The Top 50 Cincinnati Women Leaders of 2026
Greater Cincinnati has always been a “builder” economy: global brands headquartered downtown, advanced manufacturing humming up I‑75, and a dense network of nonprofits and civic institutions that punch well above their weight. What’s especially notable right now is how many of the region’s most consequential decisions-about jobs, healthcare innovation, neighborhood revitalization, arts and tourism, small-business growth, and the future of work-are being shaped by women.
The leaders below aren’t just running organizations; they’re re‑architecting systems: how capital moves to startups, how a hospital scales research into patient outcomes, how a city positions itself for inclusive growth, and how a region tells its story to the world.
This is an editorial ranking of influence across the Greater Cincinnati metro (including Northern Kentucky). Influence here is a blend of:
* Scope (size of organization/portfolio, budget, employees, or economic footprint) * Regional impact (job creation, patient outcomes, neighborhood investment, tourism, ecosystem building) * Visibility and credibility (board service, awards, partnerships, and track record) * Catalytic leadership (bringing others together; changing how things work)
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#1 Monica Turner
If you want a masterclass in leading at scale without losing the human element, watch what happens around P\&G’s Strategic Growth Capabilities organization. Turner’s portfolio sits at the intersection of brand-building, consumer strategy, and the capabilities that keep a $‑scale enterprise relevant. She’s also known internally and externally as a “builder of builders”-someone who develops talent pipelines while still pushing for breakthrough results. In Cincinnati, that matters because P\&G’s gravitational pull shapes suppliers, creative and tech partners, and the region’s executive talent ecosystem.
#2 Mary Ellen Adcock
Few roles touch more households-more often-than Kroger’s chief merchant and marketing seat. Adcock’s responsibilities span the categories and analytics that determine what shows up on shelves and screens, how pricing and promotions land, and how the omnichannel experience connects. When that function gets sharper, it creates ripple effects across Cincinnati: local vendor growth, logistics and digital merchandising capability, and a stronger brand footprint for one of the metro’s flagship employers.
#3 Amy Gowder
Cincinnati’s aerospace and advanced-manufacturing identity is real-and Gowder is one of the leaders shaping what it becomes next. She oversees a major defense and systems operation, spanning development and manufacturing of engines and systems across military platforms. In a region where engineering talent and manufacturing know‑how are strategic assets, leadership at this level influences hiring, supplier networks, and long-horizon innovation investments that keep the metro competitive.
#4 Melissa Stevens
Brand and growth in banking aren’t “soft” functions anymore; they’re strategic levers. Stevens has been repeatedly recognized for influence in the industry and is tied to initiatives that spotlight and support local small businesses-exactly the kind of flywheel that strengthens neighborhood corridors and entrepreneurial confidence. When a major Cincinnati-headquartered bank puts real marketing muscle behind community and customer experience, it changes the tempo for how businesses get noticed, funded, and scaled.
#5 Laura Brunner
The Port is one of the region’s most practical “doers”-assembling capital tools, real estate expertise, and public-private structure to get hard projects done. Brunner’s influence shows up in the unglamorous but vital work of redevelopment, financing, and infrastructure that makes neighborhoods and business districts more investable. If you’ve seen catalytic movement in key corridors, odds are high The Port’s playbook (and partnerships) were part of the equation.
#6 Candace S. McGraw
CVG’s rise into a globally significant cargo story-and a stronger passenger airport-changed how the region connects to the world. McGraw is widely credited with steering that transformation, and even in “advisor” mode her influence echoes through workforce development, business attraction, and how Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati sell themselves to logistics, advanced manufacturing, and global commerce players.
#7 Deborah “Debbie” Hayes
Healthcare leadership is regional infrastructure leadership-and Hayes’s path (from clinical roles into the CEO seat) resonates in a city where healthcare is a major employer and innovation engine. Her role affects talent retention, clinical strategy, patient access, and the partnerships that move care delivery forward across the tri-state footprint served by the system.
#8 Tina L. Cheng, MD, MPH
Cheng sits at a powerful intersection: clinical leadership, academic medicine, and research direction. That matters because Cincinnati Children’s is not only a pediatric provider; it’s a major research and talent magnet. Leaders in Cheng’s position shape what gets studied, how discoveries translate into care, and how the region’s healthcare brand (and workforce pipeline) grows for the next decade.
