Women We Admire is pleased to announce The Top 50 Women Leaders of Cleveland for 2024. As one of Ohio’s most vibrant cities, Cleveland boasts a diverse and evolving economy that spans finance, education, healthcare, insurance, advanced manufacturing, and technology. Known as the City of Champions for its passionate sports culture, Cleveland is also a thriving hub of business and innovation. This year’s honorees are committed not only to advancing their organizations but also to empowering their teams, clients, and the Cleveland community they proudly serve.
First, we recognize Lara Jehi, Chief Research Information Officer for the Cleveland Clinic Health System. With more than 100 peer-reviewed publications, Jehi is a regularly invited speaker at national and international meetings, and is a reviewer for NIH study sections.
We also congratulate Lisa Stiffler, a Managing Director in KPMG’s Risk Services practice. Serving one of the world's leading professional services firms, Stiffler has led large global projects across Asia, Europe, and Latin America and has significant experience helping companies with pre-IPO readiness.
Finally, we honor Traci Stahl, Chief Operating Officer for Schwab Workplace Financial Services. In her role, Stahl provides high-level oversight of the continued modernization of the retirement recordkeeping platform and leads conversations with existing and prospective clients on current and future capabilities and experiences relating to technology.
Please join us in celebrating the accomplishments of The Top 50 Women Leaders of Cleveland for 2024.
1. Lara Jehi
Chief Research Information Officer, Cleveland Clinic
Lara Jehi is the Chief Research Information Officer for the Cleveland Clinic Health System. Cleveland Clinic, located in Cleveland, Ohio, is a not-for-profit, multispecialty academic medical center that integrates clinical and hospital care with research and education.
Jehi is also a professor of neurology at Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine with a subspecialty in epilepsy. She chairs several key commissions in the International League Against Epilepsy and the American Epilepsy Society. She has more than 100 peer-reviewed publications, has written 10 book chapters, is a regularly invited speaker at national and international meetings, and is a reviewer for NIH study sections.
Jehi started her first high-level leadership role in 2011 as the director of clinical research at the Cleveland Clinic Epilepsy Center. She graduated from the American University of Beirut with an MD and from Dartmouth College with a Master's degree in Healthcare Delivery Science.
3. Julie Duda
VP, Human Capital, Deloitte Consulting
Julie Duda began her professional career 30 years ago. Today, she is the Vice President of Human Capital at Deloitte Consulting. Deloitte is a multinational professional services network, the largest professional services network by revenue and number of employees in the world. It is considered one of the Big Four accounting firms, along with EY, KPMG, and PwC.
Duda leads a team of highly experienced professionals who advise clients on their key talent challenges and provide research-based insights, thought leadership, and talent-related solutions by leveraging research and practitioner experience. She is focused on coaching CHROs and other HR leaders on how to impact organization success through leading practices and more than 20 years of experience in HR, learning, and talent.
Early in her career, Duda was an assistant manager at Jockey Stores. From there, she went on to O-Cedar Brands, before eventually rising to member success director at Bersin & Associates, LLC, her most recent position before joining Deloitte Consulting. Duda graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a Master's degree in Art History and from Hiram College with an undergraduate degree in art history.
5. Shannan Simms
Principal Director, Strategy & Consulting, Talent & Organization & Human Potential, Accenture
Shannan Simms is the Principal Director of Strategy and Consulting for Talent Organization and Human Potential at Accenture. She first joined the team in 2021. Accenture is a global professional services company with leading capabilities in digital, cloud, and security.
Previously, Simms was a vice president of advisory services for organizational change, design, and leadership at Avaap. Before that, she was a senior manager and senior associate in organizational change leadership, change management, and communications at Booz Allen Hamilton. Earlier in her career, she worked with Young & Associates as a market research coordinator.
Simms earned a Doctorate of Philosophy in Organizational Development and Leadership from The University of Arizona Global Campus. She also has a Master of Arts in Psychology from Marymount University and an undergraduate degree in psychology from Kent State University.
