Learn from Leaders
Learn from Leaders is just one way the Lakeland Business Management program provides value-added experiences for our students and community.
Access to local leaders in business management, human resources, entrepreneurship and leadership gives students and community members the opportunity to learn from the best, ask questions and gain invaluable insight into the business world.
The following event requires registration!
View the live presentation videos from our previous guests here.
Leaders:
Courtney Falato is a senior vice president at the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland. She leads the Bank's External Engagement function, including strategic communications, community development, and education and outreach. In this role, she oversees the function's efforts to strengthen connections with key stakeholders, inform public understanding of economic conditions, and advance conversations that help improve economic resilience and mobility throughout the Fourth District.
Prior to joining the Cleveland Reserve Bank in 2025, Ms. Falato was vice president for global philanthropy at JPMorgan Chase, leading the firm's community engagement strategies and cross-sector partnerships across Ohio and Kentucky. Before her time at JPMorgan Chase, she held leadership roles in K–12 and higher education, including as a founding member of the Ohio State University's first Corporate Engagement Office. Ms. Falato began her career as a researcher with a focus on innovation in education at the American Institutes for Research, the Ohio State University, and the University of Chicago.
She holds a BA in political science from the Ohio State University and an MEd in social foundations of education from the University of Virginia.
Shawn participates in the executive development and operations teams for all of Renew's projects and properties. He was also the founder and managing director for NMS, an accounting, consulting, and wealth management firm. In that role, he worked closely with NMS' real estate industries clients, with a focus on capital stacks and tax credits.
Shawn holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Cleveland State University and a Master of Accountancy degree from Kent State University. He is a Certified Public Accountant (Ohio and Florida) and is a Chartered Global Management Accountant. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, NAIOP-Commercial Real Estate Development Association, and other local and national associations. He also serves on various local boards and is an adjunct professor in the School of Business at Lake Erie College.
Chad Collins| Executive Director for Lake-Geauga Habitat for Humanity
Nathan Rutz | Co-Founder and Director of Soil at Rust Belt Riders (joined by Ingbert Schmidt | Soil Production Coordinator)
