VOICES THAT LEAD INSPIRE EMPOWER TRANSFORM CHALLENGE ENCOURAGE SPEAK OUT PROTECT CHAMPION ADAPT 2020 YWCA Career Women of Achievement
2020 CAREER WOMEN OF ACHIEVEMENT SPONSORS Celebrating the voices that shape our community
PRESENTING SPONSOR
GOLD SPONSORS
SILVER SPONSORS
LEADERSHIP Cincinnati Business Courier JAEM Foundation Macy’s Madison Design PNC Bank Worldpay from FIS BENEFACTOR Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport Cushman & Wakefield Dinsmore & Shohl LLP/ Ernst & Young LLP Duke Energy GBBN Architects, Inc. Great American Insurance Company Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati Keating, Muething & Klekamp, PLL Nehemiah Manufacturing Ohio Capital Corporation for Housing Ohio National Financial Services, Inc Francie & John Pepper Scripps Howard Foundation Stickyeyes The Christ Hospital Health Network U.S. Bank University of Cincinnati PATRON 3CDC 84.51° Al. Neyer Cincinnati Children’s Clever Crazes for Kids Fifth Third Bank Frost, Brown, Todd LLC Gilson’s Engraving & Elegant Gifts Health Carousel Jostin Construction/ Brewster Pumping
Katz, Teller, Brant & Hild KeyBank Michael Schuster Associates, Inc. NorthMarq Capital PLK Communities SDI Marketing The Procter & Gamble Company Xavier University CONTRIBUTOR AK Steel American Modern Insurance Group BakerHostetler Barnes, Dennig & Company BKD CPAs & Advisors Blue & Co, LLC Cincinnati Bengals Cincinnati Development Fund Cincinnati Hamilton County Community Action Agency CincyTech Cors & Bassett Donna Salyers Fabulous Furs Environmental and Safety Solutions Inc. epay First Financial Bank Fiserv/CheckFreePay Forefront Group Game Day Communications Susanne Geier Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office Melanie & Bruce Healey HGC Construction Co. Hills Properties Horizon Community Funds Council of Trustees Loth Inc. Miller-Valentine Group Neyer Properties Park National Bank RiskSOURCE Clark-Theders RR Donnelley SAP Industries
Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati Taft, Stettinius & Hollister TriVersity Construction UC Real Estate Center University of Cincinnati Carl H. Lindner College of Business University of Cincinnati College of Law Wood, Herron & Evans, L.L.P. FRIEND Cincinnati Museum Center & National Underground Railroad Freedom Center Cincinnati Opera Family & Friends of Iris Simpson Bush Family & Friends of Deborah Gentry Davis Family & Friends of Brandi Elliott Family & Friends of Jennifer Loeb Goodin Family & Friends of Roni Luckenbill Family & Friends of Jeanne Rehling-Golliher Family & Friends of Verna Williams Family & Friends of Mary Zalla Paycor Queen City (OH) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated TriHealth Urban League of Greater Cincinnati VonLehman & Co., Inc. WBEC ORV SALUTE Joot Laura Cook Kroeger Terracon Consultants, Inc
SPECIAL THANKS For their significant contributions to the success of the 41st annual YWCA Career Women of Achievement:
Bright Light Productions
for their time, talent and passion in the production and management of the broadcast event and videos
Patty Brisben & Pure Romance for their full support of our mission
Cintas Corporation
for outfitting the scholars in business suits
Duke Energy Convention Center
for their extraordinary professionalism as event partners
Madison Design
for their expertise, creativity and passion in their design of all print and digital materials
Jill McGruder
for hosting the broadcast Watch Party for honorees and board members
Jackie Reau
for her guidance and ingenuity in conceiving this production
To view the Career Women of Achievement, honoree and scholar videos, visit our YouTube Channel: YWCA Cincinnati
A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT AND EVENT CHAIRPERSONS The annual Career Women of Achievement event recognizes and celebrates eight remarkable women who have excelled in their careers. We also honor two female students for their determination to succeed despite seemingly insurmountable obstacles, recognizing the value in education and perseverance. Because of COVID-19, we pivoted this year and moved the event to a television broadcast seen by over 10,000 people. For the inspiration and example they have set, we congratulate the 2020 YWCA Career Women of Achievement and the Mamie Earl Sells and Charlotte R. Schmidlapp Scholarship honorees. We sincerely thank all who helped us make this annual event a huge success. It would not be possible without the efforts of our community partners listed. The Career Women of Achievement, now in its 41st year, is our largest fundraising event. Event proceeds enable us to offer critical programs in the areas of safety, racial justice and inclusion, and empowerment and economic advancement. We are deeply committed to our mission of empowering women, eliminating racism and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.
