The Top 50 Cleveland Women Leaders of 2026
Cleveland’s business story is often told through its legacy brands, its healthcare gravity, and its “quietly getting-it-done” Midwestern grit. But if you look closely at what’s shaping the region right now-new HQ investments downtown, a manufacturing-and-tech renaissance, the future of banking and insurance, and a sharper focus on equity and neighborhood vitality-you’ll find women leading the work at nearly every inflection point.
This list is meant to be read the way professional women actually talk: Who’s moving resources? Who’s building teams that win? Who’s modernizing institutions without losing the mission? Who’s turning influence into measurable community benefit?
This is an editorial ranking based on publicly visible scope of impact in the Greater Cleveland metro (enterprise scale, civic influence, workforce footprint, institutional leadership, and cross-sector reach). Titles and roles can change; this reflects publicly available information as of early 2026\.
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#1 Tricia Griffith
Progressive is one of the Cleveland region’s signature corporate engines, and Tricia Griffith’s leadership has made her one of the most consequential executives in Northeast Ohio. Beyond running a national insurer from the Cleveland area, she’s tied corporate growth to community visibility-helping put Cleveland in the national conversation through initiatives that support small businesses and veterans, and even helping lead local investment efforts to bring a National Women’s Soccer League team to the city. When a leader can influence capital, jobs, culture, and civic ambition at once, the region feels it.
#2 Heidi G. Petz
Few roles carry as much “Cleveland-as-global-command-center” weight as leading Sherwin-Williams. Petz became CEO in January 2024 and is now chair, leading the company at a moment when its downtown presence has become a literal part of the skyline. Her influence isn’t just brand stewardship-it’s a long-term bet on Cleveland as headquarters city, with ripple effects through commercial real estate, talent attraction, supplier ecosystems, and civic confidence.
#3 Jennifer A. Parmentier
Manufacturing still matters in Cleveland-and Parker Hannifin is one of the region’s most important advanced-industry anchors. Parmentier became CEO and later chair, steering a global industrial company headquartered in Greater Cleveland. Leaders like Parmentier shape the region’s economic backbone: engineering jobs, supply-chain investment, and the kind of operational excellence culture that trains talent who later seed the wider business community.
#4 Beth M. Hammack
Cleveland is one of the few U.S. cities with a Federal Reserve Bank-and that alone makes this role region-defining. Hammack’s appointment put her at the intersection of national monetary policy and local economic reality: banking supervision, payments infrastructure, and research that influences business conditions across the Fourth District. For Greater Cleveland, the Fed president is not just a finance leader; she’s a shaper of the environment every employer operates inside.
#5 Lillian Kuri
Kuri leads one of Cleveland’s most powerful civic institutions-and she made history becoming the first woman to serve as president and CEO of The Cleveland Foundation. With billions in assets and deep convening power, the foundation can accelerate neighborhood revitalization, arts and culture, workforce pathways, and inclusive economic development. Kuri’s particular influence comes from being both a coalition builder and a systems thinker-using strategy, design, and investment to move community outcomes, not just fund programs.
#6 Christine Alexander-Rager, MD
MetroHealth is a core public-serving healthcare institution for Cuyahoga County, and Alexander‑Rager stepped into the top job in 2024\. Her leadership is highly visible because it sits where mission and market collide: sustaining a safety-net system, improving financial resilience, and advocating for coordinated regional care. She’s also been outspoken on high-stakes public health infrastructure issues like trauma system capacity-exactly the kind of leadership that shapes how a region protects its people while managing costs and access.
#7 Laura Bloomberg, EdD
A metro’s talent pipeline is destiny-and CSU is one of the region’s most important “talent engines.” Bloomberg has led CSU since 2022 and has focused on strategic initiatives that strengthen the university’s role as an accessible pathway to economic mobility and workforce readiness. In a time of enrollment pressures and financial scrutiny across higher education, the ability to steer a large urban university toward relevance, stability, and partnership with employers is a major form of civic-economic leadership.
