Learn from Leaders
Learn from Leaders is just one way the Lakeland Business Management program provides value-added experiences for our students and community.
Access to local leaders in business management, human resources, entrepreneurship and leadership gives students and community members the opportunity to learn from the best, ask questions and gain invaluable insight into the business world.
Each event requires separate registration!
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Oct. 3 | 12:30 p.m. | Webex | Amanda Lovelace Tobicash -
Nov. 13 | 12:30 p.m. | Webex | Lindsay Defeo
View the live presentation videos from our previous guests here.
Amanda Lovelace Tobicash has significant experience in e-commerce, retail distribution and aerospace manufacturing, including roles in business development, supply chain management and operations. In recent years, Amanda held the roles of senior operations director, e-commerce region at Target and site leader for Transportation Services at Amazon.
Amanda currently serves as regional vice president at Ahold-Delhaize, a global grocer with over 400,000 employees, 63 million shoppers and 8,000 stores across the U.S. and Europe. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and holds an MBA in Operations Management.
Amanda grew up in the Greater Cleveland, Ohio area which led to a (sometimes disappointing) love of Cleveland Sports- Go Guardians! Go Cavs! Go Browns!
Lindsay Defeo is an accomplished professional in the hospitality industry, known for her exceptional leadership and dedication to providing unique and memorable experiences to her customers. In 2024, Lindsay was named one of the Emerging Leaders 4 under 40 and also United Way's Emerging Leader of the Year.
As the Owner and Director of Operations for Leolo Hospitality in Mentor, Lindsay oversees all aspects of the business including customer relations, the member experience, social media, administration and HR. She was integral in launching a unique meal experience in 2021 that provides healthy, flavor-filled meals to the community.
Lindsay grew up in Mentor and went to Lake Catholic High School and then went on to study Hospitality Management and graduate Valedictorian from Le Cordon Bleu School in Pittsburgh. Early in her career, she worked for the renowned Ritz-Carlton Cleveland in Room Operations. This experience provided a solid knowledge in the customer experience and a deep understanding of providing exceptional service to guests. From there, she was recruited to Naples, Florida to work for one of the top Country Clubs in the nation: The Club at Mediterra, where she ran the Hiring and Training Department for all their Food/Beverage & Events staff.
After six years in Florida, Lindsay and her husband, Chef Larry, made the decision to move back to her hometown to raise their 2 children: Leo & Marlowe, whom Leolo is named for. In her spare time, Lindsay is an avid runner and has completed several marathons. She enjoys reading and exploring local restaurants and is actively involved in both the United Way and the Emerging Leaders.
