Stop, Look and Listen

One Action. Many Outcomes: Why Trust Is the Beginning of Economic Safety

– Kristin Shrimplin, CEO of Women Helping Women

The series officially debuted on this week, with a live-streamed launch event held at Cincinnati Public Radio. The inaugural discussion focused on local leadership, equity, and driving structural change, featuring guest speakers Dr. Marianne Lewis (Dean of the University of Cincinnati’s Carl H. Lindner College of Business) and Chara Fisher Jackson (Executive Director & CEO of The Cincinnati Preschool Promise).

Stream “The Equity Effect” podcast here.

What is the real return on an act of generosity? We tend to count the immediate transaction: a grant made, a program funded, a bill paid. But the more consequential result may be the next choice that support makes possible.

That is the thesis behind “The Equity Effect”. Economic security is not a side issue in the conversation about violence and safety. It is one of the conditions that determines whether a person can make decisions about their own future.

When a survivor faces a financial barrier, the solution may not fit neatly into a standardized service category. The immediate need might be transportation, a housing deposit, a utility bill, child care or another expense only that individual can fully explain. A rigid funding model can inadvertently make the person closest to the problem the person with the least authority to solve it.

Trust-based philanthropy asks a different question. Instead of starting with what an institution is prepared to fund, it starts with what the person says would help. Trust is not the absence of accountability. It is a decision about where expertise resides and how to build responsive systems.

This idea has deep roots in Cincinnati. In our featured episode, John Pepper reflects on the legacy of his wife, Francie, whose civic leadership was grounded in practical action. She recognized that helping women and children reach safety required people willing to organize resources, challenge assumptions and act together.

The Francie Garber Pepper Survivor Equity Fund carries forward that spirit by centering flexible support and survivor agency. Its philosophy challenges a familiar philanthropic instinct: the urge to prescribe the answer before hearing the need.

Consider the sequence of possible effects. A timely financial resource may help resolve an urgent problem. That relief can expand choices. More choices can help a person pursue stability, work, education or safer housing. Those changes may affect family well-being and participation in the wider economy. Each step is a possibility, not a guaranteed outcome, but it is precisely why flexible support deserves serious attention.

Business leaders should care because economic insecurity does not stop at the workplace door. Employers see its consequences in disrupted schedules, constrained career options and challenges retaining talent. Funders should care because the design of financial support influences whether resources reach people at the moment they are useful. Community leaders should care because opportunity compounds when more people can act with agency.

We also need better measurement. Beyond dollars distributed, what choices became available? Were resources timely? Did recipients experience the process as respectful? What outcomes do survivors themselves consider meaningful? These are questions worth asking alongside traditional financial and program metrics.

The Equity Effect will examine these ideas through conversations with leaders in business, philanthropy, education and innovation. Our editorial premise is that economic freedom, leadership and community solutions are connected, and that a good idea should travel beyond the city where it began.

John and Francie Pepper’s example gives us a starting point. One person sees a need. One person acts. Others join. The impact grows. The challenge now is to design more institutions capable of producing that kind of ripple, with survivors and communities helping define what success means.

If economic safety is safety, the question for every institution is straightforward: What is one action we can take now that gives someone more freedom to choose what comes next?

Big Shoes to Fill

Brian Planitz, author of
“William Howard Taft in Cincinnati”

The road. The theatre. The museum. The other museum. Not to mention a law firm, a broadcasting company, and a high school.

The Taft name runs through this city.

In a new book, author Brian Planitz examines “William Howard Taft in Cincinnati,” bringing to life Taft’s time in his hometown and how it shaped his later career in Washington, D.C., and around the world.

Planitz worked for the William Howard Taft National Historic Site from 2007 to 2013 which fueled his interest in Taft and provided an ideal place for research and reflection.

Most Americans know that William Howard Taft was president of the United States and chief justice of the Supreme Court. But his life and legacy contain much beyond that, especially in his hometown.

Planitz did much of his research at the William Howard Taft National Historic Site.

“It has a lot of useful letters from the Taft collection that were luckily transcribed!,” he says. “It is amazing how ‘sloppy’ 19th-century handwriting can be – It makes doctor’s prescription look like bold print!”

The Site also has folders of the day-by-day life of the Tafts that proved invaluable. Planitz also credits the The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County for both its extensive research databases. Most of the photographs in the book are from the Library’s collection and newspaper databases, which are available to library.

“It makes research look too easy, but that is what it is there for,” says Planitz.

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What piqued your interest in writing a book about William Howard Taft right now?

I started this project in Fall 2010, when I was an undergraduate at Mount Saint Joseph University.

It was born as my American History Seminar thesis paper. My professor gave us a simple statement on how to choose a topic: “Pick something you can get out of bed and write about every day.” At the time, (working at) the National Park Service (NPS), I knew I could that with William Howard Taft. The question was on what topic.

Taft was more judicial than political, as most people know. He loved the law, he loved being a judge. I figured I would look at his judicial career, which mostly takes place in Cincinnati, and I titled it “The True Path” because he was really good at being a courtroom lawyer and had a passion and love for the work. When I graduated with my M.A. from Northern Kentucky University, I looked at publishing it then, and morphing it into his life in Cincinnati life more generally. But I put it on thee back burner because things just were not lining up at the time.

In June 2023 I was working at my job and the bug in the ear just got louder over the years to finish the project. I contacted my publisher, Arcadia Publishing/The History Press, and put things in motion to get it finished! However, my original work had been lost, so I had to completely rewrite the manuscript. Between working two jobs and medical situations, the process took a long time, but the book was finally published a few weeks ago.

 Where do you still see the Taft family’s legacy in law in the city today?

Taft statue at the University of Cincinnati. Courtesy UC.

You cannot go more than a few miles without a direct or indirect connection to something William talked about, or where he lived, visited, worked, or played.

The William Howard Taft National Historic Site (Taft birthplace) is the main legacy for him, unfortunately it’s the only site, museum, library of him specifically, opened to the public.

A few homes still exist but are private residences. Of course the Taft Museum of Art is one of those, even though it is not directly tied to him, he has a strong connection to the museum.

During the 1908 Presidential Election, postcards of the Taft Museum of Art exist which clearly say, “William Howard Taft Residence.” I can only speculate, that since he did not have a residence in Cincinnati at the time, Charles and Anna’s house looked “presidential” and impressive to voters.

Most people who looked at that postcard would never know that William worked multiple jobs at many times in his life, especially when he lived in Cincinnati. He had to take a loan out from his aunt in Massachusetts to complete the home he and Nellie lived in when they got married, and of course had to pay it back!

The University of Cincinnati College of Law exists today because of William Howard Taft. As dean, he merged his alma mater, the Cincinnati College of Law, with the new University Law Department at UC in the late 1890s and served as dean until 1900.

The family has faded from politics over the last 20 years; however, they have never stepped away from the law. The family has members all around the country, involved with community projects and legal work.

How do you think the city’s appreciation for the arts influenced him?

When he was younger, William would go on dates to the theater and concerts. At a reading salon he met and fell in love with Helen “Nellie” Herron, who he married.

He appreciated the mark the arts made on Cincinnati.

Nellie, helped create what we now know as the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. He supported the May Festival at Music Hall and dedicated a statue there as well. Music was not something he knew a lot about but grew to enjoy its deeper meanings in the city and its importance in local society.

Charles Phelps Taft and his wife, Anna, created the Taft Museum of Art. William would stay with them in the house on Pike Street when he would return to Cincinnati after 1900, surrounded by the art. All the members of the Taft family understood what the gift of cherished artworks meant to the city.

William may not have had as much artistic knowledge as his brother, but if it bettered Cincinnati, that’s all it took for him to get behind anything in the arts.

What in Taft’s work could we use as advice in our politically challenging time?

Taft was seen as a party-first Republican during the elections of 1908 and 1912 . However, what the Republican Party didn’t understand that Taft was a Progressive like Roosevelt but he wanted things done the way the law was written.

In today’s political arena, speed is the key. Dramatic speeches from both sides of the aisle to sway votes go a long way with the media and many voters. Taft’s predecessor, Theodore Roosevelt had a saying: “Unless I can’t, I will.” How he did it didn’t matter, as long as he did something. Roosevelt used what was not explicitly written in the Constitution and took advantage of that through his Executive Orders.

Taft also had a saying: “Action for which I become responsible, or for which my administration becomes responsible, shall be within the law.” Taft did not believe in doing anything not explicitly written in the Constitution. Sometimes its best to be a Theodore Roosevelt-type president, but you also need to make sure you have a William Howard Taft-type president to balance and slow things down when the world seems to be going very fast around you.

Taft was very down-to-earth, calm, and judicial. He wasn’t good at the game of politics. But he was great at staying who he was while in the White House. He didn’t change who he was.

Are you interested in exploring more the the family’s history in other books?

Gathered for the 1925 dedication of Alphonso Taft Hall were his sons (from left): Henry, a prominent New York attorney; former president William Howard, chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court; Charles Phelps, publisher of the Cincinnati Times-Star and former Ohio congressman; and Horace, founder and headmaster of a private boarding school in Connecticut. Courtesy UC.

I have thought about other members of the family, particularly, Alphonso Taft. Leonard Lewis wrote a biography of him in the 1920s and it has long been out of print.

Alphonso is one of the few fathers of presidents who lived a very long and public life like their sons. The other that come to mind are John and John Quincy Adams and George H.W. and George W. Bush – But usually fathers who were not presidents kept a low profile! Alphonso had a public life Cincinnati as a judge, running for governor of Ohio, and acting as Secretary of War and Attorney General for President Grant, and Ambassador to the Austria Hungarian Empire and Ambassador to Russia for President Chester Arthur.

My Taft “library” sits at around 36 titles, and I am happy to have added to that list. Knowing I have contributed to this family as a whole and William in particular is gratifying.

