Leadership Center at the Cincinnati Regional Chamber Announces Cincy Next Class 13 with 54 Emerging Leaders

Cincinnati, Ohio (April 30, 2026) — The Leadership Center at the Cincinnati Regional Chamber is proud to announce the 54 participants selected for Class 13 of Cincy Next, a premier leadership development program designed to equip early-career professionals with the skills, connections, and civic awareness needed to lead and make an impact across the region.

Cincy Next brings together a diverse cohort of rising leaders from across industries to deepen their understanding of the Cincinnati region, build meaningful relationships, and develop the leadership capabilities necessary to contribute to a growing, thriving community. Through a combination of immersive sessions, hands-on learning, and direct engagement with regional leaders, participants gain valuable insights into the issues shaping the future of Greater Cincinnati.

“Cincy Next is about helping emerging leaders see their place in the broader story of our region,” said Kendra Perkins. “Each class brings together individuals who are eager to grow, connect, and contribute. Class 13 reflects the energy, diversity, and potential that will continue to move Cincinnati forward.”

Participants in Cincy Next Class 13 represent a wide range of organizations and backgrounds, reflecting the collaborative spirit that defines the Cincinnati region.

Members of Cincy Next Class 13 include:

1. Andrew Wodzisz, Relationship Manager, PNC Bank
2. Anna Resing, Project Coordinator, 1819 Innovation Hub
3. Austin Kossoudji, Accounting Director, 3CDC
4. Ben Vest, Program Officer, Farmer Family Foundation
5. Blake Weimer, Research Manager, REDI Cincinnati
6. Bowie Bender, Brokerage Coordinator, Cushman and Wakefield
7. Brooke Antilla, Applied Jewelry Specialist, The Richter & Phillips Co
8. Brooke Catherine, Organizational Development Consultant, Enerfab
9. Cady Cornell, Director of Community and Public Health, UC Health
10. Claire Duncan, Project Manage, Messer Construction Company
11. Cody Saraco-Polner, Evaluation & Innovation Manager, YMCA of Greater Cincinnati
12. Connor Bell, Project Leader, AMEND Consulting
13. Emily Throckmorton, Senior Systems Analyst, Fidelity Investments
14. Emma Biros, Founder and CEO, Love, Emma
15. Eric Schneider, Client Executive – Employee Benefits, Hylant
16. Evan Cohn, Senior Associate Attorney, Taft Law
17. Hannah Carson, Sports Sales Support & Ad Ops Specialist, Scripps
18. Hannah Haven, Grants Manager, Greater Cincinnati Foundation
19. Jacob Stephens, Sr. Government and Community Affairs Associate, The PORT
20. Jeremy Fogel, Senior Real Estate Analyst, Urban Sites
21. Jessie Cottrell, Human Resource Coordinator, Deer Park Roofing
22. Julie Mardis, Project Engineer II, Trade31
23. Katelyn Ertel, Production Underwriting Specialist, Great American Insurance Group
24. Kerry Hager, Associate Marketing Manager, SageSure
25. Kevin Kehres, Project Manager, Trade31
26. Kimberly Vallance, HR Specialist Bartlett and Company, Wealth Management
27. Kulaya Pickett, Workforce Development Manager, Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio
28. Kylie Clayton, Marketing Specialist, Turner Construction Company
29. Logan Sample, Philanthropy Coordinator, Sam Hubbard Foundation
30. Luke Jacobs, Project Engineer, Skanska USA
31. Mackenzie Kane, Internal Communications Specialist, Perfetti Van Melle USA Inc
32. Madeline Pinto, Associate Attorney, Dinsmore & Shohl
33. Mahmoud Said, Community Campaign & Engagement Manager, ArtsWave
34. Mason Shaw, Commercial Banking Representative, Commerce Bank
35. Matthew Fox, Associate Relationship Manager, Fifth Third Bank
36. Maxwell Koehne, Real Estate Manager, Fifth Third Bank
37. Morgan Miller, Sponsorship Sales Manager, 3CDC
38. Nate Cox, Operations Manager, Deer Park Roofing
39. Nate Green, Associate Financial Planner, Foster & Motley Inc
40. Nicholas Kraus, Controller, Acendion Collective
41. Nick Anderson, Assistant Chief, Compliance, Hamilton County Clerk of Courts
42. Nicole Staton, Tax Manager, Brixey & Meyer
43. Paige Marcum, Product Analyst & Insights Manager, Radicle Health
44. Patrick Coldiron , Airfield Maintenance Supervisor, Kenton County Airport Board- CVG
45. Patrick Weimer, Vice President, Commercial Banking, Commerce Bank
46. Sabina Hordinski, Research Manager, Center for Research and Data, Cincinnati Regional Chamber
47. Saran Sampathkumar, Project Manager, Triversity Construction
48. Sara Ritze, Diamond and Jewelry Specialist, The Richter & Phillips Co
49. Shaqunna Sardin, Treasury Management Client Specialist, First Commonwealth Bank
50. Sharlene Lashbrook, R&D Packaging Development Engineer, The Gorilla Glue Company
51. Suzi Poat Nestheide, Events & Community Outreach Manager, Great Parks Of Hamilton County
52. Sydney Painter, Senior Account Manager, Macías Creative
53. Taylor Baumeister, Associate Attorney, KMK Law
54. Tyler Hezlep, Wealth Advisor, Truepoint Wealth Counsel
    
    

As the Leadership Center celebrates 50 years of developing leaders through programs like Leadership Cincinnati, Cincy Next plays a critical role in building the next generation of civic leadership. The program supports the Chamber’s broader mission to grow the region’s economy, population, and cultural vibrancy by strengthening the talent pipeline and fostering deeper community engagement.

To inquire about future Cincy Next classes, please contact Kendra Perkins, Program Coordinator, Leadership Center kperkins@cincinnatichamber.com More information about the program can be found at Cincy Next – 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 Business Excellerator, 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