BARBAR A C. PEREZ YWCA Greater Cincinnati
DEBBIE HAYES Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, The Christ Hospital Network
LAKSHMI SAMMARCO, MD Coroner, Hamilton County
IRIS SIMPSON BUSH LEADS President, CEO Pig Works Iris’ innate ability to lead began in girlhood. She grew up in Cincinnati’s East End where her father left the family, devastating her mother and tasking seven-year-old Iris with helping to raise her three younger brothers. Iris then went on to support herself through the University of Cincinnati. For three decades local TV and radio stations benefitted from her attention to detail and drive to increase sales, often with Iris as the only woman at the table. Despite obvious success as a sales leader, promotions went to her male colleagues. These experiences instilled in Iris a deep sense of responsibility, perseverance and ingenuity. These natural leadership qualities, combined with her successful sales career, a passion for running and commitment to community service, led to an encore career as President and CEO of Pig Works. The $7 million non-profit oversees all the entities Iris has worked so diligently to build over the last 21 years: the Queen Bee Half-Marathon, the TQL Beer Series, FCC3 and of course the internationally recognized Flying Pig Marathon. Each year the races register more than 60,000 participants representing a $15 million annual economic impact on Greater Cincinnati. The Flying Pig and Queen Bee involve registrants from all 50 states and about 20 countries. More than 300 charities benefit financially from their participation in the Pig events.
ACHIEVEMENTS • National Race Director of the Year, 2018 • Running USA’s Hall of Champions Inductee, 2018 • Women Who Mean Business, Cincinnati Business Courier, 2018
• Woman of the Year, Cincinnati Women’s Sports Foundation, 2017 • Spirit of Cincinnati Award, Cincinnati USA Convention & Visitors Bureau, 2013
DEBORAH GENTRY DAVIS INFLUENCES Vice President of Human Resources Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati Deborah was an influential human resources powerhouse right out of the gate when named the Human Resources Student of the Year during college. Early in her career, it took just four months to be promoted from Wage and Salary Administrator to Acting Director of Personnel. At LS Ayers & Co. her ascent was even quicker—from Personnel Manager to Regional Manager in four months’ time. Later as Vice President of Human Resources at SDRC, Deborah led a global team of 35 from Tokyo to Sweden and across Europe. Now in her current position Deborah oversees a team of 13 and a $2.1 million annual budget at Hard Rock Casino. She is heralded for her integrity and “realness” as she handles recruiting, onboarding, compensation, benefits, payroll, team member relations, labor relations, team member development, communications and engagement. Deborah performs these duties with humility as a servant leader, devoted to mentoring others so that they can advance in leadership. Former Jack Casino General Manager Chad Barnhill recognized Deborah’s external connections and saw her internal influence as the one who maintained a culture that embodied mutual respect, opportunities for advancement, personal growth, inclusion and equity. “Deb regularly walks the casino floors to gain feedback from the team and makes sure they know she is there for them. She ensures we are diverse in our efforts and understands the true needs within the City of Cincinnati for employment opportunities.”
