Cincinnati Chamber Releases 2024 State of the Region Report

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What We Do

Explore our programming, resources, and membership options that drive growth.

See how we celebrate, enliven, stimulate, and cultivate community in the region.

See how we meaningfully connect leaders and celebrate our business community

Explore the work we’re driving to move the region forward

Explore our talent solutions, including leadership programs and HR consulting

See the stories and legacies that lift our communities and inspire action

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Membership

Explore membership and discover growth opportunities for you and your business

Why Chamber Membership

Join the Chamber

Feature your business with a Member Spotlight in our Weekly Connection Newsletter

These events offer members points of connection, timely insights, and solutions

Monthly Member Briefing

Member Benefits 101

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Telent Hub

Explore our full suite of best-in-class leadership development programs

Explore our initiatives focused attracting, retaining, and developing talent

Explore the Workforce Innovation Center’s HR consulting services and resources

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About

Learn more about our mission, vision, and values

Meet the diverse group of leaders passionately supporting our mission

Meet the people serving our region inclusively with passion, Integrity, and fun

Interested in joining our team? Check out our current openings

FAQ

Questions? Here’s a list of things we think you may want to know

Read articles and learn more about the Cincinnati Chamber through our related news articles

Cincinnati Regional Chamber Releases 2024 State of the Region Report
Cincinnati Chamber’s Center for Research and Data Releases a Summer 2024 Labor Market Analysis for the Cincinnati Region

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Advocacy

Read articles and learn more about the Cincinnati Chamber through our related news articles

Cincinnati Regional Chamber Releases 2024 State of the Region Report
Cincinnati Chamber’s Center for Research and Data Releases a Summer 2024 Labor Market Analysis for the Cincinnati Region
Leadership Center

WE Lead

WE Lead is a leadership development program for women that focuses on the whole person, engaging with women leaders, developing strategic goals, and executing on aspirations. WE Lead leans into diversity through its programming, facilitators, experiences, and cohorts.

What is WE Lead?

WE Lead is a 10-month leadership development for women that focuses on the whole person. Participants have space to invest in themselves by tapping into multiple angles of growth, including engaging with other women leaders, developing career, life, and personal goals, and putting those aspirations into action. WE Lead leans into diversity through its programming, facilitators, experiences, and cohorts. See the latest class here.

Program Objectives

  • Become part of a community of women who share stories of perseverance, offer support, and provide counsel on career advancement strategies

  • Build a development plan with sharp vision and mission, accomplishment statements, action steps, and measurements for success

  • Deepen self-awareness of professional/personal strengths and assets and learn tactic to leverage them for career advancement

  • Enhance leadership skills and improve positioning for leadership roles

  • Identify obstacles to professional and personal growth and develop strategies to overcome them

Target Participants
Women leaders — goal-oriented women of all ages, fields of work, and years of experience

Curriculum

The WE Lead Mastermind Coaching process is guided by an impressive team of executive leadership coaches who create a safe and confidential space for important, life-changing conversations to take place.

Program Commitment

  • Kickoff reception
  • Overnight retreat
  • 5 full-day sessions
  • 4 half-day facilitated mastermind group coaching sessions
  • 2 private sessions with a professional coach
  • Graduation ceremony

 

Class 19 Program Timeframe

September 2024 – June 2025

  • September 12, 2024 – Opening Reception & Kickoff (3-5:30 p.m.)
  • September 19-20, 2024 – Overnight Retreat at Hueston Woods (9 a.m. Thursday to 4 p.m. Friday) | Mandatory Attendance
  • October 8, 2024 – Class Session (8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.)
  • November 12, 2024 – Coaching Session (8:30 a.m.-noon)
  • December 3, 2024 – Class Session (8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.)
  • January 14, 2025 – Coaching Session (8:30 a.m.-noon)
  • February 4, 2025 – Class Session (8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.)
  • March 4, 2025 – Coaching Session (8:30 a.m.-noon)
  • April 8, 2025 – Class Session (8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.)
  • May 6, 2025 – Coaching Session (8:30 a.m.-noon)
  • May 20, 2025 – Class Session (8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.) | Mandatory Attendance
  • June 3, 2025 – Graduation (3-5:30 p.m.)

Applications

Applications for Class 19 are closed. To stay up to date on future applications and other Leadership Center updates, fill out the form below.

Application Fee

$50 (non-refundable). Applicants will be asked to pay via credit card at the end of the online application process.

