Rene Molenaur, Ph.D. is a lifelong educator, dedicated Akron resident, and second-term member of the Akron Board of Education, after initially being appointed to complete a vacancy. Her work is guided by the belief that strong public schools are the foundation of a thriving community and that every Akron student deserves access to excellent and equitable learning opportunities.

A mother of two, Rene lives with her husband, Barret, and their sons, Langdon and Ivar, who attend NIHF STEM Middle School and Resnik CLC. Their experiences in Akron Public Schools help ground her perspective in the daily realities of students, families, and educators.

Dr. Molenaur holds a B.S. in Education from Baldwin Wallace University, an M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction from The University of Akron, and a Ph.D. in Education Policy from Cleveland State University. She has taught and coached students in both in-person and online classrooms and currently works in Online Learning Services at The University of Akron, supporting faculty development and innovative approaches to learning.

As a Board member, she brings hands-on teaching experience, research-based expertise, and a collaborative, student-first mindset. She focuses on improving systems, expanding access, and strengthening public education to ensure all Akron students are supported, challenged, and empowered to succeed.

Pastor Harrison currently serves as senior pastor of Antioch Baptist Church in Akron, Ohio. His passion for people and social justice in both the public and non-profit sectors drives his work to help improve the quality of life for members of the community by addressing systemic problems in new, creative, and innovative approaches to community organizing. 

With 30 years experience as a former police detective, school resource officer, deputy sheriff and corrections officer, Pastor Harrison has a deep understanding of policing, investigations and the justice system’s impact on the community. He serves on several community advisory boards and task forces to lend his professional expertise and represent the voices of the inner city community and underserved populations. He is a 7-year veteran of the United States Army. 

Harrison is a graduate of Akron Garfield High School and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Emergency Management with a minor in Homeland Security. This knowledge provides critical analysis in four key areas: 1) government and policy; 2) disaster science; 3) sociology and psychology; and 4) technical literacy. To complement his formal education, Harrison completed his certification, from Cornell University in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Harrison is focused on authentic community engagement, fostering inclusive decision-making and counter-acting institutional barriers. 

Nathan Jarosz holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) in General Management from Thomas Edison State University and a Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership from Malone University. Currently, Nathan is a student at Kent State University
pursuing a Doctor of Education in Interprofessional Leadership degree. He is also a Certified Everything DiSC Facilitator. He holds Emotional Intelligence For Crisis Intervention and De-Escalation Certifications. Nathan also holds a Diversity and Inclusion Certification from Cornell
University.
Nathan is an international leadership trainer and has traveled across the country teaching and leading leadership courses for youth, adults, and corporations.  In California, Nathan served on an international leadership course that taught STEM activities through leadership application to
both Chinese and American youth.  Nathan has also traveled to China to train leadership skills to Chinese youth.  He has worked in the non-profit sector since 2014.  He developed a youth leadership program called LEAD that brought leadership education into the classrooms of various schools in the Summit and neighboring county schools. This program led to the founding of Leadership Influencing Teen Empowerment or LITE where Nathan has served over 5,000
students in eight school years.
Nathan is a 2023 30 For the Future recipient through the Greater Akron Chamber. Nathan is an Eagle Scout with Great Trail Council and a Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) with Toastmasters International. He was awarded the Communication and Leadership Award in 2021 presented by
Toastmasters District 10 for outstanding service to their community, state, and industry through communication and leadership. For 18 years, Nathan studied Isshinryu karate and earned his Nidan (2nd degree black belt).  As a Sensei, he taught martial arts for 7 of those 18 years to youth and adults.  Nathan coached youth soccer for 8 years. Nathan chairs the Legal & Contracts Committee, vice chairs the Instructional Policy Committee, and is a member of the Finance & Capital Management Committee.

Karmaya Kelly is a dedicated community advocate, coalition‐builder, and newly elected member of the Akron Public Schools Board of Education. As a former Akron Public Schools student, she brings both lived experience and a deep personal commitment to ensuring that every child in the district has access to the opportunities, support, and encouragement they need to thrive.

Her professional and advocacy work includes meaningful contributions with Healthy Families America, where she supported evidence‐based home‐visiting programs that strengthen parent‐child relationships, promote early childhood development, and connect families to
essential resources. Through this work, she has been a strong advocate for families experiencing socioeconomic hardships, championing access to stable housing, quality
healthcare, early education, and community‐based supports that break cycles of inequity.

Karmaya has built a reputation for bridging diverse voices, strengthening partnerships, and ensuring that decision‐making reflects the lived experiences of students, families, and educators. Her background in maternal and infant health advocacy and grassroots organizing continues to shape her belief that strong schools are the foundation of strong communities.

She leads with a collaborative, community‐centered philosophy, grounded in transparency, accountability, and shared problem‐solving. Known for her strategic planning and meticulous attention to detail, she is committed to empowering teams and elevating community voices in
every space she serves.

As a member of the Akron Board of Education, Karmaya is focused on strengthening family engagement, expanding access to early learning supports, and ensuring that every student feels safe, valued, and prepared for long‐term success. She is honored to serve the Akron community and looks forward to working collectively to build a stronger future for all APS students.

Phil earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree with a concentration in business information systems from DeVry University, a Master of Business Administration degree from Ohio Dominican University and holds a School Treasurer License from the Ohio Board of Education. He lives in Highland Square with his husband Andrew, and their children, Brooklynn and Adrionna who are both APS students.