– Tricia Suit

Blessings in Disguise

Every great party starts at Cappel’s, whether you’re looking for an Oktoberfest tablecloth, Christmas ornaments, a wedding guest book, or cocktail napkins in a very specific color. This time of year, it’s the best place to go for Halloween costumes, accessories, or inspiration.

Opened as Cappel Display Company in 1945, the store opened by William Cappel sold display fixtures to downtown’s booming department stores. After WWII ended, his brother, Cappel, joined him in the family business. Over the years customers made frequent trips to Cappel’s, especially at Christmas time. Eventually retail became the primary focus, with costumes were introduced into the product mix on a seasonal basis in the 1980s.

Ray began working with his father, William, when he was still a young boy and has more than 50 years experience in the retail industry. In 1990, Ray and his cousin, Rich, bought Cappel’s Display, officially changing the name to Cappel’s Inc. The cousins successfully adapted to the changing party needs of the community. Today, Ray and his wife, Stef, continue to run the family business.

Today, Cappel’s has an inventory of 50,000 items, with an incredible selection of costumes, costume accessories, party decorations, novelties,, and many hard to find products.

The Costume Annex is at 917 Race St., open Monday through Satruday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday, 12 to 5 p.m. The party supply store is at 920 Elm St. Cappel’s also has locations in Anderson and Blue Ash. Find all the details at www.cappelsinc.com.

Having a Light Touch

Coordinating the art, artists, and ever-changing technology of BLINK is a Herculean task. The country’s –maybe even the world’s – largest immersive light and art event demands a combination of logistical understanding, adept communication skills, and rah-rah enthusiasm for the region. Luckily, Leslie Mooney has plenty.

Mooney stepped into the role of BLINK’s executive director in July 2025. With less than a year to learn the ins-and-outs of the job, work on the fundraising, and tackle the artistic decisions, she hit the ground running and hasn’t stopped.

She is a seasoned nonprofit and cultural leader in Cincinnati, with deep passion for the arts and a strong commitment to community impact.  Before BLINK, Mooney served as the executive director of the Clifton Cultural Arts Center, spearheading the building of its new home. She moved to Cincinnati nearly two decades ago, working in development at the Underground Railroad Freedom Center. Her career has been defined by civic connection through storytelling, placemaking, and inclusive arts and cultural programming – what BLINK is all about.

Reading: Only my emails right now :(

Watching: Clips of “Gilmore Girls”...It’s FALL!

Snacking: Grapes

Soundtrack: Dolly

Guilty Pleasure: Vanilla lattes from Lola's

Go-to Dish: Short rib cappellacci at Sotto

Organizing": BLINK, the nation's largest light-based art festival and the schedules of four children and their extracurricular activities

Planning: My life post-BLINK!

Hidden Gem: Bellevue Park

Spot to take visitors: Mount Adams

Words of Advice: “Take your work seriously, but don't take yourself too seriously.”

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As we all have so much to do and our attention spans seem to be getting smaller and smaller, we wonder what local folks you obsessed with at the moment.

“Current Events” is a feature where we ask Cincinnati People about their current favorite places and things, plus how they’re enjoying spending their time right now. And of course, what's their go-to advice to share with others. 

Pitch Forward

J.B. Kropp has a lot going on heading into the tenth StartupCincy Week.

Known as one of the pioneers of the Cincinnati startup ecosystem, Kropp has had huge impact locally as a founder since. Since 2024 he has been the CEO of Cintrifuse, the OTR-based entrepreneurship hub.

Over the years, Kropp has co-founded the Brandery and Main Street Ventures, and was co-manager of Vine St. Ventures, He has also served in strategic and operational leadership roles at Gorilla Glue, Scripps, and Twitter.

StartupCincy Week 2026 marks a decade of backing founders who refused to play it safe, building companies that didn't ask permission, and proving Cincinnati is where bold bets belong. Cintrifuse is the chair of StartupCincy, a coalition of entrepreneurs and the organizations that serve them.

While down time may be in short supply at the moment, Kropp shares what he’s doing when he’s not funding the future of Cincy business,

Current Events

Reading:
Nothing good at the moment – Need suggestions!

Watching :
My kids grow up too quickly

Snacking:
Anything sweet!

Soundtrack:
Tyler Childers

Guilty Pleasure:
Graeter’s

Go-to Dish (to make or in a restaurant): Typically a filet

OrganizingPlanning: Kids' activities

Spot to take visitors: Findlay Market

Words of Advice: “Things may come to those that wait, but only the things left by those who hustle.”

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As we all have so much to do and our attention spans seem to be getting smaller and smaller, we wonder what local folks you obsessed with at the moment.

“Current Events” is a feature where we ask Cincinnati People about their current favorite places and things, plus how they’re enjoying spending their time right now. And of course, what's their go-to advice to share with others. 

Built to Last

 What does it take to build a business that lasts?

An idea helps. So does capital. But talk to the people behind some of Greater Cincinnati’s most successful family-owned and privately held businesses and a different formula emerges: take care of people, adapt when the market changes, build a strong culture, and think beyond the next quarter.

Those qualities were on display as the Goering Center celebrated its 2026 Family and Private Business Awards at Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati last week.

 The annual awards recognize Greater Cincinnati companies for achievements in strategic planning, sustained growth, innovation, leadership and community impact.

The Business Behind Cincinnati’s Economy

Family-owned and privately held companies don’t always receive the attention of publicly traded corporations, but their impact is visible throughout Greater Cincinnati. That's one reason the Goering Center exists.

Based at the University of Cincinnati’s Carl H. Lindner College of Business, the Center provides education, resources and peer networks specifically designed for family-owned and privately held companies, helping leaders address everything from strategy and leadership development to business transitions and succession.

The 2026 Family and Private Business Award honorees are

• Appro-Rx

• Centennial and Talent Magnet Institute

• CPN Legal

• HBH Holdings Inc.

• Junk King Cincinnati

• Knox Manufacturing Solutions

• Perfection Group

• Riverside Electric Inc.

• Taylor Logistics Inc.

• WSA USA

But collectively, this year’s honorees tell a bigger Cincinnati story. They represent manufacturers, professional-services firms health care, logistics, and businesses built around solving problems customers face every day.

Some are family enterprises. Others are privately held companies. But each of them are part of an entrepreneurial ecosystem that creates jobs, develops leaders and keeps significant economic activity rooted in Greater Cincinnati.

Each arrived at the awards with a different story. Together, they demonstrate something important about Cincinnati’s business community: innovation doesn’t have to come from a startup with a billion-dollar valuation.

 Steve Hater was recognized as the 2026 Volunteer of the Year for his service to the Goering Center and the region's business community.

During his years as the Center’s Membership Director, Hater helped grow the organization by doing something deceptively simple: connecting people.

He built relationships among business leaders and helped create a community where owners and executives could share experiences, learn from one another and work through challenges that can be difficult to discuss outside a trusted peer group.

In business, relationships are often discussed as a strategy. Hater’s career demonstrates what happens when they become a commitment.

 The 2026 Goering Center honorees remind us that some of the region's most important economic stories aren't about businesses arriving in Cincinnati. They’re about Cincinnati businesses finding ways to grow, evolve and stay.

Appro-Rx

Centennial and Talent Magnet Institute

CPN Legal

HBH Holdings Inc.

Junk King Cincinnati

Knox Manufacturing Solutions

Riverside Electric Inc.

Taylor Logistics Inc.

WSA USA

A Better Tomorrow

Built to Scale

Impacting Tomorrow can manage approximately 350 pallets of inventory, including 110 pallets of cold storage.

It now serves more than 900 households each week through its food and clothing programs.

The model combines the compassion of a nonprofit with the logistics, measurement and continuous improvement of a business.

Need creates data.

Data identifies gaps.

Gaps determine services.

Services generate measurable outcomes.

Then the organization adjusts again.

To learn more or support Impacting Tomorrow, visit their website at impactingtomorrow.com.

• 3,200 people every week.

• More than 150 ZIP codes.

• $12.3 million in groceries provided in 2025.

• More than 1 million diapers.

• 500,000 feminine-care products.

• 4,000+ medical and dental visits.

• 1,219 pediatric occupational therapy visits.

For Ken and Libby Tracy, the numbers behind the non-profit they founded, Impacting Tomorrow, aren't simply statistics for an annual report.

They are how the organization operates.

The Cincinnati entrepreneurs co-founded Impacting Tomorrow after building healthcare staffing company TaleMed. Today, they are applying many of the same principles that helped them grow a successful business: understand the customer, use data to identify needs, build efficient systems and measure results.

The difference is the bottom line.

At Impacting Tomorrow, the return is stronger families.

Measure What Matters

Impacting Tomorrow served more than 135,000 people in 2025, but Ken Tracy is interested in a harder question:

Are families actually becoming more stable?

The organization's Family Stabilizer Ladder measures households on a 10-point scale, from crisis to lasting independence.

Currently, 63.8% of the families Impacting Tomorrow serves are in the “surviving” category, meaning they may be getting by today but remain vulnerable to an unexpected bill, illness or job disruption. The goal isn't simply to give those families more services. It's to help move them up the ladder.

That changes the definition of impact from “How many people did we serve?” to “How many lives actually improved?”

One Family. Multiple Needs. One Campus.

Impacting Tomorrow’s 45,000-square-foot Loveland campus is designed around another lesson revealed by the data: families rarely face just one challenge.

Food insecurity may exist alongside healthcare needs, clothing insecurity, a shortage of diapers, dental problems or a child needing therapy.

So Impacting Tomorrow brings solutions together.

Its services include The Market, Ohio's largest choice-based free market, where families select their own groceries; The Boutique for free clothing and household essentials; Carry Her for diapers, period products and incontinence supplies; medical and dental care through HealthSource of Ohio; pediatric occupational therapy through Grow Together; and education programs focused on health, finances, careers and family stability.

