Annie Roettker and Danielle Minson, both of the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati, were selected to join the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber’s WE Lead and Leadership Cincinnati programs, respectively. 

The Chamber's WE Lead program, sponsored by Fifth Third Bank, is targeted to women on established career tracks that want to gain the skills necessary to advance to higher levels. Designed for accomplished managers, business owners and leaders, the program helps refine leadership and communication skills for women advancing in both their professions and the community. Only 56 applicants are accepted each year from a highly competitive pool of candidates. A selection committee made up of Chamber staff, former class participants and local business leaders choose participants. Candidates are chosen based upon their current level of responsibility, previous leadership experience and professional background. The number of applicants always far exceeds the number of spots available.

“WE Lead’s continually evolving combination of professional coaching and innovative experiential curriculum provides participants with the leadership and communication tools necessary to develop personally and professionally,” says Jessica Baron, Director of Leadership Initiatives at the Chamber. “We also seek to have a highly diverse and inclusive class; we want women of various races, religions, professional roles, geographic locations, small businesses, large business, and more - the more diverse the class, the richer and more engaging the experience.” 

Leadership Cincinnati strives to create a class with great diversity of background and experience, and is designed for an established, senior leader looking to make a difference in the community. Leadership Cincinnati’s Selection Committee consists of five graduates. 

“Leadership Cincinnati is very competitive,” said Dan Hurley, Director of Leadership Cincinnati. “We have participants from six countries, large corporations and small companies, for profits and not for profits. These are people who are very senior in responsibility and ready to impact the community.”

WE Lead participant Annie Roettker, CPA, is a senior accountant at the Federation. She currently serves as a board member with Focus on Youth, a non-profit foster care and adoption agency, and a cabinet member with Biz Women, which focuses on helping tri-state area businesswomen connect, support, learn and grow. She is also a graduate of the United Way’s Board Orientation & Leadership Development (BOLD) program. Roettker graduated from the College of Mount St. Joseph with a bachelor’s degree in accounting.

Leadership Cincinnati participant Danielle Minson, Chief Development Officer for the Federation, is a former member of the Board of Trustees for Adath Israel Congregation and an active member of Cincinnati’s cultural community, including participation in every Flying Pig Marathon since its inception in 1999. Minson is a graduate of The Ohio State University and Yeshiva University, where she received her master’s degree in social work.

“We are honored that two of our professionals have been selected among such a competitive group of accomplished applicants,” said Shep Englander, CEO of the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati. “We couldn’t think of two more esteemed individuals to represent our organization and help contribute further to the community.”