Board of Trustees
Our Board of Trustees includes and embraces members with a wide range of personal and professional backgrounds. We’re proud of our differences, and we believe they do us good.
Julie Beckert
President
Since 2015, Julie Beckert has worked for the Office of Economic Development for the City of Akron. In her role at the City, Julie focuses on all aspects of growing and maintaining businesses throughout the City. In addition, Julie is the City liaison to many of the neighborhood business districts and downtown retail businesses.
Prior to joining the City, Julie had extensive experience in special event coordinating, sales and marketing. Julie participated in the planning and implementation of multiple community events including, Akron Flair Fest, Gay Games 9, Akron Square Fest, Akron Arts Expo, Open Streets and our Inaugural Akron Pride Festival. Julie is a graduate of the University of Akron and proud lifelong resident of Summit County.
Justin Lepley, J.D.
Vice president
Justin Lepley (he/him/his) is an Entrepreneur, Creator, & Volunteer dedicated to growing opportunities in Northeast Ohio. Owner and Founder of the Lepley Holdings family of companies, including Lepley & Co. (plant boutique and full-service florist) and Solidago Business Advisors, and he serves as Director of Northside Marketplace, where he works to help other entrepreneurs start and grow their brands. In addition to founding the Lepley & Co. Cares Fund, he serves as Chairman of the Board of MentorStark, which creates mentoring opportunities in Stark County and strengthens connections amongst local mentoring organizations.
Justin completed his undergraduate education at the University of Mount Union and obtained his Juris Doctorate from Case Western Reserve School of Law in 2020. He resides in Akron's Goodyear Heights Neighborhood with his partner Curtis.
Andrew Barry
secretary
Andrew Barry is an Attorney for County Executive Shapiro’s Office. He has been with the office in various roles since 2017.
In addition to CANAPI, Andrew also serves on the board for the Akron-Summit Council on Holocaust & Genocide Education and is active in local politics. He is a member of the Akron Bar Association, the National LGBTQ+ Bar Association, and the National Association of Civil County Attorneys. Andrew is a two-time graduate from The University of Akron. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Spanish and recently earned his J.D. from The University of Akron School of Law.
Andrew lives in Akron with his husband Colton.
Kaye Rowe
treasurer
Kaye serves as Summit Education Initiative’s Controller and Operations Manager. She graduated from The Ohio State University and has spent her accounting career in both the for-profit and non-profit sectors in the Akron/Cleveland area. She is a volunteer at St. Sebastian Church and has been an active member of the Christ Child Society of Akron for several years. She currently is serving her second term on the National Christ Child Society Executive Board as Treasurer.
Kaye grew up in West Akron. She and her husband, David resides there. They have a daughter, Allison, who graduated from Walsh Jesuit High School in 2009 and is a 2013 graduate of Miami University (Oxford, OH).
Frank D’Angelo
member
Frank D'Angelo - Graduated from John Carroll university in 2023 with a BS. Graduated from Kent State University in 2016 with an MBA. He has worked in biotech and food technology for 25 years. Frank is excited with his new engagement to Brian Lloyd. Frank enjoys travelling, yoga, and spending time with his dogs Santo and Duncan. Frank has volunteered for various non-profits for the past 15 years. Frank is passionate about CANAPI and excited to be back on the board.
Omar Banks
MEMBER
Jason Dodson
MEMBER
Selina Garcia
member
Committed to championing historically marginalized communities and building a prosperous region, Selina currently manages Investor Memberships at Greater Cleveland Partnership (GCP). As a passionate advocate, she offers expertise in facilitating connections, canvassing, and connecting entrepreneurs with crucial resources. Selina holds a Bachelor's degree in International Relations with a minor in Nonprofit Studies from Kent State University and has dedicated eight years of service as a Military Policewoman in the Army National Guard.
Cheryl Goodall-Martin
member
Cheryl works for Ohio Mental Health & Addiction Services in four NE Ohio prisons providing Community Linkage to incarcerated individuals to support their recovery as they re-enter society. She is also an adjunct for Sinclair Community College teaching in their prison education program inside the institutions.
She has over 25 years experience working in nonprofits providing treatment for substance use disorders, assisting with recovery housing and navigating/accessing resources within the community. Cheryl has been a social justice advocate, volunteer & member of the LGBTQ+ Community for over 40 years. She holds a Master’s in Criminal Justice and is a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor III with a Gambling Endorsement.
Originally from Cincinnati, she relocated to NE Ohio nearly 10 years ago where she lives with her wife Linda and their German Shepherd, Riley. Cheryl has a grown son, Andy who currently resides with his partner Robert in San Diego, and are both active in the LGBTQ+ Community as well.
Tony Kirkby
Member
Tony is the Director of Clinical Operations & Staff Development for The Society for Handicapped Citizens. He has served various roles in that field of work for the last 20 years and has 10+ years’ experience in the non-profit sector. Tony graduated from Western Governors University with a bachelor’s degree in nursing and Masters in Business Administration. Tony is a member of the Chippewa Lake Lions Club and is passionate about community giving back to the community.