In 2025 alone, families received $12.3 million in groceries.

The average grocery visit provides approximately $242 in retail value to a household. That is $242 a family can potentially redirect toward rent, utilities, transportation, medicine or another necessity.

That's impact.

Why Impacting Tomorrow Should Be on Cincinnati's Giving List

Greater Cincinnati has many deserving nonprofits. Impacting Tomorrow stands out because a donor isn't funding one isolated service.

The investment can touch an entire family.

A parent who arrives for $242 worth of groceries may also find dental care. A mother can receive diapers. A child can access occupational therapy. A job seeker can find clothing. A family can connect with education and resources designed to increase long-term stability.

And Impacting Tomorrow is measuring whether that family moves forward. That is the bigger idea Ken and Libby Tracy are building in Cincinnati.

Don't simply count meals.

Don't simply count visits.

Don't simply count people.

Measure whether lives change.

Impacting Tomorrow has the numbers to show the size of the need. Now it is building the data to demonstrate something even more important: the impact of meeting it.

Eye of the Tiger

Known as “Bengal” Jim, Jim Foster is the rare superfan who turned tailgating into giving back.

Find out how a simple tailgate in 1993 grew to into becoming the Bengals nominee for the NFL “Fan of the Year” in 2021, raising nearly $500,000 for more than 80 charities along the way.

Art Works

Alandes Powell helped turn a poem into one of Cincinnati's most recognizable pieces of public art. Six years later, the President and CEO of Black Art Speaks is working to make sure the city's Black artists don't just get seen. They get opportunities, investment and a chance to build sustainable careers.

Making History

Hailed by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow as the “Queen City of the West” in 1854, Cincinnati has long been a cultural center. Many artists and musicians have gotten their start, here.

As we celebrate America 250, we take a look at a few of our favorite 20th (and 21st!) century masters.

Bootsy Collins

William Earl “Bootsy” Collins is a local and American legend.

A bass player, singer, and songwriter, Collins got his start with King Records in the 1960,s touring with James Brown as part of his backing band.

He went on to join Parliament-Funkadelic, where he built his signature style. Through his projects and work with Parliament-Funkadelic, Collins established himself as one of the leading names in funk music during the ‘70s. He was recognized by Rolling Stone as the fourth greatest bassist of all time, though he is No. 1 in our hearts! He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1997.

A prolific producer and musical collaborator, Collins remains a vital part of Cincinnati’s music scene and huge influencist on contemporary funk, hip hop, and pop music.

Doris Day

Doris Day, the voice behind “Whatever Will Be, Bill Be” and the star of films like “Calamity Jane” and “Pillow Talk,” was not only a beloved actress and singer, but a proud Cincinnatian.

Born Doris Mary Anne Kappelhof, Day began her singing career at WLW. Over her 50-year career, she became one of the most prominent entertainers during the 20th century, receiving a Grammy lifetime achievement award, a Golden Globe, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. She was also a prominent advocate for animal welfare, founded the Doris Day Animal League and the Doris Day Animal Foundation.

Day always claimed she could have happily spent her whole life in Cincinnati and attributed much of her music and personality to her early years here. Today Cincinnati celebrates the life and legacy of Day through a street named for her at Walnut Street, between Sixth and Seventhstreets, and fittingly, a dog park in Mt. Airy Forest.

Jim Dine

Studying at the Academy of Cincinnati while still in high school, Jim Dine has created works in multiple media drawing, printmaking, sculpture, and photography throughout his 50-year career.

After studying at the University of Cincinnati and the Boston Museum School, Dine earned a BFA at Ohio University in 1957, moving to New York City in 1958. He became closely associated with the Pop Art movement.

Dine’s work is featured in more than 70 public collections around the world, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, MoMa, Centre Pompidou, The British Museum and Tate Britain. His work is included in the collection of the Cincinnati Art Museum and his “Cincinnati Venus” can be seen in front of Centennial Plaza.

Charley and Edie Harper

Charley and Edie Harper were a husband and wife artist duo who sent down roots in Cincinnati. The pair met while studying at the Art Academy of Cincinnati and tied the knot shortly after graduating.

Charley became well known for his modernist art that included stylized wildlife prints, posters, and book illustrations.

After a six month honeymoon that was spent creating art, Charley Haper returned to the Art Academy as a teacher while Edie worked out of their Cincinnati home. She became known for her work in pottery, textiles, jewelry, sculpting, and painting, but most notably her photography.

Today, you can find their work in the Cincinnati Art Museum and on the city streets in the “Homecoming (Bluebirds)” and “Crazy Cat/Crazy Quilt” murals. Edie’s work will also take centerstage at the Taft Museum of Art in October, when “Edie McKee Harper: Modernist at Play” opens.

Isley Brothers

“If it were not for the Isley Brothers, the Beatles would still be in Liverpool” Paul McCartney has said.

The Isley Brothers are a soul band who trace their sound from their roots in Cincinnati. They began as a vocal trio but later expanded into a full band and found success after moving to New York City in the 1950s where they rose to fame with their song “Shout,” their first song to chart on the Billboard Hot 100.

They went on to work with labels that helped them produce songs like “Twist and Shout” – memorably covered by The Beatles – before starting their own label. They became the first group to hit the Billboard Hot 100 chart acrosf six consecutive decades, earning Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. The Isley Brothers have been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and are part of Cincinnati’s Black Music Walk of Fame.

 – Lily Shoemaker

Show Me the Way

Before the sold-out tours, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction and one of the biggest live albums in music history, Peter Frampton quietly became part of the Cincinnati story.

Now, the former Indian Hill resident is entering a new chapter.

On Friday, Frampton releases “Carry the Light,” his first album of all-new rock material in 16 years, co-written and co-produced with his son, Julian Frampton. The project is already generating buzz across the music industry for its emotional songwriting, all-star guest lineup and the personal father-son collaboration at its core.

For Cincinnati music fans, the album also feels like a reminder of the years Frampton quietly called the Queen City home.

The Cincinnati Years

Frampton moved to Indian Hill in 2000 after marrying Cincinnati native Tina Elfers. During his years here, he built a home studio, became part of the local arts community and developed close friendships throughout the region.

In interviews over the years, Frampton often spoke warmly about Cincinnati and the sense of normalcy it gave him after decades of global fame.

Ohio Magazine described the rock icon as living “quietly” in Indian Hill for nearly 14 years, embracing family life far removed from stadium tours and celebrity culture.

His Cincinnati ties extended beyond simply living here.

Frampton collaborated with the Cincinnati Ballet, performed locally multiple times, and remained connected to the region even after he returned to Nashville.

Many local fans still remember his performances at Riverbend Music Center and his appearances around the city during the early 2000s.

Some music fans consider Frampton’s local chapter one of the city’s great hidden celebrity stories: a legendary guitarist raising a family in suburban Cincinnati while continuing to influence rock music around the world.

A New Album, A New Generation

This Friday, “Carry the Light” arrives via UMe and marks Frampton’s first original rock album since 2010’s “Thank You Mr. Churchill.”

The project was created alongside his son, Julian, who co-wrote and co-produced the album.

Revisit Frampton’s legacy ahead of the new release, from his classic era to his Cincinnati connection tracks, including a live recording from a Riverbend performance.

That collaboration appears to be deeply personal for Frampton, especially following his diagnosis with Inclusion Body Myositis (IBM), a progressive muscle disease that threatened to end his playing career.

Instead, the diagnosis seems to have sparked a creative resurgence.

The album features an impressive guest lineup including Sheryl Crow, Bill Evans, H.E.R., Tom Morello, Graham Nash and Benmont Tench

Early reviews have praised the album’s emotional depth and mature songwriting, with some music critics calling it among the strongest work of Frampton’s career.

The lead single, “Buried Treasure,” is already drawing attention as a tribute to Tom Petty, incorporating references to Petty song titles throughout the lyrics.

Still One of Rock’s Great Survivors

Frampton’s story has become larger than classic rock nostalgia.

After revealing his IBM diagnosis in 2019, many believed his touring career was over. Instead, he returned to the stage, earned induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2024 and continues recording new music.

And while Nashville may now be home again, Cincinnati remains an important chapter in his life story.

For a generation of local fans, Peter Frampton was not just a global rock icon.

He was also the guy quietly living in Indian Hill, raising a family, supporting the arts and occasionally reminding Cincinnati that world-class musicians sometimes choose the Queen City, too.

Run the World

At a luncheon on April 30, 10 exceptional women will be recognized as the 2026 Career Women of Achievement. The annual event is the largest fundraiser for YWCA Greater Cincinnati, with proceeds supporting programs focused on safety, racial justice and inclusion, economic empowerment and mental health and wellbeing.

Soledad O’Brien, an Emmy Award–winning journalist, documentarian and entrepreneur, is the headliner for luncheon on April 30 at Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati, bringing her nationally recognized voice on leadership, equity and opportunity to one of the region’s most influential annual events.

The 2026 Career Women of Achievement event chairs are Michelle Hopkins, Lifestyle TV Host, WCPO and Community & Engagement Director at The Women’s Fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation, and Susan B. Zaunbrecher, Partner and Director of Special Projects and Strategic Initiatives at Dinsmore & Shohl.

Founded in 1868, YWCA Greater Cincinnati creates community-wide programs in the areas of safety, racial justice and inclusion, and empowerment and economic advancement.

Get to know this year’s honorees!

• Nabila Ahmad

  abila Ahmad is the IBM Americas Sales Leader, where she drives strategic growth initiatives and develops high-performing teams in one of the world’s most competitive and quickly evolving industries. Over her career in technology sales, she has often been one of the only women - and one of the only women of color - in the room. Advancing into leadership as a Muslim woman has shaped her commitment to representation, mentorship and creating pathways for others to rise.

