Youngstown Business and Professional Women Group Announces Amy Less Shope, Woman of the Year Recipient

Courtesy: YBPW Pictured L-R: Jessica Foster (Past Club President), Dee McFarland (Woman of the Year Committee Chair), Amy Less Shope (2024 Woman of the Year) , Gina DeGenova (vice president), Lori Gorrell (corresponding secretary) and LaDonna Thomas (treasurer).

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) – The Youngstown Business and Professional Women group announced Wednesday that the 2024 Woman of the Year is a “champion of local business women” and a strong supporter of the special needs community.

Amy Less Shope, managing partner of Lehner Shope Wealth Group, will be honored as Woman of the Year on October 22 at the Lake Club in Poland. The event takes place during National Women’s Business Week.

Proceeds from the Woman of the Year event help fund scholarships for women pursuing higher education in the greater Youngstown area. Tickets cost $60.

Shope has worked in the finance field for over 25 years since graduating from Kent State University. The Lehner Shope Wealth Group she currently leads offers financial services with locations in Canfield, Canton and Perrysburg.

In Canfield, she started a series of “Women’s Power Lunches” where like-minded people
women can network and collaborate. She also hosts a workshop series called “Health and Wealth: Invest in Yourself.”

In addition to finance, Shope is passionate about supporting the special needs community. She previously served on the board of directors of the Autism Society of Mahoning Valley and currently serves on the advisory board of the Spectrum Education Center at Mount Union University.

Shope and her husband also founded a nonprofit organization called Dylan’s House in honor of their son, which works to improve the lives of young adults with autism.

Shope, her husband, Kevin, and daughter, Anderson, currently live in Canfield. Their adult son, Dylan, who is on the autism spectrum, lives in a new home supported by Purple Cat.

“Amy has created a safe space for women to collaborate and support each other. This, coupled with her commitment to the special needs community in Youngstown, makes her the ideal recipient for our Woman of the Year honor,” said Dr. Erinn Vranches, President of YBPW.

For more information about YBPW or to make reservations for the Woman of the Year event, contact LaDonna Thomas, YBPW treasurer, at [email protected].