Intro Text

Presenting Sponsor

Agenda

5:30 – Registration, Cocktails
and Dinner by the Bite

7:00 – Program:

Welcome with Special Student Performers
Hall of Fame Induction
Live Auction
Student Performance
Outstanding Student Recognition
Paddle Raise

8:00 – Coffee and Desserts

Live Auction

We’re thrilled to announce our exciting live auction items, each one is a unique opportunity to make a difference in our cause. From luxury getaways to exclusive experiences, these items promise unforgettable moments. Let’s make tonight’s auction an unforgettable success! 

Cincinnati State Culinary Experience
VIP Concert Experience
Orlando, Florida Vacation
Bengals Ultimate Fan Package

Silent Auction

Get ready to be amazed! Our online silent auction is packed with treasures waiting for your bids. Dive into a world of stunning art pieces, indulgent spa packages, and much more. Whether you’re seeking a gift, family enjoyment, or a treat for yourself, our silent auction has something for everyone. Bid now, and let the excitement begin as you secure these incredible items while supporting our worthy cause!

Dean's List​

Amy Thompson & Family

What Impact Will You Make Tonight?

Your impact tonight at Dream Makers matters to so many young people and programs at CYC. Your generous donations will support programs and resources for over 4,000 young people this school year alone. Thank you for your support at any level during tonight’s exciting “$100,000 Pyramid of Dreams” themed paddle raise.

Thanks for being a Dream Maker

  • $2,500 will change outcomes for FOUR young people by providing life-changing support of CYC’s mentoring programs.
  • $1,000 empowers a field trip to a college campus for an entire classroom of CYC students.
  • $500 provides nourishing meals to CYC programs for over 100 young people.
  • $250 empowers career success by providing hands-on field trips to Greater Cincinnati Area Employers.
  • $100 helps prepare mentors by covering the cost of 10 mentor background checks.
  • Text “CYC” @366283 to donate any amount and fund the dreams of CYC’s young people.

CYC Staff

Rabina Anand
Workforce Engagement Manager

Karla Arango
Mentor Coordinator

Dumariyea Ballew
HS Career Specialist

Marjorie Bazin
MS Career Specialist

Steven Benson
Mentor Program Manager

Christina Black
Data & Program Services Coordinator

Lamont Bohannon
MS Career Specialist

Jason Brown
Saturday Hoops Program Coordinator

Karen Connell
Assistant to CEO

Timothy Crooks
MS Career Specialist

Michael Davis
HS Career Specialist

Dubonna Dawkins
Director of HR & Risk Management

Eileene Douthard-Harris
Mentor Volunteer Administrator

Lauren Faircloth
Gear-Up Advisor

Anita Felton
JCG Program Coordinator

Miguel Garcia Espinoza
Gear-Up Advisor

Morgan Gerber
Gear-Up Site Manager

Talor Hall
Resource Coordinator

Genard Hassell
MS Career Specialist

Bryan Hatcher
Training & Innovation Manager

Whayne Herriford
HR Consultant

Stephanie Hoffman
Finance Manager

Jenny Jostworth
Chief Finance Officer

Jamie Kemp
College & Career Administrator

Abasi Key
HS Career Specialist

Vanessa Kurtzer
Community Engagement Leader

Christopher Lipscombe
IT Manager

Kaitlin Lott
Gear-Up Director

Patricia Meridy
HS Career Specialist

Stephen Mosby
Lead Resource Coordinator

Gregory Myles
HS Career Specialist

Keya Neeley
Gear-Up Advisor

Marie Nicks
HS Career Specialist

Stephanie Parker
JCG MS Program Director

Victoria Perkins
HS Career Specialist

Azaria Pittman-Carter
Marketing & Communications Coordinator

Marie Rusincovitch
Chief Advancement Officer

Kimberly Schmahl
Resource Coordinator

Patti Shepard
Events & Donor Engagement Manager

Aaron Smith
Campus Success Coach

Kimberly Thomas
HS Career Specialist

Amy Thompson
President/CEO

Judith Moore Tucker
JCG Consultant

Reagan Turpeau
Gear-Up Advisor

Tammy West-Gilmore
Director of Corporate & Community Engagement

Leta White
JCG HS Sr. Program Director

James Williams II
HS Career Specialist- Career Association Coordinator

Amber Woody
HS Career Specialist

CYC Board

CO-CHAIR
Michelle Hershey
Managing Director
Deloitte Tax LLP

CO-CHAIR
Tom Marth
GTM Advisor
Cloverleaf

PAST CHAIR
Jack Geiger
Founder
Eñe LLC

CHAIR ELECT
Marcus Thompson
Regional Vendor Diversity Manager
Skanska

TREASURER
John Fickle
Team Leader
Keller Williams Advisors

SECRETARY
Ellie J. Reiser
Senior Sales Vice President
Comey and Shepherd Realtors

Terence Daniels
Senior eCommerce Relationship Manager
Worldpay

Ashleigh DuBois
Director of DEI
NKY Chamber of Commerce

Kerri Finke
Senior Director, Development
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital

Monica Foxx
Chief Operating Officer
FX Facility Group

Kevin Gade
Chief Operating Officer
Bahl & Gaynor Investment Counsel

DeJuan Gossett
VP/Employee Benefits Consultant
USI Insurance

Lieutenant Colonel Mike John
Assistant Police Chief
City of Cincinnati

Jan-Michele Lemon Kearney
Vice Mayor
City Council

Tony McDaniel
Senior Preconstruction Executive
Messer Construction Company

Terry McManus
Director
Fifth Third Private Bank

Greg Metz
Founder
Awesome All Around Life and Learning Coach

Laura Mitchell
President and CEO
Beech Acres Parenting Center

Amanda Penick
Partner
Graydon Law

Laura Phillips
President and Partner
Vehr Communications

Stephanie S. Shepherd
NA Senior Director – Home Care
Procter & Gamble

Hammad Siddiqi
Vice President
PNC Bank Community Development Banking

Rob Thornton
Area Director – Financial Services
Temporal

Adam Turer
Partner
Robbins, Kelly, Patterson and Tucker

Jesse Turner
Senior Director, Southwest Regional Supply Chain
The Kroger Company

Pam Webb
Retired, CHRO

YP Board

Board President
Autumn Richards
Xavier University

Board Vice-President
Meggan Thompson
Merrill Lynch

Alicia Barnache
Robbins Kelly Patterson & Tucker LPA

Olivia Blanton
Bank of America

Joe Boteler
Office of Chief Counsel for IRS

Austin Brown, Macy’s

Laura Castillo, City of Cincinnati

Kabrella Clark, Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber

Patrick Fluegeman
Operating Officer ABX Air, Inc.

Andrew Jacob
Colliers

Ryan James
Mivie

Lucien Kidd
Procter and Gamble

Cam Lane
TealBook

Brittany Long
Total Quality Logistics

Jake McGinty
Boys and Girls Club of Greater Cincinnati

Jon Murphy
SellYourMac.com

Natalie Nielsen
Myriad Neuroscience

Caroline Trennepohl
EW Scripps

Taylor Young
Crayons to Computers

John Simmons
Fifth Third Bank

Mentoring

Matches caring adults with students (grades 2-16) to help them attend school regularly, improve their self-esteem and interpersonal relationships, and encourage post-secondary employment. Options include one-on-one mentoring, group mentoring, worksite mentoring, and college mentoring.

One-to-one Mentoring: Matches caring adult mentors with students on a one-to-one basis; grades 2-12 and students within their first two years of college.

Co-Mentoring: An opportunity where two adults share in the mentoring of a student. This mentoring option offers great flexibility and is oftentimes the preferred choice for young professionals. Enjoy all the elements of one-to-one mentoring but share it with someone else (co-worker, spouse, friend)

Group Mentoring: This program offers exceptional flexibility. A team of mentors shares the responsibility of meeting with a group of students on a regular basis. Focus areas can include social-emotional competencies, life skills, anti-drug, financial literacy, and more. Programs vary based on the group of mentors, students, and school needs.

Girls Club: Serves girls grades 4&5 with a focus on self-care, career exploration, academic success, and social-emotional well-being.

Saturday Hoops: Supports students of all ages, focuses on positive role modeling, and includes activities such as basketball, arts, crafts, and reading more.

Corporate Mentoring: Matches corporate partners with students to focus on academic success, work readiness skills, and job site visits. Examples include PNC Scholars and P&G FAAN Mentors.

UC Med Mentors: Matches elementary students with 1st year medical students from The University of Cincinnati. Focuses on computer literacy, academic success, and exposure to new opportunities for students. Medical students increase their cultural competency and can use the mentoring experiences as an elective credit toward their degree.  

College and Career Success

Beginning in middle school, CYC provides comprehensive career and college guidance to partner schools. Programs supply individualized support and mentoring to ensure graduation and a successful post-secondary education transition. CYC AmeriCorps College Guides and GEAR UP Ohio Advisors provide:

  • ACT/SAT test prep support
  • Financial aid (FAFSA), college application support, scholarships and grants
  • College visits and college application support
  • Career exploration and planning
  • 12-month follow-up services to support the transition from high school

Resource Coordination

CYC Resource Coordinators support local school districts in implementing the Community Learning Center (CLC), a nationally recognized model of engaging school and community stakeholders to align resources to impact student success and promote vibrant communities.

  • Educational assistance through the implementation of tutoring, after-school, and academic success programming
  • Career guidance by facilitating college and career fairs, field trips, workshops, and more
  • Social-emotional support by providing access to physical and mental health services and a positive environment for all to express themselves

Work Readiness

The CYC Jobs for Cincinnati Graduates (JCG) Program is a nationally accredited year-round in-school program that prepares students for post-secondary career pursuits through career awareness, exploration, guidance, and placement. Specific focus areas include:

  • Classroom experiences for both middle school and high school students via a 1-credit hour class that meets every day of the school year
  • Leadership and self-development via the JCG Career Association, the Career Development Conference, and both professional and personal core competency skills
  • Summer work experiences for high school seniors and rising 9th graders that build employability skills and career learning through on-site experiences, including compensation
  • 12-month follow-up services to support the transition from high school

21C Museum Hotel  

Athleta  

Bread Smith  

CABVI 

Cafe Alma 

Cincinnati Cyclones  

Cincinnati State Technical and Community C

ollege 

Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra  

Class Axe Throwing  

Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurants  

Delta Hotel  

FC Cincinnati 

Hilton Netherland Plaza Hotel  

JCC- Jewish Community Center  

Jeff Ruby Foundation  

Kevin Gade  

Marc Braufman 

Music and Event Management Inc. 

New Riff Distilling  

Nina and Eddie Paul 

Nothing Bundt Cakes  

Orange Theory 

Paycor Community Impact Fund  

Perfect North Slopes  

PNC Financial Services Group 

Skyline Chili  

Thunderdome  

Trenton Irwin 

Woodhouse Spa