Questions? Contact Devona Stripling at dstripling@cincinnatichamber.com

Pricing

$4,500 for Chamber Members

$5,500 for non Chamber Members
*Partial scholarships may be available for those with financial need, and can be requested within the application. Payment plan options are also available.

Presenting Investor

Meet Your Coaches

An important and unique component of the WE Lead program is the focus on both professional and personal leadership development. The WE Lead Mastermind Coaching process allows class participants the opportunity to explore their leadership abilities, expand their self-awareness and focus on their personal development in order to achieve goals and results over the course of the program and beyond. This process is guided by an impressive team of Executive Leadership Coaches who create a safe and confidential space for these important, life-changing conversations to take place.

Michelle Lund
Chrysalis Transformations

Michelle is an Executive Coach with experience working with Leaders and Executives to transform organizations.  Michelle is a proven leader with over 15 years of leadership and talent development…

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Michelle is an Executive Coach with experience working with Leaders and Executives to transform organizations.  Michelle is a proven leader with over 15 years of leadership and talent development experience.  She has enjoyed success in a variety of industries including healthcare, financial services, hospitality and gaming.  She is passionate about the development of the team, individuals and driving corporate culture and financial success.  She thrives in projects and assignments where she can leverage her entrepreneurial spirit and identify areas for efficiency optimization. Michelle is adept at organizational excellence, business development, and consideration of potential unintended outcomes and her strengths include excellent communication skills, strategic thinking and business development.  She is energized by facilitating success in others.  She is a creative thinker, has the talent to share a vision, and makes data driven business decisions.

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Jennifer Sheffel
Summit ActionCOACH

After 20 years in Corporate America, Jennifer left her successful finance and accounting career to follow her passion for connecting the world, while leading change in our community as in a more…

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After 20 years in Corporate America, Jennifer left her successful finance and accounting career to follow her passion for connecting the world, while leading change in our community as in a more diverse tomorrow through coaching. She works with primarily females who are willing to grow through their authentic selves personally and professionally to lead them through their growth transformation. This became evident through her WE Lead experience as she graduated from the program in 2021. She became certified and is the founder of her firm, Summit ActionCOACH. Jennifer is President of the Northern Kentucky University Alumni Association; she was awarded the 2019 Haile US Bank College of Business Humanitarian Award and serves on the Bishop Brossart High School Advisory Board and Finance Committee. She resides in Alexandria, Kentucky with her husband, two children, their dog, and goat.

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Cindy Weingartner
Success Dimensions, LLC

After 25 years, Cindy left her successful career in Corporate America to follow her passion of coaching others to lead authentically by developing their emotional intelligence, communication skills,…

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After 25 years, Cindy left her successful career in Corporate America to follow her passion of coaching others to lead authentically by developing their emotional intelligence, communication skills, leadership presence, and other critical leadership skills. Cindy achieved her coaching certification through iPEC and is a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) through the International Coach Federation. As an Executive Coach, Cindy brings a unique perspective to coaching through her expertise and experiences in Sales, Marketing, Talent Management, HR, and Leadership Development. Her knack for helping clients get to the root cause of complicated individual leader or organizational challenges allows her clients to develop innovative solutions to achieve desired individual outcomes and organizational goals.

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Ife Bell
Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer for To Be, LLC.

Ife proudly wears the title of a daughter, sister, mother, aunt, and a 5th generation entrepreneur. She believes that “Leadership is a Lifestyle” and is dedicated to expanding individuals’ capacity to bring…

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Ife proudly wears the title of a daughter, sister, mother, aunt, and a 5th generation entrepreneur. She believes that “Leadership is a Lifestyle” and is dedicated to expanding individuals’ capacity to bring their very best selves to every aspect of their lives. She is a thought leader and compassionate coach with over 15 years of experience working with organizations, communities, education institutions, and nonprofits, to increase business performance and develop strategies that focus on diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. She is known as an organizational leader who can create effective strategies to increase outcomes in multiple industries. Her career track shows measurable success working with organizations and C-level leaders to increase business performance, developing strategies that focus on leadership, diversity, equity, and inclusion across all levels of an organization in her role as the Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer for To Be, LLC. Ife’s academic credentials include a master’s degree in Executive Leadership and Organizational Change and a certified John Maxwell Coach. Her passion for providing guidance and effective solutions has driven her to pursue a Doctorate in Organizational Development and Change from Bowling Green State University. She graduates in the summer of 2023.

