YWCA Greater Cincinnati selected 40 emerging leaders for the 20th class of its Rising Star Equity Leadership Program, a signature initiative that for nearly two decades has prepared high-achieving women for board service and equity-focused leadership.
The Rising Star initiative traces its roots back more than 20 years. YWCA began recognizing standout young professional women in 2002 and formalized the Rising Star Equity Leadership Program in 2007 to deepen that support.
Today, the six-month program — running January through June — blends intensive leadership training, board-readiness preparation and equity-centered instruction shaped by YWCA’s long history of racial justice work. Sessions are led by local and national experts and cover everything from executive skill-building to navigating the balance between career, board responsibilities and home life.
The 2026 cohort reflects a wide range of employers and sectors, including higher education, health care, architecture, construction, social services, government, consumer products, faith organizations and small business. Participants include leaders such as Rooney Kim Lazcano, a senior environmental scientist with Procter & Gamble; Carolina Bejarano, an assistant professor at Cincinnati Children’s; and Deja Evans, founder of Beyond the Bars Beauty.
Graduates earn a “Board and Equity Leader” certification and join a regional network of past participants.
2026 Rising Star Equity Leadership Program
- Janay Eve Abolo, YWCA Greater Cincinnati, prevention education coordinator
- Kelli A. Beecher, University of Cincinnati College of Nursing, assistant professor
- Carolina Bejarano, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, assistant professor, behavioral medicine and clinical psychology
- Brittany Bibb, University of Cincinnati, outreach and engagement lead, Office of Student Leadership Programs
- Sierra Blair, Triversity Construction, senior project engineer
- Ania Cosby, YMCA of Greater Cincinnati, director of development and grants
- Brittney Cousins, Allied Construction Industries, director of workforce solutions
- Jessica Danker, American Heart Association, development director
- Annie DeGrood, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, visitor experience and accessibility manager
- Deja Evans, Beyond the Bars Beauty LLC, founder and owner
- Shelby Frank, Child Focus Inc., school-based mental health specialist
- Arethea Flowers, Flat-Out Fabulous, licensed cosmetologist/hairstylist and community empowerment specialist
- Kaycie Gardner, Caracole, financial assistance benefits navigator
- Ciara Hale, Barnes Aerospace, contract administrator
- Alexis Harris, Talbert House, case manager
- Porcha Hope, Bethany House Services, KEYS housing case manager
- Tamara Thompson Issa, content strategist
- Kasey Johansen, Women100 Cincinnati, CEO
- Rooney Kim Lazcano, Procter & Gamble, senior environmental scientist
- Morgan Lockett, Talbert House, supervisor, HCYE
- Michelle Lydenberg, Interact for Health, senior manager of data and learning
- Kalia Mahaley, NewPath, OhioRise care coordinator supervisor
- Jordan Meece, Madison Design, senior graphic designer
- Reschelle McKinney, Hamilton County, facilities asset and contract manager
- Kaitlyn Miller, Great American Risk Solutions, production underwriting manager
- Megan Mershman, GBBN Architects, interior designer and associate
- Jenna Montes, Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, mission funding director
- Amber Randolph, Women Helping Women, DVERT program supervisor
- Sarah Schaefer, Messer Construction Co., business analyst manager
- Katie Sellers, First Financial Bank, media and marketing manager
- Alexis Shambley, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, audience development marketing manager
- Lindsay Short, YWCA Greater Cincinnati, program manager
- Renika J. Smiley, Generation NOW, founder and CEO
- Latess Smith, U.S. Bank, market operations
- Bri Strong-Mosley, Communicare, director of nursing
- Dashai Thompson, Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, associate director of member relations
- Alicia Visse-Kroger, Frost Brown Todd LLP, attorney
- Da’Vonna Waller, Women Helping Women, HR director
- Ana Weickert, Beech Acres Parenting Center, manager of specialized services
- Mauri Whitlow, YMCA of Greater Cincinnati, donor relations coordinator
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