  Ahmad has been a dedicated advocate for women and underrepresented talent, leading career-acceleration initiatives at IBM and serving as a mentor to emerging professionals both in and out of the company. She remains deeply engaged with the University of Cincinnati, partnering with the College of Business to support and uplift female business students through mentorship and professional networking.

  A graduate of Leadership Cincinnati and an active member of several philanthropic organizations, Ahmad has served on the United Way of Butler County Board and participates in multiple Muslim women’s philanthropic and social welfare groups. She has been recognized with numerous IBM Golden Circle Sales Excellence and Leadership Awards. The daughter of Pakistani immigrants, she credits her family, faith and community with shaping her belief that leadership must be grounded in integrity and service.

  She lives in Mason with her family and is the proud mother of three sons.

• Evie Alessandrini, MD

  Evaline “Evie” Alessandrini, MD, is the Chief Operating Officer of Cincinnati Children’s and a nationally recognized pediatric healthcare leader whose career has centered on improving child health, strengthening systems of care, and advancing health equity. A purpose-driven executive with decades of experience in both clinical and operational roles, she empowers teams to drive meaningful change while keeping children, families, and communities at the center of the mission.

  Dr. Alessandrini began her career as a pediatric emergency medicine physician and later transitioned into healthcare leadership, where she has guided major initiatives in patient care, quality improvement, and organizational performance. She brings a deep belief that purpose-led institutions outperform when they create real impact for the people they serve. The first woman in her family to become a physician, she continues to pave pathways for others through sponsorship, mentorship, and leadership development.

  A longtime advocate for developing women leaders in healthcare, Alessandrini has mentored women at every stage of their careers and serves as a faculty leader in Drexel University’s Executive Leadership in Healthcare programs. Her commitment to “lifting as you climb” is grounded in the idea that progress is sustained when opportunity is shared and systems work better for everyone, not just those with access.

  A resident of Madeira, she and her husband have three adult children. Outside the hospital, she is a passionate women’s soccer fan, attending the FIFA Women’s World Cup every four years.

• Debbie Brant

  Debbie Brant serves as President & CEO of Cincinnati Ballet, where she leads one of the region’s most celebrated cultural institutions and champions the role of the arts in shaping our community. Her leadership reflects more than three decades of service across the nonprofit, Jewish and arts sectors, where she built a reputation for listening, aligning mission with resources, and mobilizing people around ambitious goals. Brant’s career includes a national fundraising portfolio with major cultural organizations, paired with deep board and volunteer leadership that helped strengthen institutions through capital campaigns and strategic governance.

  Brant’s approach to leadership is rooted in collaboration and execution. She models values-driven leadership and creates pathways for others to step into executive roles with confidence. She believes institutions thrive when people are given space to do their best work and when progress endures beyond any single leader.

  Brant currently serves as a Trustee of The Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati and The Jewish Federation of Cincinnati (where she is a former Board Chair), and sits on the boards of Most Valuable Kids and Creative Ohio. She and her husband, Jody, live in Amberley Village and have two adult daughters.

  A devoted arts supporter and an avid baseball fan, Brant remains driven by a mission of stewardship: strengthening organizations, expanding access and ensuring the enduring impact of the arts for generations to come.

• Julie Kirkpatrick, CDME

  Julie Kirkpatrick, CDME is the President & CEO of meetNKY, where she leads Northern Kentucky’s visitor economy strategy and champions regional collaboration to grow tourism, strengthen local businesses and elevate the community’s profile. A connector by nature and a change agent by reputation, Kirkpatrick believes that progress happens when leaders share credit, build momentum together and widen the circle of opportunity. Under her leadership, meetNKY has advanced development initiatives and expanded partnerships while helping position the Northern Kentucky region as a dynamic destination for both residents and visitors.

  Kirkpatrick is the first woman to serve as CEO of Northern Kentucky’s tourism industry, and her celebrated leadership is grounded in stewardship, collaboration and legacy. She has a reputation for moving initiatives from concept to reality and for bringing people together around shared goals, including cross-river partnerships and destination development efforts that strengthen the region’s competitive edge. Kirkpatrick also invests heavily in the next generation of women leaders, opening doors and creating access through sponsorship.

  Kirkpatrick currently serves on the boards of the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, Kentucky Tourism Industry Association, Red Bike and the Cincinnati Music Festival. She is the proud mother of Lily and Logan, who fuel her commitment to building a region that is vibrant, welcoming and full of possibility.

• Sheryl M.M. Long

  Sheryl M. M. Long serves as City Manager for the City of Cincinnati, where she leads day-to-day operations of the municipal government and advances policy, infrastructure and community priorities across one of the Midwest’s most dynamic urban regions. Long entered a life of public service with the goal of solving problems and improving outcomes for residents.

  A lifelong Cincinnatian, Long the first woman appointed City Administrator for North College Hill and the second African American City Manager in Cincinnati’s history. Known for her motivation to open doors rather than close ranks, she leads with intention around who has a seat at the table and is committed to elevating voices that have historically been left out of decision-making spaces, particularly in matters of neighborhood investment and quality of life.

  Beyond her executive role, Long has been recognized for her leadership by the Cincinnati Regional Chamber, the Holocaust & Humanity Center and the League of Women in Government. She is an active member of the International City/County Management Association and previously served as president of the Ohio City/County Management Association. She lives in Clifton with her family and brings to her work a spirit shaped by service, vulnerability and the women who came before her.

• Michele O'Rourke

  Michele O’Rourke is the CEO of O'Rourke Wrecking Company, and has built her career on a simple philosophy: you do the hard work, you do it the right way, and you take care of people along the way. As the first female CEO of O’Rourke Wrecking Company, she leads in a field where women are scarce and expectations are high. Under her leadership, demolition is not just about tearing buildings down, it is about clearing the way for what comes next. Her work has shaped some of Cincinnati’s most visible redevelopment projects, including Riverfront Stadium, the Millennium Hotel, and the U.S. Playing Card site.

  Early in her career, O'Rourke traded pharmaceutical sales for the family business. Over three decades, she learned every part of the operation on her way to CEO. She has since been recognized for her innovative leadership as she helps create access for the next generation of women in construction.

  Motivated by purpose, service, and the belief that leaders ripple impact far beyond their job descriptions, O'Rourke views demolition as an act of renewal and leadership as a responsibility.

  O'Rourke is a native Cincinnatian and now lives in Hyde Park with her husband, her high school sweetheart. The YWCA motto, “lift as you climb,” speaks to the heart of her leadership. Her mission is equally clear: to build leaders, protect people, and leave every community stronger than she found it.

• J. Phenise Poole

  J. Phenise Poole serves as Deputy General Counsel and Senior Vice President at Fifth Third Bank, where she provides strategic legal leadership and counsel on complex organizational matters while advancing equity and opportunity within the legal and corporate sectors. Throughout her career, Poole has combined legal expertise with a collaborative approach to problem-solving, earning recognition as a trusted advisor, thoughtful strategist and leader who delivers results in challenging environments.

  The first Black woman to serve as President of the University of Tennessee Alumni Board of Directors, Poole has continued to break barriers as the first Black female Senior Vice President in Fifth Third’s Legal Department and the Bank’s first Black Deputy General Counsel. She is widely respected for her commitment to mentorship and sponsorship, investing in the next generation of leaders through board service, philanthropy and direct support of young professionals. Her leadership is grounded in integrity, resilience, and the belief that success carries a responsibility to expand access for others.

  Poole currently serves on the boards of the Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio, the University of Tennessee Foundation, and the Advocates for Youth Education, among others. She has endowed multiple scholarships designed to increase access to higher education for first-generation students and those pursuing study abroad opportunities. A native Tennessean, Poole resides in Mt. Washington with her fiancé Kelley and their three dogs.

• Cady Short-Thompson, Ph.D

  Cady Short-Thompson, Ph. D, is the President of Northern Kentucky University and a nationally respected higher education leader who has devoted her career to expanding access, success, and opportunity for students. A mission-driven executive with deep roots in the region, she has championed student-centered systems, strengthened academic and operational structures, and advanced institutional initiatives aimed at ensuring more learners can thrive.

  Short-Thompson has spent more than two decades elevating educational institutions through transformational leadership, first as a professor of communication at NKU and later in senior roles across higher education, including provost of Hope College. In 2023, she returned to lead NKU as its first woman president and is currently the only woman serving as president of a public university in Kentucky.

  A committed mentor to emerging leaders, Short-Thompson believes in empowering others to realize their full potential and “lifting as you climb” by surrounding herself with talented teams, resourcing their success, and promoting their growth. She serves on multiple civic and regional boards, including ArtsWave, BeNKY, United Way of Greater Cincinnati, Dan Beard Council, Cincinnati Regional Business Committee, Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, and OneNKY Alliance. Her leadership has been recognized with recent honors including CEO of the Year (Cincinnati Business Courier), Newsmaker of the Year (NKY Tribune), and the distinction of Kentucky Colonel.

  Short-Thompson resides in Covington with her husband Steve and is the proud mother of Alex, Skye, and Seth.

• Susan Street Whaley

  Susan Street Whaley serves as Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Procter & Gamble, where she oversees global legal strategy, governance, compliance and business integrity for one of the world’s most recognized consumer brands. Over her 26-year career at P&G, Whaley has built a reputation as a thoughtful, values-driven leader who pairs strategic judgment with a collaborative approach to innovation and business transformation, guiding the company through complex regulatory landscapes and shifting consumer expectations.

  Raised professionally at P&G, Whaley has remained rooted in Cincinnati throughout her entire career, an uncommon path for a Fortune 50 general counsel. Beyond the company, she has accelerated and honed her leadership through service on the boards of organizations including Pro Bono Partnership of Ohio, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Camp Joy and Breakthrough T1D, strengthening institutions across legal, health, youth development and community sectors, while broadening the region’s civic capacity.

