Photos taken by Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library

Learn about our 2025 Workforce Champion Award Winners.

Workforce Employee of the Year

Congratulations to Mushay Davis for receiving the 2025 Workforce Champion of the Year Award in the Workforce Employee of the Year category! Her nominators said:

• “Over the past year, she has consistently demonstrated a strong work ethic, innovative thinking, and outstanding leadership skills. She has successfully led key projects, going above and beyond to deliver exceptional results while fostering a positive and collaborative environment for her colleagues.”
• “She brings back confidence in clients. She reassures them that they have a great chance of walking out better than before. She helps them feel great about having a mentor to guide them in the right direction.”

Innovation

Congratulations to Dr. Eugene Blalock, Superintendent of North College Hill City Schools, for receiving the 2025 Workforce Champion Award in the Innovation category! His nominator shared that “He is a trailblazer in education for making his school district a 4-day/1-day blended learning model. Since the inception of our new blended learning school years, we have made our Magnificent Mondays Career Exploration Days for students in grades 7-12 by offering non-traditional career exploration workshops, a construction pre-apprenticeship, a certified healthcare pathway with CNA & phlebotomy credentials, and an agriculture pathway at Tikkun Farm, an urban farm in Mt. Healthy.”

Collaboration

Congratulations to C Davis and C. Renee HR Consulting for receiving the 2025 Workforce Champion Award in the Collaboration category! One nominator said, “Her ability to foster collaboration and implement innovative solutions has significantly improved workforce development in the region. Her dedication to inclusivity and shared success continues to inspire positive change and long-lasting impact.”

Employer of the Year

Congratulations to Cincinnati Children’s for receiving the 2025 Workforce Champion Award in the Employer of the Year category! Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center is globally recognized for innovation in clinical care, groundbreaking research, and continuing medical education. Its vision to lead in improving child health is supported by an unwavering commitment to attracting and retaining a talented, caring, and diverse workforce. With nearly 20,000 employees, they are proud to cultivate a vibrant culture that draws extraordinary individuals to their team. Here is one example of how they support workforce development in Cincinnati:
“Children’s has launched many programs to cultivate talent pools. In partnership with Cincinnati Public Schools and DePaul Cristo Rey High School, students gain invaluable experience by rotating through departments such as supply chain, respiratory care, etc. Program participation grew by over 60%.”

Leadership

Congratulations to The Health Collaborative for receiving the 2025 Workforce Champion Award in the Leadership category! The Workforce Innovation Team has formed strategic partnerships with employers, educators, and community organizations to support the viability of our healthcare systems and their future needs for healthcare talent. Dedicated to expanding the size, diversity, and preparedness of the healthcare talent pipeline, they unite and empower more than 350 individuals from across 170 regional and statewide entities to focus on specific healthcare workforce issues, create a cohesive voice, advocate for systemic change, and increase the healthcare sector’s statewide impact.

Advocate of the Year

Congratulations to Isaias Gamboa for receiving the 2025 Workforce Champion Award in the Advocate of the Year category! His nominator said, “His Pre-Apprenticeship Program is highly recognized for his work in our community. As a result of this training program, our students, who have become passionate about the construction/carpentry fields, are being prepared for the workforce immediately after graduation.”