Breaking barriers and building legacies:
Celebrating powerhouse executives who drive regional excellence
Once again the Smart Women Breakfast returns to celebrate the profound impact of female leadership across the region’s business ecosystem. At this year’s event, we’re featuring a dynamic panel of executives and community trailblazers who have broken barriers and redefined success in traditionally demanding sectors.
Panelist Tari S. Rivera is the founder and president of Regency Construction Services Inc. Rivera began her career as a project engineer and worked on large commercial projects, drawing on that experience and her construction management degree from The University of Akron, she launched her own firm in 1994. She has grown Regency from a startup into a multi-million-dollar enterprise that provides construction management, design-build and general contracting services. Under her guidance, the firm champions workplace equity, maintaining a staff of 80 which includes 30 percent women — far outpacing the 10 percent industry average. Rivera was the first woman inducted into the Cleveland Engineering Society’s Hall of Fame and the first woman to chair the Construction Employers Association in over 100 years. She supports major community mentorship initiatives such as the ACE Mentor Program and CLE Builds.
Eleanor Hayes, the CEO of Hayes Group Communications, brings an extensive blend of media expertise and corporate leadership to the stage, having
served for more than 14 years as the director of communications for the human resources division of the Cleveland Clinic, Northeast Ohio’s largest employer. A veteran journalist and multi-Emmy® Award-winning investigative reporter, she anchored television news in major markets including Columbus, Nashville, Milwaukee and Cleveland. Hayes was inducted into the Ohio Broadcasters’ Hall of Fame and won the national Thurgood Marshall Journalism Award. An alumna of Leadership Cleveland, she owned and operated a McDonald’s for 10 years, holds an executive MBA from Cleveland State University, and was inducted into the Monte Ahuja College of Business Alumni Hall of Fame in November of 2023.
Lindsey B. Amerine, senior vice president, chief pharmacy officer at the Cleveland Clinic, was appointed to the role in early 2024. Amerine leads more than 2,000 full-time pharmacy professionals across a health care enterprise spanning Ohio, Florida, Las Vegas, London and Abu Dhabi. Before joining the clinic, she served as interim vice president and chief pharmacy officer at UNC Health, a 16-hospital system based in North Carolina. Throughout her distinguished career, Amerine has published more than 50 peer-reviewed articles and earned national acclaim, including multiple Best Practice Awards from the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. At the Cleveland Clinic, she focuses on technological innovation, automation and operational roadmaps built on transparent team communication.
Rounding out the panel is Katie Payne, the CEO of Lifebanc, Northeast Ohio’s nonprofit organ and tissue recovery organization. Since taking the helm in 
January 2025, Payne has driven operational excellence, recently guiding the organization to a record-setting month of 78 lifesaving organ transplants. A registered nurse by training, she previously served as the executive director of LifeLink of Georgia, where she elevated organ donation performance and expanded community outreach initiatives. Payne’s professional journey is uniquely informed by her personal story as the sister of a tissue donor, a perspective that shapes her human-centric management philosophy. Her leadership style emphasizes deep community collaboration, donor family support and long-term financial sustainability for the nonprofit.
Guiding the conversation is Denise Dufala, a celebrated broadcast journalist, author, communications consultant and community advocate. Dufala spent more than three decades as a primary news anchor and reporter in Cleveland, including an eight-year tenure at WJW-TV8 before becoming the first primary news anchor at WOIO-Channel 19 in 1994. Her distinguished journalism career earned her induction into both the Ohio Radio/Television Broadcasters Hall of Fame and the Cleveland Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame. After leaving the anchor desk, Dufala authored her first children’s book in partnership with the Values-in-Action Foundation and served as a national ambassador for the organization’s Be Kind Stick Together program, promoting character development, kindness and inclusion in schools. Today, she frequently collaborates with regional organizations and educational institutions, while also consulting with professionals on effective public speaking, executive presence and presenting a polished image on video calls. In addition, she serves as a social media content creator for Awakening Angels and Summer Place Restaurant, helping share their missions and engage audiences through compelling digital storytelling.
Together, these five leaders exemplify the innovation, resilience and corporate stewardship driving Northeast Ohio forward.
