Cincy AI Week Leadership Awards Finalists: 2026

Announcing the 2026 Cincy AI Week Leadership Awards Finalists
Cincy AI Week 2026 · June 9–11

Meet the Finalists for the
Cincy AI Week Leadership Awards

Fifteen leaders across five categories are shaping how the region builds, deploys, and governs artificial intelligence. The winners will be revealed at the Awards Luncheon in Over-the-Rhine.

5 Categories 15 Finalists Over-the-Rhine, Cincinnati

The Cincy AI Week Leadership Awards recognize the people moving the region's AI ecosystem forward, from the builders shipping new tools to the leaders making sure the technology serves everyone. This year's finalists reflect the depth of talent across Greater Cincinnati.

Selected from a strong field of nominees, the finalists below carry forward a tradition set by last year's inaugural class of winners. Each category honors a distinct kind of leadership; together they capture what makes the region's AI community move. Winners will be announced live at the Awards Luncheon during Cincy AI Week, June 9 through 11 in Over-the-Rhine.

The 2026 Finalists

Cincy Catalyst 2025 Winner: Nate Sowder
FinalistJon Salisbury
FinalistPete Blackshaw
FinalistKendra Ramirez
Future Builder 2025 Winner: Kris Jones
FinalistTyler Mantel
FinalistBrent Rippe
FinalistBrian Cobb
Guardian of Good 2025 Winner: Kelly Cohen
FinalistJosette Riep
FinalistKeith Chapman
FinalistZachary Heck
AI Rising Star 2025 Winner: Madhavi Najan
FinalistKerry Oslund
FinalistKatie Trauth Taylor
FinalistMaddie Bell
Inclusive AI 2025 Winner: Shanah Legree
FinalistEric Frayer
FinalistDawn Parks
FinalistTara French

Congratulations to all fifteen finalists. Join us to celebrate them and find out who takes home each award.

See the winners announced live

The Leadership Awards Luncheon is part of the full Cincy AI Week program, June 9 through 11 in Over-the-Rhine. Reserve your spot and join the region's AI community.

Register for Cincy AI Week

Presented by the Enterprise Technology Association, a nationally recognized organization based in Greater Cincinnati.
Questions? Reach us at hello@joineta.org

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