Cincinnati Regional Chamber Recognizes 62 Future Leaders for C-Change Class 21

The Cincinnati Regional Chamber has announced the selection of 62 leaders for C-Change Class 21, a leadership development program designed to support and elevate mid-career professionals across the region. Presented by Fifth Third, C-Change brings together individuals with more than eight years of professional experience to strengthen their leadership skills, expand their networks, and deepen their impact in the community.

C-Change is a program of the Chamber’s Leadership Center focused on preparing the next generation of civic and business leaders in the Cincinnati region. Through a combination of leadership development and hands-on community engagement, participants build the skills needed to lead effectively today while preparing for future leadership roles. As part of the program, each class collaborates on community-based projects that strengthen regional connectivity and create meaningful, lasting impact.

“C-Change is a dynamic program unique to our region,” said Andrea Mersmann, Director at the Leadership Center. “Through it, participants not only build their leadership skills, but they also learn how to influence our community in a positive way that drives vibrancy and growth for everyone.”

Members of C-Change Class 21 include:

1. Alexandra Martin, Senior Manager of Civic Engagement, 3CDC
2. Anthony Molinaro, Manager of Mechanical | Cincinnati, Osborn Engineering
3. Arjun Krishnan Srinivasan, Market Manager – Nuclear & Fire Protection, Prysmian Group
4. Asha White, Chief Operating Officer, Black Art Speaks
5. Balaram Krishna Lohit Adala, Divisional Assistant Vice President, American Financial Group Inc
6. Brett Macht, Principal | Cultural Client Leader, emersion DESIGN
7. Cameron Sagester, Strategic Partner, Government Strategies Group
8. Chris Miday, Deconstruction Manager, Building Value, LLC
9. Christian Jeon, Vice President, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
10. Cortlan Booker, Advertising Sales Manager, Spectrum Reach
11. Cory Schimmoeller, Vice President, Credit Product Specialist, PNC Bank
12. Courtney Dulle, Manager, Real Estate Finance, Merus
13. Daniel Bonacci, Project Manager, HGC Construction
14. David Borreson, Director of Operations, OstermanCron Inc
15. Russell Whitney, II, Director of People Operations, Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio
16. Ebony Pratt, Volunteer Manager, Citylink Center
17. Emalene Benson, Project Manager, BLINK/Events & Experiences, Cincinnati Regional Chamber
18. Emily Callon, Associate Director, Center for Community Engagement, University of Cincinnati
19. Eric Grote, Vice President, Senior Credit Underwriter, Bank of America
20. Eric Stock, Associate Director of Strategic Marketing & Analytics, Cincinnati Regional Chamber
21. Gina Slayton, Wealth Advisor, Financial Planning Team Lead, Bartlett and Company Wealth Management
22. Heather Montgomery, Corporate Responsibility Analyst, First Financial Bank
23. Helene Herbert, Grants Manager, Great Parks of Hamilton County
24. James Marable, Sr. Director Marketing and Communications, ArtWorks
25. Jessica Bozsan, Associate Vice President, Marketing Senior, Huntington Bank
26. Jessica Fehr, Category Analyst, Perfetti Van Melle USA Inc
27. Joe Fleissner, SVP – Commercial Banking, Fifth Third Bank
28. Kailah Ware, Creative Director / Founder, SunnyBlu Digital Art Agency LLC
29. Kathy Bach, Public Services Director, Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library
30. Katie Wilson, Director – Distribution Construction, Duke Energy
31. Kelsey Osborne, Manager, Centric Consulting
32. Kristin DeBord, Marketing Leader, Schaefer
33. Kyle Battistella, Director, Sales Operations, 80 Acres Urban Agriculture, Inc.
34. Kyle Greene, Director, Federal Sales, Cincinnati Association for the Blind & Visually Impaired
35. Kyle Kief, District Leader II and Vice President, First Financial Bancorp
36. Laura Caty Antonelli, Attorney, Bricker Graydon Wyatt LLP
37. Leah Bobbey, Director, Professional Advisor Relations, Greater Cincinnati Foundation
38. Lee Pinkston, Assurance Senior Manager, EY
39. Lou Nazir, Director, HR Operations, UC Health LLC
40. Luke Graeter, Finance and Public Affairs Manager, Graeter’s Ice Cream Company
41. Matthew Kittell, Executive Director, Sam Hubbard Foundation
42. Matthew Zimmerman, Senior Project Manager, REDI Cincinnati
43. Megan Beck, Corporate Impact Director; Community Engagement, Keep Cincinnati Beautiful
44. Melissa Clapper, Director, 84.51 LLC
45. Michael Spaeth, Private Wealth Advisor, Realize Wealth Management
46. Mike Ballenger, Assurance Associate Director, Dean Dorton
47. Nicholas Becker, Superintendent, Skanska USA
48. Nick Workman, Director of Finance, EW Scripps Company
49. Rich Schultz, Project Executive, Messer Construction Company
50. Robert “Sam” Gilley, Partner, Dinsmore & Shohl
51. Ryan Glandorf, Chief, Auto Title and Passport Division, Hamilton County Clerk of Courts
52. Sam Zeller, Partner, Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP
53. Stephanie Crisler, Director, Physician/Provider Recruitment & Integration, The Christ Hospital Health Network
54. Steve Barber, Client Relationship Manager, BHDP Architecture
55. Steven Kniffley Jr., Associate Professor, University of Cincinnati; Associate Director, Cancer Research Development and Faculty Affairs, University of Cincinnati Cancer Center
56. Steven Rheaume, Clinical Director, Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, Cincinnati Children’s
57. Thomas Feld, Director of Marketing, Conger Construction Group
58. Tim Weinkam, Sr. Controller & Shareholder, Truepoint Wealth Counsel
59. Travis Speice, Applied Research Director, Greater Cincinnati Foundation
60. Vivek Ashok, Assistant Professor, Division of General and Community Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
61. Wayde Lombardo, Client Executive, Hylant
62. Whitney Dransman, Treasury Management Officer, VP, Fifth Third Bank

To inquire about future C-Change classes, please contact Andrea Mersmann, amersmann@cincinnatichamber.com. More information about the program can be found at C-Change – 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