ACHIEVEMENTS • Named a Wise Woman by the organization 100 Wise Women, 2020
• Board Member, Executive Committee, Kemba Credit Union, 2002–present
• Board Member, Mission and Volunteer Committee Chair, American Red Cross Greater Cincinnati Dayton Region, 2015–present
• Hero Honoree, United Way of Greater Cincinnati, 2015
• YWCA Board Member, 2001–2006
• Board Trustee, United Way of Greater Cincinnati, 2012
BRANDI NICOLE HUTCHINS ELLIOTT, EdD EDUCATES Director, Office of Ethnic Programs and Services University of Cincinnati As Director, Dr. Elliott manages the Darwin T. Turner Scholarship and awards over $2 million annually to outstanding students with a commitment to diversity and inclusion. In her role, she also oversees mentorship programs connecting faculty with African American students as well as student development, assessment, strategic planning and conflict resolution. Additionally, Dr. Elliot serves as an adjunct professor in the College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services. Dr. Elliott is an inspiration to generations of college students. Amazingly, she has worked in the same office since her undergraduate years, gradually gaining increased responsibility. She has touched the lives of countless students over the past 20 years with an open door and a promise to provide encouragement and honest feedback. Armed with degrees in psychology, mental health counseling and a 2009 doctorate in education in urban educational leadership—all from UC—she manages to serve on countless campus committees, and keep a close watch on student programs. Dr. Elliott skillfully balances her extensive campus work while maintaining an active family life with her husband, five-year old son and twin boys born in 2018.
ACHIEVEMENTS • Staff Senator, Inaugural University of Cincinnati Staff Senate, 2019–2021
• Inductee, Sigma Phi Women’s Honorary Society, 2017
• President, Ohio Consortium of Multicultural Center in Higher Education, 2018–2019
• Latinos En Accion Advisor of the Year, 2013–2014
• University of Cincinnati Student Affairs Red and Black Award, 2019
• Graduate, YWCA Rising Star Board Leadership Program, 2011–2012
JENNIFER LOEB GOODIN NURTURES Executive Director Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Cincinnati During her 21-year tenure, Jennifer has built and led a world-class “home away from home” for families seeking life-saving medical care for their critically ill children at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. Her over two decades of service have made a profound impact on the organization and upon the lives of thousands of families from around the globe who make the trek to Cincinnati. Jennifer has overseen three separate expansions that started with a 20-bedroom house serving 400 families annually to a soon-to-be 177-bedroom house set to serve over 4,000 families annually. Likewise, her budget has increased tenfold through her leadership. The recent fundraising campaign, Jennifer’s most ambitious yet, raised a record $52 million to more than double the size of the House and cover the next four years of incremental operating costs. When complete, it will be the largest of the 375 Ronald McDonald Houses around the world. While she ensures that the families of the Ronald McDonald House are nurtured during their stay, she also has a heart for each employee and the surrounding community. Jennifer has mentored more than 60 female employees over the years. Several have gone on to lead other nonprofits. Perhaps this contagious fervor is why staff satisfaction surveys indicate astonishing metrics: 100% of employees are proud to work at Ronald McDonald House and 100% enjoy their job.
ACHIEVEMENTS • President-Elect, Leadership Council of Non-Profits Board, 2020
• Better Business Bureau Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics, 2017, 2006
• Best Places to Work Award from the Cincinnati Business Courier, 2019
• Named one of the Cincinnati Business Courier’s People to Know in Non-Profits, 2015
• Board Member, Avondale Development Corporation, 2014–2019
• Named one of Cincinnati Business Courier’s Forty Under 40 (at age 28)
RONI LUCKENBILL EMPOWERS CEO Girl Scouts of Western Ohio Roni laid the foundation for her 42-year career with the Girl Scouts as a Girl Scout herself. For the past eight years as CEO, she has overseen the sixth largest Girl Scout Council in the nation. Through Roni’s four decades of leadership, she has contributed to the positive development and success of millions of girls. Roni currently guides more than 150 staff members, over 11,000 volunteers and nearly 40,000 girls in 32 counties in western Ohio and southeastern Indiana each year. Her influence is also felt on the national level where she chairs the Cookie Steering Committee, the group that reviews national vendor contracts, business processes and marketing plans. Since the cookie program is an $850 million enterprise, this is a critical task. She serves as president and board member for P.R.A.Y., a national group dedicated to engaging youth and Girl Scouts in faith-based activities. Due to numerous contributions to the success of Girl Scouting nationally, regionally and locally, Roni was inducted into the exclusive Girl Scout Executive Staff Hall of Fame. Her relentless dedication to empowering girls into tomorrow’s leaders is evident through her several unique initiatives such as ensuring a Girl Scout troop exists in every Cincinnati neighborhood; reaching out to homeless shelters and group homes; launching an outreach program before and after school to reach underserved and low-income girls; enabling the Girl Scouts to distribute over $300,000 in financial assistance each year; and incorporating science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) into troop curriculum.