#8 Sharon Sobol Jordan
Jordan’s influence is classic Cleveland: convene, align, and fund what works. As United Way’s first female CEO in its long history, she’s pushed the organization beyond crisis response toward economic mobility-shifting how donors, nonprofits, and institutions coordinate around root causes. That kind of mission reframing changes how resources flow across the region, and it can move the needle on workforce stability, family income, and long-term opportunity.
#9 Marlena K. Boyce
Big-company HR leadership is economic development in disguise: it determines the quality of jobs, the strength of leadership pipelines, and how well an employer can compete for talent. As CHRO of Sherwin-Williams, Boyce influences culture, capability-building, and workforce strategy at one of Cleveland’s most important corporate anchors-impacting not only the company but also the region’s broader leadership and talent ecosystem.
#10 Amy Brady
Banking is becoming a technology business, and the CIO seat is now one of the most consequential roles in any financial institution. Brady’s influence runs through digital customer experience, cybersecurity posture, modernization, and how effectively KeyBank can innovate while remaining trusted. For a headquarters city, having senior technology power centered locally matters-it attracts talent and signals that Cleveland competes in the “future of finance,” not just its history.
#11 Angela G. Mago
Mago’s role sits at the crossroads of talent competition, culture, and strategic transformation. As CHRO, she helps shape how KeyBank hires, develops, and retains leaders-decisions that affect thousands of careers and the bank’s long-term ability to grow. In a region where employers compete hard for skilled labor, this kind of leadership has ripple effects well beyond one company.
#12 Trina Evans
The chief-of-staff function at a major bank is a force multiplier: it’s where strategy execution meets organizational leverage. Evans has also been recognized for leadership tied to inclusion and community impact-an increasingly important expectation for large institutions operating in legacy cities. Leaders in roles like this often shape how quickly (and credibly) a company turns big commitments into real outcomes.
#13 Ally E. Kidik
In a regulated industry, integrity is strategy. As chief auditor, Kidik influences risk management, internal controls, and governance-all foundational to trust. That may not be the loudest form of leadership, but it’s among the most important: it protects customers, shareholders, and institutional stability, and it creates the conditions for responsible innovation.
#14 Meredith Foxx, MSN, MBA, APRN
Cleveland Clinic’s global reputation is built on caregivers-and nursing leadership is a major operational and patient-outcomes driver. Foxx has led tens of thousands of nursing caregivers across the system, shaping workforce models, clinical practice standards, and leadership development in one of the world’s most recognized health systems. In a region where healthcare is a central economic pillar, this is influence at scale.
#15 Michelle D. Hereford, MSHA, RN, FACHE
UH is one of Cleveland’s anchor employers and care providers; nursing leadership there affects staffing resilience, patient experience, and clinical operations across the system. Hereford’s role-system-level nursing executive-positions her to shape leadership pipelines and care delivery across UH’s footprint, a key lever for both healthcare quality and workforce strength in the region.
#16 LaVonne E. Pulliam, JD
Healthcare compliance is where ethics, regulation, and operational reality meet. Pulliam’s role influences governance, accountability, and how a major system manages risk while delivering care at scale. In today’s healthcare environment, compliance leadership directly supports stability and trust-both essential for long-term institutional strength in Greater Cleveland.
#17 Catherine Raîche
Sports franchises are major regional brands-and high-ranking front-office leadership roles are among the most visible (and traditionally male-dominated) executive paths. Raîche’s position makes her a barrier-breaker with real influence: on talent systems, football operations strategy, and how a flagship Cleveland institution represents the city nationally. Visibility matters-especially when it expands what leadership “looks like” to the next generation.
#18 Rosanne Potter
The Cleveland Foundation’s financial leadership shapes what’s possible: how resources are stewarded, how philanthropic capital is deployed, and how strategic priorities are funded over time. As CFO (and chief growth officer), Potter sits at the point where mission meets disciplined execution-helping sustain long-term civic investment that can outlast political cycles and business cycles alike.
