Meet Our 2024 Honorees

As an African American Woman in a male dominated industry, Tracey is a role model for success. She is the first woman to reach over 40 number one songs on the Billboard Gospel Charts and the first African American VP of gospel promotions for GospoCentric Records. She also served as VP of gospel promotions at Sony Music. Her own firm represents high profile artists, paving the way for women of color to pursue award-winning opportunities. While Black Family Reunions in other cities have diminished, Tracey is determined to continue this Cincinnati tradition in her additional role as Executive Director of Cincinnati’s annual Midwest Black Family Reunion.

Achievements, Affiliations, Awards

Bridgit oversees Treasury Management (TM) and Commercial Payments. She is one of four executive leaders in the Commercial Bank area and the only female executive VP in that business line. Recently, TM and Commercial Payments represented 9% of Fifth Third’s total revenue and 23% of the bank’s total non-interest income. Businesses of all sizes use her team’s technology. Her superiors believe it’s led to business growth, a story shared with investors and Wall Street.

She launched Fifth Third’s Women in Treasury Management (WITM) for officer-level women’s networking and personal growth. Since 2021 participants received nine prestigious President’s Circle Awards and 50 members were promoted.

Achievements, Affiliations, Awards

Strategic thinking, advocacy, legal expertise and work in civil rights have led to the improvement of the community and early childhood education’s Preschool Promise thanks to Chara. She worked for the ACLU of Georgia and served as the first membership director of the American Institute for Managing Diversity (AIMD). Chara went on to be named the first executive director of the Georgia Supreme Court Commission on Equality.

Once in Cincinnati Chara launched the “Power in a Name Project,” helping Trans and Non-Binary individuals navigate the lengthy home and gender marker change process. She initiated a grassroots effort ensuring advocacy and direct legal representation.

Achievements, Affiliations, Awards

In her current role Christie aims to disrupt generational poverty and drive equity and financial empowerment. She oversees a $13.5 million dollar budget and staff of over 80 to advocate, educate, and encourage economic development in the community. An experienced attorney, Christie served in the Ohio House of Representatives on behalf of the 32nd District. She went on to use her background as VP of UC Health. Her many contributions also include: the Cincinnati Planning Commission, former Chair of the Greater Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky African American Chamber of Commerce Board, and the City of Cincinnati Human Services Advisory Committee. She is a founding member of the Avondale Development Corporation.

Achievements, Affiliations, Awards

As leader of the Regional Economic Development Initiative Kimm drives job creation and economic development through business attrition, retention and expansion in 15 counties in Southwestern Ohio, Northern Kentucky and Southwest Indiana. REDI’s projects created more than 40,000 new jobs and $2.2 billion in new payroll while retaining over 71,000 jobs and generating $4.8 billion in capital investment. Kimm ensures that REDI is inclusive, especially assisting under represented companies in distressed locations where 80% are either minority, woman or veteran owned. She has committed REDI to work with the Minority Business Accelerator. Through The Women’s Fund she helped create a toolkit to help companies change culture and uplift women in the workplace.

Achievements, Affiliations, Awards

As the inaugural leader in this position, Jill has made an indelible mark on Bethesda’s strategic structure for grant making and governance. She has captured national attention as the first funder in the region to practice trust-based philanthropy (TBP). This innovative approach encourages multi-year unrestricted funding, streamlined reporting and transparent, responsive communication. It also ensures that every person has a fair opportunity to be as healthy as possible, reflecting Jill’s passion for accelerating birth equality, improving youth mental health, and fueling health equity and innovation at Tri-Health. She credits her mentors for encouraging her to fight for pay equity to close the gender gap in organizational leadership.

Achievements, Affiliations, Awards

Alicia is the first local woman and first African American to successfully run in city, state and county races. Currently she oversees a $1.2 billion budget for Ohio’s third most populous county. Alicia served as vice mayor on Cincinnati City Council and four-terms as an Ohio state representative where she was elected president of the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus and championed projects to increase funding for minority businesses. She collaborated to create the first Office of Small Business. More than $14 million in federal relief has been granted to over 1,400 small business owners due to her efforts. Alicia also served as deputy director of Ohio Tourism and host of “Alicia Reece Soulfood,” a national radio show and podcast.

Achievements, Affiliations, Awards

Kristen catapults Cincinnati into the international limelight by managing all aspects of Film Cincinnati. She woos producers to make their films here, reads scripts, scouts locations, identifies local crew and talent to employ, finds housing and acts as a liaison between the production and our region. Kristen weathered the pandemic and WGA and SAG strikes by organizing fundraisers, providing resources, and creating behind-the-scenes galas to showcase the film industry. Between 2019 and 2022, she brought 25 productions to the region resulting in $258 million in economic impact and 1,873 jobs. Kristen also works with Drew and Lea Lachey to produce the U.S. tour of the musical “Label:less” which showcases themes of inclusion and acceptance.

Achievements, Affiliations, Awards

Extending to 16 states, Alicia drives strategy to mitigate reputation risk, ensures the bank meets the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) requirements, and manages $5.3 million in philanthropic giving. A long list of women have supported her career journey, helping Alicia believe that giving back is a mandate; it is not an option. She has held numerous roles in her professional assent, starting with administrative assistant, assistant VP for Visa check cards, retail branch manager, and administrator in personal and corporate trust. Her growing wealth of experience and humble beginnings enabled her to establish programs for entrepreneurs that positively impact small business owners and the local economy.

Achievements, Affiliations, Awards

Kelly is a financial advisor at UBS Financial Services and works with FTB Financial Services team. They deliver financial planning and wealth management services for corporate executives and their families. FTB is ranked by Forbes among the top 100 wealth advisors in the nation, with an estimated $3.3 billion in assets under management. Early on Kelly earned her Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation. Only 24% of CFPs are women.

In 2010, Kelly became the first female financial advisor on the FTB Financial Services team. As a mentor she invites colleagues, friends and clients to join her in community activities where she serves on the Board: ArtsWave and ProKids, a nonprofit where she was also a Court Appointed Special Advocate volunteer for children.

Achievements, Affiliations, Awards