ACHIEVEMENTS • Board Chair, National P.R.A.Y. Organization, 2018–present
• Chair, Girl Scout National Cookie Steering Committee, 2015–present
• Executive Committee, United Way of Greater Cincinnati, 2016–present
• Board, Women’s Fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation, 2010–2016
• Board Chair, Leadership Council for Nonprofits, 2017–2019
• Inductee, Association of Girl Scout Executive Staff Hall of Fame, 2008
JEANNE REHLING-GOLLIHER COLLABORATES President & CEO Cincinnati Development Fund She has been called an “unlikely banker” and the “fairy godmother of economic development.” Jeanne Golliher has attracted hundreds of millions of dollars to support transformational projects in Cincinnati’s most struggling neighborhoods. Even before the revitalization of Over the Rhine was on the community’s radar, Jeanne initiated a partnership with Downtown Cincinnati Inc., the Cincinnati Business Committee, the Federal Home Loan Bank and area banks to launch the Urban Living Loan Fund, which stimulated new housing development downtown, and in OTR. Within three years, 164 housing units and 17 commercial units had been financed in once dormant neighborhoods. A former banker and real estate lender, Jeanne assumed leadership of CDF in 1998 with unwavering advocacy for affordable housing that would create vibrant, diverse neighborhoods. Since she assumed the helm of CDF the staff has grown from three to 14 employees with assets multiplying from $200,000 to more than $59 million. Her team oversees nine loan funds and a service portfolio of loans in excess of $239 million. Says nominator Kay Geiger, “Jeanne’s career success is the result of her passion for people and places. She cares about dignity and quality of life for everyone in Greater Cincinnati and has devoted her career to revitalizing local communities to benefit all residents.”
ACHIEVEMENTS • Named one of Cincinnati’s Most Powerful Business Leaders by Cincinnati Magazine, 2019 • Received the Building Our Beloved Community Award from Over-the-Rhine Community Housing for support of affordable housing, 2018
• Received the Globe Award from The Cincinnati Shakespeare Company for leadership, commitment and support of the Otto M. Budig Theatre, 2018 • Received the Ed Hubert OTR Made Award from the Over-the-Rhine Chamber of Commerce for outstanding contributions to community development, 2018
VERNA L. WILLIAMS TRANSFORMS Dean and Nippert Professor of Law University of Cincinnati College of Law Dean Williams is the first African American to lead the University of Cincinnati College of Law and one of just a handful of African American women to argue a case before the U.S. Supreme Court. A Harvard Law School graduate, she served as vice president and director of educational opportunities at the National Women’s Law Center where she focused on issues of gender equity in education. During her time there, she was lead counsel and successfully argued before the U.S. Supreme Court Davis v. Monroe County Board of Education, which established that educational institutions have a duty under federal law to respond to and address complaints of student-to-student sexual harassment. Dean Williams joined the UC College of Law in 2001, quickly positioning herself as an authority on family law, gender discrimination, constitutional law and social justice. She is known as an empathetic leader who builds consensus with integrity. Upon serving as interim dean and then permanently named to the position in 2019, she guided the faculty through a curriculum review, strategic planning and new initiatives to impact the community such as creating Ohio’s only law school housed “law firm” to provide affordable legal representation and career experience for law school students; The Help Center, a collaboration between the law school and community to assist self-represented individuals with advice; and the newly renamed Nathaniel R. Jones Center for Race, Gender, and Social Justice. Her initiatives have been nothing short of transformational.