8. Katie Hagen
VP, Technology, Acquisitions & Portfolio Management, Brookfield Asset Management
Katie Hagen is the VP of Technology, Acquisitions, and Portfolio Management of Brookfield Asset Management. Brookfield is a leading global investment firm with approximately $1 trillion of assets under management.
Hagen is a personable, passionate, and versatile IT leader proficient in delivering both strategic and tactical initiatives. With a strong focus on team collaboration and results, she possesses exceptional communication and leadership skills, earning respect from both superiors and subordinates. Hagen has a proven track record of driving enterprise strategies, including achieving a 45% reduction in overall IT costs and a 52% reduction in staff size, while improving customer satisfaction. She is an expert at implementing new departments and processes or enhancing existing ones to enable business growth.
Hagen started her career in 2003 as a customer service representative II at AmTrust Bank. From there, she went on to Sogeti USA, before eventually rising to VP and head of information technology at Brookfield Properties, her most recent position before joining Brookfield Asset Management. Hagen graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with an undergraduate degree in mathematics.
9. Hailey Cassidy
Global Marketing Director, Life Sciences, Oracle
Hailey Cassidy is the Global Marketing Director of Life Sciences at Oracle. She first joined the team in 2022 as the digital marketing manager of life sciences. Oracle Corporation is an American multinational computer technology company headquartered in Austin, Texas.
Through years of strategic international marketing experience, Cassidy has developed extensive expertise in managing global marketing strategies. Her work in building business development through digital marketing campaigns has resulted in a proven track record of implementing successful marketing initiatives. Collaborating closely with sales teams and technical departments, she has cultivated mutually profitable relationships with customers through effective marketing partnerships.
Previously, Cassidy was a global digital marketing manager at Americhem Inc. Earlier in her career, she was a senior account manager and VP at Cassidy Advertising & Consulting LLC. She earned an MBA and an undergraduate degree in marketing/marketing management from Youngstown State University.
11. Melissa Ross
VP, Global Engineering, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
Melissa Ross is Vice President of Global Engineering at The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. In this role, she leads the development and deployment of new or improved manufacturing equipment and processes, manages a capital portfolio exceeding $1B, and drives reliability excellence to increase capability and competitiveness globally.
With more than 20 years at Goodyear, Ross has focused on setting and driving corporate and operational strategies, building and leading high-performing multinational teams and managing programs from conception to completion. She combines business and technical leadership skills with operational expertise to drive growth through key initiatives.
Ross began her career as a co-op and progressed through manager and director roles with increasing responsibility in Global Manufacturing, Global Engineering, Research & Development, and Goodyear’s Americas business. She has completed two international assignments: as an engineering and maintenance manager in Somerton, Australia, and more recently as a manufacturing director in Lima, Peru. Her strong background in project management, operations, and engineering enables her to leverage cross-functional collaboration to deliver results.
Ross holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Ohio University and a master’s degree in engineering management from Case Western Reserve University. She is also a certified Project Management Professional (PMP). In 2017, Ross was recognized by the Manufacturing Institute as a STEP Ahead Awards Honoree (now the Women MAKE Awards). Additionally, she is a member of the 100+ Women Who Care Medina County, which has contributed more than $474K to local non-profits.
13. Brianne Rush
VP, Operations, Kuno Creative
Passionate about propelling growth for healthcare and B2B clients through innovative marketing strategies and on-point messaging, Brianne Rush thrives at the dynamic crossroads of creativity and strategy. With nearly two decades of experience, she has played a pivotal role in sculpting the trajectory of Kuno Creative, a leading digital marketing agency. In her current role as Vice President of Operations, Rush wears multiple hats, orchestrating sales and marketing alignment, pioneering product development endeavors, and fostering talent through strategic recruitment and developmental initiatives.
Acknowledged as a thought leader in the field, Rush has been honored to be featured as one of the "25 Journalists in Content Marketing" and included in prestigious lists like "20 Content Marketing Twitter Accounts to Follow" and "140 Super Awesome Content Marketing Twitter Accounts Every Marketer Should Follow." Her staunch belief in the power of storytelling can be seen in her favorite eBook collaboration, Storytelling: How to Acquire Customers in Three Acts.
