ADULT PROGRAM GRADUATION & AWARDS
A celebration of those who better our community.
Each spring, Leadership UA culminates with our Graduation and Award ceremony at the Amelita Mirolo Barn. In addition to recognizing our graduates, two awards are presented annually: our Exceptional Leader Award and our Distinguished Alumni Leader award.
The Exceptional Leader Award is given to an individual who has demonstrated an exceptional devotion to our community, a vision regarding the community’s needs, and the empowerment of others within our community.
The Distinguished Alumni Award is given to an alumnus of the Leadership Upper Arlington program who has had a positive impact on our community following their graduation from our Adult Program.
If you know someone worthy of one of these awards, we encourage you to nominate them via email to info@leadershipua.org. Please include your contact information along with a detailed explanation of why you believe your nomination deserves the award. All nominations are due by end of February.
For a complete list of past award recipients, please contact us at info@leadershipua.org.
Recent Award Recipients
Chris Taylor
2019 Distinguished Alumni Award
Chris Taylor served as executive director of the Upper Arlington Public Library for seven years. She made an enduring impact on our community through her positive spirit, strong leadership, and innovative public programming. Chris, who recently retired after 35 years of working in public libraries, oversaw a long relationship between UAPL and Leadership UA, and like many Library associates, graduated from our program.
Ted Staton
2019 Exceptional Leader Award
Theodore “Ted” Staton served as UA City Manager from 2011-2019. His ethical governance and successful leadership were instrumental in helping the City navigate a period of financial challenge and a backlog of deferred maintenance for critical infrastructure. Ted passed away in 2019; his family accepted his award. We honor his memory.
Past Award Recipients
2018 Exceptional Leader Award
Andy Geistfeld, UA Schools Chief Financial Officer and Chris Potts, UA Schools Chief Operating Officers
2018 Distinguished Alumni Award
EQUAL UA Founders, Mandy Markle and Michelle Montgomery
2018 Margine Moul Award* Brad Mitchell, PhD., Battelle for Kids Senior Strategist
*This awards has been combined with distinguished alumni award.
For a complete list of awards please contact info@leadershipua.org