Our Team
Our Board of Directors
Executive Team
Leann Schaeffer, MA, RD, LD
Chair
The University of Akron
Chris Parrish
Vice Chair
Aultman Hospital
David Ionno
Treasurer
Financial Advisor at PNC Investments
Richard Hawkins
Secretary
Timken Steel
Directors
Julie Abiecunas
Koinonia Homes
Judith Banks
A Beautiful Mind Foundation
Cynthia P. Bayer, Esq.
Summa Health Systems
Kolleen Crish
Woodforest Bank
Gary Davis
Goodyear Tire and Rubber
Krista Dobronos
Westfield Bank
Elizabeth England
KAZ Company
Sharon Ennis
The Hackett Group
Tim Gallagher
ReliabilityFirst
Bruce Inzetta
The Will-Burt Company
Robert Madden
McNeil Industries
Gina Major
Red Oak Behavioral Health
Amy Marsteller
Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority
Alex J. McCallion
Brennan, Manna & Diamond
Kimberly Ray
PNC Bank
Nathan Ritter
Aultman Hospital
Brenda Scurry
Comfort Keeper
Stephen Shamrock, CPA, CGMA
Materion Corporation
Harvey L. Sterns, Ph.D.
The University of Akron
Ron Van Horn
Schauer Group
Emeritus Board Members
William Belden, Jr.
Belden Brick Company
Thomas R. Fuller
Alpha Phi Alpha Homes
Pamela A. Hawkins
Retired from AMHA
Lee S. Walko, Esq.
Brennan, Manna & Diamond
Barbara Venesy
Attorney
Want to join our Board of Directors?
What does Board Service entail? As a Board Member of VANTAGE Aging, you are asked to give of your personal and professional time, talent and treasure to promote the mission of the agency. This includes three primary roles:
- Establish Organizational Identity: Members of the Board of Directors ensure effective planning and determine mission and purpose and advocates for them.
- Ensure Resources: Directors of the Board select the President/Chief Executive Officer, ensure adequate financial resources, build a competent board, and enhance the organization’s public standing.
- Provide Oversight: Board Members support and evaluate the President/Chief Executive Officer, monitor and strengthen programs and services, protect assets and provide financial oversight, and ensure legal and ethical integrity.
To read or sign our Statement of Expectations for Board Members, click here. For a printed version, click here.
If you are passionate about the success of our aging population and interested in learning more, please contact our office at 330-253-4597. Alternatively, you can fill out an online application or download a printed version.
Our Staff
Ted Watko – CEO • 330-253-4597 x130
Ted joined VANTAGE Aging as the chief operating officer in January of 2019, following the merger of Meals on Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties with VANTAGE Meals on Wheels of Northern Ohio. He previously worked five years as the chief executive officer at Meals on Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties. Before his time with Meals on Wheels, he worked 19 years at Diebold Nixdorf, assuming roles of increasing responsibility, most recently as the director of human resources.
Ted earned a B.A. in Accounting & Finance from Walsh University and M.B.A from Miami University. Ted brings community and nonprofit experience, including participation on the Board of Trustees for the Diebold Foundation, Greater Stark County Urban League, the American Heart Association, Community Services of Stark County and the Society for Human Resource Management.
Credentials
- B.A. in Accounting & Finance, Walsh University
- M.B.A., Miami University
- HR Certifications: SPHR, SHRM-SCP
Ann Manby – Chief Financial Officer • 330-253-4597 x181
As Chief Financial Officer, Ann Manby is responsible for financial planning strategies and the development and implementation of fiscal policy. Ann also oversees the administration of the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) which is funded by the Department of Labor and the Ohio Department of Aging.
Prior to joining VANTAGE, she was Chief Financial Officer/Chief Operating Officer at United Way of Summit County. She received a Woman of Distinction award from Girl Scouts of Northeast Ohio in 2017, the 30 For the Future award from the Greater Akron Chamber in 2010, the Volunteer of the Year Award from Victim Assistance Program in 2009, and the Outstanding Communications Volunteer award from the American Red Cross of Summit and Portage Counties in 2006.
She is a member of the Leadership Akron Class #33, serves as the vice president of the Akron AAA board, and is the leader of her daughter’s Girl Scout troop. Ann earned her CPA designation and Bachelor’s degree from Ohio Wesleyan University.
Credentials
- CPA, Certified Public Accountant
- B.S., Accounting, Ohio Wesleyan University
Amina Hall – Director of Community Engagement • 330-253-4597 x160
Amina joined the Vantage Aging team in June of 2020 as the Director of Community Engagement. She previously worked as a Marketing and Development Director at Family and Community Services Inc. (FCS). Before her time at FCS, Amina held number of leadership positions at Hope and Healing Survivor Resource Center in Summit and Medina Counties.
Amina’s passion for connecting donors to the causes they care about led her to launch a number of successful campaigns and fundraising events. She believes in importance of developing meaningful and long-lasting community partnerships.
She is a member of the Leadership Portage County Class of 2019 and has earned her Bachelor of Arts and Sciences from The University of Akron.
Safaraz (Sef) Mohammad – Director of Information Technology • 330-253-4597 x194
As a Director of IT Sef oversees the IT operations at VANTAGE Aging. He utilizes technology to improve the agency’s efforts to support the aging population more efficiently. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Management Information Systems with a double major in E-Business Technologies from The University of Akron.
