Mar 01, 2023
EPIC Toledo | Member Highlights
Get to know your EPIC Toledo members through our member highlights! A new spotlight will be posted every month.
Alec Falkenberg | EPIC Toledo Advisory Council Member
Alec is a financial professional at Wealth Wave and and has been involved in EPIC Toledo for two years!
He currently serves on our advisory council and is chairing our membership engagement committee in 2023!
What brought you to Toledo and what has kept you here?
Toledo born and raised! After graduating from The University of Toledo I wanted to make the most out of the city I have always been in. Through EPIC, I have learned about new businesses, events, and communities I never knew existed. Even though I have been here my whole life, I am falling in love with this city all over again. The future is so bright for Northwest Ohio and I plan to be part of the change!
What keeps you involved in EPIC Toledo?
I love the vision of what this organization has both for the collective, but also the individual. By being involved and around the high caliber people that associate with EPIC makes me a better person and drives me to improve daily. Not only have I made great professional associations through networking, but have made new fantastic friendships!
What leadership skills have you learned from being involved in EPIC Toledo?
My view on networking has completely changed for the positive from “what’s in it for me” to “how much can I give back, what new friends can I make?”. I would also say that EPIC has helped me expand my vision for what I can do professionally, how I can work and collaborate with others, especially with others that might have different points of view.
At which EPIC Toledo events did you learn these leadership skills?
Being on the Advisory Council, monthly socials, Boss Talks and the Leadership Summit have fostered environments for me to grow organically and strategically.
Jake Wittmer | EPIC Toledo Advisory Council Member
Jake is a Realtor at The Wittmer Team of Danberry Realtors and has been involved in EPIC Toledo for three years!
What brought you to Toledo and what has kept you here?
I moved here when I was younger when my mother started her career with BGSU. We moved to Charleston SC for a while, but came back because we knew this area was fantastic to raise a family and home prices are super affordable compared to other areas!
What keeps you involved in EPIC Toledo?
I love seeing what is happening in the community and all of the great things happening in Toledo.
What leadership skills have you learned from being involved in EPIC Toledo?
The power of networking and collaboration is immense when you have a group of individuals working towards a common goal and adding individual skillsets that benefit the community!
At which EPIC Toledo events did you learn these leadership skills?
The annual Leadership Summit conference and through serving on the EPIC Toledo Advisory Council.
Kristy Kaufman | EPIC Toledo Advisory Council Member
Kristy is the Director of Client Services and Business Development at Rehmann and has been involved in EPIC Toledo for a little over a year.
What brought you to Toledo and what has kept you here?
I’m a boomerang! I left for 10 years. I lived in some fantastic cities and met even more fantastic people. With that said, no city I lived in compares to Toledo when it comes to opportunities to make a difference in your community. We’re a big small city where involvement in the community is highly encouraged and easy to achieve through great organizations like EPIC. So happy to be back in the Glass City!
What keeps you involved in EPIC Toledo?
The people and the community involvement. There’s no better way to develop relationships and build your network here in Toledo than through getting involved with EPIC!
What leadership skills have you learned from being involved in EPIC Toledo?
EPIC has given me so many opportunities to get involved in the community. I’ve made connections I otherwise would not have had the opportunity to make and I’ve been able to create collaborations between my company, my nonprofit, and my EPIC network. I’ve grown both professionally and personally with the opportunities I have gained through EPIC.
At which EPIC Toledo events did you learn these leadership skills?
I’ve definitely grown my leadership skills by finally accomplishing a goal of mine to join the board of a local nonprofit. Thanks to EPIC I found this nonprofit through their Nonprofit Speed Dating Event. The other opportunity that has allowed me to grow my leadership skills came to me when I was asked to join the EPIC advisory board.
Malena Caruso | EPIC Toledo Advisory Council Member
Malena is a Wellness Specialist at ProMedica and has been involved in EPIC Toledo for 5 years.
What brought you to Toledo and what has kept you here?
I moved to Toledo in January of 2013 to work for WTVG. Toledo was my “drive-by city” as I use to say. Toledo was my halfway point between attending graduate school at Northwestern University and my parents house in Akron. The Toledo community welcomed me with open arms and opportunities to grow and have a positive impact where I leave. Now, Toledo is home. I’m excited to start the next phase of my life here when I get married in the fall of 2023.
What keeps you involved in EPIC Toledo?
The excitement of being a part of the growth within our region keeps me involved with EPIC. I am the chair-elect for EPIC Toledo and I look forward to leading our efforts to engage our young professionals and inspire change.
What leadership skills have you learned from being involved in EPIC Toledo?
I’ve learned to be a leader who listens more than she talks. To truly listen to and hear people so they feel heard and seen. I’ve learned that relationships are the foundation to any type of personal or professional success. I’ve also learned more about myself, strengths and opportunities for improvements, through the different experiences I’ve had with EPIC.
At which EPIC Toledo events did you learn these leadership skills?
The EPIC Toledo Leadership Summit. This annual conference is filled to the brim with leadership training and professional development. As a past chair of this event, I know how much thought, time and energy is put into making this a day what will leave young professionals with tangible takeaways to grow their skillset.