We showcase the individual profiles of this year’s Smart Women Awards honorees — each one a testament to the power of impactful female leadership. The Smart Women Awards program recognizes the achievements of leading businesswomen whose dedication and entrepreneurial vision continue to shape the economic and social fabric of Northeast Ohio. ●
Progressive Entrepreneur Honorees
Alea Barr
Owner/Master stylist/Educator
The Shoppe an Alea Michelle Salon & Spa
Alea Barr has been an innovator, leader and salon owner in the professional beauty industry for 27 years. From educating thousands of beauty professionals to working behind the chair, Barr has touched the heads and hearts of so many in Summit County. Barr grew up in an impoverished community, but as her parents led by example and worked tirelessly, she was able to move to Hudson, Ohio. There, she had the opportunity to attend 
Cosmetology School through Hudson’s Six District Educational Compact. When Barr’s parents relocated to Southern Kentucky, she quickly realized it was not the life for her. On September 10, 2001, with only $200, she packed her 1997 Ford Escort. The next morning, she learned that the Twin Towers had fallen. Those early years were financially challenging. Barr honed her technical skills and partnered with John Paul Mitchell Systems (JPMS), becoming an educator and master stylist, and ultimately a JPMS Senior Associate. Barr learned many lessons, including two that have become core values: “Success unshared is failure” and, “Successful people do what unsuccessful people are not willing to do.” In 2019, she returned to her Hudson roots and opened The Shoppe an Alea Michelle Salon & Spa.
Amy McMillin
CEO And Physical Therapist
Custom Care Rehab, LLC
Amy McMillan is CEO and physical therapist at Custom Care Rehab, a concierge physical therapy company that serves busy professionals and families 
in Northeast Ohio, delivering solutions directly to patients’ doorsteps to treat orthopedic, vestibular and women’s health needs. After working for a major hospital system for over 15 years, McMillin decided to launch her company six years ago, at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. During thattime, her patients were not considered essential and were not permitted to receive treatment, so she decided to bring the therapy to them. Over the past four years, McMillin has successfully transitioned from a solopreneur to a team of seven therapists, each with their own specialty, providing mobile physical therapy and wellness to their clients. In addition to her roles as a CEO and physical therapist, McMillin is a mother to two amazing children, Madeline and Bryson, and the wife of her supportive husband, Scott. She also volunteers at Immaculate Heart of Mary, where she teaches the Intro to Entrepreneurship Class. She is a graduate of the Goldman Sachs 10 KSB program, a member of NAWBO, a women’s professional organization, and a member of the Strongsville Working Women’s Connection.
Ines Rehner
Founder/Owner
Sweet Designs Chocolatier
Ines Rehner grew up on a small farm in Yugoslavia, where her family made nearly everything they ate — from wine and cheese to milk and prosciutto. In 
1989, Rehner came to America to pursue her dream of opening her own business. Her first job was at a retail shop in New York City, where she sold chocolates. Still dreaming of her own business, she began teaching herself to make chocolates. In 1995, Rehner moved to Ohio and opened Sweet Designs Chocolatier in Lakewood, where she began crafting gourmet European-style chocolates. In 2004, she purchased her own building. Today, Sweet Designs is known for traditional European recipes with cocoa-forward notes. As she expanded her product line to include a new brand, smartBARK! Organic, Sweet Designs became USDA-certified organic in 2013 and remains Ohio’s only certified organic producer of chocolate. Most recently, Rehner developed a new luxury line called CHOKOLATINE. Each chocolate is hand-painted to reflect a famous historical painting and comes with a collectible card featuring interesting facts about the artist. While many painted chocolates are on the market today, she wanted to set her line apart. These unique chocolates are meticulously handmade by local artists.
Tari Rivera
President
Regency Construction Services
In 1994, Tari Rivera forged her path in Cleveland’s construction industry by founding Regency Construction Services, transitioning from a project manager to an entrepreneur focused on construction management, design-build and general contracting. She achieved significant growth by leveraging her technical background to specialize in health care, education, nonprofit and public-sector projects. Rivera grew Regency from a three-person startup operating out of her home into a multi-million-dollar company with 80 employees, diversifying into niche markets such as complex health care construction. She continued to drive growth by adding cost estimating, scheduling and owner’s representative services. Rivera also added a self-performed rough and finished carpentry division, where team members have won multiple awards for craftsmanship and building excellence. Developing and maintaining an inclusive workplace is important to Rivera. Regency stands out for its high diversity, maintaining a staff that is 30 percent women, exceeding the 10 percent industry standard. Rivera served as the past chair of the ACE Mentor Program. Through her involvement with Cleveland Builds, she empowers women and minorities in the industry, enhancing talent retention and the company’s reputation. In 1998, she developed a Construction Academy to connect students with careers in architecture, engineering and construction. That program still exists today.
