ERC is proud to announce that President and CEO Kelly Keefe has been named a 2026 Smart 50 Award honoree, recognizing her leadership, innovation and impact on the Northeast Ohio business community. Presented by FIT Technologies and hosted by Smart Business, the Smart 50 Awards recognize 50 outstanding executives who are building and guiding successful … Read more

Meet Brad Rico, a people-focused leader who believes the strongest organizations are built by hiring talented people, empowering them to succeed, and creating a culture rooted in respect, accountability, and continuous growth. As President of Global Sales and Marketing at Brennan Industries, Brad oversees sales and marketing across five continents. Over his 25-year career with … Read more

Meet Pat Ghilani, a culture-driven leader who believes the strongest organizations are built by creating a sense of belonging, reinforcing a shared identity, and giving people something bigger than themselves to represent. As CEO of MRI Software, Pat leads a company that began in Cleveland and has grown into a global organization with nearly 5,000 … Read more

Meet Tom Williams, a purpose-driven leader who believes the strongest organizations are built through clear strategy, engaged people, and leadership that puts people first. As the former Chairman and CEO of Parker Hannifin, Tom led more than 60,000 employees while guiding one of the world’s largest manufacturers through a period of growth and transformation. Throughout … Read more

Meet Dalithia Smith, a people-first leader who believes confidence, continuous learning, and strategic thinking are the keys to helping organizations thrive through change. As Chief Human Resources Officer at Oatey, Dalithia leads people strategy for an organization focused on growth, innovation, and long-term success. Her work centers on helping employees develop the confidence, judgment, and … Read more

Meet Dr. James Voos, the leader behind one of the most expansive sports medicine programs in the country, connecting professional sports, healthcare innovation, youth athletics, research, and community wellness across Northeast Ohio. As Chair of Orthopedic Surgery at University Hospitals and Head Team Physician for the Cleveland Browns, Dr. Voos oversees a growing network that … Read more

Are you facing the challenge of balancing competitive pay with controlling costs? We spoke with compensation expert Susan Pyles, who shared how blending base pay with bonuses can help you fairly reward your team without overspending. Susan shared practical steps to design an incentive plan that helps you retain key employees, manage pay effectively, and … Read more

Meet Brian Barren, President of Business Operations for the Cleveland Guardians, where he oversees everything beyond the field of play, from revenue growth and fan experience to talent strategy, culture, and community impact. Brian stepped into the organization after more than two decades at Procter & Gamble, bringing a strong background in sales, strategy, and … Read more

Meet Lauren Reed, CEO of MHEDA, an international trade association serving the material handling industry and hundreds of member companies across the country. Lauren stepped into the top leadership role in 2025 at a moment when both the industry and the expectations of MHEDA’s member companies were evolving quickly. As CEO, she’s now responsible for … Read more

Is building a truly great workplace about perks and policies? Or about showing up and listening to the people who make the work happen? Meet Cindy Torres Essell, Chief People Officer at Heinen’s, the family-owned grocery company serving communities across Northeast Ohio. Cindy’s path to leadership didn’t follow a straight line, but each chapter shaped … Read more

Meet Austin Merk, President of Universal Oil, a nearly 150-year-old, 100% employee-owned organization. Universal Oil is a distributor of fuels and industrial lubricants serving customers across construction, manufacturing, and transportation, right here in Cleveland. In this episode, Austin shares what it looks like when a new leader takes the helm of a long-standing company and … Read more

What if your DEI work came with a revenue target, developed your next leaders, and grew the business at the same time? Kevin Clayton, Executive Vice President & Chief Impact and Equity Officer at the Cleveland Cavaliers, joins host Sam Clyde Schroeder to show how DEI has become a core business strategy. Kevin breaks down … Read more