Credentials
- B.S., Management Information Systems, The University of Akron
Jennifer Kanney-Beebe – Director of Home Wellness Solutions and Customer Care • 330-253-4597 x123
As Director of Home Wellness Solutions and Customer Care, Jennifer Kanney-Beebe coordinates intake for the Meals on Wheels and Home Wellness Solutions programs. Previously, Jennifer was the Social Services/Case Manager for Meals on Wheels Stark and Wayne and was responsible for the administration of all social service programs. She also works as a subcontractor in a counseling practice, and her previous experience includes 18 years as a medical social worker. She is a licensed social worker in the State of Ohio (LSW). Jennifer holds a Master’s Degree in Community Counseling and is a licensed professional clinical counselor in the State of Ohio (PCC).
Credentials
- Master’s Degree in Community Counseling
- LSW, Licensed Social Worker
- PCC, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor
Jay Varnes – Director of Meals on Wheels of Northeast Ohio • 330-832-7220 x114
Jay joined Meals on Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties in 2014 as the Dietary Manager. He was promoted to Director of Operations shortly after, where he oversaw the production of up to 1,600 meals per day and received the Champion Chef award at the 2017 Faith in Action Health and Wellness Fair Cook-Off. After the agency merged with VANTAGE Aging in 2019, Jay was promoted to his current position as Director of Meals on Wheels of Northeast Ohio. He is now in charge of meal production for Summit, Stark, and Wayne Counties. Jay has his Associates of Business from Rasmussen College of Business, and is pursuing a B.S. in Business Management. Jay brings a history of community involvement and volunteer experience, having served several years as the Vice President of the Wayne and Holmes County Soap Box Derby Board as well as a coach for the West Holmes School District youth baseball, football, and wrestling teams.
Credentials
- Associates of Business, Rasmussen College of Business
Lisa Mascellino – Director of Retired and Senior Volunteer Program • 330-253-4597
As Director of the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, Lisa Mascellino oversees the nation’s largest volunteer network for people 55 and older in seven Ohio counties. She engages older Ohioans who want to give back, fosters meaningful relationships between volunteers and community-based organizations, and measures impact at local and national levels.
She brings over 15 years of experience in nonprofit, volunteer management, and community engagement to VANTAGE Aging. Previously, Lisa spent seven years as the Assistant Director of the Kent State University Alumni Association where she was responsible for the leadership of the alumni volunteer program. In this role, she was responsible for the organization of over 400 volunteers involved in an average of 75 events annually. In addition, Lisa has held various community engagement positions in organizations such as OhioGuidestone and Jobs for Ohio Graduates. Lisa enjoys giving back to the community and volunteers at various local nonprofit organizations. Her most current volunteer activity is with the Akron Area Society of Human Resource Management where she serves as the Social and Community Outreach Chair on the executive board.
Lisa holds an M.Ed. in Community Counseling from the University of Akron and a B.A. in Individual and Family Development from Kent State University. She also holds a State of Ohio School Counselor Certification from Walsh University and is a member of the Women’s Network Authentic Leadership: Leading with Strength Class #9.
Credentials
- M.Ed. in Community Counseling from the University of Akron
- B.A. in Individual and Family Development from Kent State University
- State of Ohio School Counselor Certification from Walsh University
Simone McNitt – Director of Encore Staffing Network • 216-361-9750
As Director of Encore Staffing Network, Simone McNitt oversees the only staffing program in Ohio that specializes connecting adults 50+ to meaningful paid jobs in Greater Cleveland. She recruits both candidates seeking opportunities and employers seeking experienced workers.
She brings a combination of experience working in nonprofits and with global and fortune 500 companies. Various roles included Sales Director, Recruiting Director, and H.R. Generalist. Simone’s favorite position for the past 15 years is Volunteer C.Y.O. Track & Field coach. She earned a B.A. in Fashion Merchandise/Marketing at Ursuline College and Human Resource Certificate at John Carrol University.
Credentials
- B.A., Fashion Merchandising, Ursuline College
- CIR., Certified Internet Recruiter
- SHRM-CP, Society of Human Resource Management Certified Professional
Kate Harkin – Director of SCSEP • 614-586-1975
Director of SCSEP Kate Harkin leads VANTAGE’s Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) operating in seven regions and serving 38 counties across Ohio. Authorized by the Older Americans Act, SCSEP is a community service and employment training program for older Americans. SCSEP delivers a “triple win” by promoting healthy aging through community service, “upskill training” for employment and providing service to nonprofit and government organizations so they can help more people and do more good. Kate has a Master of Science in Organizational Development and Analysis from Case Western Reserve University and a Bachelor Degree in Political Science and Sociology from The Ohio State University.
Credentials
- Master of Science in Organizational Development and Analysis from Case Western Reserve University
- Bachelor Degree in Political Science and Sociology from The Ohio State University
In 2019, VANTAGE Aging was honored by the Healthy Business Council of Ohio for healthy worksite practices with a Bronze Award. The Healthy Worksite Award recognizes Ohio employers who demonstrate a commitment to employee wellness through comprehensive worksite health promotion and wellness programs.