Youngstown hires new economic development director
Youngstown Mayor Jamael Tito Brown announced a local entrepreneur and business owner will be the new economic development director for the city of Youngstown.
Meet Stephanie Gilchrist
Stephanie Gilchrist will be the newest member in the Community Planning and Economic Development Department, working under the leadership of Nikki Posterli, Chief of Staff and CPED director.
Gilchrist is a Mahoning Valley native residing in Youngstown who owns Ryan’s Chair Barber and Beauty Salon alongside her husband.
The barber shop and salon has been thriving in the community for over 25 years currently open for business on Glenwood Avenue.
Helping minorities develop ideas into business
Alongside owning her own business, Gilchrist worked as the Regional Director of The Minority Business Assistance Center at the Youngstown Business Incubator (YBI).
The Minority Business Assistance Center is a state affiliated program providing hands-on assistance to minorities, women and veterans in their business development.
In 2016, she started the Women in Entrepreneurship Program with YBI, working with over 100 women with their business ideas. Later she’d be on the frontline for developing YBI’s Youth in Entrepreneurship Program.
After YBI, Gilchrist moved into the role as executive director for Inspiring Minds Youngstown, an after-school and summer program that works with under-represented youth in the community.
She’s a graduate of Youngstown State University where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration.
She also completed the Executive MBA program through Strayer University and is still learning more about the world of business.
Right now she’s enrolled in the Certified Business Advisor Program at Kent State University.
Success in business
Here are some of Gilchrist’s noteworthy achievements and acknowledgments in business recently:
She’s been recognized as a Youngstown Business and Professional Women- Business Woman of the Year
Youngstown State University selected her as a 2020 Penguin Woman on the Move
In 2020, Inspiring Minds Youngstown was featured on NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt for the Inspiring America segment
Selected as one of the Honorees for the 2020 League of Women Voters of Greater Youngstown Women’s Hall of Fame
YBI’s Youth in Entrepreneurship Program was recognized by Inc. Magazine as one of the Businesses on the Move for 2021
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