Cincy 6
For this year-end “Cincy 6,” we checked in with some of our favorite Cincinnati People to get their read on the year. From artists and influencers to poets and CEOs, this crew told us about the best bites they had, their favorite event, the music that moved them, the performances that stayed with them, and a wild card – something a little out-of-the-ordinary that they loved.
Check out their answers of the Cincy 6 questions throughout the site.
Make it stand out
Debbie Brant
President and CEO, Cincinnati Ballet
For years, she has fostered a deep and meaningful relationship with Cincinnati Ballet and has been one of the Ballet’s biggest supporters.
As the former Chair of the Cincinnati Ballet Board of Trustees and The Cincinnati Ballet Foundation, she led the capital campaign committee that secured funding for the new Cincinnati Ballet Margaret and Michael Valentine Center for Dance.
Rachel DesRochers
Founder & CEO, The Gratitude Collective
Rachel is a long-time entrepreneur who uses her positive impact to uplift the community, with a special focus on women. She is the founder of Grateful Grahams and the Incubator Kitchen Collective, the In Gratitude podcast, and the Good People Festival. She is also the creator of the Power to Pursue Summit to help foster safe spaces where women feel supported, celebrated, and seen.
Bridget England
Program Director and Monring show host,
96 Rock WFTK
You can hear her “First Thing in the Morning,” as the host of the 96 Rock morning show for 12 years, with Nick. She loves to be out and about, whether its rooting for the home teams, checking out the newest watering hole, or eating at the newest restaurants.
John Faherty
Warner-Huguenin Director of the Mercantile Library
John Faherty still cannot believe his good fortune in getting a job at The Mercantile Library. His nightstand is filled with books because he is a slow reader, but he doggedly marches on with his pattern of one challenging book followed by one fun book. He loves historical fiction and confesses a weakness for well-written crime procedurals. He has a particular affection for everything written by Kate Atkinson.
Michelle Jones
Hey Michelle
Michelle is a Cincinnati native and a huge fan of the amazing things our town has to offer…restaurants, bars, museums, parks, colleges, heritage, pro sports, arts, events and so much more! She explores these gems as a content creator at @heymichelle.
Linsey Kraeling
Content Creator, Tour de Cincinnati
A graphic gesigner by profession, Linsey creates content for the website,, Tour de Cincinnati, supporting local, drinking craft beer, and pretending she’s a tourist in her own city at @linsinnati.
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Pam Kravetz
Artist extraordinaire
For Pam, contemporary art is not a spectator sport – it is understandable, accessible, interactive and community oriented. Her artwork ranges from street art – Artworks installations at Cincinnati’s Children’s Hospital to monumental Memory Quilts in the lobby of the Contemporary Arts center. She has been the Art Director for The Blink Parade, a board trustee for Artworks ,The Art Academy of Cincinnati, Ish Festival, and Human Rights Campaign.
Melissa Lewis Cincinnati Content Creator
Melissa uses her social media page on Instagram (@cincycurlyfoodietravelgirl) to show the joy of Cincinnati living and all of the small businesses, restaurants, and events that make it great. She has never met a stranger and loves to connect with fellow Cincinnatians. Her favorite things in life are her husband, her besties, traveling, pajamas, and a great cocktail.
Andrew Maloney
Realtor | Influencer
Andrew is a Cincinnati native, a proud resident of Downtown Cincinnati, and Cincy’s unofficial Hype Man at @saw.it.in.cincy! As a Realtor®, podcast host, and influencer, he’s on a mission to showcase every cool, exciting, funky, community-driven thing our region has to offer, and to prove that Cincinnati is truly a city on the rise! From the award-winning culinary scene to the world class arts, from incredible public spaces to iconic festivals, and from hyper-local nonprofits to city-shaping organizations, nothing is off-limits for Andrew to spotlight.
D. Lynn Meyers
Producing Artistic Director/CEO
Ensemble Theater Cincinnati
As Producing Artistic Director, D. Lynn Meyers has directed more than 100 world and regional premieres at Ensemble Theatre, including “Hedwig and the Angry Inch,” “Hands on a Hardbody,” and “Next to Normal.” As a member of the Casting Society of America, she has cast for PBS, CBS, BBC, HBO, Paramount, and MGM.
Leslie Mooney
VP & Executive Director, BLINK
Leslie is an experienced and passionate non-profit leader in community-building, arts and cultural and educational institutions. After more than a decade at the Clifton Cultural Arts Center, she is stepping in to lead BLINK as its next executive director at the Cincinnati Regional Chamber.
Doug Olberding
President & CEO, Pig Works
A former Xavier University professor of sport management for 25 years, Doug is recognized for his expertise in running event management and his commitment to building inclusive, community-focused running experiences
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Yemi Oyediran
Musician, engineer, filmmaker,
”King of Them All: The Story of King Records”
Yemi is a Cincinnati-based filmmaker, music producer, and educator bridging tradition and technology. A co-founder of AfroChine and PBS Open Call finalist, he directs evocative stage productions, leads jazz bands, and advances public health through machine learning.
Krista Katona Pille
Sales & Marketing Director
The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati
Krista is strong marketing professional with a demonstrated history of working in the entertainment industry. Krista grew up on the west side of Cincinnati, which means she still lives on the west side of Cincinnati. She dreams to one day perform a one-woman rendition of “Poltergeist.”
Holly Brians Ragusa
Author and President for Ohio Poetry Association
Holly is an interdisciplinary writer, poet, speaker, activist, and awarded author of Met the End and poetry collections Inverse and Tilt a World. Contributor to Psychology Today and Cincinnati Enquirer. Entrenched in the community, HBR serves nonprofits & literary endeavors and lives in historic Over-the-Rhine.
Jackie Reau
CEO, Game Day
Jackie Reau has more than 25 years of experience and specializes in strategic communications planning, social media strategy and crisis management. She is also active in the community serving on boards of the following: Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati, Mt. Saint Joseph University, Ohio University Foundation, Reds Community Fund and the YWCA Greater Cincinnati.
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Rickell Howard Smith
President and CEO, YWCA of Greater Cincinnati
Rickell is a courageous and visionary leader who has devoted her career to uplifting women, children and families in Greater Cincinnati. As president and CEO of YWCA Greater Cincinnati, she has been a catalyst for growth and equity, most recently opening a new domestic violence shelter in Avondale and expanding services to rural counties. Her service to the community has been defined by equity and justice
Tricia Suit
Editor, Cincinnati People
An award-winning journalist and marketer, Suit has been writing calendars listings and event round-ups since the turn of the millennium. She loves to share obscure Cincinnati history tidbits with unsuspecting passersby.
Jayne Utter
Managing Director, Summerfair Cincinnati
Jayne Utter manages Summerfair, one of the most respected and popular fine art and craft fairs in the country. Over the past 25 years, Summerfair has a year-round commitment to the arts, supporting artists, programs, and exhibitions in Greater Cincinnati.