Jacqueline DeGarmo – Gold Key Service 2020 Award Winner

Jacqueline DeGarmo is the president and founder of Hilliard Jeane, an International Analyst at Intelligent Community Forum, a member of the governing Board of Stark County Educational Service Center, founder of First Promise, and director at both Aultman Health Foundation Board and Aultman Alliance Hospital Board.

She is the former Superintendent of Plain Local Schools and a past president of the Rotary Club of Plain Township. She has also been involved in the following: Walsh University Intelligent Community Symposium, Stark County Broadband Task Team, BASA Legislative Committee, Herbert Hoover Foundation, Sarah Care Community Advisory Board.

She specializes in community planning and visioning, collaborative leadership, team building, executive coaching. Jackie has advised and addressed the International Conference of the Sichuan Association for Science and Technology in Chengdu, China on the relationship between education and innovation. Past feature presentations include the Intelligent City Forum in Taichung, Taiwan, AIA’s national School Building Expo, the Association of School Business Officials national conference, and many state and national events. She has experience and training with National Summit on School Design, Harvard School of Design, and leading district team in the creation of a Richard Riley Award finalist community campus high school. 

“Jackie is a passionate leader with vision and relentless tenacity,” says her nominator, Sally Efremoff. “Her gift is that she can not only see potential that others are unable to see but can articulate a vision and future that inspires others to see possibilities. She is a magical mix of vision, passion and intellect that not only inspires but also creates change. Jackie inspires people and organizations to become better and can inculcate a vision of excellence, then works tirelessly to make sure the goal is reached without ever seeking credit.”

Gold Key Service Award was established by United Way of Greater Stark County in 1961 to recognize individuals who have continually demonstrated the highest degree of personal dedication and service in a voluntary capacity. Their contribution of time and talent supports UWGSC’s Bold Goals 2020 in the areas of health, education and financial stability. Jackie DeGarmo is one of three Gold Key Service 2020 award recipients.