Leading by Example
The YWCA has named 10 local leaders their 2025 YWCA Greater Cincinnati Career Women of Achievement. They will be honored as outstanding role models for their leadership, vision and renowned professional success that also embrace the mission of the YWCA at a special program.
2025 Career Women of Achievement
Tuesday, April 29, 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Hard Rock Casino
Established in 1980, this event honors the diverse contributions of women in the workforce and community. Over the years, it has become the YWCA's largest fundraising event, with support from numerous companies, partner organizations, and friends. All proceeds directly benefit YWCA programs, supporting our mission to eliminate racism and empower women.
To purchase tickets or secure a partnership visit www.ywcacincinnati.org/careerwomen.
The Career Women of Achievement event is also the largest annual fundraiser for YWCA Greater Cincinnati, founded in 1868. Proceeds directly support YWCA community-wide programs in the areas of safety, racial justice and inclusion, and empowerment and economic advancement.
During 2024 more than 13,000 women, men, and children were assisted through direct services including community trainings and the 24/7 domestic violence hotline. Several community programs focus on racial justice and inclusion through direct service, issue education and advocacy.
“The YWCA'S motto is "lift as you climb," and these ten women embody that mission," said Rickell Howard Smith, President and CEO of YWCA Greater Cincinnati. "Now, we are honored to lift these women up, celebrating not only their successes, but highlighting how each uses her success as a platform for change, helping us toward our goal of eliminating racism and empowering women."
The 2025 Career Women of Achievement honorees
Tianay Amat is the President & CEO of Cincinnati Works. She is a mission-driven leader who has empowered individuals and families to advance to economic self-sufficiency through high quality education and employment with livable wages. She believes in the resilience of the human spirit and continues to remove systemic barriers to allow for meaningful change. Amat also has more than two decades in public education. She has served as an Interim Superintendent, Deputy Superintendent, Principal and teacher in both urban and suburban school districts. She was recognized as the Administrator of the Year by the Cincinnatus Association, Community Builder of the Year by the Hyde Park Neighborhood Council, received the YMCA Keystone Award, and was named Teacher of the Year by New York City Board of Education. Amat holds a Master of Science in Education from the State University of New York at Cortland and a Master of Science in Educational Leadership from the University of Cincinnati.
Karen Finan is the founding President & CEO of the OneNKY Alliance, an organization launched in 2017 to drive vision and transformation in Northern Kentucky through unity, health and education initiatives. Under her leadership and through board and community engagement and support, the OneNKY Alliance has achieved significant milestones, including the establishment of OneNKY Center in Covington strategically aligning growth organizations under one roof; OneNKY Frankfort, allowing for collective impact for community good; the launch of LinkNKY, a regional independent media platform, and the incubation and launch of EducateNKY to address improved student outcomes. A seasoned executive with a career spanning marketing, economic development and real estate, Finan's impact includes overseeing projects that generated more than 5,200 jobs and $200M in investment during her tenure at Tri-ED, as well as leading national marketing and business development efforts at Duke Realty Corporation. An NKU graduate and committed community advocate, Finan demonstrates a deep commitment to her community through volunteer service and leadership, focusing on education, social equity and empowering women of all ages.
Pam Green is the President & CEO of Easterseals Redwood, a leading human services organization serving more than 7,000 families annually across nine locations in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. Green has championed the organization's mission to achieve 100% equity, access and inclusion for people with disabilities, those with economic disadvantages and veterans. Under her leadership, Easterseals Redwood has expanded its impact through innovative programs like "Prosperity for All" for single mothers, workforce training initiatives providing meaningful employment opportunities for more than 500 people each year. Green has overseen two successful mergers, transforming Easterseals into a regional powerhouse. Green's civic engagement has been recognized with political appointments, including the Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council. Her vision has driven transformative change, including competitive wages for workers with disabilities, substantial growth in fundraising and social enterprise revenue as well as groundbreaking partnerships focused on employment as a pathway to dignity and empowerment.
DeAnna Hawkins, DNP, RN is a distinguished healthcare leader serving as Vice President of Patient Services, Acute Care at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. Responsibility for 1,300 employees and managing a $360M budget, she strategically supports six service lines nationally ranked in the top 10 by U.S. News & World Report (2024–2025). A Cincinnati native, Dr. Hawkins earned her BSN and MSN from the University of Cincinnati and her DNP in Population Health from Xavier University. Her career includes roles such as Assistant Vice President and Clinical Director, and she has spearheaded various enterprise-wide initiatives. Her achievements include national presentations, peer-reviewed publications and a dedication to health equity. Dr. Hawkins's dedication to her community and passion for healthcare serve as inspiration, particularly to the youth in her native Avondale, to pursue careers in nursing and healthcare. She has received multiple awards and honors and has served on more than 10 local and national boards and committees.
