Career Women of Achievement

2025 Career Women of Achievement

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Check out the galleries below to view photos and 360 videos from the luncheon!

To view the 2025 Career Women of Achievement honoree and scholar videos, visit our YouTube Channel: YWCA Cincinnati.

Luncheon Agenda

Hard Rock Casino, Main Ballroom

11:30 am Seating
12:00 noon Luncheon Begins
1:30 pm Mission Forward Social

Welcome

Rickell Howard Smith, Esq.
YWCA President & CEO

Kristen Schlotman & Alicia Townsend
Career Women of Achievement Co-Chairs

Introduction of Charlotte R. Schmidlapp Fund Scholar

Erica Gordon

Introduction of Honorees + Honoree Videos

Tianay Amat

Robie Suggs

Tracey Stofa

Lee Stautberg

Iris Roley

Paula Boggs Muething

Michelle Hopkins

DeAnna Hawkins

Pam Green

Karen Finan

Keynote Speaker

Margaret Mitchell, CEO of YWCA USA

Luncheon Ends
Mission Forward Social Beings

Enjoy sips and shopping with women-owned and black-owned businesses at an after-party immediately following the luncheon on the ballroom patio.

MEET THE HONOREES

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    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.

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    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.

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    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.

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    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.

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    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.

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    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.

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    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.

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    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.

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    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.

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    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.

CHARLOTTE R. SCHMIDLAPP FUND SCHOLARSHIP AWARDEE

  • Erica Gordon is a fierce advocate for Black maternal health and family wellness. As a DONA Midwest Ambassador, she brings over a decade of dedication to serving families through birth and postpartum doula care, CPR instruction, childbirth education, and baby care classes. Erica holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, has completed nursing education, and has one year of midwifery studies at Bastyr University under her belt. In July, she will begin her Master's in Maternal and Child Health Systems — another step in her lifelong mission to transform maternal health outcomes.

    With a bold vision for change, Erica is currently launching Health Harmony, an innovative app designed to bridge gaps in Black maternal healthcare, and preparing to showcase her journey on The Blox TV show. Her work uplifts, empowers, and advocates for the voices and needs too often overlooked. Erica's leadership reminds us that when we invest in women, we invest in thriving communities. She invites you to join her movement for change by supporting her mission — because every family deserves a safe, healthy, and supported beginning.

As CEO of YWCA USA, Margaret Mitchell has prioritized Local YWCA Associations by implementing policies that promote resource sharing, offering tailored training and development opportunities, and facilitating open communication channels to address the unique needs and challenges of local communities. Her dedication, leadership, and financial acumen, have helped YWCA to better serve diverse communities across the United States, ensuring that the organization's legacy of promoting equity and inclusion continues to thrive.

Before becoming CEO of YWCA USA, Margaret was President & CEO of YWCA Greater Cleveland. In 2019, she led efforts to declare racism a public health crisis in Cleveland and Ohio. Under her tenure, YWCA Greater Cleveland also acquired the Norma Herr Women’s Center, the largest homeless women’s shelter in Cleveland, and transformed the YWCA Early Learning Center into a trauma-informed preschool serving children and families experiencing homelessness.

Previously, Margaret was the President & CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters Greater Cleveland and served as the VP of Business Development and Director of Partnerships at Big Brothers Big Sisters of North Texas (now BBBS Lone Star). In each of these roles, she expanded the reach and effectiveness of the organization – from board development, partnership recruitment, fundraising and organizational transformation focused on data.

Margaret received a BA with honors in Mass Communications from Hampton Institute – a Historically Black College and recently attended Strategic Perspectives in Nonprofit Management at Harvard Business School. In 2020, The Cleveland Orchestra, in partnership with the City of Cleveland, honored her with the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. – Outstanding Service Award. In 2019, YWCA Greater Cleveland, ranked in the “Top 10 of the Top 100 Workplaces” by The Plain Dealer – Advance Ohio and was recognized as a “Business Longevity Honoree” by Smart Business Magazine. Margaret currently serves on the Board of the National Women's Shelter Network.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

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Since 1980, YWCA Career Women of Achievement Luncheon has increased community awareness and appreciation of the diverse contributions of women in the workforce and in the community. The luncheon has evolved into the YWCA’s largest fundraising event, with sponsorships from companies, partner organizations, and friends of the YWCA each year.  

All proceeds directly benefit YWCA programs, supporting our mission to eliminate racism and empower women.

Click here to see past honorees from 1980 to 2024.

ABOUT THE EVENT


OUR 2025 CO-CHAIRS

Kristen Schlotman

President & CEO
Film Cincinnati

Alicia Townsend

Vice President, Community Outreach National Affairs
U.S. Bank

OUR SPONSORS


PRESENTING SPONSOR

LEADERSHIP SPONSORS

INNOVATION SPONSORS

EMPOWERMENT SPONSORS

3CDC

altafiber

Cincinnati Children’s
Hospital Medical Center

Duke Energy

HBH Holdings, Inc

Game Day Communications

Great American
Insurance Group

Fifth Third Bank

KMK Law

Paycor

BRAND SPONSOR

MEDIA SPONSOR

TABLE SPONSORS



BakerHostetler

Barnes Dennig

bi3
The Christ Hospital
Health Network

City of Cincinnati

Clever Crazes for Kids

CVG

Constellation Wealth Advisors

Dinsmore

The E.W. Scripps Company

FC Cincinnati

FEG Investment Advisors

Friends of Tianay Amat

Friends and Family of
Karen Finan

GBBN Architects

Government
Strategies Group

Hard Rock Casino

The Hillman Group

Huseman Group

Johnson Investment Counsel

JP Morgan

Kemba Credit Union

Kingsley & Co.

Kroger

Maribeth Rahe

Messer Construction

MSA Design

Paula Boggs Muething

PLK Communities

PNC Bank

Procter & Gamble

Stautberg Family

Talbert House

Tracey Stofa

Triversity Construction

Turner Construction Company

UB Greensfelder

NONPROFIT SPONSORS



ArtsWave

BE NKY Growth Partnership

Black Art Speaks

Cassie Brown

Cincinnati Development Fund

Cincinnati Museum Center

Cincinnati State

Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber

Cincinnati Works

Easterseals Redwood

FreeStore Foodbank

Friends and Family of Pam Green

I Hear Music

Interact for Health

Jewish Federation of Cincinnati

Sheriff Charmaine McGuffey,
Hamilton County Sheriff

Friends of Paula Boggs Muething

Mercy Health

Northern Kentucky University

St. Elizabeth Healthcare

UC Health

Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio

YMCA of Greater Cincinnati

2025 YWCA sponsorship package

Thank you to our Presenting Sponsor, The Charlotte R. Schmidlapp Fund, for their steadfast commitment and generous support of the YWCA mission. Your investment empowers our work and helps drive lasting change in our community.

46

Years Honoring Career Women

374

Women have been honored

52,400

Cumulative Attendees