  Whaley is known as transparent and authentic and a champion for balancing meaningful work with personal priorities. She encourages emerging leaders to pursue continual learning, stay grounded in their values and invest in relationships. A mother of four daughters, she lives in Indian Hill and is proud to model for them that professional fulfillment and family joy can coexist and more importantly, thrive.

• Kiana R. Trabue, MPH

  Kiana R. Trabue, MPH is the President of the HealthPath Foundation of Ohio and the Public Health Fund of Ohio, where she works to advance health equity, strengthen community health systems and expand who is seen, heard and represented in decision-making spaces. A respected public health leader, Trabue is driven by a deep sense of stewardship and the belief that leadership is meant to serve. Her career is rooted in the principle “for whom much is given, much is required,” shaping her work to create organizations and communities that are more equitable, more humane, and more inclusive than she found them.

  Trabue has spent her career expanding access, opportunity and pathways for others through philanthropy, civic leadership and public health strategy. A 2017 YWCA Rising Star, she has gone on to serve in numerous elected, appointed and nonprofit roles, including on the Cincinnati Board of Health, as Vice Mayor of the Village of Woodlawn and as founder and chair of the Transformational Advancement of Black Leadership and Excellence

  A committed mentor, Trabue lifts others by sharing knowledge, sponsorship, and access, helping women navigate systems without forfeiting their identity or voice. She resides in Woodlawn—across the street from her childhood home—with her children, Jayla and Jaxon, and credits her close-knit family and community for grounding her purpose and her leadership.

Founding Mothers

March is International Women’s Month and close to home we have many reasons to honor the occasion.

Many of Cincinnati’s most beloved institutions owe their success, and in some case their very existence, to women. Women of influenced local politics, business, and even that most Cincinnati of endeavors, baseball.

We’ve chosen a Cincy 6 to highlight this month, but this is nowhere near a complete list of the incredible women who have made Cincinnati what it is today.

Dixie Selden, “Portait of Mary Emery,” courtesy
of Emery Oleochemicals

Mary Emery

HERSTORY: Sure, some people have buildings named after them, but Mary Emery has a whole village named after her!

Born in New York in 1844, Mary M. Hopkins Emery married Cincinnati business man Thomas J. Emery in 1866, Their two children died young and Mary devoted herself to philanthropy, particularly causes centered around children.

Marry and her husband contributed to the Children’s Hospital, the Orphan Asylum for Colored Children, and the Fresh Air Farm and Society. After Thomas passed away, she created the “Thomas J. Emery Free Day Endowment” fund which provided free admission to the Cincinnati Art Museum.

Perhaps her most enduring work was the the creation of Mariemont. A planned community founded in 1923, Mariemont was one of most comprehensive real estate developments of its kind, with not only affordable housing, but shops, a theater, hotel, a library, and othe businesses all in easy walking distance of for residents.

WHY YOU KNOW HER: Mariemont, The Emery Theatre, and the Emery Wing at Cincinnati Art Museum

FUN FACT: She bought a zoo! The Cincinnati Zoo was close to being shut down in 1916, but Mary (and her friend Anna Taft) made a contribution that helped the zoo stay afloat. Today, the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is the second oldest zoo in the United States. 

Regina Graeter

Image courtesy of Graeter’s

HERSTORY: Louis Charles Graeter may have started making and selling ice cream in 1870, but Regina created the sweet, sweet juggernaut we know today.

In 1900, the Graeters began selling ice cream in the front of a store on McMillan, while making it in back. Widowed in 1920, Regina had two young sons, an ice cream business, and a mountain of sexism to overcome. The business not only thrived, but expanded, with an expansion to Hyde Park in 1922, and more shops throughout the city. Known simply as “the boss,” she steered Graeter's through the Great Depression, WWII, and many other economic ups and downs. Though she passed away in 1955, Graeter’s continued to grow, becoming a national brand, considered one of Oprah’s favorite things.

WHY YOU KNOW HER: That pint of ice cream currently in your freezer

FUN FACT: Eschewing mass-produced methods, Regina’s dedication to hand-crafted ice cream means that Graeter’s is only commercial ice cream manufacturer in the world still using French Pot freezers.

Marian Spencer

Image courtesy of University of Cincinnati

HERSTORY: Born in Gallipolis, Ohio in 1920, Marian Alexander Spencer would become on of the most pivotal Civil Rights leaders in Cincinnati.

A University of Cincinnati graduate. Marian began her public fight for civil rights in 1952 when she led the desegregation effort at Sunlite Pool at Coney Island. Throughout her life, Marian championed civil rights and racial equality, aided in the fight by her Donald Spencer. She served on the Civil Rights Commission Ohio Advisory Board, Housing Opportunities Made Equal, Planned Parenthood, and the Cincinnati Human Services Task Force, and was president of NAACP of Cincinnati. She was also elected to Cincinnati City Council and was named Vice Mayor.

Her dedication to her community garned her multiple honors, including being named a Cincinnati Enquirer’s “Woman of the Year Award” in 1972, chosen as a “Great Living Cincinnatian” by the Chamber in 1998, and named UC’s William Howard Taft Medal for Notable Achievement at the 2018 Distinguished Alumni Celebration Awards.

WHY YOU KNOW HER: , Marian Spencer Way; Marian Spencer Hall and Marian Spencer Scholarship at UC; Marian A. Spencer Statue in Smale Park,

FUN FACT: At UC in the 1940s, Marian and her husband created the Quadres, a theater and musical group designed to to fight segregation on campus but opening up extra curricular activities to African American students. This led to the subsequent integration of the student newspaper, the band and the University YMCA Council. 

Maria Longworth (Nichols) Storer

Courtesy of Rookwood

HERSTORY: Born in 1849 into the wealthy and well-known Longworth family, Maria Longworth Nichols Storer had a comfortable upbringing which allowed her to study the fine arts.

Her devotion to the arts led her to create the May Festival, the first music festival in America founded by a woman. She also studied art at what is today the Art Academy of Cincinnati.

Particularly taken with ceramics, she launched Rookwood in
1880, hoping to put American art pottery on the map. She was the first woman founder of a manufacturing company in the United States, Within in 10 years, Rookwood had won a gold medal at the Paris Exposition.

WHY YOU KNOW HER: Rookwood Pottery

FUN FACT: She had an EPIC rivalry with fellow ceramicist Mary Louise McLaughlin. But based on which pottery you can still buy today, I think we all know who won that battle.

Rosie Reds

HERSTORY: It is impossible to picture Cincinnati without the Reds. But in 1964 rumors were swirling that the Reds’ owner, Bill DeWitt, was going to see the team to another city. A literal group of concerned citizens got together to try to stop it.

From a committee of 40 people, a Women’s Committee for the Cincinnati Reds of Cincinnati Unlimited was formed by two of the three women from the larger group. The Women’s Committee began to brainstorm ways to increase women’s attendance at Crosley Field. Ideas included offering a package deal with dinner and a bus trip to the game, a cocktail party to kick off the Women’s Committee followed by a ballgame, and developing a mascot to go along with the “Little Red Man.”

Enthusiasm in the Women’s Committee grew, and the “Rosie Reds” were born. By January 1965, 445 members had been recruited and by May 1 there were 865 Charter Members of the Rosie Reds.

The first “Innings of Fashion” was held at Mabley & Carew, the day before Opening Day 1965. On Opening day, the 2 founders participated in the Pre-game ceremony (which continues as a tradition today), Rosie Red debuts with the Little Red Man, Cincy Red on the cover of the Reds scorecard and the journey begins.

FUN FACT: The original committee included Johnnie Berry – wife of Theodore Berry, Ruth Lyons, and Page Kess – Only daughter of Powel Crosley Jr.

Anna Taft

Raimundo de Madrazo y Garreta (Spanish, 1841–1920), '“'Anna Sinton Taft,” 1902, oil on canvas. Bequest of Charles Phelps Taft and Anna Sinton Taft

HERSTORY: Anna Sinton Taft was born on March 12, 1850 in Cincinnati. When Nicholas Longworth (grandfather of Maria Longworth Nichols Storer) moved out of the house now known as the Taft Museum of Art, pig iron magnate David Sinton and his daughter, Anna, moved in. In 187, Anna married Charles Phelps Taft and the couple lived in the house for more than 50 years.

When Anna inherited her father’s fortune – valued at more than $600 million in today’s money – in 1900, she and Charles began collecting art. In 1927, they bequeathed their house and collection of 530 works to the people of Cincinnati. The Taft Museum of Art opened in 1932. 

The Tafts also supported the Cincinnati Art Museum, Symphony Orchestra, Opera, Conservatory of Music, and Zoo, Upon Anna’s death, the Cincinnati Times-Star praised “the high plane on which she strove to place our community in music, education, and the fine arts.”

WHY YOU KNOW HER: Taft Museum of Art, Taft Theatre

FUN FACT: The Cincinnati Institute of Fine Arts, founded by Anna and her husband, in 1927 is now known as ArtsWave.

She also bought a zoo (see above.)

The Royal Treatment

Local filmmaker Yemi Oyediran is no stranger to recognition for his documentary “King of Them All: The Story of King Records”

Upon its PBS debut, “King of Them All” received strong critical response, with “The Wall Street Journal” naming the film among the top films upon its debut, along with additional recognition from outlets including “Billboard” for its examination of music history and cultural impact.

This weekend, Oyediran is nominated for an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Directing in a Documentary (Television or Film).

The 57th NAACP Image Awards air live on BET and simulcast on CBS on Saturday, February 28, 2026.

Cincy 6

For this year-end “Cincy 6,” we checked in with some of our favorite Cincinnati People to get their read on the year. From artists and influencers to poets and CEOs, this crew told us about the best bites they had, their favorite event, the music that moved them, the performances that stayed with them, and a wild card – something a little out-of-the-ordinary that they loved.