With a diverse portfolio boasting illustrious brands, such as Aramark, BASF, and RapidAI, Rush considers it an honor to serve as an informal mentor to emerging professionals, sharing invaluable insights and ideas that transcend the realm of marketing. Her journey from editorial roots in New York City to current leadership roles underscores her unyielding dedication to communication and career development guidance. Continuously driving impact and igniting change in both professional and personal realms, it is her goal to remain committed to shaping a brighter future for those around her.
View the complete list of awardees.
14. Tamara Prentiss
Senior Director, Global Enterprise Accounts, Honeywell
Tamara Prentiss is the Senior Director of Global Enterprise Accounts at Honeywell. She first joined the team in 2024. Honeywell invents and manufactures technologies to address tough challenges linked to global macrotrends, such as safety, security, and energy.
Prentiss is an accomplished global account manager with over 20 years of experience executing large enterprise sales strategies dedicated to electrical engineering, technology, distribution, and manufacturing industries. She spearheads global sales opportunities by cultivating critical client relationships, where they matter most. Prentiss delivers deep acumen in global markets, technology, complex sales cycles, product applications, and design opportunities to create tailored client solutions. Prentiss leverages industry acumen to secure competitive advantages that yield significant revenue growth and outperform the competition. She leads complex negotiations to translate value propositions that forge long-standing customer partnerships with a relentless focus on growth and innovation, she’s a steadfast advocate and dedicated mentor for women professionals pursuing careers in global strategy and engineering industries worldwide.
Previously, Prentiss was a director and Rockwell automation global account manager at TE Connectivity. Before that, she was the business development manager at TTI Inc. Earlier in her career, she worked with Sager Electronics as a field sales representative. Prentiss earned an undergraduate degree in French and international business from Ohio State University.
15. Madeleine Ellis
VP, Blueprint Interactive
Madeleine Ellis is Vice President at Blueprint Interactive and has led digital programs for senators, presidential campaigns, nonprofits, and digital agencies for almost 20 years. As VP, she oversees campaigns for a variety of organizations and political campaigns, running large-scale ad or advocacy campaigns, social media programs, and multi-million dollar Independent Expenditure efforts.
Most recently, Ellis was chief operating officer at Courier Newsroom, a civic media company seeking to combat disinformation. At Courier, she managed day-to-day company operations, overseeing more than 60 employees across eight states. Together with the Executive Leadership Team, she helped set and reach ambitious goals for audience growth and engagement, growing audiences across those eight states by over 350% in just seven months.
Ellis also led state and national digital advocacy campaigns at Planned Parenthood for six years as director of digital campaigns. In 2017, she was a member of the leadership team that launched Planned Parenthood's first-ever digital organizing program to combat defunding by the Trump administration. That program and campaign received over 40 million engagements, 500,000 new supporters, and one million petition signatures across the country in fewer than eight months. The program also received a Shorty Award. Ellis currently lives in Solon, Ohio, with her husband and two children.
16. Stephanie Dorsey
CEO, Siemens Real Estate Services, North America, Siemens
Stephanie Dorsey is the Chief Executive Officer for Siemens Real Estate Services in North America for Siemens. Siemens AG (Berlin and Munich) is a leading technology company focused on industry, infrastructure, transport, and healthcare.
Before joining Siemens, Dorsey was a vice president of global real estate at Eaton. Before that, she was an executive vice president of strategic initiatives and corporate operations at Forest City Realty Trust. Earlier in her career, she worked with National City Bank in the Retail Management Development program.
Dorsey graduated from Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University with an MBA in Organizational Behavior and Development and from Miami University with an undergraduate degree in general business and human resources.
18. Carrie Adkins
Executive Director, GE Healthcare
Carrie Adkins, a successful Executive business leader for GE Healthcare. For over 2 decades, she has cultivated overachieving; cross-functional teams that serve multi-billion-dollar healthcare organizations. She has roots in the pharmaceutical industry with Eli Lilly where she was a market leader in sales and developed the skills to turn around underperforming markets. She took those skills and further developed her leadership skills at GE Healthcare.
