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PLEASE JOIN US FOR
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 2025
HARD ROCK CASINO CINCINNATI
8:00 AM TO 3:00 PM (REVISED)
MUST BE AT LEAST 21 YEARS OF AGE TO ATTEND
THIS EVENT WAS CREATED IN 2020 IN RESPONSE TO THE NATIONAL CALL FOR RACIAL EQUITY. SINCE THEN, WE HAVE PRESENTED SEVEN EVENTS THAT DISCUSSED A HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF ECONOMIC INEQUITIES IN AMERICA; THE CURRENT RACIAL WEALTH GAP IN HOMEOWNERSHIP, ENTREPRENEURSHIP, AND FOR BLACK WOMEN IN PARTICULAR; DISPARITIES IN RACIAL HEALTH EQUITY; AND HOW CORPORATE AMERICA HAS THE POWER AND RESOURCES AND THEREFORE, CAN AND MUST LEAD THE WAY TO MEASURABLY ADVANCE
RACIAL EQUITY IN THE UNITED STATES.
THE 2025 THINK TANK ON EQUITY & INCLUSION WILL CONTINUE THIS CRITICAL DISCUSSION BY PRESENTING BOLD STRATEGIES BEING IMPLEMENTED BY CORPORATIONS, HEALTH SYSTEMS, AND ORGANIZATIONS TO MEASURABLY ADVANCE RACIAL HEALTH AND WEALTH EQUITY.
FEATURING
DR. UCHE BLACKSTOCK
FOUNDER & CEO, ADVANCING HEALTH EQUITY
AUTHOR, LEGACY: A BLACK PHYSICIAN RECKONS WITH RACISM IN MEDICINE
DR. UCHE BLACKSTOCK
FOUNDER & CEO
Dr. Uche Blackstock is a physician and thought leader on bias and racism in healthcare. She appears on air regularly as an MSNBC medical contributor and is the Founder & CEO of Advancing Health Equity, as well as a former associate professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine and the former faculty director for recruitment, retention, and inclusion in the Office of Diversity Affairs at NYU School of Medicine.
Dr. Blackstock received both her undergraduate and medical degrees from Harvard University, making her and her twin sister, Oni, the first Black mother-daughter legacies from Harvard Medical School. Dr. Blackstock currently lives in her hometown of Brooklyn, New York, with her two small children.
PRESENTED BY
CITY OF CINCINNATI | UC HEALTH | UNITED WAY OF GREATER CINCINNATI
FIFTH THIRD BANK | THE CHRIST HOSPITAL HEALTH NETWORK | TURNER CONSTRUCTION
AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION | EMERGE MANUFACTURING | INTERACT FOR HEALTH
MESSER CONSTRUCTION | MINORITY BUSINESS ACCELERATOR | PAYCOR
ST. ELIZABETH HEALTHCARE | THE HEALTH COLLABORATIVE
CINTAS CORPORATION | DUKE ENERGY | FIRST FINANCIAL BANK | GREATER CINCINNATI FOUNDATION
SOUTHWEST OHIO REGIONAL TRANSIT AUTHORITY | TRIHEALTH
AGENDA
8:00 - 8:30 AM
NETWORKING & CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST
8:30 - 9:20 AM
BOLDLY ADVANCING HEALTH EQUITY PRESENTED BY UC HEALTH
EVELYN AGBOMI, MARYSE AMIN, MD, RUBY CRAWFORD-HEMPHILL,
HEATHER MASTERS, MD, CHRIS RALSTON, ALICIA REECE
9:30 - 10:20 AM
GROWING THE MIDDLE: STRATEGIES TO ADVANCE MID-SIZED BUSINESSES
ANDRE BOOMER, ERIN MIGNANO, DARRIN REDUS, BARBARA SMITH
10:30 - 11:20 AM
UNDER PRESSURE: CLOSING THE LIFE EXPECTANCY GAP
LAUREN BARTOSZEK, PhD, JACQUELINE EDMERSON, ANGELICA HARDEE, PhD,
NICOLE MULLINS, DNP, MICHELE O’ROURKE
11:30 AM - 12:20 PM
THE EQUITY IMPACT OF REVITALIZING AVONDALE
RUSSELL HAIRSTON, JAN-MICHELE LEMON KEARNEY, HAMMAD SIDDIQI, MOIRA WEIR
12:30 - 2:00 PM
LUNCH & A CONVERSATION WITH DR. UCHE BLACKSTOCK
UCHE BLACKSTOCK, MD, THOMAS SHOCKLEY, MD
2:10 - 3:00 PM
CEO ROUNDTABLE: CALL TO ACTION
CYNTHIA BOOTH, MARK CLEMENT, BRIAN GWYN, DEBORAH HAYES,
JAMES HORN, MD
PRESENTERS
EVELYN AGBOMI
CLINICAL RN MANAGER