ACHIEVEMENTS • One of the few African American women to argue a case before the U.S. Supreme Court
• Member, Ohio State Bar Association Deans/Practitioner Advisory Council, 2018–present
• First African American to serve as Dean of the University of Cincinnati College of Law
• Board Member, Mercantile Library, 2018–present
• Member, Standing Committee on Amicus Curiae Briefs, American Bar Association, 2019–present
• Vice-Chair, Task Force on the Ohio Bar Examination, 2017–2018
MARY ZALLA INSPIRES Global President, Consumer Brands and Managing Director Cincinnati Landor Growing up on a farm as one of 10 children instilled in Mary a strong work ethic, love of family and a bias for inspiring action. Mary knows that difficult tasks need to be met head on, and her calm leadership style and innate creativity led her to be named the first female Global CEO of Landor, the prestigious international brand strategy and design firm. During her 21 years there, she has worked with iconic brands from major companies such as The Procter & Gamble Company, S.C. Johnson, Georgia Pacific and Kraft Heinz. While highly successful, international travel often consumed at least 60% of her time, keeping her away from her home and children. Mary made the bold decision that many women wrestle with: she stepped down from the CEO spot and now serves as Global President. Her role offers more time with her four children. As she mentors women within Landor, they view Mary’s bold choices and how she manages her life. Mary leads the consumer side of Landor’s business, interacting with key consumer branding clients, working to expand and enhance Landor’s capabilities and speaking and educating internally and externally. She is one of the foremost experts on consumer packaging, design, brand strategy, innovation, creativity and organizational leadership. A sought-after industry leader, she shares her wisdom at national and international conferences. Her articles on creativity and design have been published or quoted in such publications as Adweek, Fast Company, Wall Street Journal and the New York Times.
ACHIEVEMENTS • First female CEO of Landor, a global brand strategy consultancy and design firm
• Trustee and Head of Marketing Committee, Horizon Community Fund, 2020
• Vice Chair, Executive Committee, Cincinnati Museum Center, 2020
• Recipient (along with her family), the Northern Kentucky University Lincoln Award, 2019
• Executive Committee, Northern Kentucky University Foundation Board, 2020
• Northern Kentucky University Outstanding Alumna Award, 2017
THALIA GRANT CHANGES LIVES DePaul Cristo Rey High School YWCA Mamie Earl Sells Scholarship Recipient
A senior at DePaul Cristo Rey High School, Thalia miraculously maintains a 3.9 GPA while juggling her academic pursuits, community service, an evening job at Panera and extensive care for her siblings. At school, she is known as an exceptional leader and student-athlete. Thalia is a member of the varsity track team and a cheerleader. Serving as Student Council President since 2016, she found time to establish the school’s first mock trial team and complete four years of a work study program that provides career readiness assistance to women in need. She volunteers at Matthew 25 Ministries, The Society of St. Vincent DePaul and Crayons 2 Computers. The oldest of five children in a single parent household, Thalia demonstrated adaptability, determination and drive when her beloved grandfather and co-caregiver was killed in a hit and run accident while Christmas shopping for his five grandchildren. Thalia took on additional responsibilities for feeding, bathing and dressing her siblings while her mother works long shifts. Out of the 25 universities she received acceptances from, Thalia will be attending the University of Notre Dame.
YWCA MAMIE EARL SELLS SCHOLARSHIP
2020 RUNNERS-UP
The scholarship is presented to an African-American high school senior for outstanding academic achievements and qualities of leadership, extracurricular involvement and community service as well as the ability to overcome adversity. Established in 1993, the scholarship memorializes a dedicated community volunteer who was committed to young people, promoting programs that encouraged them to expand and improve their personal lives and career opportunities.
2020 HONOR ABLE MENTIONS
Presented by Kroger
Coniccia Burnett Withrow University High School Raven Williams North College Hill High School
Ida Addo Wyoming High School Aissatou Barry Robert A. Taft High School Mariah K. Figgs Colerain High School Angel Lasha Godfrey Gamble Montessori High School Tiffany Danielle Johnston Wyoming High School Alexia Hannah Otchere Cincinnati Country Day School Ashlyn Sanders Woodward High School
BRIANA MOSS ADVOCATES Cincinnati State Technical and Community College The Charlotte R. Schmidlapp Fund Scholarship Recipient
Bree is a part-time Self-Advocate Coordinator with the YWCA’s Project CARE (Community, Accessibility, Responsiveness and Education). Through her service, Bree discovered a passion for helping others. She has invested the past two years providing supportive services to individuals with disabilities who have been impacted by or at risk for domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence and stalking. Bree teaches healthy and safe sexuality courses, runs a support group and assists with managing the self-advocacy team. She can easily relate to the women in the program. Often working three jobs to support herself, Bree now brings her gift of leadership and a deep-seated perseverance to a new direction and calling. “Working with the YWCA’s Project CARE program has ignited a passion for social services and illuminated a path to achieve that. I’ve been a lifelong advocate, but at Project CARE we see the results of that advocacy in our immediate reality. It has become clear to me that returning to college to obtain my Bachelor’s in Social Work will be essential in continuing to help others while creating a more secure and sustainable life for myself.” Thanks to the financial assistance, Bree is now pursuing her dream, beginning at Cincinnati State Community and Technical College.
