Staff
Heather Meeker
Executive Director
Email: heather@summitartspace.org
Phone: (330) 376-8480 ext. 2
Heather Meeker (she/her) is a results-driven nonprofit leader with a passion for achieving organizational vision in the arts, culture, and education fields. Her expertise includes strategic planning, team building, partnerships, project management, relationship-based fundraising, external affairs, and financial oversight. Heather is a specialist in creating artist-centered, artist-led initiatives as well as arts education partnerships. Before joining Summit Artspace as Executive Director in 2021, she was Executive Director of The Musical Theater Project for twelve years. Previous directorships include positions at Hiram College, Young Audiences of Northeast Ohio, and National Inventors Hall of Fame. Heather has her B.A. from Hiram College and her M.F.A. in Theatre/Arts Administration from Virginia Tech, and is a member of Leadership Akron Signature Class 40.
Phone: (330) 376-8480 ext. 2
Heather Meeker (she/her) is a results-driven nonprofit leader with a passion for achieving organizational vision in the arts, culture, and education fields. Her expertise includes strategic planning, team building, partnerships, project management, relationship-based fundraising, external affairs, and financial oversight. Heather is a specialist in creating artist-centered, artist-led initiatives as well as arts education partnerships. Before joining Summit Artspace as Executive Director in 2021, she was Executive Director of The Musical Theater Project for twelve years. Previous directorships include positions at Hiram College, Young Audiences of Northeast Ohio, and National Inventors Hall of Fame. Heather has her B.A. from Hiram College and her M.F.A. in Theatre/Arts Administration from Virginia Tech, and is a member of Leadership Akron Signature Class 40.
Natalie Grieshammer patrick
Director of Artist Resources
Email: natalie@summitartspace.org
Phone: (330) 376-8480 ext. 1
Natalie Grieshammer Patrick (she/her) is an artist, musician, and arts administrator from Akron, Ohio. She holds a B.F.A. in Fiber and Material Studies from the Cleveland Institute of Art and an M.A. in Arts Administration from The University of Akron. Past positions include Gallery Director at Praxis Fiber Workshop, Member Program Manager at the Cleveland Museum of Art, and numerous programming and fundraising responsibilities at Akron Soul Train. Natalie is also Strategic Planning Advisor and Partner at Akron Recording Company, a recording studio and record label founded in 2018.
Phone: (330) 376-8480 ext. 1
Natalie Grieshammer Patrick (she/her) is an artist, musician, and arts administrator from Akron, Ohio. She holds a B.F.A. in Fiber and Material Studies from the Cleveland Institute of Art and an M.A. in Arts Administration from The University of Akron. Past positions include Gallery Director at Praxis Fiber Workshop, Member Program Manager at the Cleveland Museum of Art, and numerous programming and fundraising responsibilities at Akron Soul Train. Natalie is also Strategic Planning Advisor and Partner at Akron Recording Company, a recording studio and record label founded in 2018.
Antonio Rion
Operations & Event Manager
Email: antonio@summitartspace.org
Phone: (330) 376-8480 ext. 0
Antonio Rion (he/him) joined Summit Artspace as Development Intern in August 2021. Antonio earned his undergraduate degree from Kent State University in Music Performance with a concentration in flute. He has always been interested in the arts, specifically music. Antonio is active in numerous ensembles, and operates a private flute studio.
Phone: (330) 376-8480 ext. 0
Antonio Rion (he/him) joined Summit Artspace as Development Intern in August 2021. Antonio earned his undergraduate degree from Kent State University in Music Performance with a concentration in flute. He has always been interested in the arts, specifically music. Antonio is active in numerous ensembles, and operates a private flute studio.
Anna E. Young
Community Engagement Coordinator
Email: anna@summitartspace.org
Phone: (330) 376-8480 ext. 3
Anna E. Young is an artist and arts advocate. She holds an M.F.A. in Photography from Cranbrook Academy of Art and a B.F.A. from the University of Akron, with minors in Printmaking, Art History, and Professional Photography. Young is an assistant lecturer at the University of Akron, Myers School of Art, in the 2D Design and Photography department. She is the co-founder of KINK Contemporary, an arts organization whose mission is to support emerging artists and curators. Artistically, she creates fine art photographs, prints, and silicone sculptures revolving around contemporary social issues, body dysmorphia, trauma, and mortality.
Email: anna@summitartspace.org
Phone: (330) 376-8480 ext. 3
Anna E. Young is an artist and arts advocate. She holds an M.F.A. in Photography from Cranbrook Academy of Art and a B.F.A. from the University of Akron, with minors in Printmaking, Art History, and Professional Photography. Young is an assistant lecturer at the University of Akron, Myers School of Art, in the 2D Design and Photography department. She is the co-founder of KINK Contemporary, an arts organization whose mission is to support emerging artists and curators. Artistically, she creates fine art photographs, prints, and silicone sculptures revolving around contemporary social issues, body dysmorphia, trauma, and mortality.
Board of Directors
Kristen Nervo Dowey
PRESIDENT
CEO,
OneKey Virtual Care
Gina Betti
VICE PRESIDENT
Financial Advisor,
Edward Jones
Diane Lightner
SECRETARY
Financial Analyst
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
Alexandra Eliopoulos
DIRECTOR
Visual Art Teacher/Dept Chair,
Old Trail School
Ace Epps
DIRECTOR
Artist and VP Diversity & Community Programs, Chase
Kurt Kleidon
DIRECTOR
President, Kleidon & Associates
Micah Kraus
DIRECTOR
Artist/Owner, Work Studio Ltd
Nikki Marchmon-Boykin
DIRECTOR
Kent Roosevelt High School, Black Diamonds
Nathan Maslyk
DIRECTOR
Dir. Marketing & Development, Canton Symphony
Catherine McKinley
DIRECTOR
Artist and Admissions Counselor, Stark State College
Amanda Novelli
DIRECTOR
Dir., Development & Communications, Grace House
Jill Oldham
DIRECTOR
President/CEO, Greenleaf Family Services
ROBERTA ROGERS
DIRECTOR
Recreation Supervisor,
City of Akron Recreation and Parks
Karen Starr
DIRECTOR
Co-Owner and Interior Designer,
Hazel Tree Interiors
Michael Steel, Esq.
DIRECTOR
Managing Attorney, Steel & Company Law Firm
Bronlynn Thurman
DIRECTOR
Program Officer, The Cleveland Foundation
Crystal Troxell
DIRECTOR
Partnership Advertising Specialist, Summit Racing
RObert L. tucker, ESQ.
DIRECTOR
Attorney at Law, Retired
Brandon Waithe
DIRECTOR
Director of Education and Learning, Urban League