Tony grew up in Ohio and resides in Barberton with his husband David and two dogs Duke and Hercules. Tony is excited about the opportunity to advocate, educate and support those in summit county that are impacted by the CANAPI Mission and Vision.
Brian Lamoda-Genêt
Member
Brian Lamoda-Genet is Akron Civic Theatre's Event Manager and Booking Assistant for performance spaces, including the Goodyear Theater, the Knight Stage and the Lock 3 summer concert series. A certified wine expert, Brian was the private dining director at Fleming's Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar in Fairlawn for several years.
Brian volunteered at Akron Pride Festival's first festival in 2017. Since then, he has been on APF's steering committee, which he has chaired since 2022. Brian has worked on every APF New Year's Eve Rainbow Ball at the Akron Civic. He and his husband, David, were married in a cupola overlooking the grand staircase at the 2018 inaugural ball.
Brian and David live in West Akron with their three dogs and one grumpy cat.
Stephanie Marsh
MEMBER
Stephanie is the Chief Communications Officer for Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan's office. She also serves as one of the LGBT liaisons for the City of Akron. In her role, Stephanie oversees City of Akron professional communications, community engagement strategies, event coordination, social media and press relations from the Office of the Mayor. Prior to her time with the City, she worked as a Senior Customer Content Specialist at PR Newswire where she was also the President of their LGBTQ+ employee resource group with chapters across the globe. A lifelong resident of Northeast Ohio, Stephanie graduated Summa Cum Laude from Kent State University with a bachelor's degree in English.
David McCartney
Member
David McCartney is a Public Health Coordinator at Summit County Public Health. David brings a passion for improving the health of the LGBTQ+ community to all projects in this role, and in many other roles he has occupied thus far. Previously, he worked in HIV Prevention at Canton City Public Health and was a Healthcare Assistant at Planned Parenthood while he completed his Master of Public Health (MPH) from the Consortium of Eastern Ohio Master of Public Health at The University of Akron. For his MPH capstone project, David performed a program evaluation of Akron Pride Festival (APF) in 2018 to provide insight to the APF Steering Committee for planning the next APF. David resides in the Akron area with his Swedish Vallhund.
Phil Montgomery
member
Phil Montgomery is the Director of Finance and Budget for the County of Summit, Ohio. Phil spent 12 years in the private sector and at the City of Akron before Summit County Executive Ilene Shapiro named him Chief Financial Officer for the Department of Job and Family Services in 2017. In 2021, he transitioned to Deputy Director of the Department of Finance and Budget, where he assisted the Director in managing the County’s $550+ million budget and navigating rigorous financial reporting requirements. Moving up to Director in 2022, he oversees more than one billion dollars in financial transactions and the budget allocations to every department, office and division of Summit County government.
In addition to his role with CANAPI, Phil volunteers with various other nonprofit organizations across the community and currently serves as a board member and past chair of the Gay Community Endowment Fund (GCEF), board member of the Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition and the Akron Children’s Museum. Phil is also a steering committee member of the Akron Pride Festival and chairs the Finance committee. He is a 2011 alumni member of Torchbearers, graduate of Leadership Akron Class XXXI, 2013 recipient of the 30 for the Future Award from the Greater Akron Chamber and 2018 recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award from Torchbearers. In 2020, Phil was named a notable LGBTQ Executive by Crain’s Cleveland.
Phil earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree with a concentration in business information systems from DeVry University and a Master of Business Administration degree from Ohio Dominican University, both in Columbus, OH. He lives in Highland Square with his husband, Andrew, and their children, Brooklynn and Adrionna.
Josh Parks
Member
Josh is a Senior Activation Specialist with University Hospitals. In his role, he is responsible for leading change management and training initiatives involving new medical practice acquisitions. Josh obtained his BA in Business Management with a concentration in Human Resources from Walsh University. Additionally, Josh serves on the Steering Committee for Akron Pride Festival and chairs the Entertainment Committee. He also sits on the Development Committee for APF.
Josh grew up in Akron and currently resides in Copley Township with his cockapoo, Penny.
Andrew Schuellerman
member
Andrew is an Account Representative for VSI Global. His primary role is new business acquisition and current customer care. Prior to his role, he spent 15 years in the medical device industry working for the Steris Corporation’s Instrument Management Services (IMS) division.
Andrew is a proud Akron resident and alumnus of The University of Akron where he earned his BBA degrees in Sales Management and Market Management from the Fisher Institute for Professional Selling.
He currently sits on the board at Summit County Children’s Services and previously sat on the board of the County of Summit Regional Arts and Cultural District.
John Washington
MEMBER
John is a past President of the board after serving two terms. John retired from Allstate Insurance Company in 2010, after spending 32 years serving in various leadership positions including Human Resources and Public Affairs. In his last position he was responsible for overseeing the execution of personal lines risk management policy for the company. As a part of his personal commitment and to the community he has served on numerous boards including the March of Dimes, the Urban League, and Chairman of the Board of the National Association of Partners in Education. John received his B.A. from Tougaloo College, Tougaloo MS and completed additional study at Jackson State University and the University of Missouri, Columbia.