CHARLOTTE R. SCHMIDLAPP FUND SCHOLARSHIP Fifth Third Bank, Trustee
In 1908, Jacob Godfrey Schmidlapp created the Charlotte R. Schmidlapp Fund to memorialize his young daughter who was killed in an automobile accident while touring France at the age of 19. What began as a $250,000 fund has grown to over $30 million in assets. The Fund, created to “ennoble, empower and uplift” young women and girls, began by awarding interest-free loans to aid young women in pursuit of higher education. More than 100 years later, the Fund is still supporting the clients of the YWCA. In 2008, the Charlotte R. Schmidlapp Fund, Fifth Third Bank, Trustee, created an endowment for a scholarship to provide financial support for women participating in YWCA programs.
2019–2020
YWCA BOARD OF DIRECTORS Board Members Board Chair
Jill T. McGruder
Executive Committee Vice Chair & Secretary Diane Jordan Chair – Advocacy Anne Mulder Chair – Communications Jackie Reau Chair – Finance & Treasurer Anne Megerle Chair – Financial Development Pamela Weber Chair – Human Resources Sarah Broman Chair – Governance De Asa Nichols Chair – Program Evaluation Jamila Watson Chair – Racial Justice Alicia Townsend Immediate Past Chair Hope Felton-Miller
Rebeca Arbona Alicia Bond-Lewis Helen Buford Christi Cornette Jennifer Dauer Nadine Gibson Chandra Y. Gravely, MD Sandy Kaltman Kathy Kelly Steve Kenat Christie Kuhns Anitra Marsh Paaras Parker Nicole Rasmussen Darrin Redus Stephanie Robertson Zeinab Schwen Liza Smitherman Saema Somalya The Honorable Stephanie Wyler Craig Young
Board Emeriti
Cynthia O. Booth P. Jeane Goings Mary Denise Kuprionis Nancy A. Lawson Penny Pensak Francie Garber Pepper Digi France Schueler Trish Mann Smitson
2019–2020
YWCA CAREER WOMEN OF ACHIEVEMENT COMMITTEES Event Chairpersons
Debbie Hayes Lakshmi Sammarco, MD
Nominations
Barbara C. Perez
Cathy Bernardino Bailey Pamela Coleman-Brailsford Jodi Geiser Chandra Gravely, MD, Co-Chair Candace McGraw, Co-Chair Sheila Mixon Chiquita White
YWCA Development Staff
Sponsorship
YWCA Board Chair Jill T. McGruder
YWCA President/CEO
Sarah Breedlove Michelle Gundrum Sophia Gilligan Helms Kristi Rohrkasse Tracy Wells
Judges
Bob Castellini Michele Hawkins Heidi Jark Mitchel Livingston, PhD
Mamie Earl Sells Scholarship Sue Allen Claire Beams Cate Crusham, Vice-Chair Kelly Gillen Shawna Langworthy Kimya Moyo De Asa Nichols, Chair Erica O’Brien Evan Parker Barbara Smitherman Ligaya West
Dianne Dunkelman Kim Halbauer Delores Hargrove-Young Michele Hawkins Debbie Hayes Rhonda Whitaker Hurtt Heidi B. Jark, Co-Chair Laura Cook Kroeger, Co-Chair Jessica Macleod Jill T. McGruder Jackie Reau Lakshmi Sammarco, MD Pamela Weber Craig Young
YWCA is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. 898 Walnut Street Cincinnati, OH 45202 513.241.7090 ywcacincinnati.org