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/he) 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/he) 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
Development & Education Coordinator
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.
Board of Directors
Diane Lightner
PRESIDENT
Financial Analyst
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
Michael Steel, Esq.
VICE PRESIDENT
Managing Attorney
Steel & Company Law Firm
Steel & Company Law Firm
Linda Diefendorff
TREASURER
Founder and Managing Partner
Brio Performance Solutions
Brio Performance Solutions
RObert L. tucker, ESQ.
SECRETARY
Attorney at Law
JOHN FITZPATRICK
DIRECTOR
Senior IT Manager
The Sherwin-Williams Company
The Sherwin-Williams Company
Gina Betti
DIRECTOR
Financial Advisor,
Edward Jones
Lou Camerato
DIRECTOR
Artist
Kristen Nervo Dowey
DIRECTOR
CEO,
OneKey Virtual Care
Megann EBerhart
DIRECTOR
Ballif to Judge Jill Flagg Lanzinger,
Barberton Municipal Court
Kurt Kleidon
DIRECTOR
President
Kleidon & Associates
Kleidon & Associates
Nikki Marchmon-Boykin
DIRECTOR
Kent Roosevelt High School, Black Diamonds
Jill Oldham
DIRECTOR
Senior Program Manager,
Leadership Akron
ROBERTA ROGERS
DIRECTOR
Recreation Supervisor,
City of Akron Recreation and Parks
Starleen Saulsberry
DIRECTOR
Jobs Plus Success Life Coach,
Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority
STEPHANIE SMITH
DIRECTOR
Strategic Marketing and Engagement Manager,
BMF Bober Markey Fedorovich
Crystal Snyder
DIRECTOR
Office Manager,
Central Graphics
Karen Starr
DIRECTOR
Co-Owner and Interior Designer,
Hazel Tree Interiors
Robert B TrattnEr, Esq.
DIRECTOR
Attorney/Owner
Thomas, Trattner & Malone, LLC
Thomas, Trattner & Malone, LLC