Evelyn Agbomi works as a Clinical Nurse Manager at UC Health. Before taking on this role, she spent seven years as a Special Care Nursery Manager. In that position, she managed the Baby Café, a free support group for breastfeeding mothers. Evelyn holds a BS in Nursing from the University of Pittsburgh and an MS in Nursing Administration from Ball State University.
CLINICAL RN MANAGER
UC HEALTH
EVELYN AGBOMI
MARYSE AMIN, MD
ASSISTANT CINCINNATI HEALTH COMMISSIONER
Dr. Maryse Amin serves as the Assistant Health Commissioner for the Cincinnati Health Department. Previously, she was the supervising epidemiologist overseeing the Epidemiology program there. Dr. Amin is interested in identifying risk factors associated with poor overall health to eventually improve vulnerable populations’ health outcomes through public health advocacy. She holds a BA in Psychology and Neuroscience, an MS in Experimental Psychology, and a PhD in Epidemiology.
ASSISTANT CINCINNATI HEALTH COMMISSIONER
CITY OF CINCINNATI HEALTH DEPARTMENT
MARYSE AMIN, MD
LAUREN BARTOSZEK, PhD
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY HEALTH
Dr. Lauren Bartoszek serves as the Director of Community Health at The Health Collaborative, where she is committed to addressing regional health improvements. This includes her convening stakeholders to drive the Collective Health Agenda to reduce health disparities, facilitating the Regional Community Health Needs Assessment, collaborating in the production and launch of Mama Certified, and convening hospital leaders and community experts to transform care in the region.
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY HEALTH
THE HEALTH COLLABORATIVE
LAUREN BARTOSZEK, PhD
ANDRE BOOMER
HR DIRECTOR
Andre Boomer is HR Director – Team Member Experience at The Christ Hospital Health Network, where he leads strategic initiatives in network inclusion, team member voice, college recruitment, community relations, and retention. Previously, he held HR and sales leadership positions at PepsiCo, Enterprise Holdings, and Dana Incorporated. Outside of work, Andre is a devoted husband and father, actively involved in mentoring, and giving back through local community engagement and youth sports.
HR DIRECTOR
THE CHRIST HOSPITAL HEALTH NETWORK
ANDRE BOOMER
CYNTHIA BOOTH
PRESIDENT & CEO
Cynthia Booth is President & CEO of Emerge Manufacturing, an onshore Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) manufacturer that she founded in 2021. She has received numerous local and national awards for her exceptional civic contributions and business achievements and has been featured in Fortune Magazine and on “CNN” Money Talks. Cynthia serves on several boards, including TriHealth, Denison University, Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber, and First Financial Bank.
PRESIDENT & CEO
EMERGE MANUFACTURING
CYNTHIA BOOTH
MARK CLEMENT
PRESIDENT & CEO
Mark Clement is the President & CEO of TriHealth. With over 27 years in healthcare leadership, he has elevated TriHealth into a nationally recognized system, earning awards for clinical quality and diversity. Prior to joining TriHealth, Mark led the Rochester Regional Health System through a major expansion, merging two hospitals into a $1.9 billion regional system. He also led two Boston hospitals, where he improved financial performance and patient satisfaction.