Michelle Hopkins is a three-time Emmy award-winning journalist, TV host and communications leader dedicated to amplifying impactful stories and driving equity in the Cincinnati area. Hopkins is the creator and host of Come Have Coffee with Michelle, a segment on WCPO-TV’s Cincy Lifestyle, where she highlights high profile change makers, community leaders and otherwise extraordinary people in the Cincinnati region. In her role as Communications Director for the Women’s Fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation, Hopkins advances gender equity by promoting initiatives like the Appointed Civic Leadership Academy and the Employer Toolkit, empowering women with regard to community leadership and upward mobility. Hopkins has shared compelling stories as a television journalist for more than 20 years and has been recognized for excellence through her work in public relations. She has served in community engagement and communications roles at organizations like Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Mercy Health and the Community Action Agency. Through it all, Hopkins has proven to be a credible and powerful voice for inclusion and systemic change.
Paula Boggs Muething is Chief Legal and Administrative Officer and Chief Business Officer at FC Cincinnati. She is responsible for enterprise-wide league and governance matters, legal operations, stadium and facilities operations, government affairs and risk management. Previously, she was the City Manager for the City of Cincinnati, with responsibility for a $1.5 billion budget and more than 6,000 employees; she focused on initiatives in economic development, public safety, and affordable housing. She also served as City Solicitor, creating innovative programs to combat neighborhood blight and revitalize communities, and as the General Counsel for the Port of Greater Cincinnati Development Authority, establishing the Hamilton County Landbank and leading revitalization efforts. In all stages of her career, she has volunteered on boards and commissions, demonstrating a deep commitment to justice and equality, and has devoted her career to fostering opportunities for underserved communities and advocating for women in leadership.
Iris Roley is a trailblazing entrepreneur, social justice advocate and community leader recognized across the country for her work toward social justice. She is the founder and partner of RoSho Awards & Graphics, the only Black-owned laser engraving company in Greater Cincinnati, which she co-manages with her husband Jesse and their children. Beyond her decades of business success, Roley is a nationally recognized police reform activist and an original member of the Cincinnati Black United Front. As Project Manager for the CBUF, she played a pivotal role in the landmark 2001 Collaborative Agreement, a national model for community-driven public safety reform. Roley is a part of many community boards and organizations, and uses her impact as a successful entrepreneur and steadfast advocate for justice to inspire others to enact change. Roley has been honored with many community and national awards for her forward thinking and ability to navigate difficult discussions on the path to equity.
Lee Stautberg is a partner at Dinsmore & Shohl and leads the firm’s national Tax Benefits and Wealth group, a team of 60 attorneys and paralegals. With a career spanning more than two decades at Dinsmore, Stautberg has served on the Board of Directors, Finance Committee and Personnel Committee. She is also a former tax consultant at PricewaterhouseCoopers and a tax attorney at NCR, where she earned the CFO Excellence Award for Outstanding Performance. In all phases of her career, Stautberg has consistently demonstrated exceptional legal expertise and leadership, with a strong focus on mentorship. Stautberg is committed to mentoring diverse attorneys, earning recognition as Dinsmore’s 2020 Mentor of the Year, and advancing equity through her work on the firm’s Diversity Council. Her dedication extends into her work in the community, where she serves as Lead Director of Cincinnati Works, an organization working to fight poverty through employment.
Tracey Stofa is Managing Director and Head of the Private Client Group at Fort Washington Investment Advisors, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Western & Southern Financial Group. Fort Washington manages more than $86 billion in assets. Stofa is a seasoned financial professional and trailblazer, leading a team of 17 associates, including nine women, dedicated to delivering wealth management services. She has held pivotal roles at PNC, Morgan Stanley and Fort Washington, overseeing substantial budgets, managing large teams and breaking barriers in atraditionally male-dominated field. She has successfully navigated diverse industries, from human resources to financial services, while passionately advocating for gender equity, diversity and inclusion. Stofa has prioritized mentoring women and minorities, fostering their growth, and helping them advance into leadership roles. Her commitment extends beyond the workplace through volunteer and charitable efforts, where she works to enhance financial literacy and career skills for underserved youth, helping to create a more inclusive and equitable future.
Robie Suggs is the President & CEO of Warsaw Federal, a 130-year-old banking institution headquartered in Price Hill. She oversees banking operations, strategy, compliance and community engagement across Greater Cincinnati. Suggs played a pivotal role in transitioning Warsaw Federal into the first Minority Depository Institution in Cincinnati, working with regulators to promote economic opportunity and financial equity to help people invest in the success of their own communities. Suggs has also held leadership roles at Central Trust, Provident Bank, PNC, First Financial Bank and the Cincinnati Development Fund. She has been a tireless advocate for underserved communities, creating impactful programs like "Access to Capital," which provides flexible loans to minority developers and contractors. Robie’s work and volunteerism intersect, as she serves on numerous nonprofit boards, championing affordable housing, small businesses and racial equity while advocating for the marginalized and victimized members of our community.