Carrie currently leads a team of 40+ professionals, accountable to over a $50M+ P&L focused on delivering value for her clients. She has developed and led the strategy for transformational growth, for both her clients and her organization. She is a leader who serves her clients and her team, underpinning her successes with a poised, contemplative confidence and an unwavering reputation for personal and professional ethics.
Carrie graduated with honors from Kent State University and resides in Northeast Ohio. She is a loving wife, mother of two children, and a dog mom. She was voted “Leader Among Leaders” as a proud graduate of Leadership Ohio Class of 2016. She actively serves on the Board of Trustees, and Executive Committee of Leadership Ohio. She is an inspiring mentor to young women. She also volunteers her time in her church community and leads volunteer events in NE Ohio with her colleagues to serve those in the greatest need with adopting family events, pantry drives, and fundraisers.
20. Judi Mondello
Senior VP, Research & Development, Campbell Soup Co.
Judi Mondello joined Campbell’s as Vice President of Research & Development (R&D) for the Meals & Beverages (M&B) division in February 2021. Judi leads the M&B R&D function, which includes functional leadership of the M&B Retail, Distinctive Brands, North America Foodservice, and Canadian R&D teams. She oversees the development and commercialization of product innovation, renovation, packaging sustainability, and profit improvement to drive growth for the M&B portfolio. In 2023, Judi was promoted to SVP, R&D, and M&B.
Previously, she spent 16 years in various R&D roles at the J.M. Smucker Company, most recently as VP of R&D, Consumer Foods. Throughout her tenure at Smucker’s, Judi led cross-disciplinary technical teams to deliver innovation, renovation, profit improvement, business continuity, sustainability, and open innovation for brands such as Smuckers, Uncrustables, Jif, Crisco, Folgers, and Pillsbury.
Earlier in Judi’s career she led product development on brands such as Hostess Snack Cakes, Wonder Bread, Little Debbie, Sara Lee Desserts, and Fresh Bread, launching hundreds of new items throughout her 25+ years in the CPG industry.
Judi is an active member of NextUP, Innovation Leaders Network, Akron Canton Foodbank and The Peter Maurin Center. Judi received her B.S. degree in Dietetics from Southeast Missouri State University, her M.S. degree in Food Science from University of Missouri-Columbia and her M.B.A. from Walsh University in Canton, Ohio.
24. Traci Stahl
Chief Operating Officer, Workplace Financial Services, Charles Schwab
Traci Stahl is the Chief Operating Officer for Schwab Workplace Financial Services, a leading provider of financial services. In this role, Stahl manages the recordkeeping transformation strategy and operations office, providing high-level oversight of the continued modernization of the retirement recordkeeping platform and supporting technology to further maximize value to sponsors, participants, and consultants. Stahl also leads conversations with existing and prospective clients regarding current and future capabilities and experiences relating to technology.
In prior roles at Schwab, Stahl gained extensive knowledge in addressing retirement plan administrative and recordkeeping matters, interpreting plan documents, assisting others in understanding the Internal Revenue Code and ERISA regulations, and reviewing and consulting on plan design and compliance. These roles included improving the participant and plan sponsor experience, supporting projects to improve business processes, and mentoring and managing colleagues. Before joining Schwab in 1996, Stahl worked at Key Bank, managing client relationships in the complex retirement plan market.
Stahl graduated with honors from Ohio University, earning a Bachelor of Business in Human Resources. She received a Master of Business from Baldwin Wallace University.
26. Amy Brady
Chief Information Officer, KeyBank
Amy Brady is Key’s Chief Information Officer, leading the company’s Technology, Operations, and Services (KTOS) organization. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, KeyCorp is one of the nation's largest financial services companies, providing investment management, retail and commercial banking, consumer finance, and investment banking products to individuals and companies.