PRESIDENT & CEO
TRIHEALTH
MARK CLEMENT
RUBY CRAWFORD-HEMPHILL
ASSOCIATE CHIEF NURSING OFFICER
Ruby Crawford-Hemphill serves as the Associate Chief Nursing officer at UC Health, where she leads strategic initiatives in Women’s Health Services and the Psychiatric Departments. She is committed to reducing maternal and infant mortality and has helped drop infant mortality rates to a 25-year low. Ruby is deeply engaged in community service, supporting young women through STEAM education, organizing drives for families in need, and promoting health equity across the region.
ASSOCIATE CHIEF NURSING OFFICER
UC HEALTH
RUBY CRAWFORD-HEMPHILL
JACQUELINE EDMERSON
DIRECTOR OF CLINICAL SERVICES
Jacqueline “Jacque” Edmerson serves as the Director of Clinical Services at Cincinnati Works. She collaborates closely with local stakeholders to deliver vital mental health services to families facing poverty and behavioral health challenges. She lectures frequently on mental illness, substance use disorders, and teen suicide. She is a former adjunct professor at the University of Cincinnati School of Social Work and serves as President of the Bond Hill Community Council.
DIRECTOR OF CLINICAL SERVICES
CINCINNATI WORKS
JACQUELINE EDMERSON
BRIAN GWYN
MARKET PRESIDENT
Brian Gwyn serves as President of Mercy Health’s Cincinnati market. Most recently, he served as senior vice president and market president for Atrium’s west market with oversight of six facilities that provided care across seven counties, serving more than half a million residents. Brian holds a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in family and consumer services from Appalachian State University, along with an MBA in healthcare from Gardner Webb University.
MARKET PRESIDENT
MERCY HEALTH
BRIAN GWYN
RUSSELL HAIRSTON
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Russell Hairston is the Executive Director of the Avondale Development Corporation, overseeing administration, fundraising, and sustainability initiatives. Previously, he was the Housing Division Manager for Cincinnati’s Department of Community and Economic Development, where he facilitated two citywide community development programs. Russell has received multiple awards, including the Executive Director’s Award from the Avondale Comprehensive Development Corporation for his contributions to the Avondale community.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
AVONDALE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
RUSSELL HAIRSTON
ANGELICA HARDEE, PhD, MCHES
VICE PRESIDENT,
COMMUNITY IMPACT
Dr. Angelica Hardee is a three-time alumna of the University of Cincinnati, focused on public health, health policy, and global health systems. She currently serves as Vice President of Community Impact at the American Heart Association where she provides leadership focused on addressing the region’s strategic health priorities related to cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension, e-cigarette and tobacco use, and healthy food access.
VICE PRESIDENT, COMMUNITY IMPACT
AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION
ANGELICA HARDEE, PhD
DEBORAH HAYES
PRESIDENT & CEO
Debbie Hayes is the President & CEO of The Christ Hospital Health Network. With over three decades of experience at the hospital, she holds the unique distinction of being the only medical executive in the region to have dedicated her career to the institution she now leads. Additionally, under Debbie’s leadership, Christ has been recognized as one of the top 50 hospitals in the country.
PRESIDENT & CEO
THE CHRIST HOSPITAL HEALTH NETWORK
DEBORAH HAYES
JAMES HORN, MD
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT &
CHIEF CLINICAL OFFICER
Dr. James Horn serves as the Executive Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer at St. Elizabeth Healthcare, where he leads medical staff, clinical integration, quality and patient engagement efforts. He trained at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, completing a four-year residency in Emergency Medicine. Dr. Jim Horn is a graduate of The Ohio State University College of Medicine and holds an MBA from Wright State University.