#19 Joyce Pan Huang
“Impact” roles are increasingly the difference between good intentions and measurable change. Pan Huang’s portfolio ties grantmaking strategy to outcomes-helping decide which levers to pull across neighborhoods, education, health, and economic development. In a region where collaboration is a competitive advantage, this kind of influence shapes how quickly Cleveland can move from planning to progress.
#20 Ayanna Hughey
Talent strategy matters in philanthropy too-especially in institutions that convene partners and manage complex, multi-year initiatives. Hughey’s role shapes organizational capacity: who gets hired, developed, and retained to do high-impact community work. Strong HR leadership here directly influences the foundation’s ability to execute on its ambitions across Greater Cleveland.
#21 Jeanne Hammerstrom
As chief marketing officer at Benesch, Jeanne Hammerstrom elevates the firm’s brand and client experience, translating deep expertise into clear market differentiation. Her strategic approach to growth and reputation-building strengthens the firm’s competitiveness and expands its impact across Cleveland’s business community.
#22 Liz Gillmore
Liz Gillmore’s people strategy ensures Benesch attracts, develops, and retains top talent in a demanding professional-services environment. By building culture, leadership development, and equitable practices, she helps the firm deliver consistently high performance for clients and the community.
#23 Sara Starrfield
Sara Starrfield protects the firm’s ability to serve clients by anticipating risk, strengthening compliance, and embedding sound governance into daily operations. Her steady leadership safeguards resilience and reputation, enabling growth while maintaining trust across complex matters.
#24 Lauren Tapper
Lauren Tapper drives the pipelines and development systems that keep a modern law firm competitive in a tight talent market. Her focus on recruiting, mentoring, and career progression helps teams thrive and positions Benesch for sustained growth and client service excellence.
#25 Nancy M. Albert, PhD
Nancy M. Albert advances nursing excellence by turning research and innovation into practical improvements in care delivery and patient experience. Her leadership elevates clinical outcomes while empowering nurses to lead change across a complex, high-performing health system.
#26 Teresa Dews, MD
As chief medical officer, Teresa Dews provides clinical leadership that strengthens quality, safety, and compassionate care for patients and families. Her ability to align physicians and teams around performance and service excellence makes a tangible difference in community health and hospital outcomes.
#27 Helen W. Williams, PhD
Helen W. Williams helps convert philanthropic ambition into a disciplined strategy that prioritizes outcomes and strengthens partnerships. Her strategic leadership ensures resources are aligned to create lasting, measurable benefit for Greater Cleveland.
#28 Heather Holmes Dillard
Heather Holmes Dillard amplifies the foundation’s mission by shaping clear, compelling communications that mobilize donors, partners, and public trust. Her leadership strengthens visibility and alignment, helping initiatives gain momentum and deliver stronger community impact.
#29 Kathleen Hallissey
Kathleen Hallissey leads grantmaking with rigor and empathy, ensuring investments are targeted, accountable, and responsive to community needs. By strengthening nonprofit partners and stewarding resources carefully, she accelerates work that expands opportunity across Cleveland.
#30 Keisha González
Keisha González brings a business-minded approach to community development by deploying social impact investing to catalyze inclusive growth. Her work helps align capital with measurable outcomes, strengthening neighborhoods and supporting long-term economic resilience.
#31 Diane Kaszei
Diane Kaszei ensures that complex grant portfolios run smoothly, on time, and with strong stewardship from award through reporting. Her operational excellence builds confidence among grantees and donors, enabling the foundation to scale impact with consistency and transparency.
#32 Debbie Donley
Debbie Donley leads with a designer’s vision and an operator’s discipline, guiding Vocon to deliver spaces that help organizations work better and grow smarter. Her executive leadership has made a lasting mark through client-focused innovation and a culture of excellence that strengthens Cleveland’s business community.
#33 Stephanie Molnar
Stephanie Molnar strengthens community outcomes by identifying high-leverage opportunities and partnering closely with organizations doing frontline work. Her thoughtful program leadership helps translate funding into sustainable capacity, innovation, and measurable results.
#34 Nicole Rosenbaum
Nicole Rosenbaum advances the foundation’s mission by building strong relationships with grantees and focusing funding on practical, community-driven solutions. Her collaborative approach helps organizations sharpen strategy, deliver services, and create lasting benefit for residents.
