A lifelong resident of Youngstown Ohio, Ronnell Elkins has made his career in sales and marketing in the Mahoning Valley. After spending some time in Columbus, OH, Ronnell has made his way back to Youngstown to continue the revitalization efforts through innovative transportation in the form of shared mobility.
Josie Lyon serves as President of Bike Share Youngstown, bringing her deep enthusiasm for active transportation and its physical, mental, and community-based benefits. Born and raised in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, Josie moved to Youngstown more than 30 years ago and has since dedicated herself to community leadership and advocacy.
Lynn Hart Bilal, LSW, is a lifelong resident of Youngstown, Ohio, a Licensed Social Worker, educator, and certified Spinning Instructor. With deep roots in the anti-violence movement, Lynn has spent many years serving in various capacities to support survivors, promote healing, and advocate for systemic change.
Ariana Wyndham has over 15 years of volunteering, advocacy, and activism experience across many social issues including human rights, voting rights, animal rights, public education, human rights, poverty, and climate change.
Dr. Miquita Hosey is a distinguished healthcare professional with over 15 years of experience as a certified physician assistant. As the proud owner and founder of MCH Health and Wellness, Dr. Hosey has dedicated her career to providing compassionate and comprehensive care across the lifespan.
John is a graduate of the Leadership Mahoning Valley Class of 2025. John currently serves as a board member and Vocational Director with Boardman Rotary Club. He also volunteers for food delivery and report card mentoring with United Way.
Venus Cataldo is an accomplished educator from Warren, Ohio, with more than a decade of experience fostering academic growth and leadership development among youth. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Life Science Education from Youngstown State University.
Pat Simms represents the spirit of Mahoning County—hardworking, community-minded, and forward-looking. As the owner of Cruise the Creek , Pat has transformed local outdoor recreation by introducing accessible e-bike rentals to the Mill Creek MetroParks Bikeway.
Jordan Karim grew up in the Cincinnati suburbs and graduated from the University of Cincinnati. He interned with Walsh Construction in Chicago, IL & in Louisville, KY. He moved to Youngstown to work for the City of Youngstown Public Works Department.
A lifelong resident of Youngstown Ohio, Ronnell Elkins has made his career in sales and marketing in the Mahoning Valley. After spending some time in Columbus, OH, Ronnell has made his way back to Youngstown to continue the revitalization efforts through innovative transportation in the form of shared mobility.
In 2021 Ronnell and his family embarked on a journey to bring bike sharing to the city of Youngstown. The new transportation model was spearheaded by Kent Wallace (Father), Kent Wallace II (Brother), and Paris Wallace (Brother) and together they helped create YoGo Bikeshare. YoGo Bikeshare allows users to download an app on their cellphone to unlock, ride and return their e-bikes to any station within their dedicated network. YoGo Bikeshare uses E-bikes & docking stations that charge the e-bike batteries and keep the e-bikes neatly in key areas of downtown Youngstown.
YoGo Bikeshare is a member of NABSA (North American Bike Share & Scooter Share Association) which advocates for communities looking to add alternative modes of transportation, all while promoting safe biking infrastructure. YoGo Bikeshare won the “Audience Choice” award at the 2nd annual YBI Shark Tank pitch competition in 2022. YoGo Bikeshare received special recognition from State Rep Lauren McNally as the “First Electric Bike program in Youngstown”. Ronnell earned “Entrepreneur of the Year” in 2024 from the Youngstown-Warren regional Chamber of Commerce and has spoken on several national podcasts promoting the benefits of bike sharing in underserved communities, and spoke at a case study on Urban E-bike access for NextCity.
A product of Youngstown City Schools Ronnell graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School and attended Eastern Michigan University majoring in Communications. In addition to his professional work, Ronnell sits on the Board of Directors for a local nonprofit, The Kool Boiz Foundation, dedicated to providing educational, financial, and emotional support for boys and young men of color. He is a member of the Youngstown Lions Club. Outside of his work and philanthropy, Ronnell loves spending time with his family, going to professional sports games, collecting bourbon and giving recommendations to new restaurants!
Josie Lyon serves as President of Bike Share Youngstown, bringing her deep enthusiasm for active transportation and its physical, mental, and community-based benefits. Born and raised in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, Josie moved to Youngstown more than 30 years ago and has since dedicated herself to community leadership and advocacy.
Her professional journey began in aviation and communications, where she earned her private pilot license and completed her first solo flight. She later transitioned into healthcare management as a practice manager for a psychiatry office in Boardman, Ohio. Josie’s commitment to service and community engagement led her to be elected President of the 7th Ward Citizens Coalition, a role she has proudly held for the past five years. In this capacity, she has gained hands-on experience with grant writing, legislative advocacy, and community event planning—skills that now fuel her leadership at Bike Share Youngstown.
Josie also completed the High Performance HBK Leadership Development program, where she earned certification in leadership and building healthy workplace culture. With a passion for equity, sustainability, and civic engagement, she continues to foster initiatives that strengthen neighborhoods and encourage healthier, more connected communities across Youngstown.
Lynn Hart Bilal, LSW, is a lifelong resident of Youngstown, Ohio, a Licensed Social Worker, educator, and certified Spinning Instructor. With deep roots in the anti-violence movement, Lynn has spent many years serving in various capacities to support survivors, promote healing, and advocate for systemic change.
Currently, she serves as a counselor with Gloris Counseling Services and as an adjunct instructor in the Social Work Department at Youngstown State University. Her extensive experience in training, outreach, and interagency collaboration led to the creation of her consulting venture, Speak Easy Counseling and Consulting, LLC, which focuses on community engagement, empowerment, and equity-driven solutions.
