The Leadership Center at the Cincinnati Regional Chamber Announces Leadership Cincinnati Class 49

CINCINNATI – August 7, 2025 – Sixty-one leaders from a variety of organizations in the Cincinnati region have been accepted for Class 49 of Leadership Cincinnati, the Cincinnati Regional Chamber’s flagship program presented by Bank of America.

Leadership Cincinnati is a 10-month, immersive leadership development and civic engagement program for established leaders in c-suite or senior executive positions who are passionate about making a difference in their communities. Through an experience-based curriculum, participants gain access to influential community leaders and government officials and connections to their peers from the business, non-profit and government sectors. This unique experience provides first-hand knowledge of the complex issues affecting our region. The program aims to inspire and challenge leaders to work with and through others to create a thriving Cincinnati region where everyone belongs.  This year’s excellence investor is Taft Law and media partner is the Cincinnati Business Courier.

“Each year, Leadership Cincinnati brings together a group of passionate, curious, and committed individuals who are ready to engage deeply with the issues and opportunities that shape our region,” said Sean Comer, Vice President of the Leadership Center, “This incoming class represents a powerful cross-section of leaders who are already making an impact who, through this experience, will be even better equipped to help move Cincinnati forward.”

Leadership Cincinnati Class 49 will be welcomed at the annual Leadership Center Celebration Wednesday, September 10, 5 – 8:30 p.m., at Memorial Hall — a cherished tradition that brings our community together to welcome the newest Leadership Cincinnati class and honor remarkable alumni. This special event recognizes individuals making a lasting impact in our region through the presentation of the Nelson Schwab Jr. Distinguished Alumni Award and the Civic Quotient Award.

Members of Leadership Class 49 include:

1. Tony Akers, Vice President Midwest Operations, SSRG – Structural Systems Repair Group
2. Jeffrey Anderson, SVP, Chief Population Health Officer, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital
3. Michael Ansari, CEO-President, Axis Interior Systems, Inc.
4. John Baines, Managing Partner, Insight Partners LLC
5. David Bareswilt, Project Executive, Turner Construction Company
6. Jamie Barron, Vice President of Marketing and Communications, The Port of Greater Cincinnati Development Authority
7. Deirdre Beluan, Chief Executive Officer, The Health Collaborative
8. Clint Berry, Operations Vice President, Messer Construction Co.
9. Lindsey Braun, Chief Financial Officer, FC Cincinnati
10. Tonya Carter, Vice President, HR Partnership and Employee Relations, UC Health
11. Emma Compton, In-House Counsel, Cincinnati Bengals
12. Tim Cybulski, Assistant Superintendent, Oak Hills Local School District
13. Meredith Delaney, President/CEO, Scripps Howard Fund
14. Kevin Donnelly, Vice President, REDI Cincinnati
15. Amy Fitzgibbons, Vice President, Marketing & Communications, Cincinnati Regional Chamber
16. Christopher Futscher, Managing Director, EY
17. Adriene Hairston, Chief Human Resource Officer, SORTA Metro
18. Matthew Hammer, Assistant Chief, Cincinnati Police Department
19. Jodi Harding, Chief Operating Officer, Talbert House
20. Jeffrey Hart, Senior Director, Strategic Sourcing, Comcast/NBCU Corporation
21. Aric Hassel, Senior Vice President/Senior Relationship Manager – Commercial Banking, Bank of America
22. Nikki Hollis, Director of Employment Services, Cincinnati Works
23. Gee Horton, Artist/Founder, Gee Horton Studios
24. Rebecca Kelley, Chief Development Officer, YMCA of Greater Cincinnati
25. Ryan Kilpatrick, Director, GBQ Partners, LLC
26. Justin Knappick, Partner, DBL Law
27. Melissa Knies, Senior Relationship Manager, SVP, KeyBank
28. Alex Kuhns, Chief Operating Officer, YWCA Greater Cincinnati
29. Elizabeth LaCause, Senior Director of Advancement, ArtWorks Cincinnati
30. Christopher LaTulippe, Vice President of Commercial Technology, The Cincinnati Insurance Co.
31. Mollie Lewis, President, New Riff Distilling
32. Sarah Leyshock, Partner, Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP
33. Elyse Lohrbach, Executive Director, Camp Joy
34. Amy Malmstrom, Co-Founder, 39Forward
35. Geoff Marsh, Managing Partner, AMEND Consulting
36. Graham Mercurio, Vice President/Strategic Growth, RCF Group
37. Shauna Murphy, Superintendent, Cincinnati Public Schools
38. Douglas Olberding, CEO & President, Pig Works, Inc.
39. Johnmark Oudersluys, Executive Director, CityLink Center
40. Cheri Padgett, Senior Vice President, Fifth Third
41. Sarah Patton, Vice President, Talent & Technology, Miller Valentine
42. Christopher Phillips, Senior Operations Manager, Amazon
43. Sherry Poland, Director, Hamilton County Board of Elections
44. Rob Quast, Vice President of Investor Relations, Kroger
45. Matt Reckman, President of Property Management, Model Group
46. Eric Robbins, Partner, Frost Brown Todd LLP
47. Will Roberson Jr., President/COO, TAYLOR LOGISTICS INC.
48. William (Billy) Santos, Market President, Truist
49. Erin Satzger, CEO, Northern Cincinnati Foundation
50. Ted Scherpenberg, Chief Financial Officer, The Christ Hospital Health Network
51. Emmy Schroder, Executive Director, La Soupe
52. Chris Seelbach, President/CEO, SPCA Cincinnati
53. Skip Sorg, Chief Risk Officer, First Financial Bank
54. Melissa Stier, Chief People Officer, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Cincinnati
55. Tim Szilasi, Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, Cincinnati Center City Development Corporation (3CDC)
56. Brian Tent, Partner and Chair of Intellectual Property Department, Dinsmore & Shohl LLP
57. Marcus Thompson, Director of Client Relationships, Terrex Development & Construction
58. Alana Tucker, Senior Director of Government Affairs, Government Strategies Group
59. Aaron Wagner, Executive Vice President, Easterseals Redwood
60. Jessica Yankie, SVP and Director of Client & Community Relations, PNC Bank
61. John Yung, Program Manager, Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr. Foundation

To inquire about future Leadership Cincinnati classes, please contact Sean Comer, scomer@cincinnatichamber.com. More information about the program can be found at Leadership Cincinnati – Cincinnati Regional Chamber

About the Cincinnati Regional Chamber 

The Cincinnati Regional Chamber is the premier business and civic organization dedicated to growing the vibrancy and economic prosperity of the Cincinnati region. To achieve its vision that Cincinnati is a growing, thriving region where everyone belongs, the Chamber seeks to grow our economy, grow our population, and grow our cultural vibrancy — with the foundation of a strong business community — to foster a welcoming environment for all. The Chamber’s membership offerings, signature leadership programs, government and regional advocacy efforts, community events such as BLINK and Oktoberfest as well as key partnerships with organizations like Cincinnati Experience, Cincinnati Compass, Cincinnati Minority Business Accelerator, and the Workforce Innovation Center lead the way in making that vision a reality. For more information, visit cincinnatichamber.com.   

Media Contact:
Amy Fitzgibbons, Vice President of Marketing & Communications, Cincinnati Regional Chamber afitzgibbons@cincinnatichamber.com | 513.579.3106