25 in 25 Awards Program Honors Local Emerging Talent In Annual Ceremony

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

25 in 25 Awards Program Honors Local Emerging Talent In Annual Ceremony 

Cleveland, Ohio —May 21, 2025 –  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  — Get ready to be inspired, Cleveland! Engage! Cleveland is thrilled to announce the annual 25 in 25 Awards Ceremony, a celebration of the city’s most accomplished emerging professionals.

On Thursday, June 12th, 2025, from 8:00 AM to 9:30 AM, The Aviator Cleveland will come alive as Engage! Cleveland honors 25 exceptional individuals who are making waves in their careers, communities, and personal lives. This event, held during the 12th Annual Cleveland Young Professionals Week, is set to become an annual tradition, with plans to recognize 25 rising stars in 2025 and beyond.

“These honorees are the future of Cleveland,” said Ashley Basile Oeken, President of Engage! Cleveland. “They are the visionaries, the innovators, and the leaders who are shaping the city’s tomorrow. We can’t wait to celebrate their remarkable achievements and inspire the next generation of talent to call Cleveland home.”

The 25 Emerging Professionals You Need to Know in 2025 were handpicked through a thoughtful and highly competitive nomination process, celebrating those whose peers recognized their outstanding accomplishments across professional, civic, and personal arenas. Representing a vibrant spectrum of industries, experiences, and perspectives, this dynamic group reflects the remarkable breadth of talent shaping Cleveland’s future. From a tireless advocate for police accountability to a trailblazing marketing strategist, this year’s 25 in 25 honorees exemplify what it means to lead, inspire, and drive meaningful change in our city. Join Engage! Cleveland as we honor these bright minds and spark a renewed sense of pride and possibility in Cleveland’s next generation.

Nominations were based on significant professional, civic, or personal achievement. They were not selected by age, race, industry, or job title. In order to recognize a wide range of individuals, Engage! Cleveland conducted multiple rounds of calls for nominations beginning in January 2025. 

The 25 Emerging Professionals You Need To Know In 2025 are:

• Tyler Adams, Vice President of Development at Junior Achievement of Greater Cleveland 
• Annalee Berger, Senior Human Resources Generalist at CBIZ, Inc.
• Blake Babcock, Vice President, Client Engagement at Staffing Solutions Enterprises
• Demetric Banks, Senior Business Intelligence Developer at Progressive Insurance
• George Bukenya, Research Scientist at Cleveland Clinic
• Michael Bustamante, Director of Diversity and Strategic Initiatives at Case Western Reserve University
• Devin Cotten, Founder & CEO at Universal Basic Employment
• Kierra Cotton, Marketing and Communications Manager/ In-Arena Host at Port of Cleveland/ Cleveland Cavaliers- Charge
• Sara Greicious, Director of Cleveland Talent Alliance at Destination Cleveland 
• Emily Harper, Senior Project Manager at Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland
• Edwin Hubbard, Executive Director at NAACP
• Emily Keller-Dey, Director, Sustainability Initiatives at Greater Cleveland Partnership
• Omar Kurdi, Chief Executive Officer at Friends for Life Rehabilitation Services
• Chris Laboda, Senior Audit Manager at Maloney + Novotny LLC
• Jimmy Leanza, Experienced Audit Manager at BDO USA
• Jason Lockett Sr., Founder, Executive Director at Breadwinners Academy
• Sophia Long, Director, Industry Advancement Programs at Team NEO
• Melanie Myers, Organization Development Leader, Oswald Companies 
• Luciana Salles, Digital Product Manager at Avery Dennison 
• Katie Schrader, Learning and Development Specialist at The J.M. Smucker Co.
• Cherron Smith, Learning Community Coordinator for CommUNITY Lab at Kent State University
• Joey Stoffer, Regional Broker Sales Director at MedMutual Protect (Medical Mutual Family)
• Bethany Studenic, Co-Founder and Managing Director at Enlightened Solutions
• Shayna Swerdlow, Schoolhouse Interpretive Manager at Lake County Metroparks
• Dameyonna Willis, Executive Director at Queen IAM

This list was selected by a committee of Engage! Cleveland stakeholders, staff, and Board of Directors. Tickets for the 25 in 25 Awards Ceremony are available beginning May 5th, 2025 at engagecleveland.org. Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of this annual celebration and discover the individuals who are poised to take Cleveland to new heights.

To learn more about Engage! Cleveland, please visit engagecleveland.org and follow the nonprofit on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, Threads, and X.

Engage! Cleveland’s 12th  Annual Young Professionals Week is made possible by presenting sponsor Sherwin – Williams and additional sponsors by Greater Cleveland Partnership, Carnegie Companies, Oberlin College and Conservatory.

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www.engagecleveland.org | 3135 Euclid Ave # 103, Cleveland, OH 44115

About Engage! Cleveland

Engage! Cleveland is a community engagement organization for young professionals and business/community leaders who are passionate about making Cleveland a lasting home for the next generation. Our goal is to attract, engage and retain young, diverse talent to Greater Cleveland by connecting young professionals to people, jobs, organizations, and events. You can learn more at www.engagecleveland.org.