The Collaboration Conference 2015

Chris Thompson is director of regional engagement for the Fund for Our Economic Future, a philanthropic collaboration made up of more than 40 foundations that advances a growing, opportunity-rich economy for the people of the Northeast Ohio.

Chris helps Fund members and other civic leaders improve job creation, job access and job preparation outcomes in their communities through collaboration. He enjoys helping leaders strengthen their collaboration skills, embrace complexity and achieve sustained positive change.

Before joining the Fund in 2007, Chris was vice president of a communications consulting firm serving nonprofits and high-growth companies. He worked as a journalist for more than 20 years in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Ohio. A native of San Francisco, Chris is a graduate of Marquette University. He and his wife, Anne, are the parents of two grown children. He lives with his wife in Strongsville. He would rather be fly fishing.   

Marcy Levy Shankman, Ph.D. is vice president for strategy and director of Leadership Cleveland for the Cleveland Leadership Center. In this dual role, Marcy oversees the strategic work of the Center as well as designing and leading Leadership Cleveland, a 10-month program for senior executive leaders to enhance their understanding of the civic landscape and their role as leaders in it. 

Prior to this role, Marcy was principal of MLS Consulting, which she founded in 2001. Marcy specialized in facilitating strategic planning and visioning initiatives as well as designing and delivering leadership workshops and retreats. She conducted trainings for a wide range audiences, from educators and school administrators in Singapore to nonprofit professionals, educators and accountants across the country.

Marcy has taught graduate and undergraduate courses at John Carroll University, Baldwin-Wallace College, and Case Western Reserve University.

Marcy is co-author of Emotionally Intelligent Leadership: A Guide for College Students.  

Mark Scheffler has served as the executive leader of Leadership Akron since July 2005. He has helped hundreds of leaders develop their collaborative civic leadership skills to advance community within Greater Akron. 

Mark serves on the board of the national Association of Leadership Programs (ALP) as immediate past chair. He chaired the 2010 ALP National Conference, where he also received the Preceptor Award for excellence in directing a leadership organization. He also serves on the boards of Akron Roundtable and United Way of Summit County.

Mark previously served as Director of Development at Summit Education Initiative. A native of Dayton, Ohio, he graduated from Grove City College with a B.A. in Political Science and Economics, and received his Masters of Public Administration from The Ohio State University.

Mark and his wife Bethany have two daughters, Jordan and Daniela.