Get an inside look at how the next wave of polymer solutions is taking shape and the people drivingit forward. This special episode features a clip from an Elevate Greater Akron webinar centeredonthe region’s “Global Polymer Capital” priority.Hans Dorfi,Executive Director and Chief InnovationOfficer of the Polymer Industry Cluster (PIC), sets the conversation witha look at the region’sstrategy, followed by a panel led by Jessica Sublett,President and CEO of Bounce Innovation Hubof Bounce Innovation Hub, featuring Dr. James Eagan (University of Akron), Isaiah Kaiser(AuxiliumHealth), Katie Kelley (ARDL), and Erin Spring (The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company).Together, they share how ideas move from research to real-world impact through startup support,R&D investment, and strong regional partnerships. More info at polymerindustrycluster.org.

Supporting brain health at work starts with awareness, action, and the right resources. Steve Millard sits down with Lindsay Walker, State Executive Director of the Alzheimer’s Association in Ohio, to discuss the growing impact of Alzheimer’s on employees, families, and employers. Together, they explore how workplaces can become more brain-healthy, why early detection matters, and what business leaders should know about supporting team members navigating a diagnosis or caregiving responsibilities. Lindsay also shares resources available at alz.org/resources and explains the policy push behind the Alzheimer’s Screening and Prevention Act (alzimpact.org).

What does it take to lead through the decisions that define growth? Recorded live at the Greater Akron Chamber’s inaugural Business Growth Symposium on June 12, 2026, this special episode brings together three leaders who have navigated growth from the front lines: Ben Boyer, Prospector Baseball Group; Dr. Jorge Garcia-Zuazaga, Apex Skin; and Tia Ramlow, GreatWork Employment Services. Moderated by Steve Millard, the conversation explores the opportunities and challenges that come with expansion, building the right team, making strategic pivots, and leading through uncertainty. Along the way, each guest shares lessons from their own leadership journey and discusses why continued investment in Greater Akron and Northeast Ohio remains central to their success.

What started as a routine visit to the library with her children turned into a powerful production rooted in memory, family, and love. Ashley Moore Dunson, executive producer and partner at MooreDunson Co., shares the story behind The Remember Balloons Live! and how it grew from an emotional encounter with a children’s book into a moving performance created, produced, and choreographed by Akron artists, husband Dominic Moore-Dunson and Theron Brown. After two years on the road, The Remember Balloons Live! comes “home” to E.J. Thomas Hall at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 20 for a one-night-only performance that pays a homage to the community that has held, shaped, and inspired these artists. Tickets can be purchased at the Akron Civic Theatre Box Office or on Ticketmaster. Visit rememberballoonslive.com to learn more.

Where research and development dollars are invested, jobs and economic growth follow. Ohio Representative Jack Daniels joins John Rizzo, VP of the Akron-Canton Advocacy Alliance (ACAA), and Dreamers, Drivers, Doers host Steve Millard to discuss Ohio’s proposed R&D tax credit expansion and what it means for companies across industries—not just technology. From manufacturers to trucking firms, Daniels explains how House Bill 756 could boost competitiveness, incentivize investment, and keep jobs local. He also demystifies what it entails to submit a testimony or testify on Ohio legislation and how business leaders can make their voices heard and influence policy that shapes Ohio’s economic future. Learn more about HB 756 and other policies the ACAA is tracking at akroncantonadvocacy.org.

From access to capital to navigating uncertainty, small businesses are looking for real solutions, right now. In this episode, host Steve Millard sits down with Brad Zaun, Acting Regional Administrator for the Great Lakes and Regional Administrator for the Great Plains, to unpack how the U.S. Small Business Administration is stepping up. They explore SBA programming, services, the recent limit increase to the Cumulative 7(a) and 504 Loans—what it means, who it benefits, and how businesses can take advantage of it—and the $1M Patriot Pitch Competition open through June 10. Learn more at sba.gov.

As employee benefits continue to evolve, employers are rethinking how to take care of their most valuable asset—their people. In this episode, Steve Millard talks with Grey Kennedy of CAPTRUST, plan administrator of the Greater Akron Chamber’s 401(k) MEP, and Chrissy Myers of AUI/Clarity HR, who brings the perspective of both an adopter and advisor. Together, they explore how the MEP helps businesses reduce administrative burden, strengthen retirement readiness, and build a smarter, more scalable approach to supporting employees and long-term growth. Visit greaterakronchamber.org/mep401k to learn more. No direct or indirect compensation was exchanged in connection with this appearance. The Greater Akron Chamber Multiple Employer Plan (MEP) is a CAPTRUST client. The topics discussed in this podcast are educational in nature and do not constitute an offer, solicitation, or recommendation to sell or an offer to buy securities, investment products, or investment advisory services.

Think “fun at work” means a foosball table and a snack bar? Think again. Employee satisfaction, customer satisfaction, and turnover don’t operate in silos—and the impact shows up in real outcomes. In this episode, University of Akron Professor Dr. Steven Ash breaks down what truly drives employee engagement—from the fundamentals of self-determination theory to the outsized role of managers—and why it’s more than a “culture issue.” The result? A clearer path to improving performance, retention, and customer experience.