Generation

NEXT AWARDS

About Our

GENERATION
NEXT
AWARDS

December, 2027

The Aviator

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Cleveland’s Generation NEXT Awards honors the companies, organizations, and individuals working diligently to attract, engage and retain up-and-coming talent to Cleveland.

Winning companies and individuals are recognized for their efforts in helping transform the region into a premier community and making Cleveland a great place to live and work.

Past 2026 Award Winners

Mentor of the Year

Non-Profit Category: Meenakshi Sharma, Acting President & CEO / Cleveland Museum of Natural History

Small Company Category: Donyae James, President / International Cleaning Solutions

Mid-Size Company Category: Ruth Barnum, Vice President, Marketing and Growth / Apex Skin (posthumous)

Large Company Category: Marisa Darden, Lead, White Collar, Government Investigations & Regulatory Compliance Practice / Benesch

Young Professional of the Year

Non-Profit Category: Andrianna Sheriff, Marketing & Communications Manager / Cleveland Public Library

Small Company Category: Raviraj Patel, Chief Electrical Engineer / Emerald Built Environments

Mid-Size Company Category: Lalaina McCue, Mechanical Engineer / Osborn Engineering

Large Company Category: Hannah Dible, Senior Specialist, Early Talent / The J.M. Smucker Company

Company of the Year

Non-Profit Category: Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities

Small Company Category: TRG Multimedia

Mid-Size Company Category: Mars Electric

Large Company Category: Oatey

Program of the Year

Non-Profit Category: Celebration of Integrity / Better Business Bureau

Small Company Category: 12 Under 36: Members of the Tribe / Cleveland Jewish News

Mid-Size Company Category: LAUNCH Internship Program / Corrigan Krause

Large Company Category: Early Talent Program / Lincoln Electric

Employer Member of the Year

Non-Profit Category: North Coast Community Homes

Small Company Category: Ratliff

Mid-Size Company Category: Arrow International Inc.

Large Company Category: Union Home Mortgage

Lifetime Achievement Award

SueAnn Naso, CEO / Staffing Solutions Enterprises

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OUR PAST WINNERS:

Union Home Mortgage
Code3
Bostwick Design Partnership
Oatey Co.
GNCO, Inc.
Cleveland Council on World Affairs
The Sherwin-Willams Company
MIM Software Inc.
Staffing Solutions Enterprises
The Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland

"Anytime we can keep young talent it's our goal"

And then retain then in the City of Cleveland we pride ourselves in that. We’re honored to be recognized for that work.

ASHLEY ALI, UNION HOME MORTGAGE

"The work i get to do every day is worthwhile"

It’s humbling to be recognized by Engage! Cleveland for the work I do every day in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

SOPHIE HALL, SWAGELOK

"There are so many opportunities here"

For young professionals, there is an abundance of opportunities here in Northeast Ohio and we’re proud to be honored for our part in contributing to that.

CAROLYN LEKAN, THE SHERWIN-WILLIAMS COMPANY