An out-of-the-box thinker and passionate relationship-builder, Lynn is deeply committed to dismantling the systemic barriers that marginalize communities. Her work focuses on increasing public awareness, promoting civic engagement, and empowering individuals to take action on the issues that matter most to them.
Ariana Wyndham has over 15 years of volunteering, advocacy, and activism experience across many social issues including human rights, voting rights, animal rights, public education, human rights, poverty, and climate change.
In the summer of 2025, Ariana completed an Associate’s Degree of Applied Science in Human Services and a Bachelor’s Degree in Youth/Family Services and Administration. Ariana is now in her third year of working at two local nonprofit organizationsThrive Mahoning Valley and Oak Hill Collaborative. Her work at both organizations is focused on promoting welcoming and equity across the Mahoning Valley through various programs including: transportation equity, youth cultural/climate education, bilingual digital literacy development and education, community outreach, and more.
Ariana’s unique perspective as a first-generation immigrant, mother, student, artist, and philanthropist is invaluable to the Mahoning Valley. She is dedicated to her passion for humanity and is excited to be part of the efforts to help solve some of our community’s biggest challenges to incoming and longtime residents who have been excluded from socioeconomic mobility.
Dr. Miquita Hosey is a distinguished healthcare professional with over 15 years of experience as a certified physician assistant. As the proud owner and founder of MCH Health and Wellness, Dr. Hosey has dedicated her career to providing compassionate and comprehensive care across the lifespan. Her practice is renowned for its commitment to improving the health and well-being of the community through personalized and holistic healthcare services.
A proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Youngstown Alumnae Chapter, Dr. Hosey embodies the values of community service and empowerment. Her involvement in the sorority has allowed her to contribute significantly to various community initiatives, fostering a spirit of unity and support among her peers.
Dr. Hosey’s journey in healthcare began at Woodrow Wilson High School, where she first discovered her passion for health and healing. She went on to earn her undergraduate degree from Youngstown State University, laying the foundation for her illustrious career in healthcare. Her academic achievements and professional dedication have made her a respected figure in the medical community.
In addition to her professional accomplishments, Dr. Hosey is a devoted mother to two daughters: Jalaysha Carter, a registered nurse, and Christina Eskew, a student at Ursuline High School. Her role as a mother has further fueled her commitment to nurturing and supporting the next generation, both at home and in her community.
With a lifelong passion for health and healing, Dr. Hosey continues to make a meaningful impact in both her local community and the lives of the patients she serves. Her unwavering dedication to healthcare and her community has earned her numerous accolades and the admiration of those who have had the privilege of working with her.
Dr. Hosey’s inspiring journey and her contributions to healthcare and community service make her an exemplary choice to deliver the graduation speech at this year’s high school graduation. Her story is a testament to the power of perseverance, compassion, and the pursuit of excellence.
John is a graduate of the Leadership Mahoning Valley Class of 2025. John currently serves as a board member and Vocational Director with Boardman Rotary Club. He also volunteers for food delivery and report card mentoring with United Way.
Venus Cataldo is an accomplished educator from Warren, Ohio, with more than a decade of experience fostering academic growth and leadership development among youth. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Life Science Education from Youngstown State University and currently serves as an educator at East High School within the Youngstown City School District. In this role, she leads and coordinates a variety of student-centered initiatives designed to enhance learning, build essential life skills, and expand opportunities for student success.
Venus is the distinguished recipient of the Anthony Deniro Distinguished Service Award, and the Harambee Hero Ubuntu Award, both awards recognizing her exceptional commitment to supporting young people in achieving their academic and personal goals. In 2023 she was recognized and awarded the WKBN Creative Classroom Award for creating a successful positive behavior system that her school has utilized. Her work is marked by an unwavering dedication to creating positive, student-focused environments that promote confidence, resilience, and long-term achievement.
In addition to her contributions within the district, Venus serves as the Assistant Site Coordinator for the Economic Action Group’s C.I.T.Y. Internship Program. In this capacity, she supports college students at Youngstown State University through structured career exploration, professional skill-building, and hands-on project experience aligned with regional workforce needs. Her leadership in this program reflects her broader commitment to advancing educational equity, community engagement, and pathways to economic mobility.
Outside of her professional endeavors, Venus enjoys spending time with her daughter, expressing her love for music through singing, and embraces her inner foodie.
Pat Simms represents the spirit of Mahoning County—hardworking, community-minded, and forward-looking. As the owner of Cruise the Creek , Pat has transformed local outdoor recreation by introducing accessible e-bike rentals to the Mill Creek MetroParks Bikeway.
Pat’s commitment to the area is built on decades of service and hard work. He spent 15 years in management at Aldi and continues to work locally at Hollywood Casino. His dedication to the community extends to public service, having previously served on the Austintown Zoning Board, where he worked to ensure responsible development for the township.
Whether through his business or his civic involvement, Pat is dedicated to revitalizing Youngstown’s corridors and promoting a healthier, more connected community.
Jordan Karim grew up in the Cincinnati suburbs and graduated from the University of Cincinnati in 2016 with a Civil Engineering degree. During college, he interned with Walsh Construction in Chicago, IL & in Louisville, KY. He moved to Youngstown in 2017 to work for the City of Youngstown Public Works Department.
Jordan currently works with the Youngstown Water Department and recently welcomed a son Atlas with his wife Tricia. In his infinite free time, he runs the area State funded Motorcycle safety program, installs solar, helps take care of over 100 chickens, and advocates for active transportation and transportation safety.