Chelsea Treboniak
President
Critical Ops
Critical Ops is a woman-owned business founded and led by Chelsea Treboniak, a 2006 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point. 
In 2011, Treboniak found herself staring down a long and unpaved road. She had recently moved to Twinsburg, Ohio, after her husband, Chad, a U.S. Army Veteran, received a new duty station. She was starting over in a new town, with new people, in a new state, again. But she’d been in those boots before as a West Point graduate and a U.S. Army Veteran. In 2012, Treboniak decided to draw on her military background and the discipline it instilled to found Critical Ops. Under her leadership, the company has carved out a niche, offering specialized integration consulting services and products, including remote sensing, blockchain for occupational health and e-crime intelligence. What started as a two-person operation has experienced rapid growth in highly regulated industries. Early on, Treboniak decided that she wanted Critical Ops to be an all-remote business so that families like hers, who were moving roughly every three years, wouldn’t have to interrupt their employment. Today, the company has teammates in five states working to push the envelope of innovation.
Progressive Organization Honorees
Jackie Hemsworth
Executive Director
ACCESS, Inc.
Jackie Hemsworth has spent the past decade at ACCESS shelter for women and children, first as director of advancement and, for the past seven 
years, as executive director. She ensures that all residents are treated with dignity, respect and choice during their time in shelter. ACCESS is Akron’s low-barrier shelter for women and children, providing shelter for those in need. With on-site programs such as a health care clinic, mental health care and a paid culinary internship program, ACCESS is making a difference for the 300+ women and children it serves each year. The organization is proud to report that 70 percent of its residents exit into permanent housing, more than double the national rate of 32 percent. The organization is embarking on a multi-phase expansion to increase its capacity to serve women and children experiencing homelessness in Northeast Ohio, adding a new building and creating six additional bedrooms. When all four phases are complete, ACCESS will be able to serve 80 percent more people than its current capacity. ACCESS was honored to receive a coveted Bezos Day One Families Fund award last fall. The organization will strategically utilize these funds over the next five years to implement expansion plans and ensure it can sustain operations.
Ashley Lawson
Vice President
Achieve Incentives & Meetings
For more than 70 years, Achieve Incentives & Meetings has helped business owners, CEOs, event planners and executive assistants design and execute bucket-list incentive trips. In 2026, Achieve received a Crystal Award from the Society for Incentive Travel Excellence, widely considered the highest 
honor in the global incentive travel industry. The nearly all-female organization has been built intentionally. In a small-business environment where every investment requires real trade-offs, the company has deliberately prioritized its people. That direction has been driven by Vice President Ashley Lawson, whose leadership has focused on aligning the business with the real lives of the team behind it. At the end of 2024, Lawson led a series of foundational changes that took effect in 2025. These were not incremental updates but strategic decisions to support employees in building long-term, sustainable careers. One of the most significant was the introduction of Achieve’s first-ever 401(k) matching program. This represented a financial commitment and a clear signal of long-term investment in employees. For a workforce composed almost entirely of women, it directly addressed a well-documented gap in retirement savings and financial security. The result has been stronger retention, greater stability and a team that feels invested in beyond their day-to-day contributions.
Dione DeMitro
President And CEO
United Way of Lake County
Communities need champions who understand the issues facing women and children, recognize their potential and offer solutions that make a 
difference. Fortunately, United Way has an international network of more than 60,000 women in 155 communities dedicated to improving lives and creating stronger communities. Women United (WU), an affiliate of United Way of Lake County (UWLC), works to positively impact the lives of women and children through the philanthropic efforts of giving, advocating and volunteering. Its purpose begins by helping children and females of all ages and backgrounds, from young girls through adulthood and into senior stages of life. It looks to engage and empower women to work together and make Lake County stronger. WU also works to create a network of women who can offer their time, experience and resources to improve the lives and opportunities for women and girls in this community. Dione DeMitro, president and CEO of UWLC, is an exceptional executive whose career path reflects resilience, adaptability and an unwavering commitment to excellence. Throughout her professional journey, she has faced challenges with determination and grace, consistently rising to leadership roles and delivering meaningful results. Her ability to navigate change while remaining focused on mission and impact is truly inspiring.