#35 Kathryn Terrell
Kathryn Terrell supports effective philanthropy by pairing thoughtful due diligence with a clear focus on outcomes and long-term sustainability. Her stewardship of partnerships helps nonprofits execute with confidence and expands the reach of programs that strengthen Greater Cleveland.
#36 Bronlynn Thurman
Bronlynn Thurman brings energy and accountability to program work, helping initiatives move from intention to impact through strong partnerships and measurable goals. Her contributions help ensure community investments translate into real improvements for residents and neighborhoods.
#37 Darlene Toney
Darlene Toney supports high-impact community work by listening deeply to stakeholders and aligning resources with the needs they identify. Her steady, solutions-oriented leadership strengthens grantee partnerships and reinforces the foundation’s role as a trusted convener.
#38 Allison Baker
Allison Baker shapes public understanding of the foundation’s work through credible messaging, thoughtful storytelling, and responsive engagement. By building trust and visibility, she helps philanthropic efforts attract partners and sustain momentum across the region.
#39 Kendra Davis
Kendra Davis drives integrated marketing that connects strategy, audiences, and channels so initiatives are clearly understood and broadly supported. Her ability to unify campaigns and measurement strengthens engagement and increases the effectiveness of community-focused investments.
#40 Jackie Fitch
Jackie Fitch brings consistency and creativity to integrated marketing efforts that help community initiatives reach the right people at the right time. Her execution and attention to detail improve campaign performance and reinforce the foundation’s credibility and impact.
#41 Kortney Morrow
As program director of the Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards, Kortney Morrow stewards a signature cultural platform that brings authors, educators, and community members into meaningful dialogue. Her leadership expands the program’s reach and influence, strengthening Cleveland’s reputation as a city that invests in ideas and inclusion.
#42 Lauretta Amanor
Lauretta Amanor creates high-quality experiences that convene donors, partners, and community leaders, turning gatherings into catalysts for action. Her event leadership strengthens engagement and relationships, helping grantmaking and initiatives achieve broader, more durable impact.
#43 Debi Boffa
Debi Boffa earned inclusion for leading a complex, customer-facing services business with a focus on operational excellence and strong execution in a demanding sector. Her executive leadership demonstrated large-scale business impact and helped reinforce the region’s reputation for capable, results-driven management talent.
#44 April Boyd
April Boyd helps organizations modernize their economic and community development work by bringing innovation, analytics, and change leadership to complex challenges. As chief innovation and transformation officer at SB Friedman Development Advisors, she delivers frameworks that improve decision-making and accelerate durable, inclusive outcomes.
#45 Becky Bradshaw
Becky Bradshaw guides organizations through high-stakes risk and resilience decisions that directly affect financial performance and workforce stability. As a senior vice president at Aon, she earns recognition for pairing client advocacy with sophisticated solutions that help businesses grow with confidence.
#46 Ashiss Kohn
Ashiss Cohn brings trusted advisory leadership that helps organizations navigate complex financial, tax, and operational decisions with clarity. As a partner at Moss Adams, she merits inclusion for delivering strategic guidance that strengthens governance, fuels growth, and elevates long-term value for clients.
#47 Audrey Colligan
Audrey Colligan leads complex client work that translates strategy into measurable improvements across performance, operations, and transformation. As a Deloitte principal, she merits inclusion for driving high-impact results that strengthen organizations and elevate professional services leadership in Cleveland.
#48 Samantha DeWitt
Samantha DeWitt is recognized for helping organizations tackle high-stakes challenges with clear strategy, rigorous analysis, and strong execution. In her role as a Deloitte principal, she delivers business impact by guiding leaders through change that improves performance and resilience.
#49 Kimberly Eglseder
As office managing partner, Kimberly Eglseder sets the tone for client service and talent development, balancing growth with quality and integrity. Her leadership strengthens KPMG’s presence in the market and expands the firm’s ability to support Cleveland organizations with high-value assurance and advisory work.
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