Generation
NEXT AWARDS
About Our
GENERATION
NEXT
AWARDS
September 23, 2026
8:00-10:30am
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.
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
5th Annual Generation NEXT Awards
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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
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