Progressive Woman Honorees
Pamela Anson
President And CEO
BBB, Cleveland
When Pamela Anson became president and CEO of the BBB, Cleveland in early 2025, she inherited a long-standing social contract with Northeast Ohio 
— the BBB was the place where businesses and consumers turned to find who they could trust. That context makes Anson’s actions in her first year as CEO unusual. She committed BBB, Cleveland to becoming an early mover in adopting generative AI — not cautiously around the edges, but structurally, through a four-month, organization-wide transformation program. Every staff member was trained. A policy framework aligned with BBB’s standards was established before broader use was encouraged. Internal capacity for ongoing governance was built. Anson named herself to the five-person AI Transformation Team and sat through every phase of training. Her conviction was not naive enthusiasm. She saw both the productivity and creative power of AI tools and the real danger they could pose to an organization’s credibility. Anson insisted that BBB, Cleveland’s use of AI had to meet a high bar because BBB, more than most, cannot afford AI-driven errors that erode public confidence. Anson has since become a champion for responsible adoption of generative AI, sharing her team’s lessons with peer BBBs across Ohio and nationally.
Crystal Beal
Senior Director Of Human Resources, Corporate Programs & Acquisitions
National Safety Apparel
Founded in Cleveland following the Great Depression, National Safety Apparel (NSA) is the country’s largest manufacturer of American-made safety apparel. In 2021, Crystal Beal joined NSA as Director of HR. Throughout her time with the company, Beal has assembled a team of HR professionals
whom she continues to mentor. She was promoted to Senior Director of Human Resources, Corporate Programs & Acquisitions, and is helping NSA continue its 90-year journey. Beal is a people-centered leader whose warmth, professionalism and strategic insight have strengthened the entire organization. Her friendly, welcoming nature makes her approachable to employees at every level and she consistently sets a positive tone that shapes the culture. Beal is dedicated to improving the workplace through thoughtful policy updates, expanded employee offerings and modernized HR practices. Even when change brings natural hesitation or differing perspectives, she approaches each situation with patience, empathy and a steady focus on what best supports employees and the organization. Her ability to guide others through transitions with understanding and clarity is one of her greatest strengths. As the leader of the HR department, she fosters a team environment where people feel supported, trusted and able to thrive.
Ashley Brown
PE, Architect, Director Of Operations
Bluestreak Consulting
Ashley Brown, director of operations, architect and professional engineer at BlueStreak Consulting, has set a high standard through her work and 
created space and opportunities for future generations in the field. This growth mindset has guided her career and continues to shape how she leads, mentors and evolves her role at the firm and across the architecture and engineering industry. Brown joined the award-winning national architecture, engineering and interior design firm in 2008 as a design professional and began building her resume through retail projects. After several years in architecture, she recognized a growing need for support on the firm’s structural engineering team. Brown embraced the challenge and reengaged the technical skills she developed through her engineering foundation. Like many women in the industry, Brown faced challenges, including the pressure to balance a demanding career with family responsibilities. At a time when there was no established model for workplace flexibility, she helped define what that balance could look like. Her willingness to take on new challenges continued after a senior leader retired, when Brown took on an operational role while continuing her work in structural engineering. In this capacity, she manages staffing needs and supports team coordination across seven offices nationwide.
Grace Chin
Executive Director
The Sculpture Center
Grace Chin leads with a clear, differentiated vision: artists can bring contemporary art, often perceived as inaccessible, into everyday life by engaging lived experience and sparking conversation. She actively supports and amplifies this vision through her work. As executive director of The Sculpture
Center, she has transformed the organization into a dynamic platform for contemporary art that shapes artists’ careers, strengthens Cleveland’s cultural ecosystem and contributes to a broader national dialogue. Under her leadership, The Sculpture Center has elevated scores of artists whose work advances equity and creates meaningful community impact. She champions expanded access, mentorship and opportunity for under-recognized artists, positioning the organization as a more equitable entry point into the field that reflects the realities of working artists today. Historically excluded voices are central to initiatives like the Revealed series, which offers early-career artists solo exhibitions and critical support at pivotal moments. Her approach is grounded in a simple truth: visibility changes trajectories. Chin’s leadership is further distinguished by a deep commitment to community as a curatorial framework. One of her most notable accomplishments is Spotlight, an initiative she developed that redefines how contemporary sculpture functions within a community context. Through Spotlight, she demonstrates that sculpture can be deeply relevant to everyday civic life.