Before joining Key in 2012, Brady was chief information officer, at Bank of America. She was responsible for technology and operations delivery for critical enterprise functions, including finance, risk, human resources, marketing, legal, and audit. She began her career with Bank of America in 1987 as a banking center manager and held various leadership roles in consumer-commercial before moving into global technology and operations and being named CIO. Brady was appointed by Lt. Governor Jon Husted to the InnovateOhio Advisory Board and is an Executive Committee member of the Bank Policy Institute’s Technology Division (BITS). She is a member of the board of directors of DuPont, where she serves on the Audit and Environment, Health, Safety, and Sustainability Committees.
Brady is active in the community, serving as chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee at Playhouse Square, the largest performing arts center in the US outside of New York City. She also co-chairs the Case Western Reserve University Corporate Visiting Committee and is the executive chair for the American Cancer Society’s 2024 Discovery Ball. Brady graduated from Rollins College with an undergraduate degree in music and psychology.
View the complete list of awardees.
28. Aimee Slone
Head of Ecosystems, East US Epilepsy, UCB
Aimee Slone is the Head of Ecosystems for East US Epilepsy at UCB. She first joined the team in 2022 as ecosystem lead of Neurology Great Lakes. UCB transforms patients’ lives by pushing the boundaries of what is possible, unlocking innovation, and setting new standards for patients.
Slone is an award-winning district manager and account leader with a history of significant achievements. In 2022, she successfully transitioned from a rotational position to a permanent role in global training, showcasing her adaptability and expertise. In 2021, she was recognized as a pioneer in franchise business strategy. In 2020, she led the company-wide virtual lunch and learn process, spearheading the rollout as the team lead for operations and training.
Previously, Slone served in multiple leadership roles at Novartis. Earlier in her career, she was a senior sales consultant for Pfizer. Slone earned an MBA in Applied Management from Indiana Wesleyan University and an undergraduate degree in biology and chemistry from Spalding University.
29. Jess Walpole
Chief Technology Officer, Fortress SRM
Jess Walpole serves as the Chief Technology Officer, responsible for the global cyber security program and technical services at Fortress SRM. She has over 28 years of security, IT, and governance experience with Fortune 1000 companies.
Throughout her career, Walpole has established and executed strategies to enable digital business transformation to support revenue generation, operational efficiency, and risk management. She earned an undergraduate degree in finance and business administration from Malone University and is an FBI Citizens Academy Alumni holding multiple professional certifications, including CISM, CISA, and CGEIT.
Walpole is an Ohio native committed to the community and serves on the NEOCC Board and NEO InfraGard. She also actively participates in professional forums and serves as a mentor with CollegeNow.
30. Sue Wadden
Director of Color Marketing, The Sherwin-Williams Company
With over 25 years of experience, Sue Wadden is an industry-leading authority on color. As Director of Color Marketing, Wadden serves as the resident color expert at Sherwin-Williams where she spearheads the brand's evolution of color strategies and shapes the landscape of color trends for homeowners, designers, and painting professionals alike.
Leveraging the latest innovations, combined with deep-industry expertise and an imagination that has no bounds, Wadden has been instrumental in developing groundbreaking initiatives such as the annual Colormix®: The Sherwin-Williams Color Forecast, and the selection of the highly anticipated annual Color of the Year. Additionally, Wadden is the head of color forecasting for Sherwin-Williams, the host of the Colormixology™ podcast by Sherwin-Williams, and the creative advisor for pioneering new color moments such as 'The Loneliest Color™, an industry-first initiative to celebrate the uniqueness and value of every hue.
As head of color for the Sherwin-Williams Global Architecture Group, Wadden strategically directs the development and execution of global color initiatives, aligning product offerings with emerging market trends and consumer preferences. Wadden not only responds to industry dynamics but actively influences them, ensuring Sherwin-Williams remains at the forefront of color innovation.
34. Sarah Brown
Director of Client Services, Optum Care Network Midwest
Sarah Brown is the Director of Client Services for Optum Care Network Midwest, where she is responsible for overseeing, developing, maintaining, and servicing a high-quality, satisfied contracted provider network. She is accountable for the quality and risk adjustment performance through Optum Care Midwest's Ohio contracted provider network, working in collaboration with clinical, operational, and quality teams. Additionally, she supports and advises account managers on managing their contracted providers.