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT & CHIEF CLINICAL OFFICER
ST. ELIZABETH HEALTHCARE
JAMES HORN, MD
AMY HULL
DIRECTOR OF BELONGING
Amy Hull is the Director of Belonging at Paychex. She leads the DE&I team and collaborates with every functional area in the business to make sustainable systemic changes to culture, inclusion and belonging in the workplace. Under Amy’s leadership, Paycor was named in the Top Ten Companies for DE&I Practices by Top Workplaces USA in 2023. Additionally, she has led the business in three consecutive years of award-winning DE&I practices.
DIRECTOR OF BELONGING
PAYCHEX
AMY HULL
JAN-MICHELE LEMON KEARNEY
VICE MAYOR
Jan-Michele Lemon Kearney is the Vice Mayor for the City of Cincinnati. She serves as chair of the Healthy Neighborhoods Committee and vice chair of Public Safety and Governance. The Vice Mayor has also been an active volunteer in many organizations and is one of the founders of Greater Cincinnati Association of Black Journalists, the local chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists.
VICE MAYOR
CITY OF CINCINNATI
JAN-MICHELE LEMON KEARNEY
HEATHER MASTERS, MD
OBGYN, MATERNAL & FETAL MEDICINE
Dr. Heather Masters is an obstetrician-gynecologist at UC Health specializing in fetal and maternal medicine. She has studied diabetes in pregnancy, specifically oral medications and their safety/efficacy. Dr. Masters completed both her residency and fellowship at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, where she is currently a clinical instructor and received a National Faculty Award from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists for teaching excellence.
OBGYN, MATERNAL & FETAL MEDICINE
UC HEALTH
HEATHER MASTERS, MD
ERIN MIGNANO
VICE PRESIDENT &
GENERAL MANAGER
Erin Mignano serves as the Vice President & General Manager of Turner Construction Company, which was named the top contractor in the United States the past 4 years by Engineering News-Record. She has been with Turner since graduating college in 2005. Originally from New Jersey, she began her career in Turner’s mid-Atlantic division before relocating to Cincinnati, where she now leads the Greater Cincinnati and Kentucky territories.
VICE PRESIDENT & GENERAL MANAGER
TURNER CONSTRUCTION
ERIN MIGNANO
NICOLE MULLINS, DNP, RN, ANP-BC
NURSE PRACTITIONER, DIVISION OF CARDIAC & THORACIC SURGERY
Dr. Nicole Mullins is a seasoned nurse practitioner specializing in the prevention, management, and treatment of heart disease in The Christ Hospital Health Network Division of Cardiac & Thoracic Surgery. She holds three degrees from the University of Cincinnati and earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) from Northern Kentucky University, where she led a hospital-based quality improvement initiative focused on managing heart disease in individuals who use intravenous drugs.
NURSE PRACTITIONER, CARDIAC & THORACIC SURGERY
THE CHRIST HOSPITAL HEALTH NETWORK
NICOLE MULLINS, DNP
MICHELE O'ROURKE
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Michele O’Rourke is the CEO of O’Rourke Wrecking Company, one of the nation’s top demolition and environmental remediation firms. With nearly 30 years of experience in finance, operations, and project management, she became the company’s first female CEO in 2019. A passionate advocate for workforce development and diversity, Michele serves as President of the Spirit of Construction Foundation and is a member of the Ohio Governor’s Executive Workforce Board.
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
O'ROURKE WRECKING COMPANY
MICHELE O'ROURKE
AFTAB PUREVAL
MAYOR
Aftab Pureval is the 70th Mayor of the City of Cincinnati. He has made equitable economic growth a top priority of his administration, as well as a comprehensive reform and improvement of public safety, affordable housing, and environmental action. Previously, Aftab served as Hamilton County Clerk of Courts, making history as the first Democrat to hold this office in over 100 years.
MAYOR
CITY OF CINCINNATI
AFTAB PUREVAL
CHRIS RALSTON
VICE PRESIDENT, MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS
Chris Ralston is the Vice President of Marketing and Communications at UC Health. He began his journey at UC Health in 2003 as a physician liaison before being promoted to Vice President of Marketing and Communications, a role he held for almost 9 years. Previously, Chris was a sports reporter and producer for FOX 19. He holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from Lincoln Memorial University in Tennessee.
