Forum 360 Producer/Hosts
Ardith Keck, Host and Chair
Ardith Keck earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Romance Languages, English and History and is a retired junior and high school educator. Since 1987, Ardith has produced shows for Forum 360 on topics such as sleep disorders, the media’s influence on politics, Cuban health care, domestic violence, and gangs in Akron. She served ten years on the board of directors of the League of Women Voters (LWV) of Ohio. Ardith is currently serving as membership chair of the LWV of the Akron Area. She is a past President of that organization. Ardith also is a past chair of Rockynol Retirement Community’s Board of Trustees, past President of the Board of Trustees of Weathervane Community Playhouse, Akron and past President of Mobile Meals and Mobile Meals Foundation. She has visited Cuba more than twenty times as a journalist and has explored its health care as well as other aspects of Cuban life.
Ben Rancman, Host
Ben is a sales and fundraising executive at WKSU – 89.7 FM. WKSU is a National Public Radio affiliate station based on the campus of Kent State University – serving 22 counties in Northeast Ohio. Ben has an academic background in History with a particular interest in ancient history, religious history, Jewish studies, and comparative religion. In addition to English, Ben speaks Polish and Hebrew. He particularly enjoys the study of biblical (and extra-biblical texts) and is currently working on a comparative religion podcast named Theotropic.
Leah Heiser, Host
Leah graduated with a degree in communication and information studies from Kent State University. With a major in interpersonal communication, she is a natural interviewer. Currently working with Keep Akron Beautiful, she is interested in programs on the environment and natural resources.
Sally Henning, J.D., Host
Sally Henning, a former senior corporate counsel for Michelin North America, works with employers to prevent unnecessary employment disputes and litigation. Her past Forum 360 shows include interviews of Supreme Court judges, state and local officials and candidates, congressional representatives, company presidents and newspaper publishers. Sally’s favorite interview was with an attorney who was part of the Nuremburg prosecution team.
Leia’ Love, Host
Leia’ is the owner of Leia’ Love Hair & Nail Salon located in Fairlawn, Ohio. She has over 13 years of experience in the beauty and business arena with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, a Masters in Communication, and Doctorate of Professional Cosmetology. Love’s determination to make a difference in her community and in the lives of others has led her to become involved with The American Cancer Society’s Look Good Feel Better program; Junior Achievement; Project Grad Mentoring; The Love Akron Network (board member); and becoming a graduate of the inaugural class of Leadership Akron’s Diversity on Board. Her life philosophy is simple “Love others as you love yourself.”
David C. Minc, J.D., MPA, Host
David C. Minc has served as a producer and moderator of Forum 360 and its predecessor, Civic Forum of the Air, for more than two decades. Dave brings a great deal of professional experience, having served in senior legal positions for several companies and law firms. He currently is vice president and chief legal officer for A. Schulman, Inc. He is active in professional and community affairs, including previous work as an adjunct professor of competition law at The University of Akron School of Law; as a committee chair for American Bar Association; and as a trustee on the boards of several charitable organizations.
Mark Welfley, Host
Mark M. Welfley lives life at the intersection of teaching, technology and fatherhood. He is an Associate Professor of Practice at the University of Akron and an award-winning professor in the area of ethics. Welfley owns a small IT firm, Welfley Technologies, and is a published author of a humorous book entitled “Fatherhood in 60 Minutes or Less: 101 Humorous Observations, Rules of Thumb and Untold Truths for Fathers by Any Definition.” Mark is a guest speaker at numerous organizations and can be heard regularly talking tech and fatherhood on a local radio program in Akron. He has been a featured guest on and is a host of Forum 360. He holds an MBA from California State University at Dominguez Hills and is an ever-mindful, married father of two young children. He loves a good game of Scrabble.
AShira Nelson
AShira Nelson earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the University of Akron. AShira has achieved success in the accounting and finance industry, along with building her own personal social media brand as a budgeting expert for millennial women. AShira has a robust background in accounting, with nearly a decade of experience in tax. AShira’s expertise is in tax planning and preparation for S-corporations, partnerships, and individuals. AShira is the founder of “Savvy Girl Money,” a social media community, with 13k Instagram followers and 1,500 YouTube subscribers, focused on helping millennial women reach their financial goals. AShira’s popular account combines her CPA knowledge with her passion for educating women on growing their financial empires and managing wealth.
Pat Simons, Host
Pat is a graduate of Akron City Hospital School of Nursing and is a Licensed Registered Nurse and has a BS in Health Science from Chapman College. Now retired. Work experience includes hospital, office and clinic nursing and Worker’s Compensation Case Manager. She has provided volunteer service at OPEN M Health Clinic in nursing and in the pharmacy. Pat is a very active volunteer in League of Women Voters in Membership and Leadership Development and chairing LWVH Observer Corps and is active in voter service and issue advocacy. Life experience includes living in Anchorage, Alaska and Glasgow Scotland. Pat’s Forum 360 shows revolve around personal stories, current events and love of the Arts.
Bill Steven Saus
Bill Steven Saus has been host /interviewer on FORUM 360, since 2017. He is retired from thirty-five years in public service as a bailiff with the Medina Municipal Court. Former board member and a past President of the Ohio Bailiffs & Court Officers Association. Served as a member of the Court Personnel Education & Training Committee at The Supreme Court of Ohio. Worked in radio at various Northeast Ohio radio outlets…starting in the 1970’s at WDOK-FM and WIXY-AM in promotions and programming and WHLO-AM. Bill was a member of the Akron Jaycees, and serves as a volunteer for the Akron Golf Charities at the annual PGA tournaments at the Firestone Country Club.
Leslie Ungar, Host
Leslie Ungar is president of Electric Impulse Communications. She helps individuals and corporations supercharge their leadership performance by helping them identify their competitive edge through coaching, speaking and speechwriting. Holding a strong belief that words can change one’s world, she wrote, as a graduate student, to every presidential hopeful about how they could improve their images. Her undergraduate and master’s degrees are both in communication and rhetoric. Her shows are often about her passions: sports, politics, animals and making a difference in the world of business.
Stephanie York, Host
Stephanie York is Vice President and an attorney at Hennes Communications, one the few firms in the U.S. focused exclusively on crisis communications and crisis management. Hennes Communications serves corporations, government agencies, nonprofits, education and healthcare institutions, as well as law firms and their clients, that are “on trial” in the Court of Public Opinion. Stephanie has over 20 years’ experience in law and communications. She is better recognized as the Assistant Director of Law and spokesperson for the City of Akron and former Mayor Don Plusquellic. Stephanie serves on numerous local non-profit boards, and is immediate past president of Downtown Akron Kiwanis Foundation.