Watch our new #Reaffirmdiversity video

71st Annual Humanitarian Award Celebration

Thank you for an Unforgettable Evening. 

The Diversity Center of Northeast Ohio extends our deepest gratitude to everyone who supported our 71st Annual Humanitarian Award Celebration. This year, we proudly honored Kirsten M. Ellenbogen and Vanessa L. Whiting, two extraordinary leaders whose work reflects the very heart of our mission: empowering people and organizations to embrace all forms of diversity and create communities where everyone belongs. 

We are profoundly grateful to our generous sponsors whose commitment makes our work possible. Your partnership strengthens our School & Youth programming, workplace inclusion trainings, and community initiatives across Northeast Ohio. 

Explore the full list of sponsors and messages of support in our Digital Tribute Book.

During the celebration, we premiered our new #Reaffirmdiversity video, a powerful reminder that diversity is a strength, not a slogan, and that our commitment to inclusion is more important than ever. 

Watch the video here:

Because of your generosity, this year’s Fund-A-Need will directly support our School & Youth programming. These vital programs empower young people to lead with empathy, courage, and respect, shaping a future where all voices are valued. 

Donate here to our Fund-A-Need: 

To our sponsors, partners, honorees, honorary co-chairs, host committee, board members, staff, students, and volunteers, the many guests who champion our mission: thank you. Your support ensures that The Diversity Center can continue to build a more inclusive, equitable, and connected Northeast Ohio. 

Together, we are creating a future where everyone belongs. 

Event Details

When: Wednesday, November 12, 2025
Where: Hotel Cleveland, 24 Public Square, Cleveland, Ohio 44113
Time: 5:30pm Cocktail Reception, 6:30pm Dinner and Program

This event serves as an important fundraiser for The Diversity Center’s School & Youth programming, which reaches thousands of students annually. Your support enables us to empower the next generation of leaders to continue advocating for diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.
 
We look forward to gathering with you to honor these exceptional individuals and continue our collective work toward a more inclusive and respectful world.

Celebration Photo Gallery

2025 Humanitarian Award Celebration Honorees

Kirsten M. Ellenbogen

Kirsten M. Ellenbogen

President & CEO
Great Lakes Science Center

Vanessa L. Whiting

Vanessa L. Whiting

President
A.E.S. Management Corp.

2025 Humanitarian Award Celebration Co-Chairs

Peggy Zone Fisher

First Lady, Baldwin Wallace University
Past President & CEO, The Diversity Center of Northeast Ohio

Brian E. Hall

CEO
Specialized Construction, Inc.

Carole F. Hoover

President & CEO
HooverMilstein

Darrell L. McNair

Chief Executive Officer
MVP Plastics Corporation

Albert B. Ratner

Partner
RMS

Renee Tramble Richard

President & CEO, Corporate College
Senior Advisor & Counsel to the President, Cuyahoga Community College

Robyn Minter Smyers

Partner
Thompson Hine

Carla Tricarichi

Tricarichi & Carnes

Rev. Ryan Wallace

Senior Pastor
Fairmount Presbyterian Church

Leadership Champion

A.E.S. Management Corp.

Inclusion Champion

KeyBank

Barbara and Alan Rosskamm

Community Builder

Milton and Tamar Maltz

Equality Advocates

John and Karen Moss

North East Ohio Place Makers

Audrey and Albert Ratner

Robyn Minter Smyers and Bert Smyers

Unity Partners

Joanie and Tom Adler

Carol Barnak

Cynthia Bassett

Benesch, Friedlander, Coplan & Aronoff LLP

Carole F. Hoover and Cleveland Private Trust Company

Cleveland State University

Cleveland State University College of Law

First Federal Lakewood

Fisher & Phillips LLP

Frantz Ward LLP

Friends of Vanessa

Azadeh and James Hardiman

John Carroll University

Stuart and Terri Kline

Lee Fisher, President Baldwin Wallace University and Peggy Zone Fisher

Darrell L. and Ronna J. McNair

John and Karen Nestor

Olympic Steel

Parker Hannifin Corporation

Julia and Larry Pollock

PwC

Enid and Dr. David Rosenberg

RPM International Inc.

Fareed Siddiq Merrill Lynch

Dr. Paula Silverman and Rob Wolff

Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP

The Timken Company

United Way of Greater Cleveland

Lorna Wisham

Past Humanitarian Award Celebrations

70th Annual Humanitarian Award Celebration

Honoring Peggy Zone Fisher and Kevin Clayton

An NFJC Member

The Diversity Center of Northeast Ohio is a member of the National Federation for Just Communities (NFJC), a network of like-minded organizations working across America to bring the values of diversity, inclusion, and social justice to our schools, workplaces, and communities.

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