Check out their answers of the Cincy 6 questions throughout the site.

Make it stand out

Debbie Brant
President and CEO, Cincinnati Ballet

For years, she has fostered a deep and meaningful relationship with Cincinnati Ballet and has been one of the Ballet’s biggest supporters.

As the former Chair of the Cincinnati Ballet Board of Trustees and The Cincinnati Ballet Foundation, she led the capital campaign committee that secured funding for the new Cincinnati Ballet Margaret and Michael Valentine Center for Dance.

Rachel DesRochers
Founder & CEO, The Gratitude Collective

Rachel is a long-time entrepreneur who uses her positive impact to uplift the community, with a special focus on women. She is the founder of Grateful Grahams and the Incubator Kitchen Collective, the In Gratitude podcast, and the Good People Festival. She is also the creator of  the Power to Pursue Summit to help foster safe spaces where women feel supported, celebrated, and seen.

Bridget England
Program Director and Monring show host,
96 Rock WFTK

You can hear her “First Thing in the Morning,” as the host of the 96 Rock morning show for 12 years, with Nick. She loves to be out and about,  whether its rooting for the home teams, checking out the newest watering hole, or eating at the newest restaurants.

John Faherty
Warner-Huguenin Director of the Mercantile Library

John Faherty still cannot believe his good fortune in getting a job at The Mercantile Library. His nightstand is filled with books because he is a slow reader, but he doggedly marches on with his pattern of one challenging book followed by one fun book. He loves historical fiction and confesses a weakness for well-written crime procedurals. He has a particular affection for everything written by Kate Atkinson.

Michelle Jones
Hey Michelle

Michelle is a Cincinnati native and a huge fan of the amazing things our town has to offer…restaurants, bars, museums, parks, colleges, heritage, pro sports, arts, events and so much more! She explores these gems as a content creator at @heymichelle.

Linsey Kraeling
Content Creator, Tour de Cincinnati

A graphic gesigner by profession, Linsey creates content for the website,, Tour de Cincinnati, supporting local, drinking craft beer, and pretending she’s a tourist in her own city at @linsinnati.

Make it stand out

Pam Kravetz
Artist extraordinaire

For Pam, contemporary art is not a spectator sport – it is understandable, accessible, interactive and community oriented. Her artwork ranges from street art – Artworks installations at Cincinnati’s Children’s Hospital to monumental Memory Quilts in the lobby of the Contemporary Arts center. She has been the Art Director for The Blink Parade, a board trustee for Artworks ,The Art Academy of Cincinnati, Ish Festival,   and Human Rights Campaign.

Melissa Lewis Cincinnati Content Creator

Melissa uses her social media page on Instagram (@cincycurlyfoodietravelgirl) to show the joy of Cincinnati living and all of the small businesses, restaurants, and events that make it great. She has never met a stranger and loves to connect with fellow Cincinnatians. Her favorite things in life are her husband, her besties, traveling, pajamas, and a great cocktail.

Andrew Maloney
Realtor | Influencer

Andrew is a Cincinnati native, a proud resident of Downtown Cincinnati, and Cincy’s unofficial Hype Man at @saw.it.in.cincy! As a Realtor®, podcast host, and influencer, he’s on a mission to showcase every cool, exciting, funky, community-driven thing our region has to offer, and to prove that Cincinnati is truly a city on the rise! From the award-winning culinary scene to the  world class arts, from incredible public spaces to iconic festivals, and from hyper-local nonprofits to city-shaping organizations, nothing is off-limits for Andrew to spotlight. 

D. Lynn Meyers
Producing Artistic Director/CEO
Ensemble Theater Cincinnati

As Producing Artistic Director, D. Lynn Meyers has directed more than 100 world and regional premieres at Ensemble Theatre, including “Hedwig and the Angry Inch,” “Hands on a Hardbody,” and “Next to Normal.” As a member of the Casting Society of America, she has cast for PBS, CBS, BBC, HBO, Paramount, and MGM.

Leslie Mooney
VP & Executive Director, BLINK

Leslie is an experienced and passionate non-profit leader in community-building, arts and cultural and educational institutions. After more than a decade at the Clifton Cultural Arts Center, she is stepping in to lead BLINK as its next executive director at the Cincinnati Regional Chamber.

Doug Olberding
President & CEO, Pig Works

A former Xavier University professor of sport management for 25 years, Doug is recognized for his expertise in running event management and his commitment to building inclusive, community-focused running experiences

Make it stand out

Yemi Oyediran
Musician, engineer, filmmaker,
”King of Them All: The Story of King Records”

Yemi is a Cincinnati-based filmmaker, music producer, and educator bridging tradition and technology. A co-founder of AfroChine and PBS Open Call finalist, he directs evocative stage productions, leads jazz bands, and advances public health through machine learning.

Krista Katona Pille
Sales & Marketing Director
The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati

Krista is strong marketing professional with a demonstrated history of working in the entertainment industry. Krista grew up on the west side of Cincinnati, which means she still lives on the west side of Cincinnati. She dreams to one day perform a one-woman rendition of “Poltergeist.”

Holly Brians Ragusa
Author and President for Ohio Poetry Association

Holly is an interdisciplinary writer, poet, speaker, activist, and awarded author of Met the End and poetry collections Inverse and Tilt a World. Contributor to Psychology Today and Cincinnati Enquirer. Entrenched in the community, HBR serves  nonprofits & literary endeavors and lives in historic Over-the-Rhine.

Jackie Reau
CEO, Game Day

Jackie Reau has more than 25 years of experience and specializes in strategic communications planning, social media strategy and crisis management. She is also active in the community serving on boards of the following: Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati, Mt. Saint Joseph University, Ohio University Foundation, Reds Community Fund and the YWCA Greater Cincinnati.

Make it stand out

Rickell Howard Smith
President and CEO, YWCA of Greater Cincinnati

Rickell is a courageous and visionary leader who has devoted her career to uplifting women, children and families in Greater Cincinnati. As president and CEO of YWCA Greater Cincinnati, she has been a catalyst for growth and equity, most recently opening a new domestic violence shelter in Avondale and expanding services to rural counties. Her service to the community has been defined by equity and justice

Tricia Suit
Editor, Cincinnati People

An award-winning journalist and marketer, Suit has been writing calendars listings and event round-ups since the turn of the millennium. She loves to share obscure Cincinnati history tidbits with unsuspecting passersby.

Jayne Utter
Managing Director, Summerfair Cincinnati

 Jayne Utter manages Summerfair, one of the most respected and popular fine art and craft fairs in the country. Over the past 25 years, Summerfair has a year-round commitment to the arts, supporting artists, programs, and exhibitions in Greater Cincinnati.

Ladies First

Find out more about the 2025 Enquirer Women of they Year.

All videos by Shae Huth.

Flight of Imagination

Pama Mitchell doesn’t like to sit still. From daily walks in her Clifton neighborhood to taking an African safari, her curiosity and energy define her personality.

Full disclosure, I have known her for more than 20 years, fittingly enough brought together by writing, with a friendship maintained through a mutual appreciation for good food, travel, and each other.

After retiring from University of Cincinnati in 2020 and looking for a way to stay busy during the early days of the COVID pandemic, Mitchell embarked on a next chapter (pun most definitely intended) of a her lift.

When she needed a new project, a friend suggested she write a novel

“I had no ambition whatsoever to write a novel. I’ve been a writer all my life, but only journalism and academic writing,” says Mitchell. “On the other hand, I majored in literature and must have read a thousand novels over my lifetime. “

Faced with both the time and the opportunity to write her own novel, Mitchell found she didn’t have an idea.

But that soon changed.

“I remembered some of the stories my late mother told me about her childhood and young adulthood during the Depression and World War II,” says Mitchell. “She was the eldest daughter of a large farming family in rural Georgia, where some of the old folks still remembered General Sherman’s Union Army marauding through the land on his way to capture Savannah. Her family couldn’t sustain the farm through the Depression, and she and a couple of siblings moved to Savannah to find work. The U.S. entered the war, and her life changed radically.”

For Mitchell, that seemed like a good place to start a work of imagination.

“I started from scratch as a fiction writer,” says Mitchell. “The first thing I did was take a course at UC in creative writing—me and the undergrads. It was helpful but truly was just a start.”

Later Mitchell joined the Cincinnati Fiction Writers group, where she submitted early chapters for review and discussion by more experienced writers.

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“Again, it was helpful,” she says, “but also daunting. I sure had a lot to learn.”

A breakthrough came when the person leading that group, Wendy Vogel, took Mitchell on as a mentee. “Wendy read many of my chapters and taught me the difference between a family memoir and a polished work of fiction,” says Mitchell. “She told me ‘You have to learn to think like a novelist,’ which meant adding complexity to the characters and their relationships along with inventing much more dramatic events than happened in my mother’s life.”

The term “plucky heroine” gets used a lot, but that’s the perfect way to describe Ginny Neely, Mitchell’s protagonist. Through the Great Depression and WWII, Ginny faces the loss of everything she holds dear, falls in love (more than once!), and has her world change in ways she never could have imagined. Though set in the 1930s and ‘40s, those themes resonate just as much today and Mitchell’s fast-paced writing keeps you turning the page to see what happens next.

Influenced by stories from her mother and other relatives she met as part of her research on the era, Mitchell has crafted a historical novel that is heartfelt and compelling, that offers insight into issues we’re still facing in today’s world.

 – Tricia Suit

A Word to the Wise

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With nearly 30 years of experience across media, events, food, and hospitality, Amy Tobin has built a career around creating moments that matter. As a public speaker and author, she has used storytelling and strategy to spark conversation, ignite creativity, and make an impact.

