BBB honors a remarkable class of ethical businesses and nonprofits elevating our local market to the highest of standards.
BBB Cincinnati 2023 Torch Awards finalists
Meet this year’s Torch Awards finalists, a class of passionate leaders selected by our panel of judges for their character-driven leaders, positive workplace cultures, and high-impact community involvement.
Finalists were honored at the 2023 Torch Awards for Ethics and Spark Awards Gala on Wednesday, October 4 at Cincinnati Art Museum.
Bryan Clifton, President/Founder/CEO
Black Bull Capital Partners is a comprehensive wealth management firm founded in 2019 and based in Blue Ash, Ohio. With the core belief to “do what's right when right,” they strive to deliver client-first management and hold their carriers to continuously rising standards to meet the unique needs of the individuals, families, and businesses they serve. Through the “Benevolent Bull” program, staff nominate both local and national nonprofits for the firm to support financially and through team volunteer activities.
Bonita Carlisle, Owner
Bonita's Southern Style Sweet Potato Pies is a Cincinnati-based artisanal bakery founded in 2012 specializing in sweet potato pies and treats for all occasions: parties, weddings, restaurant menus, or just because. With a strong culture of pride and commitment to customer satisfaction, they are dedicated to using high-quality ingredients and tried-and-true recipes. They value serving handcrafted baked goods to people of all cultures, especially by catering community events and donating food to fundraisers and memorial and funeral services.
Pam Green, President/CEO
Easterseals Redwood is a nonprofit organization founded in 2022 when Easterseals Serving Greater Cincinnati and Redwood of Northern Kentucky joined forces to expand services across state lines. Building on Easterseals’ 110-year history and Redwood’s 70-year history, Easterseals Redwood strives to enrich education, enhance health, expand employment, and elevate community. Their mission is to advance 100% equity, access, and workforce inclusion for people with disabilities and disadvantages, and veterans and military families through comprehensive services and compassionate care.
Jeff Anderson, General Manager
LeafGuard of Cincinnati in Amelia, Ohio, is a family-owned home improvement company installing gutters, roofing, and more in Ohio and Kentucky since 2013. With a mission to revolutionize the way homeowners experience gutters, they strive to exceed customer expectations through unmatched service and seamless installation processes. Installers can grow in their trade through comprehensive training and workshops, mentorship programs, and a culture of continuous feedback, transparency, and collaboration. From donations to volunteer coaching, they’re committed to serving their community by sponsoring events and supporting local causes.
Dimity Orlet, Executive Director
Pro Seniors, Inc. is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping seniors maximize their independence and quality of life since 1975, taking a comprehensive approach to promoting seniors’ legal rights, access to health care, and financial security. They provide education, advice, advocacy, representation, and justice for seniors in Ohio at no cost to clients. Their staff and volunteers host educational forums, seminars, and radio shows for seniors and professional caregivers to educate them about the wide variety of legal and long-term care issues that impact their lives.
Kerry Cantwell, President
Stateline Auto Body, Inc. is an Oxford, Ohio-based collision repair shop offering a wide variety of services to transform damaged vehicles back to great condition. For the past 23 years, they have worked to provide their employees a positive, judgment-free shop environment and their customers peace of mind and excellent service. From offering customers prompt repair status updates and helping with insurance claims, Stateline Auto Body, Inc. is committed to positive interactions during a customer’s stressful life event.
Erin Mignano, Vice President/General Manager
Turner Construction Company has been shaping Cincinnati since their 1903 construction of the Ingalls Building. Part of an international construction services company, Turner Cincinnati offers clients the accessibility and support of a local firm with the stability and resources of a multinational organization. They prioritize using historically underrepresented vendors and partners; host a construction management program supporting minority-, woman-, LGBTQ+-, and veteran-owned businesses; engage students in hands-on career exploration; and organize volunteer “blitzes”, recently distributing 20,000+ donated items to people experiencing housing insecurity.
Kevin R. Corey, Executive Director
Wesley Chapel Mission Center is a Christian nonprofit after-school program that assists underserved youth of all faiths in Cincinnati’s Over-the-Rhine neighborhood. Since 2003, they’ve provided basic resources, daily structured mentoring, homework assistance, reading, nourishment, encouragement, prayers, and supervised play activities by building trusting relationships with local youth. They pride themselves on being adaptive to the spontaneous needs of the population they serve; for example, adjusting their hours in 2023 to help students who unexpectedly turned to remote learning after flooding closed their school.