Tobin Buckner

Tobin Buckner is currently the Director of Employer Partnerships & Training at Youth Opportunities Unlimited, a position they have held since March of 2017. Prior to this, they served as the Senior Manager of Special Projects for DE&I and Training at Youth Opportunities Unlimited from February 2015 to February 2017. In this role, Tobin was instrumental in helping to create 417 jobs, $89 million in capital raised, and $139 million in revenue generated from 50 of JumpStart's high potential client companies in Akron. Tobin also successfully led the charge to help Akron become a more vibrant entrepreneurial city by engaging entrepreneurs and their support partners in innovative programming and creating a collaborative entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Tobin is an expert adviser for entrepreneurs and business owners, providing first-class support services including talent, mentoring, funding, investment and business management. Tobin has been featured monthly as a blogger in Crain's Cleveland/Akron writing on a wide range of entrepreneur related topics, reaching over 100,000 weekly readers. Tobin has also successfully led internal teams and external partners in the development of the first ever 'Akron is for Entrepreneurs' Resource Guide and website, a support organization directory for small business owners. Tobin has spearheaded the continued development of Akron entrepreneurship and JumpStart's footprint through high impact service leadership on several committees including Mayor's Committee on Downtown Redevelopment, Chair- Center for Experiential Learning, Entrepreneurship & Civic Engagement Community Advisory Council, DAP Pop-Up Shop Committee, Agency Without Walls development group, Women's Network of NEO, Team NEO Business Development Council Board, ECDI Advisory Board, Leadership Akron- Entrepreneurship and Innovation Day, Leadership Akron NEXT and I-Corps mentor.

Tobin Buckner has a BSE from Northwestern University in Human Development & Social Policy, an MBA from the University of Phoenix in Global Management, and a Diploma in Advanced Placement from John R Buchtel University High School. Tobin also has a certification from Cornell University in Diversity & Inclusion and a certification from Northwestern University in Content Strategy for Professionals: Engaging Audiences for Your Organization.

Tobin Buckner works with Heather Pollack - Manager, Evaluation & Learning, Missy S. Toms - VP, Development & Communications, and Craig Richards - Manager, Office Operations. Tobin Buckner reports to Craig Dorn, President & CEO. and Joseph Criniti - Assistant Manager, Employer Partnerships & Training reports to Tobin Buckner.