Kathy DiVincenzo
Founder and Executive Director
Honey from the Rock
What began as Kathy DiVincenzo’s simple conviction as a foster mother — that children in foster care deserve dignity, choice and immediate support — 
became the foundation for what is now Honey from the Rock, Cleveland’s first foster care closet. There was no roadmap, no funding pipeline or guarantee that her idea would work. Starting from scratch, DiVincenzo, today the organization’s executive director, launched a nonprofit that quickly grew and occupied a 9,500-square-foot facility. In just over a year, Honey from the Rock fulfilled more than 1,000 orders for children in crisis and mobilized more than 5,000 service hours. DiVincenzo rallied Greater Cleveland to stand in the gap for children who needed it most, not only with resources but also with compassion and consistency. One of the greatest challenges she faced was persistent doubt from others about whether her vision could succeed. DiVincenzo did not allow those doubts to define the outcome. Before a formal partnership was in place, she took the initiative to create and supply programs, ensuring that children entering crisis situations did not have to wait for support. Today, that persistence has led to programs embedded directly within MetroHealth’s triage center, where emergency packs are available when children need them. The organization’s programs are now also replicated in the Cuyahoga DCFS building.
Jackie Henden
Perinatal Support Doula Manager
Birthing Beautiful Communities
Jackie Henden’s journey is a testament to resilience, grace and unwavering leadership. Beginning as a dedicated doula serving women in her community, Henden spent four years on the front lines, providing care, comfort and advocacy. That experience laid the foundation for her current role
as the doula manager at the nonprofit Birthing Beautiful Communities, where she now leads a team of more than 40 doulas with strength, compassion and an unmatched work ethic. What sets Henden apart is not only her professional acumen but also the profound way she leads — with empathy, boldness and a spirit that lifts everyone around her. Her laugh is infectious, her smile lights up rooms and she has a rare ability to command respect while offering comfort in equal measure. However, her path has not been without hardship. While managing the demands of her leadership role, she has faced personal challenges, including her son’s MS diagnosis and her own health concerns. Despite these trials, Henden never faltered. She continued to show up for her team, her family and her mission. Henden exemplifies what it means to rise through the ranks not only by title but also by the lives she touches and the legacy she builds.
Lea Hlifka
President
CRS Metalworx, Inc.
Lea Hlifka began her career in the mechanical construction industry in 2010, supporting CRS Metalworx from the office by answering calls, coordinating 
supplier pricing requests for the lead estimator, and compiling documentation for operations and maintenance manuals. When the company underwent a major transition following the departure of the majority owner, Hlifka stepped into unfamiliar responsibilities and quickly expanded her role. Working alongside her husband, Jim, she learned job estimating and, over time, took on the behind-the-scenes work essential to running the business. When the Hlifkas assumed ownership in 2017, they faced significant challenges in rebuilding the company’s foundation. Through resilience, steady learning and determination, they helped lead the organization to profitability within a few years, surpassing its prior performance. Hlifka has navigated significant challenges throughout her tenure at the company. Early on, she was not fully supported by the majority owner, who viewed her involvement unfavorably while her husband served as the minority owner. Despite many obstacles, Hlifka has consistently demonstrated her professionalism and resolve. She remains steady under pressure, takes ownership of difficult situations, and continues to show up for her employees with care and respect. Hlifka continues to be a driving force behind CRS Metalworx’s diversification and long-term success.
Iman Joshua
Divisional Chief Information Security Officer
Capital One
Iman Joshua, Capital One’s divisional chief information security officer, is a visionary technologist, transformational leader and unwavering advocate for inclusive innovation. With more than a decade of progressively responsible roles, Joshua has consistently demonstrated an extraordinary ability to drive
innovation and deliver results. In her current and previous roles, Joshua has scaled platforms, launched products, improved access, increased revenue, reduced risk and transformed operations, resulting in measurable impact. What most distinguishes Joshua is her rare combination of technical excellence, strategic foresight and people-centered leadership. She navigates complex technical ecosystems with sophistication while building high-performing, diverse teams that consistently exceed expectations. Her expertise has influenced not only organizational success, but also the broader tech industry through thought leadership, board service and diverse experiences. As a Black woman in technology, Joshua has also been a powerful force for equity and representation — never allowing barriers to define her trajectory. She has intentionally leveraged her platform to mentor emerging technologists, sponsor future leaders and create pathways for underrepresented talent. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Joshua is sought as a trusted adviser, a decisive problem-solver and a role model whose influence extends far beyond her immediate scope of responsibility.
