2024 Executive of the Year

Executive Ilene Shapiro, Summit County

Ilene Shapiro is serving her second term as Summit County Executive.  As Executive, she leads ten unique departments and serves as the chief fiduciary officer for the County, managing a budget of over a half billion dollars. In holding this office, Executive Shapiro strives to make a positive impact on the lives of all Summit County residents. She is the first woman in Ohio to serve as county executive.

Executive Shapiro is a champion for innovative projects and initiatives that foster collaboration and position Summit County and its 31 municipalities to succeed. Under her leadership, the county has led the charge to negotiate the largest financial settlements with opioid manufacturers and distributors, utilizing innovative tactics to attract new and existing business investment, improve security conditions at the county jail, implement cost-saving measures for a new, state of the art consolidated 9-1-1 dispatch system and place emphasis on workforce diversity. While leading the county forward, she exercises responsible financial management practices and continues to maintain Summit County’s strong credit rating. 

Executive Shapiro previously served on Summit County Council for ten years, three of those leading the county’s 11-member policymaking body as Council President. Prior to her career in public service, Executive Shapiro worked in the corporate business world and was a small business owner. She is well-known for her support of women and philanthropy.

Executive Shapiro is a longtime resident of Summit County and currently resides in Akron