Community Corner
'Ystark!' Gets Young North Canton Resident Involved in the Community
Diebold's Daniel Leahy builds his community involvement by joining local organization for young professionals
*Daniel Leahy is one of several North Canton residents involved in the community through Young Professionals Engaged in Stark County — perhaps known better as the emphatically punctuated "ystark!"
Leahy, product marketing manager for Diebold, had recently moved to the area from Columbus when he looked into joining ystark!, and the organization appealed to him because he wanted to get involved in the community.
“I needed to do something,” Leahy said.
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Ystark! is a department of the Canton Chamber of Commerce geared toward young professionals within Stark County. Young professionals make their rounds at networking events that promote professional development and community involvement. Ystark!'s objective is to “make Stark County a desirable location for young professionals to live, work and play," according to ystark! newsletters.
The newcomer joined ystark! and took a seat on the professional development committee. He said group members were welcoming; they never pressure a member to come to all the events.
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The organization wants everyone to be involved, "but if you can’t, we understand,” Leahy said.
Leahy has been with Diebold for 10 years. When he started, he worked out of downtown Canton. He later relocated to the company's North Canton offices.
He started in sales; but for the last six months, he’s been in marketing for Diebold’s security support. Some of Leahy’s duties include brand awareness in new markets, lead generation and sales support.
Leahy said he feels good about this community and its involvement specifically from the North Canton YMCA.
“The is like the City Hall of North Canton,” he said.
Leahy also said when he goes to the YMCA, he hears groups of people talking about what’s going on in the area.
He’s excited about the community's progression and feels ystark! is a great way to get involved. He believes people coming together for a common interest is an ideal way to better the community.
“It’s a way of life for all these ystark! individuals,” Leahy said.
*Editor's note: Daniel Leahy was misidentified in the original version of this story.