Generation

NEXT AWARDS

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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.

 

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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 
Next Upcoming Event

5th Annual Generation NEXT Awards

23 September 2026
- Aviator Event Center
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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

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