She is at her best when fostering strong relationships, facilitating learning and development to strengthen overall business performance by leveraging people power and diversity to create a competitive advantage for organizations. By blending her academic expertise with her passion, leadership, and business acumen, Ife has championed initiatives that have contributed to significant leadership performance increases, reduced costs, increased staff capacity, and enhanced company culture of belonging for entire organizations. In addition, she is highly experienced in developing relationships with executive-senior level leadership, women leaders, and community leaders around the globe while identifying areas of growth and executing strategies that allow for positive change.

As a leader, multiple organizations have relied on Ife to create, develop and facilitate learning, cultivate highperforming leaders, coach, foster strong relationships, and streamline processes to strengthen overall organizational performance. Her attention to detail, communication, and inclusive big-picture thinking provide the essential support needed to drive outcomes. Ife has delivered on such results by launching the first district-wide student leadership and girl’s leadership program for Cincinnati Public Schools, facilitating Strengths-Based Leadership for executive leaders in the Cincinnati Chamber WE Lead, Xavier University Executive MBA, the To Be Black Women Founders Circle, and the People of Excellence Black Women Educators Circle. In addition, she has lead training and workshops at organizations and international conferences, including the Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce, Xavier University, Northern Kentucky University, Designed Learning MasterClass with Peter Block, Cincinnati Public Schools, Institute for Educational Leadership, Girls Leadership Institute, and StriveTogehter.

She is an avid reader, keynote speaker, international traveler, global philanthropist, and community advocate. She serves on the YMCA Camp Ernest Board, is the chair of the Kaleidoscope Collaborative Institute, and is the Chief of Friendship for the Tamale, Ghana Sister Cities. She is also an active member of her church, the Organizational Development Network, Black Achievers, Society for Human Resource Management, and the International Black Women’s Public Policy Institute.

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Erica Shaw
National Minority Supplier Development Council

Erica Shaw, the visionary force behind Shaw Solutions LLC, where she serves as Founder and CEO. A Maxwell Leadership Certified Coach, Trainer and Speaker, Erica is passionately dedicated to elevating organizations through impactful leadership…

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Erica Shaw, the visionary force behind Shaw Solutions LLC, where she serves as Founder and CEO. A Maxwell Leadership Certified Coach, Trainer and Speaker, Erica is passionately dedicated to elevating organizations through impactful leadership development training and coaching.

Erica’s expertise extends to her role as a Certified DISC Behavioral Analysis Trainer. Erica educates organizations on how the power of understanding different communication styles can foster a sense of belonging within workplaces. Her unwavering commitment to build capability, foster connection and inclusivity has proven transformational for numerous organizations, both in leadership growth and workplace culture.

In addition to supporting organizations, Erica provides 1:1 and group coaching programs focused on helping women position themselves to have the career of their dreams without sacrificing their personal lives. Her coaching programs focus on helping women define their Purpose, carving their unique Path, and connecting with the right People to achieve their dreams.

Boasting a 20+ year journey within corporate America, Erica’s comprehensive insights span a diverse array of disciplines. From cultivating leadership skills to spearheading Equality and Inclusion initiatives, she has consistently championed individuals on their career journeys. She successfully developed and led an award-winning E&I strategy for an organization of 700+ employees. She focuses on developing E&I strategies that encompass both individual and interactive learning, clear accountability, and heart-changing storytelling. Her focus on Unconscious Bias catapults the understanding and culture transformation throughout the organization.

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Alexa Teare-Whitford
Kukua Consulting LLC

MCC and M. Ed., Alexa translates vision to reality by unlocking potential, rooted in neuroscience and pedagogy. On C-Suites and Boards, she has worked for companies ranging startups to trillion dollar…

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MCC and M. Ed., Alexa translates vision to reality by unlocking potential, rooted in neuroscience and pedagogy. On C-Suites and Boards, she has worked for companies ranging startups to trillion dollar finance company to tech giants. Member of Forbes’ Coaches Councils, certified Enneagram practitioner, Fellow with IOC/Harvard. Global lens, candor, trust, compassion, and authenticity anchor her journey.

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What past participants had to say...

Meet Your Program Leader
Devona Stripling
Devona Stripling
Director, Women Excel and Diverse By Design

Discover the Right Leadership Center Program for You

The Leadership Center at the Cincinnati Regional Chamber offers leadership development programs that are built to grow and strengthen the regional talent base by developing civic-minded leaders. If you’re an individual looking to apply or a talent leader interested in sending employees through our programs, let us help you find the programs best suited for your goals.