Brown’s specialties include project management, customer service, data management, budgeting, presentation development, knowledge of healthcare policy, and event planning. Previously, Brown was the director of client success at Sound Physicians, where she was responsible for client retention and growth within the Tele-Hospitalist service line. Before that, she was the business development manager for telemedicine services at Sound Physicians, where she led development efforts for the acute telemedicine service line. Earlier in her career, she worked as a network development partner at The MetroHealth System, where she identified new targets for clinical site expansion and managed site expansion projects from business planning to opening.
Brown attended Cleveland State University, where she received an MBA in Healthcare Administration. She also earned a BA in Communication from Cleveland State University and a BA in Business Administration from the University of Mount Union.
35. Megan Nichols
Senior Partner, Head of Pension Settlement Solutions, Aon
Megan Nichols is a Senior Partner within Aon’s Wealth Solutions practice. She is also the Head of Pension Settlement Solutions, leading a team of consultants who specialize in all types of settlement strategies. She works with some of their largest clients in the development of custom strategies and the implementation of pension settlements across the firm.
Nichols is also responsible for leading the development of Aon’s thought leadership in the Pension Risk Transfer (PRT) space. She works closely with insurers in the PRT industry, overseeing Aon’s relationships with carriers across the market. Nichols has worked as a retirement consultant since 2006, managing large client relationships in Ohio and Western Pennsylvania. She has worked as the strategic advisor and as the advisor to independent fiduciary committees on settlement projects of all sizes, including several jumbo transactions over $1 billion.
Nichols holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and a minor in Business, graduating from Tulane University. She is a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries and an Enrolled Actuary with the Joint Board under ERISA.
37. Elizabeth Karl
VP, Employee Benefits, CBIZ
Today, Elizabeth Karl is the Vice President of Employee Benefits at CBIZ. With more than 120 offices and nearly 7,000 team members, CBIZ delivers top-tier financial benefits and insurance services to organizations of all sizes and individual clients. Karl brings over 30 years of employee benefits and strategic account management expertise to this role, providing clients, including HR practitioners and C-suite level executives, with guidance, strategic consultation, compliance and regulatory direction, and the development of competitive benefit portfolios.
Karl regularly conducts open enrollment and client meetings. She works closely with underwriters to illustrate annual renewals and market medical and ancillary options that are in the best interest of her clients and strategizes with medical and ancillary carriers to negotiate rates on behalf of her clients. Providing training to employer groups regarding carrier-specific utilization and communications, Karl also assists HR leadership on countless issues and serves as a supervisor and mentor to a regional team of account managers.
Karl started her career in 2002 as a principal at Quality Benefits Agency, Inc. From there, she went on to Dawson Companies, before eventually rising to principal at QBA Benefits LLC, her most recent role before joining CBIZ. Karl graduated from Cleveland State University with an undergraduate degree in business administration and management.
40. Karen Goff
VP & Dean of Students, Oberlin College & Conservatory
Karen C. Goff assumed the role of Vice President and Dean of Students at Oberlin College and Conservatory on September 20, 2021. Throughout her tenure at Oberlin, Dean Goff has spearheaded the recruitment and cultivation of a dynamic team, restructured the Division of Student Affairs to better cater to student needs, and collaborated on reimagining the student experience. Her efforts have been particularly focused on enriching co-curricular programs, implementing a student success coaching model, and revitalizing services through the Center for Intercultural Engagement, encompassing the Multicultural Resource Commons, Student Disability and Access, International Students and Scholar Services, Religious and Spiritual Life, Student Involvement and Leadership, and Career Exploration and Development. She has also bolstered crucial student support resources, prioritizing safety, health, and wellbeing, informed by data-driven decision-making.
With two decades of experience in higher education, predominantly in student affairs roles, Karen previously served as Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students at Agnes Scott College for five years and spent twelve years at Georgian Court University in Lakewood, NJ, where she significantly influenced the student experience as Dean of Students and Associate Provost for Student Life. Karen has also shared her expertise as an adjunct professor at various institutions of higher learning.
