Glass Half Full Award
The Glass Half Full Award was created in 2011 to honor GAR’s former president Rob Briggs. Today, the award annually recognizes a Summit County community leader for inspiring and optimistic leadership of a nonprofit organization.
Qualities of a Glass Half Full Recipient
- Recognized excellence in nonprofit leadership and management
- Optimism and warmth
- Demonstrated collaboration with other key community stakeholders
- Engaging demeanor and determined approach
- Innovative and inspirational work style
Past Award Recipients
- 2011: Rob Briggs, GAR Foundation
- 2012: Suzie Graham, Downtown Akron Partnership
- 2013: Noelle Beck, First Glance
- 2014: Derran Wimer, Summit Education Initiative
- 2015: Grady Appleton, East Akron Neighborhood Development Corp.
- 2016: Christine Yuhasz, Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority (AMHA)
- 2017: David James, Superintendent, Akron Public School
- 2018: Lynn Budnick, Executive Director, Access, Inc.
- 2019: G. Kwame Scruggs, Founder, Director of Programs and Training, Alchemy, Inc.
- 2020: Nicole Mullet, Executive Director, ArtsNow
- 2021: Teresa R. LeGrair, President & CEO, Akron Urban League
- 2022: Perry Clark, Founder and President, Truly Reaching You
- 2023: Yolanda Parker, Founder & Executive Director, L.I.N.K.S. Community & Family Services
- 2024: Deb Yandala, President & CEO, Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park