Wednesday, December 31, 2025
2025....A Look Back
2025 has been an eventful year, so I asked my colleagues what their favorite(s) forums were from the past year. So here are a few as we look to see what 2026 has to offer!
Noelle
I really enjoyed Vu Le because he gave voice to the hard truths that so many of us experience fundraising in the non-profit space, but he did it with a lightness and joy that was absolutely inspiring.
Another favorite was the forum featuring Phyllis Seven Harris, Director of the LGBT Center of Cleveland, speaking as part of our Local Heroes series. I've long admired her unique approach to leadership and her remarks clearly reflected her leadership style—centered in power, guided by love, and grounded in community.
Adam
(Isn't it kinda on brand lol) My favorite forum was the Michael Shaikh forum talking about his extraordinary book, The Last Sweet Bite. I love the way that food can be used not only as physical sustenance, but mental, emotional, cultural and historical support as well.
Maria
Stephen Vogt - because it's the Guardians! It was fun to hear from the AL Manager of the year on his unique leadership style, hear stories from the 2024 season, and get amped up for the new season.
Brianna
The Powerful Intersection of Murals and Community Transformation forum at Shaker Square was one of my favorites. I enjoyed hearing about the intentional ways muralists use their work to communicate ideas, shape narratives, and spark conversation. I even went home with a couple of pieces!
Ariana
Amplifying the Voices of Black Women, A Project Noir Update: This forum put language, data, and validation on experiences that I and other Black women have carried for years. As someone who took the original survey, it meant a lot to see the focus placed squarely on the lived experiences of Black women here in Cleveland, not in theory but in our actual day-to-day realities. Hearing the panel break down the data so plainly made it clear how deeply these patterns run across workplaces, healthcare, and community spaces. For me, it underscored that meaningful progress only happens when people take Black women’s experiences seriously, acknowledge the patterns we point out, and are willing to change the systems that keep those patterns in place.
Jerome
My favorite forum this past year was “The Evolution and Promise of Artificial Intelligence for the Future of Work.” This was my favorite forum because it’s impossible to turn on your TV, listen to a podcast, or pick up your phone without hearing or seeing news about AI. Tiffany Hsieh did an excellent job explaining that AI is changing the job landscape and will create further shifts but it can be a positive shift if we are intentional about how we prepare. She emphasized the importance of developing domain-specific expertise, collaborating with AI to improve your AI skills and strong problem-solving skills.
Amber
Coffee with the CEO - A Special Members Breakfast: It's always nice when we get to see our members outside of a forum! This special breakfast was a favorite of mine because we got to hear what was on the minds of our members....their feedback often helping to shape our work moving forward.
Cynthia
Here are a few memorable ones - in no particular order!
NASA Astronauts Sunita Williams and Doug Wheelock: As a lover of all things science and innovation, I'll admit to majorly nerding out with this one! It's also such a privilege to work together with NASA Glenn and the Great Lakes Science Center once again, and feature two of our country's heroes as part of Ohio's Space Week.
Mehdi Hasan, CEO, Zeteo: Part of our second annual Siddiq Forum on the Islamic World, Medhi Hasan is considered one of the nation's most influential - and viral - voices in politics and debate. His unapologetic approach to the importance of free speech and the state of media and journalism made this a "can't miss" forum of 2025.
Margaret Mitchell, CEO, YWCA USA: This was one of those forums that would have continued on for another hour if we let it! Margaret's visit was a sort of homecoming for many of us--three years ago, she left Cleveland to lead YWCA USA. Her words and conversation with Danielle Sydnor reminded us all of the work ahead for women and girls across the nation.
See everyone in 2026!