#9 Sheryl M.M. Long
City managers quietly shape the “operating system” of a city: how budgets align with strategy, whether services perform, and whether the city can execute on economic development priorities with discipline. In a metro competing for talent and investment, operational excellence is a competitive advantage-and Long’s office is central to making that real.
#10 Katie Blackburn
Pro sports organizations are major businesses with city-scale influence-from brand identity and tourism spikes to stadium negotiations and community programs. Blackburn’s executive role places her at the nexus of business strategy and civic conversation, and that mix matters in a region where the Bengals are both an economic driver and a cultural signal.
#11 Moira Weir
United Way leadership is about translating donor intent into measurable community outcomes-and doing it through partnerships rather than solo programs. Weir’s influence is in coalition-building: convening employers, nonprofits, and civic institutions around shared goals that affect economic mobility and regional resilience.
#12 Julie Kirkpatrick
Tourism and destination sales aren’t just “nice to have”-they power hotel jobs, restaurant growth, convention revenue, and the region’s external reputation. Kirkpatrick’s dual role (leading meetNKY while serving as interim leader at Visit Cincy) positions her as a bridge-builder across the river, aligning how the metro packages itself to visitors, conferences, and sports tourism.
#13 Maribeth S. Rahe
Wealth management can be a quiet force-until you see how it influences philanthropic giving, endowments, and the capital strategies of families and institutions. Rahe’s leadership at Fort Washington puts her in the room where long-term investment decisions are shaped, including decisions that often flow back into Greater Cincinnati through community investment and nonprofit support.
#14 Emma Off
Every region says it wants startups. The regions that win build the pipeline: investment, mentoring, commercialization support, and founder confidence. Off’s role at CincyTech is central to that engine-helping connect innovators to capital and partners, and reinforcing the idea that Cincinnati is a place where companies can start and scale.
#15 Alecia Kintner
Arts funding is economic development in disguise: it drives downtown vibrancy, talent attraction, and the civic pride that keeps people rooted. ArtsWave’s model relies on trust and coalition-building across donors, corporations, and cultural organizations-making Kintner’s leadership consequential to how the region funds creativity at scale.
#16 Tianay Amat
Workforce development is where individual lives and macroeconomic competitiveness meet. Cincinnati Works’ mission-helping people access employment pathways-directly impacts employers struggling with hiring and communities working toward economic stability. Amat’s influence is in turning a social mission into a measurable, employer-relevant talent pipeline.
#17 Karen Finan
Northern Kentucky’s growth story is tightly linked to Greater Cincinnati’s-and OneNKY Alliance is one of the platforms shaping that trajectory through business attraction, partnerships, and a “region-first” mindset. Finan’s leadership is influential because it helps the metro act like a cohesive economy, not a set of separate jurisdictions.
#18 Pam Green
Inclusion is a business issue-especially when labor markets are tight. Easterseals Redwood’s work spans services and support systems that expand opportunity for people with disabilities and others needing access pathways. Green’s influence shows up in the way employers, healthcare partners, and community stakeholders design programs that move beyond charity into practical, dignity-first participation.
#19 Kate Ward
The Chamber’s job is to make the region more investable and more connected-through membership, advocacy, events, and coalition work. Ward’s role touches the levers that keep that machine running: strategy, revenue, brand, and engagement. Her prior corporate finance and investor-relations background adds a “metrics and momentum” mindset that matters for business community alignment.
#20 Evaline “Evie” Alessandrini, MD, MSCE
Operational leadership in a top-tier pediatric system is about systems design: clinical throughput, staffing models, quality and safety, and the day-to-day execution that enables research and care excellence. Alessandrini’s role is influential because it shapes how one of the region’s flagship institutions performs at scale-and how innovation becomes routine instead of occasional. ## Ranked list: \#21-\#50
#21 Paula Boggs Muething
Muething brings seasoned legal and operational leadership to FC Cincinnati, guiding governance, risk management, and business strategy for a fast-growing professional sports organization. Her steady counsel helps convert fan passion into sustainable revenue, trusted partnerships, and community impact while protecting the club’s long-term brand.
