By Fletcher Word
The Truth Publisher
“If service is beneath you, then leadership is beyond you,” said Candice Harrison as she closed her acceptance speech at the 2026 Milestones Awards. Harrison, this year’s honoree for Volunteerism, was one of eight women who were celebrated by the Northwest Ohio YWCA on Thursday, March 26, at the Glass City Center, for their outstanding contributions to the community in a number of different ways.
Leadership was a theme that was common for the women who were honored. Lisa McDuffie, CEO of the Northwest YWCA, said during her opening statement: “The women we are honoring today lead with courage, they lift others as they rise.”
In addition to Harrison, the other awardees were:
Jennifer McCary, DODC, for the Arts. McCary, an exhibiting artist, three-time TEDx speaker, is the Chief Culture and Brand Experience Officer at the Toledo Museum of Art where she leads the execution of the museum’s strategic plan and fosters a culture rooted in communication, collaboration, connection and accountability.
Meg Ressner for Business. Ressner, a 30-year employee, former VP of Human Resources, with Owens Corning, and member of its Global HR Executive Team, is the principal of Meg Ressner & Associates, a consulting practice focused on optimizing organizational performance and guiding companies through complex transitions
Sherry Tripepi, MSW, for Education. Tripepi, as executive director of Equality Toledo, expanded anti-bullying initiatives, advanced LGBT health and rights education and helped strengthen Toledo Pride’s community outreach. Her work has consistently uplifted women and marginalized communities.
Jessica Ford for Government. Ford, the Lucas County Administrator oversees county operations with a leadership style centered on accountability, compassion and community impact. She has driven major improvements across the county including the consolidation of Job and Family Services, Child Support Enforcement and OhioMeansJobs into a centralized Shared Services Building.
Shawna Shafer, DO, for Sciences. Dr. Shafer is an attending physician in Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine at ProMedica Ebeid Children’s Hospital and a clinical associate professor at the University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences. A respected clinician, researcher and educator, she has led innovative studies in neonatal health, developed a nationally recognized lumbar puncture curriculum and championed quality-of-care initiatives for infants with neonatal abstinence syndrome.
Ann Ebert for Social Sciences. Ebert, CEO of Cherry Street Mission, brings expertise in 24/7 care operations, business administration and leadership developments to one of the region’s most complex service organizations. Ebert leads a team that provides shelter, healthcare and educational services o thousands each year.
Candice Harrison for Volunteerism. Harrison’s board and volunteer service spans Rotary Club of Toledo – where she is president-elect, Central Catholic High School, the Art Tatum Zone and may other civic organization, reflecting a deep commitment to empowering others, including the Press Club of Toledo where she is past president.
Kathryn Tucker, the Woman on the Rise Honoree. Tucker, former senior VP, chief experience officer and CEO, has managed more than $1.3 billion in business development while leading major strategic growth initiatives – her career has spanned senior leadership roles, legal advocacy and entrepreneurship.
Each woman was introduced by way of a recorded interview and then had the opportunity to make a short speech in accepting her award.
“Creativity is not extra, it’s essential,” said McCary during her acceptance. “Art bridges differences … reminding us who we are and who we can become individually and collectively.”
Leadership and service were repeated frequently during the acceptance speeches. Ford, inspired by her parents, Jack and Claudia Ford, who were both committed to public service, spoke of her thoughts about what that service entails.
“Public service is about the people, not the hoopla or the fanfare … it’s about what you do for the people that you serve,” said Ford.
Harrison’s introduction to the audience was supplied not only by the recorded interview but also by a special guest, Vince DiPofi, CEO of SSOE, the Champion Sponsor of this year’s Milestones’ awards event. He heaped praise on Harrison, SSOE Group director of Inclusion and Community Impact, for the influence she has had within the company and the community.
“Through the inclusive environment Candice has created and the career pathways that go along with that,” she has helped the company “triple the number of women in senior leadership positions,” said DiPofi.
He added that “the impact within our company has been measurable, but Candice’s .impact on the community through her volunteerism has been immeasurable – she leads with integrity, she leads with purpose and, most importantly, she leads with heart.”
Harrison spoke of the importance of such leadership and how it relates to volunteerism. “Leadership through service is a responsibility,” she said.
The YWCA 31st Annual Milestones: A Tribute to Women Awards was hosted by Kristian Brown, 13abc news anchor. This year’s key sponsors were SSOE, Champion Sponsor; The Andersons, Visionary Sponsor and Advocate Sponsors – The Rotary Club of Toledo, KeyBank, Bowling Green State University, Area Office on Aging and West Side Montessori.