Andi Kornak
Deputy Executive Director
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
Andi Kornak serves as the deputy executive director of Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, overseeing all day-to-day operations. Kornak has always been 
passionate about animals and helping others. She grew up in a large family of nine siblings and was taught from an early age the value of a career in service. Kornak began as an animal keeper at Binder Park Zoo in Michigan. One highlight was overseeing animal operations during a 50-acre “Wild Africa” expansion that included eight habitats and nearly 400 new animals. She rose to curator of collections, overseeing all animal transfers and care. She also focused on connecting with other women leaders through the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, the accrediting oversight body for the top 230+ zoos and aquariums in North America. Kornak transitioned to Cleveland Metroparks Zoo in 2011. She was promoted from curator of carnivores and large mammals to curator of animals in 2012, then to director of animal and veterinary programs in 2013. In 2017, she was named zoo deputy executive director of animal and veterinary programs, adding responsibility for the zoo’s daily operations. In 2022, she assumed oversight of facility operations & horticulture, education & engagement, conservation & sciences, animal & veterinary programs and revenue & guest experience.
Christine Kush
Associate Dean, Corporate Partnerships and Executive Education
Weatherhead School of Management, Case Western Reserve University
Chris Kush is associate dean of corporate partnerships and executive education at Case Western Reserve University’s Weatherhead School of Management. A seasoned leader with more than two decades of experience, she has built innovative executive education programs, forged impactful
corporate partnerships and guided teams through transformational change. Kush has successfully launched leadership initiatives for mid-market executives and community leaders, reflecting her commitment to advancing talent and opportunity in the region. Throughout her career, Kush has often been the only woman at the executive table. That experience has strengthened her resilience, sharpened her voice and reinforced her ability to lead with confidence despite structural barriers. Leadership style is grounded in perseverance, adaptability and commitment to opening doors for others. In addition, she is an advocate for inclusion and has paved the way for more diverse leadership. Throughout her professional career, Kush has been involved in her community, serving as a board or council member for numerous nonprofit, community development and social service organizations. She is also a graduate of the Cleveland Civic Leadership Institute and Leadership Pittsburgh. Kush earned her MBA from the Katz Graduate School of Business at the University of Pittsburgh and her BA in History from the University of Pennsylvania.
Candace LaRochelle
Chief Compliance And People Officer
Neighborhood Family Practice
Neighborhood Family Practice (NFP) was founded in 1980 in response to concerns that residents of Cleveland’s near-West Side lacked access to 
primary health care. As a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), NFP focuses on delivering high-quality primary care in a medical home setting. The NFP service area spans 12 communities across Cleveland and Lakewood, and includes a diverse mix of residents. In her role as Chief Compliance and People Officer, Candace LaRochelle has achieved outcomes that speak for themselves, bringing empathy, a moral compass and compassion every day. What matters just as much is how she achieves them. She infuses her work with an uncommon blend of strength, humility and clarity. LaRochelle leads with intention, listens deeply and ensures people feel seen and valued — qualities that inspire trust and loyalty in every space she enters. As an attorney, LaRochelle understands processes and analytical methods that are invaluable to her compliance responsibilities. She is unwavering in her dedication to creating lasting, meaningful change in health care. Her work has strengthened communities, expanded opportunities and set a powerful example of values-driven leadership, both professionally and civically. She is the person others turn to for guidance, encouragement and honest advice.
Hermione Malone
Executive Director
Cleveland International Film Festival
Hermione Malone is a leader of uncommon depth — someone whose intelligence, integrity and clarity of purpose consistently translate into meaningful results. In her role as Executive Director of the Cleveland International Film Festival, Malone has led with vision and discipline, producing outcomes
suchas a historic 2026 film festival with a record number of attendees and new sponsors. Malone’s current work reflects not only professional excellence but also a sustained commitment to building systems, opportunities and environments where others can thrive. What distinguishes her at the highest level is her ability to lead with both authority and care. She makes difficult decisions with confidence, communicates authentically and holds herself to the same high standards she expects of others. People trust Malone’s leadership because it is grounded in fairness, accountability and respect. As a Black woman in executive leadership, Malone brings perspective shaped by experience, resilience and purpose. Her influence extends well beyond her formal responsibilities and has had a lasting effect on individuals, organizations and communities alike. Perhaps most powerful is that she leads without seeking the spotlight. Recognition follows her because her impact is undeniable. She represents the very best of values-driven leadership: disciplined yet compassionate, strategic yet human and accomplished yet deeply grounded.
Nicole McKinney-Johnson
President And CEO
Cleveland Rape Crisis Center
Cleveland Rape Crisis Center (CRCC) supports survivors of rape and sexual abuse, promotes healing and prevention, and advocates for social change. 
