Leadership on Main - Wednesday, September 17, 2025, 7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. w/Lakisha Barclay

The Rubber Division of the American Chemical Society is an international association of chemists, engineers, technicians, scientists, plant managers, sales and marketing professionals and others in the rubber, polymer or related fields. The organization’s mission is to educate, connect and grow the evolving elastomer industry. As Executive Director & CEO, Lakisha is responsible for providing daily operational leadership to the team, as well as serving as a spokesperson, developing partnerships with other organizations and maintaining good communications with the Board of Directors, regional Rubber Groups and the American Chemical Society. She places great importance on meeting with community leaders to create synergies to promote the Division’s mission, vision and core values to strengthen the industry. Her efforts also focus on diversity initiatives to celebrate and bring opportunities to minority groups in the industry, as well as increase awareness of the industry to these groups. To date, outreach has been directed towards women, young professionals, students and racial minority groups. Lakisha has been with Rubber Division, ACS since 2007 having served as Director of Finance & Administration and then Executive Director & CEO. Her background includes Summit County Children Services, the U.S. Air Force, and owning and operating her own tax and accounting service where she specialized in non-profits. She currently sits on the boards of the Greater Akron Chamber, Boys & Girls Club of Northeast Ohio, Akron National Pan-Hellenic Council, Fair Housing Contact Services and Friends of Main Library. Lakisha earned her B.S. in Accounting from The University of Akron. A forever learner, she graduated from Case Western Reserve University’s Weatherhead School of Management Executive MBA program in May 2023 and achieved Certified Association Executive (CAE) certification in June 2021. The Certified Association Executive (CAE) credential is the highest professional credential in the association industry.