#22 Cady Short-Thompson
Short-Thompson’s presidency at Northern Kentucky University is defined by momentum: aligning academics, workforce partnerships, and student success to meet the region’s talent needs. By strengthening pathways from classroom to career and championing innovation on campus, she expands NKU’s economic impact across the Cincinnati metro.
#23 Elizabeth Pierce
Pierce has steered Cincinnati Museum Center through years of growth and transformation, elevating Union Terminal as a destination for education, culture, and civic pride. Her leadership blends strong stewardship with audience-focused programming, bringing in compelling exhibits and experiences that drive visitation, revenue, and community learning.
#24 Bridgit Chayt
Chayt leads Fifth Third’s commercial payments and treasury management platform, where strategic product innovation and operational discipline directly translate into better cash flow, controls, and scalability for business clients. Her track record of modernizing payments capabilities and building high-performing teams has strengthened a core growth engine for the bank and its regional economy.
#25 Dawn Paquette
Paquette drives the digital and technology strategy that helps GE Aerospace’s additive and component businesses operate faster, safer, and more connected at scale. By translating complex manufacturing needs into modern systems and data capabilities, she enables innovation, reliability, and profitable growth across critical aerospace product lines.
#26 Lisa Zwack
Zwack has made sustainability a measurable business advantage at Kroger, steering enterprise efforts on climate, packaging, responsible sourcing, and waste reduction. Her ability to align stakeholders and set clear roadmaps turns ambitious goals into practical action that strengthens supply chains and customer trust.
#27 Tracey Stofa
Stofa leads Fort Washington’s Private Client Group with a relationship-first approach that helps individuals and families make confident decisions about wealth planning and long-term security. Her blend of strategic guidance, team leadership, and community engagement reflects a leader who grows both client outcomes and Cincinnati’s philanthropic ecosystem.
#28 Daniela Neukam
Neukam’s leadership at CBRE has helped clients unlock more than $100 million in savings by turning complex real estate decisions into clear, value-driven transactions. Her ability to orchestrate portfolio strategy across industries and geographies creates leaner footprints, lower occupancy costs, and better-aligned workplaces that support long-term growth.
#29 Judi Sobecki
Sobecki safeguards and accelerates growth at Hitachi Energy by leading legal strategy across North America, ensuring complex deals and governance choices keep pace with the energy transition. Her deep utility and regulatory experience helps business leaders move faster with confidence, balancing innovation with responsible risk management.
#30 Heather Oxley
Oxley has built people systems that scale, guiding talent strategy and organizational design for a global digital engineering workforce. By championing upskilling and internal mobility, she strengthens retention, performance, and culture—advantages that directly power GlobalLogic’s ability to deliver for clients.
#31 Sandra Mackey
Mackey shapes how a large health system is experienced and trusted, leading brand, communications, and consumer engagement for Bon Secours Mercy Health. Her strategic storytelling and data-driven marketing elevate access to care and strengthen reputation across diverse communities, translating mission into measurable growth.
#32 Ann Rohrer
Rohrer brings deep organizational psychology and leadership-development expertise to Fidelity, designing learning and talent strategies that help teams adapt and excel. By strengthening capabilities at every level—from frontline managers to senior leaders—she boosts performance, engagement, and the long-term resilience of the business.
#33 Jessica Salyers
Salyers leads learning at the Veterans Health Administration, a mission-critical role that influences how a vast clinical workforce is developed, supported, and prepared to serve veterans. Her experience building talent programs at scale makes her a catalyst for stronger leadership pipelines, consistent training, and better patient outcomes.
#34 Emily Frolick
Frolick is a trusted advisor to organizations navigating digital risk, helping leaders connect strategy, technology, and controls in ways that protect growth. Her decades of advisory leadership across industries bring clarity to complex transformation programs, strengthening resilience and stakeholder confidence.
#35 Ronke Jackson
Jackson’s decades-long leadership in insurance is marked by profitable growth and disciplined execution, guiding teams across sales, pricing, marketing, and distribution. She pairs high-performance expectations with inclusive leadership, building a culture that delivers results while investing in talent and long-term client relationships.