With her new book, “Food for Thought” she offers a collection of daily reflections that offer a warm, grounding start to your day—whether you're savoring the quiet or rushing out the door.

Book signings!

Friday, June 27, 2–3pm
Roebling Books, Newport

Saturday,July 5, 1–3. p.m
Joseph Beth Books, Rookwood Commons

Friday, August 1, 4–6 p.m.   
Camargo Trading Co.

Tuesday August 26,  5:30–8 p.m.
MadTree Oakley

Thursday, Sept. 11, 3–6 p.m.
Fabulous Furs Showroom, Covington

2025 YWCA Career Women of Achievement

Ten Greater Cincinnati-area women were named 2025 YWCA Greater Cincinnati Career Women of Achievement on April 29, honored as outstanding role models for their leadership, vision and renowned professional success that also embrace the mission of the YWCA. During the event, Erica Gordon, was named the Charlotte R. Schmidlapp Fund Scholar.

The keynote speaker was Margaret Mitchell, CEO of YWCA USA. The co-chair’s for this year’s event where Kristen Schlotman, president and CEO of Film Cincinnati and Alicia Townsend vice president, Community Outreach National Affairs at U.S. Bank.

The Career Women of Achievement event is also the largest annual fundraiser for YWCA Greater Cincinnati, founded in 1868. Proceeds directly support YWCA community-wide programs in the areas of safety, racial justice and inclusion, and empowerment and economic advancement.

During 2024 more than 13,000 women, men, and children were assisted through direct services including community trainings and the 24/7 domestic violence hotline.

Get to know this year’s honorees!

• Tianay Amat

  Tianay Amat is the President & CEO of Cincinnati Works. She is a mission-driven leader who has empowered individuals and families to advance to economic self-sufficiency through high quality education and employment with livable wages. She believes in the resilience of the human spirit and continues to remove systemic barriers to allow for meaningful change. Amat also has more than two decades in public education. She has served as an Interim Superintendent, Deputy Superintendent, Principal and teacher in both urban and suburban school districts. She was recognized as the Administrator of the Year by the Cincinnatus Association, Community Builder of the Year by the Hyde Park Neighborhood Council, received the YMCA Keystone Award, and was named Teacher of the Year by New York City Board of Education. Amat holds a Master of Science in Education from the State University of New York at Cortland and a Master of Science in Educational Leadership from the University of Cincinnati.

• Robie Suggs

  Robie Suggs is the President & CEO of Warsaw Federal, a 130-year-old banking institution headquartered in Price Hill. She oversees banking operations, strategy, compliance, and community engagement across Greater Cincinnati. Suggs played a pivotal role in transitioning Warsaw Federal into the first Minority Depository Institution in Cincinnati, working with regulators to promote economic opportunity and financial equity to help people invest in the success of their own communities. Suggs has also held leadership roles at Central Trust, Provident Bank, PNC, First Financial Bank, and the Cincinnati Development Fund. She has been a tireless advocate for underserved communities, creating impactful programs like "Access to Capital," which provides flexible loans to minority developers and contractors. Robie’s work and volunteerism intersect, as she serves on numerous nonprofit boards, championing affordable housing, small businesses, and racial equity while advocating for the marginalized and victimized members of our community.

• Tracey Stofa

  Tracey Stofa is Managing Director and Head of the Private Client Group at Fort Washington Investment Advisors, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Western & Southern Financial Group. Fort Washington manages more than $86 billion in assets. Stofa is a seasoned financial professional and trailblazer, leading a team of 17 associates, including nine women, dedicated to delivering wealth management services. She has held pivotal roles at PNC, Morgan Stanley and Fort Washington, overseeing substantial budgets, managing large teams and breaking barriers in atraditionally male-dominated field. She has successfully navigated diverse industries, from human resources to financial services, while passionately advocating for gender equity, diversity and inclusion. Stofa has prioritized mentoring women and minorities, fostering their growth, and helping them advance into leadership roles. Her commitment extends beyond the workplace through volunteer and charitable efforts, where she works to enhance financial literacy and career skills for underserved youth, helping to create a more inclusive and equitable future.

• Lee Stautberg

  Lee Stautberg is a partner at Dinsmore & Shohl and leads the firm’s national Tax Benefits and Wealth group, a team of 60 attorneys and paralegals. With a career spanning more than two decades at Dinsmore, Stautberg has served on the Board of Directors, Finance Committee and Personnel Committee. She is also a former tax consultant at PricewaterhouseCoopers and a tax attorney at NCR, where she earned the CFO Excellence Award for Outstanding Performance. In all phases of her career, Stautberg has consistently demonstrated exceptional legal expertise and leadership, with a strong focus on mentorship. Stautberg is committed to mentoring diverse attorneys, earning recognition as Dinsmore’s 2020 Mentor of the Year, and advancing equity through her work on the firm’s Diversity Council. Her dedication extends into her work in the community, where she serves as Lead Director of Cincinnati Works, an organization working to fight poverty through employment.

• Iris Roley

  Iris Roley is a trailblazing entrepreneur, social justice advocate and community leader recognized across the country for her work toward social justice. She is the founder and partner of RoSho Awards & Graphics, the only Black-owned laser engraving company in Greater Cincinnati, which she co-manages with her husband Jesse and their children. Beyond her decades of business success, Roley is a nationally recognized police reform activist and an original member of the Cincinnati Black United Front. As Project Manager for the CBUF, she played a pivotal role in the landmark 2001 Collaborative Agreement, a national model for community-driven public safety reform. Roley is a part of many community boards and organizations, and uses her impact as a successful entrepreneur and steadfast advocate for justice to inspire others to enact change. Roley has been honored with many community and national awards for her forward thinking and ability to navigate difficult discussions on the path to equity.

• Paula Boggs Muething

  Paula Boggs Muething is Chief Legal and Administrative Officer and Chief Business Officer at FC Cincinnati. She is responsible for enterprise-wide league and governance matters, legal operations, stadium and facilities operations, government affairs and risk management. Previously, she was the City Manager for the City of Cincinnati, with responsibility for a $1.5 billion budget and more than 6,000 employees; she focused on initiatives in economic development, public safety, and affordable housing. She also served as City Solicitor, creating innovative programs to combat neighborhood blight and revitalize communities, and as the General Counsel for the Port of Greater Cincinnati Development Authority, establishing the Hamilton County Landbank and leading revitalization efforts. In all stages of her career, she has volunteered on boards and commissions, demonstrating a deep commitment to justice and equality, and has devoted her career to fostering opportunities for underserved communities and advocating for women in leadership.

• Michelle Hopkins

  Michelle Hopkins is a three-time Emmy award-winning journalist, TV host and communications leader dedicated to amplifying impactful stories and driving equity in the Cincinnati area. Hopkins is the creator and host of Come Have Coffee with Michelle, a segment on WCPO-TV’s Cincy Lifestyle, where she highlights high profile change makers, community leaders and otherwise extraordinary people in the Cincinnati region. In her role as Communications Director for the Women’s Fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation, Hopkins advances gender equity by promoting initiatives like the Appointed Civic Leadership Academy and the Employer Toolkit, empowering women with regard to community leadership and upward mobility. Hopkins has shared compelling stories as a television journalist for more than 20 years and has been recognized for excellence through her work in public relations. She has served in community engagement and communications roles at organizations like Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Mercy Health and the Community Action Agency. Through it all, Hopkins has proven to be a credible and powerful voice for inclusion and systemic change.

• DeAnna Hawkins

  DeAnna Hawkins, DNP, RN is a distinguished healthcare leader serving as Vice President of Patient Services, Acute Care at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. Responsibility for 1,300 employees and managing a $360M budget, she strategically supports six service lines nationally ranked in the top 10 by U.S. News & World Report (2024–2025). A Cincinnati native, Dr. Hawkins earned her BSN and MSN from the University of Cincinnati and her DNP in Population Health from Xavier University. Her career includes roles such as Assistant Vice President and Clinical Director, and she has spearheaded various enterprise-wide initiatives. Her achievements include national presentations, peer-reviewed publications and a dedication to health equity. Dr. Hawkins's dedication to her community and passion for healthcare serve as inspiration, particularly to the youth in her native Avondale, to pursue careers in nursing and healthcare. She has received multiple awards and honors and has served on more than 10 local and national boards and committees.

• Pam Green

  Pam Green is the President & CEO of Easterseals Redwood, a leading human services organization serving more than 7,000 families annually across nine locations in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. Green has championed the organization's mission to achieve 100% equity, access and inclusion for people with disabilities, those with economic disadvantages and veterans. Under her leadership, Easterseals Redwood has expanded its impact through innovative programs like "Prosperity for All" for single mothers, workforce training initiatives providing meaningful employment opportunities for more than 500 people each year. Green has overseen two successful mergers, transforming Easterseals into a regional powerhouse. Green's civic engagement has been recognized with political appointments, including the Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council. Her vision has driven transformative change, including competitive wages for workers with disabilities, substantial growth in fundraising and social enterprise reven.ue as well as groundbreaking partnerships focused on employment as a pathway to dignity and empowerment

• Karen Finan

  Karen Finan is the founding President & CEO of the OneNKY Alliance, an organization launched in 2017 to drive vision and transformation in Northern Kentucky through unity, health and education initiatives. Under her leadership and through board and community engagement and support, the OneNKY Alliance has achieved significant milestones, including the establishment of OneNKY Center in Covington strategically aligning growth organizations under one roof; OneNKY Frankfort, allowing for collective impact for community good; the launch of LinkNKY, a regional independent media platform, and the incubation and launch of EducateNKY to address improved student outcomes. A seasoned executive with a career spanning marketing, economic development and real estate, Finan's impact includes overseeing projects that generated more than 5,200 jobs and $200M in investment during her tenure at Tri-ED, as well as leading national marketing and business development efforts at Duke Realty Corporation. An NKU graduate and committed community advocate, Finan demonstrates a deep commitment to her community through volunteer service and leadership, focusing on education, social equity and empowering women of all ages.