VICE PRESIDENT, MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS
UC HEALTH
CHRIS RALSTON
DARRIN REDUS
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Darrin Redus is the Chief Executive Officer of the Minority Business Accelerator, which is the flagship economic development initiative of the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber. Previously, he served as President & CEO of MainStreet Inclusion Advisors, a consulting firm dedicated to developing diverse, technologybased businesses and networks. Darrin earned his MBA from Baldwin Wallace University and a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from the University of Mount Union.
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
MINORITY BUSINESS ACCELERATOR
DARRIN REDUS
ALICIA REECE
COMMISSIONER
Hamilton County Commissioner Alicia Reece is the first woman in Hamilton County history to be elected to City, State, and County office. Her distinguished public service career includes roles as Vice Mayor of the City of Cincinnati, Deputy Director of Ohio Tourism, State Representative, and President of the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus. As Commissioner, she launched the award-winning “513 Relief Bus,” which has served more than 30,000 residents across 200 locations in 32 zip codes.
COMMISSIONER
HAMILTON COUNTY
ALICIA REECE
AUSTIN SCHAFER, D.HCML
DIRECTOR OF PASTORAL CARE
Dr. Austin M. Schafer is a board-certified chaplain and the Director of Pastoral and Spiritual Care at St. Elizabeth Healthcare. He leads a team of over 30 chaplains across six hospitals in northern Kentucky and southeastern Indiana. Dr. Schafer is dedicated to mission integration and the provision of whole-person care that seeks to prevent and alleviate suffering while promoting human flourishing and the development of holistic communities.
DIRECTOR OF PASTORAL CARE
ST. ELIZABETH HEALTHCARE
AUSTIN SCHAFER, D.HCML
THOMAS SHOCKLEY, MD
CHIEF HEALTH EQUITY OFFICER & ASSOCIATE CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER
Dr. Thomas Shockley is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and currently serves as Chief Health Equity Officer & Associate Chief Medical Officer for TriHealth. He prioritizes safe, high-quality healthcare and leads the development of TriHealth's new Center for Health Equity. A Morehouse College graduate, Dr. Shockley completed his orthopedic surgery residency at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and a general surgery internship at Meharry Medical College.
CHIEF HEALTH EQUITY OFFICER & ASSOCIATE CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER
TRIHEALTH
THOMAS SHOCKLEY, MD
HAMMAD SIDDIQI
COMMUNITY IMPACT MANAGER
Hammad serves as Community Impact Manager at Fifth Third Bank. He is responsible for managing region and state-wide assessment area risk associated with Community Reinvestment Act performance. Previously, Hammad worked at PNC Bank in several roles over 18 years. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Cincinnati in International Economics and serves as a board member for Cincinnati Youth Collaborative and Santa Maria Community Services.
COMMUNITY IMPACT MANAGER
FIFTH THIRD BANK
HAMMAD SIDDIQI
BARBARA SMITH
PRESIDENT
Barb Smith is the President of Journey Steel. She has received multiple honors, including recognition as one of the 2025 100 Women to Know. Under her leadership, Journey Steel has been recognized multiple times as one of the Top 100 Fastest Growing Inner-City Businesses. In addition to her professional accomplishments, Barb is a dedicated church trustee, a mother, grandmother, and passionate fan of the Reds and Bengals.
PRESIDENT
JOURNEY STEEL
BARBARA SMITH
MOIRA WEIR
PRESIDENT & CEO
Moira Weir is the President & CEO of United Way of Greater Cincinnati. She became the organization’s first female leader in 2020 after more than a decade as Director of Hamilton County Job & Family Services. Moira advocates for new voices and new solutions to decades-old community challenges, focusing on three key areas: educational success, financial empowerment, and housing security.
PRESIDENT & CEO
UNITED WAY OF GREATER CINCINNATI
MOIRA WEIR
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