By Kelly Doran
Sun staff

The Clermont County Chamber of Commerce is holding the first Women’s Business Awards in June.

After having a successful women’s initiative program for eight years, Cyn Macke, the director of member services, and other women active in the Chamber decided it was time to start recognizing leaders in their community.

The chamber got about 30 nominations for the awards and a committee evaluated each nomination based on the criteria for each of the three categories: Business Woman of the Year, Women Owned Business of the Year and Young Professional of the Year, Macke said. The committee then selected finalists.

The Business Woman of the Year is a woman who is helping to shape the county’s economic future, Macke said. The winner could be working in any field.

“This is a woman who is inspiring, a women who’s insightful and a woman who is influential,” Macke said.

The women below are the finalists for the Business Women of the Year Award.

Amanda Davenport, the enterprise program manager at Fifth Third Bank, started with Fifth Third in 1994. She believes that success in business means knowing one’s values and standing up for what’s right, she said in her responses to the chamber.

“My focus is to be a role model and leader that young women can see as an example,” Davenport said.

She feels a career is her responsibility to network, learn and grow and is focused on leadership roles.

Davenport is involved with the Chamber of Commerce, Lead Clermont, the Young Bankers Club, Dave Ramsey curriculum, Work Readiness Initiative and the University of Cincinnati Clermont College.

Cindy Gramke is the executive director and CEO of Clermont Senior Services. During her time at CSS, Gramke was responsible for many programs and ran two successful levy campaigns, she said in her responses to the chamber.

As CEO, Gramke manages an annual budget of $7.4 million. She also developed an efficient and conservative business model when CSS faced a $1 million annual loss.

Gramke is currently involved with the RiverHills Bank, the Clermont County Metropolitan Housing Authority, the Board of the Southwest Aging Network, the Family Services Advisory Committee, the Association for Professionals in Aging, the Ohio Area Agencies on Aging and committees for The Greater Cincinnati Foundation.

Gramke has mentored several women and believes in being as equitable as possible to everyone she has responsible for.

“I believe that, as women, we model our strengths through mentoring and supporting both men and women who demonstrate a desire to grow,” Gramke said.

Cyndy Wright, the cash management officer for Park National Bank, has 31 years of banking experience, including working as banking center manager and private banking officer, she said in her responses to the chamber.

As the cash management officer, Wright handles 500 clients and supports seven banking centers and five commercial leaders, she said. She also chairs Park Cares Week.

Currently, Wright is involved with the Chamber of Commerce, the League of Woman Voters, CASA for Clermont Kids, Bad Girl Ventures, Inter Parish Ministry and Agenda for the Future.

Wright is passionate about helping children and seniors that cannot speak for themselves, and for helping women learn about finances.

“There are many outstanding women in Clermont County and to be counted even remotely amongst them, well, I am in awe. I just do what I do and I am who I am,” Wright said.

Jennifer Fischer also works for Park National Bank, as the senior vice president of operations and in that position leads projects for the bank, she said in her responses to the chamber.

Fischer has held other positions at the bank, including accounting manager, internal auditor and compliance officer and data processing manager and director.

In the community, Fischer is currently involved in Habitat for Humanity, the Clermont County Safety Net Alliance, the Batavia Rotary, the FBCGE and VITA.

“One thing I always stress to new associates, the young ladies at Teen Challenge, ACP and other organizations is that you can overcome anything with enough determination and dedication,” Fischer said.

She also tells them to work as a team, and to work to improve things, rather than simply complain that something is wrong.

Judi Adams is the president of the wealth management department at Community Savings Bank. When she came to what was then known at Bethel Building and Loan Company, she helped develop it into a full service bank, she said in her responses to the chamber.

Adams is currently involved in her community with the Bethel Historical Society, the Bethel Bolt 10K Run/5K Walk, the Bethel Down Home Christmas, the Clermont County Chamber and the Bethel Business Association.

“My husband Terry and I have 10 wonderful grandchildren and while I value my family time more than you can imagine, I also like to stay active in our Bethel community, always looking for ways to help make a difference,” Adams said.

Adams believes strongly in the impact women have, regardless of their career.

Theresa Herron has been the communications manager at the Clermont County Public Library for one year, before which she was a reporter and editor for the Community Press, she said in her responses to the chamber.

Herron is currently involved with Agenda for the Future, Salute to Leaders, League of Women Voters, 4-H, the Junior Fair Board, United Way, Milford Schools Business Advisory Committee, St. Louis Church Festival, Clermont County YMCA Breakfast of Champions, cable television shows in Anderson Township and Clermont County and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Clermont County.

Herron is a community-minded person, she said, and seeks to be a positive role model, especially for teenagers on the Junior Fair Board.

“I encouraged members, especially girls, to take ownership of their assigned activities. The proud look on their faces when they achieve their goals is hard to describe,” Herron said.

Tracy Burnett is the senior human resources manager at Total Quality Logistics and has 20 years of experience in human resources. One of her biggest accomplishments is winning the Human Resources Director of the Year Award at Hyatt, she said in her responses to the chamber.

In the community, Burnett is involved in Urban League, Ohio Means Jobs, Diverse by Design, the Clermont Chamber, the League for Animal Welfare and Bake Me Home.

Burnett enjoys helping others expand their leadership skills and career development. She also has helped develop a diversity and inclusion class for TQL.

“I am passionate about inclusion,” Burnett said.