#36 Antonia Rodriguez
Rodriguez leads operations teams at US Bank with a focus on service excellence, clear communication, and career development that helps people thrive. Her steady, people-centered leadership translates into stronger customer experiences and operational consistency—an impact felt daily in one of the region’s largest financial services environments.
#37 Corinne Winkler
Winkler is a high-impact revenue leader who has helped expand Stingray Advertising’s footprint in retail media and consumer packaged goods by pairing smart strategy with relentless execution. Known for building teams that exceed targets and for winning new business with major brands, she turns customer insight into sustained growth.
#38 Krisha Buehler
Buehler has helped scale BELAY’s virtual staffing model by simplifying processes and championing a people-first culture that keeps client experience at the center. Her ability to align talent, teamwork, and operational discipline consistently unlocks higher performance for both the organization and the leaders it serves.
#39 Paige Janson
Janson drives impact at ENGIE Impact by leading global operations that help organizations decarbonize while improving performance and efficiency. Her blend of commercial leadership and executional rigor has accelerated growth, expanded client value, and strengthened the firm’s ability to deliver sustainability results at scale.
#40 Michele Pytlinski
Pytlinski is a results-driven client strategist who has managed multiple strategic accounts while driving annual sales exceeding $15 million through smart merchandising and promotional programs. Her combination of trend awareness, process discipline, and relationship-building strengthens retention and growth for clients—and raises the bar for leadership inside her organization.
#41 Lee Stautberg
Stautberg is a go-to advisor for companies and families navigating complex tax incentives and wealth planning, translating technical strategy into real financial outcomes. Her work helps organizations invest, expand, and create jobs with confidence, while her counsel protects long-term value for clients across the region.
#42 Robie Suggs
Suggs leads Warsaw Federal with the steady vision of a community banker who understands that trust and access to capital are economic catalysts. By pairing prudent financial management with a commitment to customer and community relationships, she strengthens local households, businesses, and long-term regional vitality.
#43 Iris Roley
Roley has grown RoSho Awards & Graphics through entrepreneurial grit and a commitment to quality that makes the company a trusted partner for organizations celebrating achievement. Her leadership creates jobs, builds lasting client relationships, and shows how a locally rooted business can deliver outsized impact.
#44 Michelle Hopkins
Hopkins amplifies the mission of the Women’s Fund by translating research and advocacy into clear, compelling communications that mobilize donors and community partners. Her strategic storytelling elevates gender equity as an economic priority, helping initiatives gain the visibility and support needed to drive measurable change.
#45 Leslie Mooney
Mooney’s leadership of BLINK has helped turn a bold arts vision into a signature event that draws visitors, energizes downtown, and boosts the regional economy. With a proven track record of fundraising and community-building, she unites creative and business stakeholders to deliver impact on a massive public stage.
#46 Stephanie Hogue
Hogue provides the financial and operational discipline that enables Mobile Infrastructure to pursue growth opportunities with confidence, balancing day-to-day execution with long-term strategy. As president and CFO, she brings the governance, capital markets rigor, and stakeholder focus that are essential for scaling a public company responsibly.
#47 Heather Quinley
Quinley advances Duke Energy’s ESG and sustainability agenda by connecting environmental stewardship, stakeholder engagement, and business strategy into actionable programs. Her leadership helps translate ambitious climate and resilience goals into real-world partnerships and decisions that improve accountability and long-term value.
#48 Anu Vora
Vora blends founder drive with investor insight, leading PayTile while also backing and building mission-driven companies through Candid Ventures. Her work expands access to innovation—especially in sectors like healthcare and education—by turning bold ideas into scalable products and stronger businesses.
#49 Ilana Habib
Habib helps fuel the region’s startup ecosystem at Cintrifuse Capital by identifying promising founders and providing the strategic support that turns early traction into sustainable growth. Her investment work strengthens Cincinnati’s innovation pipeline, creating jobs and attracting new capital to the community.
#50 Julie Calvert
Calvert’s tenure at Visit Cincy elevated the region’s competitiveness for conventions and leisure travel, strengthening a key economic driver for hotels, restaurants, and small businesses. By guiding destination strategy through major civic milestones—including the planning and opening of the renovated Cincinnati Convention Center—she helped position Cincinnati’s brand for long-term growth.
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