Dean Goff holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and History from Georgian Court University, a Master of Divinity with a concentration in Counseling from Nyack College, and has completed her doctoral coursework in Higher Education Administration at Northeastern University. Additionally, she holds a certificate in Leadership Development from the Center for Creative Leadership in Greensboro, NC. Karen is married to Sgt. First Class Roger Goff, U.S. Army (Retired).
View the complete list of awardees.
42. Annette Hazapis
Head of Global Client Service Center, Alexander Mann Solutions
Annette Hazapis is the Head of the Global Client Service Center of Alexander Mann Solutions. AMS is a leading global provider of talent acquisition services, providing unrivaled experience, driven by technology and underpinned by innovation.
Hazapis has 30 years of experience. She is an accomplished executive leader with a successful track record of building and leading high-performance teams. Adept at strategic planning and execution, she excels at building consensus and driving organizational commitment to profitable growth strategies. She brings energy and enthusiasm to her work, coupled with a disciplined approach to business. As a persuasive communicator with strong relationship-building skills, she has a proven ability to deliver results.
Before joining Alexander Mann Solutions, Hazapis worked with KeyBank as a VP of deposit operations and item processing in the Client Services division. She graduated from Baldwin Wallace University with an MBA and an undergraduate degree in economics.
43. Jennifer Grove
VP, Strategy & Analytics, PARQA
Jennifer Grove is the VP of Strategy and Analytics of PARQA, joining the team in 2024. PARQA is a highly skilled technology solutions consulting company that specializes in helping staffing firms drive scalable business results through consulting and executing across technology, AI, automation, data, marketing, and experience design.
Previously, Grove was a senior director of lifecycle marketing at Robert Half. Before that, she was senior director of data-driven customer experience, including marketing operations and relationship marketing, at Sherwin-Williams Paints. Earlier in her career, she worked with ST&P Marketing Communications, Inc. as a traffic coordinator.
Grove earned an executive MBA in Business Administration and Management from Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University and an undergraduate degree in journalism from Ohio University.
45. Mary Stoffiere
VP, Therapy Services for Specialty Hospitals, Select Medical
Mary Stoffiere is the Vice President of Therapy Services for Specialty Hospitals of Select Medical. She first joined the team in 2018. Select Medical committed more than 20 years ago to delivering an exceptional patient care experience that promotes healing and recovery in a compassionate environment. They have honored that promise by helping define the nation's standard of excellence in specialized hospital and rehabilitative care.
Stoffiere is a speech-language pathologist who obtained her bachelor's degree and master’s degree from The Ohio State University. She has worked in a variety of settings, including skilled nursing, acute care, outpatient, home healthcare, and long-term acute care hospitals. After working for 16 years at Grace Hospital, Stoffiere became the director of rehab at the Cleveland Clinic Rehabilitation Hospital in Avon, where she managed speech, occupational, physical, and recreational therapy.
In 2018, Stoffiere accepted the position of regional director of rehabilitation for Select Medical. Her primary area of interest is the treatment of medically complex patients. She recently completed ASHA’s Leadership Development Program.
46. Melanie Black Amato
Executive Director, Main Street Barberton
Melanie Black Amato is the Executive Director of Main Street Barberton, an organization focused on rehabilitating and revitalizing downtown Barberton through economic development and growth activities.
Amato is an outcome-driven professional with over 20 years of experience in both government and nonprofit sectors, as well as a business partner in the service industry. She is a dynamic leader with strong interpersonal skills in business management, fostering confidence, trust, and commitment from colleagues and stakeholders alike. Known for her dedication and diligence, she approaches leadership ambitiously, with an effective and proactive approach to coordinating tasks, deadlines, and resources.
Amato is also a managing partner of Goldies Restaurant and previously served as a special projects manager for Healthy Start Coalition, an association executive director for Healthy Start Coalition of Southwest Florida, and as the executive director for Drug-Free Collier. Amato has a BA in Criminal Justice from Kent State University.
View the complete list of awardees.