Each year, thousands of individuals across Northeast Ohio find support through the center’s counseling, advocacy and educational programs. As President and CEO, Nicole McKinney-Johnson oversees an organization that serves as both a sanctuary and a catalyst for change. Under her leadership, the organization has provided trauma-informed, culturally responsive services to those affected by violence and abuse. CRCC has reached countless neighbors and is restoring pathways to safety, stability and self-determination. What distinguishes McKinney-Johnson is not only the scale of her impact but also the authenticity and intentionality of her leadership. As a Black woman with lived and professional experience, she honors dignity, centers agency and addresses trauma holistically — integrating mental health support, advocacy and community healing. Her leadership extends beyond programmatic success. McKinney-Johnson has elevated conversations about trauma from crisis response to systems-level transformation, ensuring that the needs of marginalized people are not overlooked. Survivors, staff and community partners alike describe her as a leader who combines deep compassion with high standards of excellence, demonstrating that organizational success and human-centered care are not mutually exclusive.
Katie Payne
CEO
Lifebanc
Katie Payne is the kind of leader who doesn’t just manage an organization — she transforms it. As CEO of Lifebanc, Northeast Ohio’s only nonprofit organ procurement organization, Payne leads a mission-critical operation with the discipline of an executive, the empathy of a clinician and the conviction of someone with deeply personal stakes in its success. The results of her leadership are measured in lives saved. Since Payne took the helm at Lifebanc, the organization has achieved extraordinary outcomes. In January, Lifebanc set a record with 78 organ transplants in a single month. Each organ donor is a family in crisis who said yes. Each transplanted organ gives a person more time. Payne is a donor family member with a unique understanding of the hardest decision a family can face. She has rebuilt Lifebanc around 24/7 responsiveness, streamlined workflows and real-time coordination across 80 hospitals in 20 counties. She has strengthened hospital partnerships and elevated the standard for donor family support. At the same time, Payne has led with deep cultural sensitivity and a commitment to education, working to dismantle myths and mistrust that too often prevent families from choosing donation. Her efforts have expanded public understanding and strengthened confidence in a health care mission that depends on community trust.
Michelle Pearson-Casey
Vice President Corporate Communications and Marketing
Olympic Steel
Michelle Pearson-Casey, vice president of corporate communications and marketing at Olympic Steel, has established herself as the go-to colleague, known for mastering effective project management, considering others’ perspectives and using communication tools to motivate teams. Her journey
has been marked by many highlights — a non-traditional start to her professional career while completing her college degree, being a woman in a male-dominated metals industry, and establishing and growing a department from the ground up. Pearson-Casey began her career with Olympic Steel in 1999, right out of high school, as the receptionist at the newly built Chambersburg, PA, location. She held several roles in the Chambersburg Office and helped with communications at the facility, including starting a “Weekly Update” local employee newsletter. In 2015, Pearson-Casey left to pursue an opportunity to expand her communications skills and experience in other industries. In 2019, she was invited to return to Olympic Steel to lead the effort to create consistent, informative company communications. She immediately began laying the groundwork for Olympic Steel’s first corporate communications and marketing department. Working closely with the executive leadership team, Pearson-Casey developed a plan that quickly set a high bar — establishing the department as a reliable, thorough resource for leaders and employees across 40+ Olympic Steel locations.
Lisa Purdy
President and CEO
Council of International Programs USA
Lisa Purdy’s career reflects a long, resilient progression grounded in dedication, adaptability and deeply mission-driven leadership. She began her 
tenure with the Council of International Programs USA in 1997 as an executive assistant, gaining a foundational understanding of the organization’s operations, values and commitment to advancing international understanding. The Council’s mission to foster global peace and cooperation through professional exchange and people-to-people diplomacy has remained central to Purdy’s work. After progressing through a program manager role, she has served as president and CEO for more than 20 years, delivering a long track record of consistent impact and steady leadership. Purdy’s journey has been marked by significant challenges. Most notably, she guided the Council through profound external disruptions, including the COVID-19 pandemic, which halted new visa issuance and effectively paused the organization’s core programming and its primary revenue source. She has also navigated declining participation amid shifting funding structures, including reduced grant availability and policy challenges affecting international exchange. Through both stable and uncertain times, Purdy has remained committed to the Council’s mission and vision. She has cultivated strong relationships with international partners and built connections within the Cleveland community. Under her leadership, the organization continues to create meaningful opportunities for exchange, building bridges of understanding between the region and the world.