Photos: Tasha Pinelo

Leading by Example

The YWCA has named 10 local leaders their 2025 YWCA Greater Cincinnati Career Women of Achievement. They will be honored as outstanding role models for their leadership, vision and renowned professional success that also embrace the mission of the YWCA at a special program.

2025 Career Women of Achievement

Tuesday, April 29, 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Hard Rock Casino

Established in 1980, this event honors the diverse contributions of women in the workforce and community. Over the years, it has become the YWCA's largest fundraising event, with support from numerous companies, partner organizations, and friends. All proceeds directly benefit YWCA programs, supporting our mission to eliminate racism and empower women.

To purchase tickets or secure a partnership visit www.ywcacincinnati.org/careerwomen.

The Career Women of Achievement event is also the largest annual fundraiser for YWCA Greater Cincinnati, founded in 1868. Proceeds directly support YWCA community-wide programs in the areas of safety, racial justice and inclusion, and empowerment and economic advancement.

During 2024 more than 13,000 women, men, and children were assisted through direct services including community trainings and the 24/7 domestic violence hotline. Several community programs focus on racial justice and inclusion through direct service, issue education and advocacy.

“The YWCA'S motto is "lift as you climb," and these ten women embody that mission," said Rickell Howard Smith, President and CEO of YWCA Greater Cincinnati. "Now, we are honored to lift these women up, celebrating not only their successes, but highlighting how each uses her success as a platform for change, helping us toward our goal of eliminating racism and empowering women."

The 2025 Career Women of Achievement honorees

Tianay Amat is the President & CEO of Cincinnati Works. She is a mission-driven leader who has empowered individuals and families to advance to economic self-sufficiency through high quality education and employment with livable wages. She believes in the resilience of the human spirit and continues to remove systemic barriers to allow for meaningful change. Amat also has more than two decades in public education. She has served as an Interim Superintendent, Deputy Superintendent, Principal and teacher in both urban and suburban school districts. She was recognized as the Administrator of the Year by the Cincinnatus Association, Community Builder of the Year by the Hyde Park Neighborhood Council, received the YMCA Keystone Award, and was named Teacher of the Year by New York City Board of Education. Amat holds a Master of Science in Education from the State University of New York at Cortland and a Master of Science in Educational Leadership from the University of Cincinnati.

Karen Finan is the founding President & CEO of the OneNKY Alliance, an organization launched in 2017 to drive vision and transformation in Northern Kentucky through unity, health and education initiatives. Under her leadership and through board and community engagement and support, the OneNKY Alliance has achieved significant milestones, including the establishment of OneNKY Center in Covington strategically aligning growth organizations under one roof; OneNKY Frankfort, allowing for collective impact for community good; the launch of LinkNKY, a regional independent media platform, and the incubation and launch of EducateNKY to address improved student outcomes. A seasoned executive with a career spanning marketing, economic development and real estate, Finan's impact includes overseeing projects that generated more than 5,200 jobs and $200M in investment during her tenure at Tri-ED, as well as leading national marketing and business development efforts at Duke Realty Corporation. An NKU graduate and committed community advocate, Finan demonstrates a deep commitment to her community through volunteer service and leadership, focusing on education, social equity and empowering women of all ages.

Pam Green is the President & CEO of Easterseals Redwood, a leading human services organization serving more than 7,000 families annually across nine locations in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. Green has championed the organization's mission to achieve 100% equity, access and inclusion for people with disabilities, those with economic disadvantages and veterans. Under her leadership, Easterseals Redwood has expanded its impact through innovative programs like "Prosperity for All" for single mothers, workforce training initiatives providing meaningful employment opportunities for more than 500 people each year. Green has overseen two successful mergers, transforming Easterseals into a regional powerhouse. Green's civic engagement has been recognized with political appointments, including the Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council. Her vision has driven transformative change, including competitive wages for workers with disabilities, substantial growth in fundraising and social enterprise revenue as well as groundbreaking partnerships focused on employment as a pathway to dignity and empowerment.

DeAnna Hawkins, DNP, RN is a distinguished healthcare leader serving as Vice President of Patient Services, Acute Care at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. Responsibility for 1,300 employees and managing a $360M budget, she strategically supports six service lines nationally ranked in the top 10 by U.S. News & World Report (2024–2025). A Cincinnati native, Dr. Hawkins earned her BSN and MSN from the University of Cincinnati and her DNP in Population Health from Xavier University. Her career includes roles such as Assistant Vice President and Clinical Director, and she has spearheaded various enterprise-wide initiatives. Her achievements include national presentations, peer-reviewed publications and a dedication to health equity. Dr. Hawkins's dedication to her community and passion for healthcare serve as inspiration, particularly to the youth in her native Avondale, to pursue careers in nursing and healthcare. She has received multiple awards and honors and has served on more than 10 local and national boards and committees.

Michelle Hopkins is a three-time Emmy award-winning journalist, TV host and communications leader dedicated to amplifying impactful stories and driving equity in the Cincinnati area. Hopkins is the creator and host of Come Have Coffee with Michelle, a segment on WCPO-TV’s Cincy Lifestyle, where she highlights high profile change makers, community leaders and otherwise extraordinary people in the Cincinnati region. In her role as Communications Director for the Women’s Fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation, Hopkins advances gender equity by promoting initiatives like the Appointed Civic Leadership Academy and the Employer Toolkit, empowering women with regard to community leadership and upward mobility. Hopkins has shared compelling stories as a television journalist for more than 20 years and has been recognized for excellence through her work in public relations. She has served in community engagement and communications roles at organizations like Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Mercy Health and the Community Action Agency. Through it all, Hopkins has proven to be a credible and powerful voice for inclusion and systemic change.

Paula Boggs Muething is Chief Legal and Administrative Officer and Chief Business Officer at FC Cincinnati. She is responsible for enterprise-wide league and governance matters, legal operations, stadium and facilities operations, government affairs and risk management. Previously, she was the City Manager for the City of Cincinnati, with responsibility for a $1.5 billion budget and more than 6,000 employees; she focused on initiatives in economic development, public safety, and affordable housing. She also served as City Solicitor, creating innovative programs to combat neighborhood blight and revitalize communities, and as the General Counsel for the Port of Greater Cincinnati Development Authority, establishing the Hamilton County Landbank and leading revitalization efforts. In all stages of her career, she has volunteered on boards and commissions, demonstrating a deep commitment to justice and equality, and has devoted her career to fostering opportunities for underserved communities and advocating for women in leadership.

Iris Roley is a trailblazing entrepreneur, social justice advocate and community leader recognized across the country for her work toward social justice. She is the founder and partner of RoSho Awards & Graphics, the only Black-owned laser engraving company in Greater Cincinnati, which she co-manages with her husband Jesse and their children. Beyond her decades of business success, Roley is a nationally recognized police reform activist and an original member of the Cincinnati Black United Front. As Project Manager for the CBUF, she played a pivotal role in the landmark 2001 Collaborative Agreement, a national model for community-driven public safety reform. Roley is a part of many community boards and organizations, and uses her impact as a successful entrepreneur and steadfast advocate for justice to inspire others to enact change. Roley has been honored with many community and national awards for her forward thinking and ability to navigate difficult discussions on the path to equity.

Lee Stautberg is a partner at Dinsmore & Shohl and leads the firm’s national Tax Benefits and Wealth group, a team of 60 attorneys and paralegals. With a career spanning more than two decades at Dinsmore, Stautberg has served on the Board of Directors, Finance Committee and Personnel Committee. She is also a former tax consultant at PricewaterhouseCoopers and a tax attorney at NCR, where she earned the CFO Excellence Award for Outstanding Performance. In all phases of her career, Stautberg has consistently demonstrated exceptional legal expertise and leadership, with a strong focus on mentorship. Stautberg is committed to mentoring diverse attorneys, earning recognition as Dinsmore’s 2020 Mentor of the Year, and advancing equity through her work on the firm’s Diversity Council. Her dedication extends into her work in the community, where she serves as Lead Director of Cincinnati Works, an organization working to fight poverty through employment.

Tracey Stofa is Managing Director and Head of the Private Client Group at Fort Washington Investment Advisors, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Western & Southern Financial Group. Fort Washington manages more than $86 billion in assets. Stofa is a seasoned financial professional and trailblazer, leading a team of 17 associates, including nine women, dedicated to delivering wealth management services. She has held pivotal roles at PNC, Morgan Stanley and Fort Washington, overseeing substantial budgets, managing large teams and breaking barriers in atraditionally male-dominated field. She has successfully navigated diverse industries, from human resources to financial services, while passionately advocating for gender equity, diversity and inclusion. Stofa has prioritized mentoring women and minorities, fostering their growth, and helping them advance into leadership roles. Her commitment extends beyond the workplace through volunteer and charitable efforts, where she works to enhance financial literacy and career skills for underserved youth, helping to create a more inclusive and equitable future.

Robie Suggs is the President & CEO of Warsaw Federal, a 130-year-old banking institution headquartered in Price Hill. She oversees banking operations, strategy, compliance and community engagement across Greater Cincinnati. Suggs played a pivotal role in transitioning Warsaw Federal into the first Minority Depository Institution in Cincinnati, working with regulators to promote economic opportunity and financial equity to help people invest in the success of their own communities. Suggs has also held leadership roles at Central Trust, Provident Bank, PNC, First Financial Bank and the Cincinnati Development Fund. She has been a tireless advocate for underserved communities, creating impactful programs like "Access to Capital," which provides flexible loans to minority developers and contractors. Robie’s work and volunteerism intersect, as she serves on numerous nonprofit boards, championing affordable housing, small businesses and racial equity while advocating for the marginalized and victimized members of our community.