favor childhood memory?

“Growing up swimming in Philadelphia. Everyone went to the pool. It was the place to be, but also really a luxury at the time.”

FAVORITES

Book: Strong Ground by Brené Brown. “She’s a wonderful person and this is about finding your plan.”

Play: Hamilton Sports: college football Junk food: “Sugar. Jelly beans, chocolate, caramels. Just ask my dentist.”

Gardening task: “No gardening. But I like fresh flowers and especially hydrangeas.”

COURTESY CYNTHIA H. ANDREWS / ISTOCK: MINISERIES

believes the job of her organization is “connecting people with causes that matter.” With 34 communities under her watch and $180 million in assets, Andrews sees her responsibility as recognizing and creating opportunities. Finding ways to “re-imagine” doesn’t mean something was done incorrectly in the past or broken, she says. But it does mean “finding new ways to center ourselves and engage in the community.”

Andrews has been down a similar path before she joined the Community Foundation of Lorain County in 2017. For 25 years, she held key IBM management positions that required, among other things, bringing together leaders in manufacturing, healthcare, education and distribution.

“Now I connect community members.

I’ve come full circle,” says Andrews.

What attracted you to philanthropy and helping others?

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COURTESY LEE ANN O'BRIEN

LEE ANN O'BRIEN

needs, thanks in part to The McGregor Foundation.

The organization’s McGregor Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) opened in a new, convenient location in Elyria in November 2025. PACE delivers a full spectrum of services to seniors, allowing them to remain independent wherever they call home.

Lee Ann O’Brien, named Chief Marketing and Communications Officer of The McGregor Foundation in 2025, has been instrumental in much of McGregor’s success.

Previously, O’Brien held several key administrative roles over the 15 years of her association with the organization. Her leadership work in Lorain County (as well as Cuyahoga

pulselorainmag.com 19

IN MY ROLES, I AM NOT JUST THINKING ABOUT WOMEN, BUT WITH OR FOR WOMEN AND HOW THEY CAN SUCCEED AND HOW EVERYONE CAN BENEFIT FROM THEIR VIEWS AND TALENTS.” — LEE ANN O'BRIEN

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and Summit Counties) has aided McGregor in assisting others.

O’Brien is especially proud of McGregor’s new, affordable senior independent housing building which will break ground this spring and is scheduled to open in 2027. McGregor Landing will be a four-story apartment complex with 115 apartments.

How were your leadership skills formed?

“I have been fortunate to have been on many boards throughout my career. We always want to learn and there is always something new and different on the horizon. Being with McGregor partners and on different boards in northeast Ohio has provided those opportunities.

Currently I am part of the Leadership Lorain County Class of 2026 and we will graduate in May 2026. I have also served with the American Cancer Society, Women’s City Club of Cleveland, Leadership Cleveland and as president of the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Foundation, among many others.”

What are some of those specific skills?

“Some people say I am known for my innovation. And in my roles, I am not just thinking about women, but with or for women and how they can succeed and how everyone can benefit from their views and talents.

That’s something that has always been very important in my career.”

How do you challenge yourself?

“Last year I joined the North Coast Women’s Sailing Association. I wanted to try something I never tried before. This past summer our team became more involved with the racing component of the organization. I learned to crew on a sailboat. That was kind of exciting and pushed my limits. I am not one to stagnate or remain satisfied with everything. You always want to live that extraordinary life.”

What was your childhood like?

“Our parents took us on road trips every summer out West, at least for three months. We went all over the West, as far at California and I’ve been to almost every national park west of Ohio. While it’s really nice to travel the world, there is so much to see in the United States.”

Anything you are afraid of?

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NK Y THA COUNTY s r a N e I Y A s LOR liciou s—

2 De ed u For 4 support s u e ’v d e u t yo vo y and aker

eful est B #1 B e truly grat We’r

“I know we all get older every day. But I don’t want to grow old in my way of thinking. I want to have a positive outlook.”

FAVORITES

Book: Mindset: Changing the Way You Think to Fulfil Your Potential by Carol Dweck Sport: “I am an avid golfer. I say I am a member of the CGA — the Casual Golf Association.”

Food: “I don’t think there is a food I don’t like, except for the lima beans my mother used to make me eat. Every now and then I can crave a really good burger. And I love sashimi.”

Film: “I can watch The Thomas Crown Affair endlessly, but is has to be the version with Pierce Brosnan.”

Clothing: “A cozy, bulky turtle neck sweater.”

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— Marcia J. Ballinger, Ph.D.

With Honors

W

LCCC earns national recognition from the Aspen Institute.

hen the Aspen Institute named Lorain County Community College (LCCC) one of the 200 institutions eligible to compete for the $1 million Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, it placed LCCC among the nation’s top-performing two-year colleges.

Selection is based on student outcomes, including retention, completion, transfer and bachelor's attainment. LCCC is one of just four Ohio Institutions to earn a spot in this ninth cycle of the prestigious award.

For LCCC President Marcia J. Ballinger, Ph.D., the recognition affirms and evokes a great sense of pride in the university’s mission.

“Being named among the Aspen Prize Top 200 community colleges is a tremendous honor for Lorain County Community College and a powerful affirmation of the work happening here every day,” Ballinger says. “For us, this recognition isn’t about rankings — it’s about results for students and the community.”

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Ballinger says this recognition belongs to the entire college community, including the Board of Trustees, faculty, staff, administrators, partners and students. She is proud to share that they have cultivated what Ballinger calls “a culture of ongoing reflection and strategic and innovative thinking,” all centered on improving results for students.

This includes strengthening advising services, wraparound supports and employer partnerships, and aligning programs and curriculum with workforce demand. Additionally, LCCC’s University Partnership program and its own applied bachelor’s degrees have been key, creating seamless transfer options and allowing students to continue their education locally.

Ballinger also shares her pride in what she says she believes to be LCCC’s most valuable asset. “Our students, many of whom balance work, family and financial pressures, demonstrate extraordinary

resilience. Their success is the true measure of our institution’s design and commitment to continually improve to serve them and meet the needs of today and what may lie ahead.”

In recent years, LCCC has aligned its mission even closer with the Aspen Prize’s criteria through its bold “THRIVE 2035” vision of delivering 35,000 more degrees and credentials of value by 2035 to advance economic mobility and strengthen the region’s economy.

Following a rigorous two-year selection process, the next Aspen Prize winners will be announced in the spring of 2027. And although the recognition and monetary award would be a distinguished achievement, Ballinger is clear about what success looks like for LCCC with or without the prize. “Ultimately, our success is measured by how well we serve our students and strengthen our community.”

— Lara Busold

COURTESY LCCC / ISTOCK: JUSTPRINT / Copyright 2026 by Great Lakes Studios. No part of this publication may be reproduced by any means without permission of Great Lakes Publishing. All rights reserved. Pulse Magazine and the publisher are not responsible for errors or omissions. All information is subject to change.

“For us, this recognition isn’t about rankings — it’s about results for students and the community.”

2026

LOR AIN COU NTY ’ S M AGAZ INE

Call for Nominations!

Which Lorain County destinations top your list of favorites? Vote now in the 2026 Best of Lorain County contest. This year’s finalists will be announced in the Fall 2026 issue of puLse and invited to take part in the 2026 Best of Lorain County Party. The deadline to submit nominations is May 31, 2026.

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Save the Date!

Want to taste, sample and experience all of this year’s finalists under one roof? Join us on Thursday, September 17, 2026, at Lorain County Community College for the 2026 Best of Lorain County Party. More than 60 finalists will be on-hand to showcase what makes them a Lorain County favorite!

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