Allison Roberts Grealis
Founder and President
Women in Manufacturing Association
The idea for the Women in Manufacturing Association (WIM) began during Founder and President Allison Roberts Grealis’ time at the Precision 
Metalforming Association, when she saw the need to connect women in the industry and create a space for them to share ideas. What started as a small community has grown into WIM, a national and global trade association that supports more than 35,000 individuals and 500+ companies, with 36 chapters across the U.S. hosting more than 500 events each year. The early days were not easy. Roberts Grealis had to secure buy-in for a mission that was not widely recognized. She made the case, built trust and proved the value, often as the only woman in the room. As the organization grew, the focus shifted to creating a space where women can share ideas, build skills and gain confidence while helping address the skills gap through stronger retention and advancement. Roberts Grealis has worked to increase visibility for women in manufacturing and to show the next generation of girls in STEM that real opportunities exist in the industry. She has positioned WIM as a resource for companies focused on workforce growth. This includes WIM SUMMIT, a flagship conference that brings together more than 2,000 attendees each year.
Sarah Slavik
COO
SkillSpout LLC
Sarah Slavik serves as COO of SkillSpout LLC, helping organizations adopt AI-enabled workflow redesign, training and support. She is responsible for 
translating an ambitious vision into an operating company in a space where most organizations are still figuring out what AI adoption looks like. Slavik is building AI systems, teams, financial infrastructure and client delivery models that will define how mid-market organizations make this transition. In January 2025, Slavik co-founded SkillSpout with Melanie McGee, bringing two decades of operational expertise to a new frontier: helping organizations adopt AI not as a technology project but as a human capability. SkillSpout is the leading AI strategy and training provider in Northeast Ohio. Clients such as Tri-C, ERC, GCP and BBB, Cleveland are reaping the benefits of SkillSpout’s unique problem-based training methodologies, cutting-edge frameworks and AI strategy offerings. Slavik’s career is a study in building things that don’t yet exist — and doing so in sectors where the stakes are high and resources are scarce. The challenges she has repeatedly faced throughout her career have helped organizations tackle unsolved problems. What makes Slavik’s rise progressive is not that she moved up. It’s that she moved toward harder problems at every stage, continuing to evolve nonprofit infrastructure.
Alison Spitzer
President / Co-founder
Spitzer Management / Hay There
Alison Spitzer, President / Co-founder of Spitzer Management / Hay There, brings 15 years of leadership and wears many hats in automotive retail. She has managed a complex, evolving plan that led to numerous partnerships across five diverse nationwide markets. No stranger to rolling up her sleeves,
Spitzer also led a successful grassroots effort to save dealerships during the manufacturer bankruptcies of the late 2000s. She was responsible for fundraising, lobbying Congress and encouraging hundreds of business owners to join the movement. Ultimately, thousands of people regained their businesses thanks to the group’s efforts. Spitzer is proud to be one of the few women in automotive retail to become a dealer owner. After years of collaborating with team members and solving problems in real time, there are very few scenarios she has not encountered on her journey through retail and various leadership roles. As a working mom of three, she knows precisely the challenges women face when they are expected to work as if they aren’t parents and to parent as if they don’t work. With early-career experience promoting U.S. investments in foreign markets, Spitzer brings a unique global perspective on economic development to the automotive industry, along with an entrepreneurial focus on innovation and leadership in automotive marketing.
Lori Zoller
Business Administration Manager
Lazorpoint
Lori Zoller’s career at Lazorpoint is a story of growth, commitment and quiet determination. This year will mark 18 years of service for Zoller with the 
Cleveland-based IT managed services provider. That milestone speaks to her dedication and to how she shows up for the team year after year. Zoller has lived through it all — team members have come and gone, roles have evolved, and the tools, processes and day-to-day demands of her job look very different today. Rather than resisting change, Zoller embraced it by continuously taking on new responsibilities. Over the years, Zoller has broadened her scope and deepened her expertise as the company has grown. When she started as business administration manager, she supported the team with detailed administrative tasks. That role has since grown into one of the most far-reaching positions at Lazorpoint. Today, Zoller manages client invoices, accounts payable, HR and benefits administration, vendor relations and procurement for both the organization and its clients. The knowledge she has built makes Zoller a trusted resource the entire team relies on, and her willingness to step up when something needs to get done has earned her a level of trust and respect that is rare. ●