Fifth Third Announces Second Empowering Community Leaders Cohort

CINCINNATI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Fifth Third today announced the second cohort of its Empowering Community Leaders career development growth program, aimed at fostering the next generation of nonprofit leaders in the communities the Bank serves.

“When nonprofit organizations have the resources they need to succeed, the benefits become exponential,” said Chief Corporate Responsibility Officer Kala Gibson. “It means more effective programs that better serve the community, which leads to greater success, more demand, and the ability to hire and onboard more new employees.”

The Empowering Community Leaders program was launched in 2022 to provide resources and training to nonprofit leaders across Fifth Third’s footprint. Each leader is nominated for participation in the 18-month-long program by Fifth Third’s community impact managers.

Jointly funded by the Fifth Third Foundation and Fifth Third, ECL provides nonprofit leaders with lessons in leadership development, technical skills and specialized certifications that enable access to resources and knowledge necessary to achieve great community outcomes.

"The Fifth Third Foundation is dedicated to strengthening our communities," said Heidi B. Jark, managing director of the Fifth Third Foundation. "This program equips and empowers community and nonprofit leaders with the skills and knowledge to create positive and long-lasting impacts and pathways to opportunity."

The ECL program provides nonprofit leaders with access to training and development through several national organizations:

• Harvard Kennedy School Executive Education: Executive Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership
• Grow America (formerly the National Development Council): Rental housing development certification.
• Resilia: Nonprofit capacity building program

Members of the 2024-25 Empowering Community Leaders cohort include:

AQUME Foundation	Ciarra Adkins	President	Wyoming, MI
Avondale Development Corporation	Russell Hairston	Executive Director	Cincinnati, OH
BUILD Institute	Regina Ann Campbell	President/CEO	Detroit, MI
Charlotte Area Fund, Inc.	Nicholas Wharton	President/CEO	Charlotte, NC
Childrens Home Society of Florida	Andry Sweet	President/CEO	Orlando, FL
City of Dayton - Human Relations Council	Lamonte Hall, Jr.	Executive Director	Dayton, OH
Corporation to Develop Communities of Tampa, Inc.	Ernest Coney, Jr.	CEO	Tampa, FL
Goodwill Easterseals Miami Valley	LaVar Glover	Director of West Campus Operations	Dayton, OH
Grove Park Foundation	Gavin McGuire	Executive Director	Atlanta, GA
Hammond Development Corporation/HDC	Jennifer Bussey	Executive Director	Hammond, IN
HOPE Toledo	John Jones	President & CEO	Toledo, OH
IMPACT Community Action	Robert "Bo" Chilton	CEO	Columbus, OH
Neighborhood Health Care Inc dba Neighborhood Family Practice	Domonic Hopson	President & CEO	Cleveland, OH
ProsperUs Detroit	Paul Jones	CEO	Detroit, MI
REBOUND, Inc.	Kevin Dunlap	President/CEO	Louisville, KY
Spanish Coalition for Housing (SCH)	Joseph Lopez	Executive Director/CEO	Chicago, IL
The Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio	Christie Kuhns	President/CEO	Cincinnati, OH
Urban League of Broward County	Courtnee Biscardi	Executive Vice President	Fort Lauderdale, FL
Urban League of Greater Atlanta	Nancy Flake Johnson	President & CEO	Atlanta, GA
United Way of Greater Nashville	Erica Mitchell	EVP, Chief Community Impact Officer	Nashville, TN
Walnut Hills Redevelopment Foundation	Samantha Miller	Executive Director	Cincinnati, OH
West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce	Guillermo Cisneros	President & CEO	Grand Rapids, MI
West Side Community Land Trust	Charis Blackmon	Executive Director	Charlotte, NC
Working Credit	Morgan Spears	Chief Community Engagement Officer	Chicago, IL
YWCA South Florida, Inc.	Kerry-Ann Royes	President & CEO	Miami, FL

To learn more about Empowering Community Leaders, please visit 53.com/EmpoweringCommunity.

About the Fifth Third Foundation

Established in 1948, the Fifth Third Foundation was one of the first charitable foundations created by a financial institution. The Fifth Third Foundation supports worthy causes in the areas of health and human services, education, community development and the arts in the states where Fifth Third Bank operates.

About Fifth Third

Fifth Third is a bank that’s as long on innovation as it is on history. Since 1858, we’ve been helping individuals, families, businesses and communities grow through smart financial services that improve lives. Our list of firsts is extensive, and it’s one that continues to expand as we explore the intersection of tech-driven innovation, dedicated people and focused community impact. Fifth Third is one of the few U.S.-based banks to have been named among Ethisphere’s World’s Most Ethical Companies^® for several years. With a commitment to taking care of our customers, employees, communities and shareholders, our goal is not only to be the nation’s highest performing regional bank, but to be the bank people most value and trust.

Fifth Third Bank, National Association is a federally chartered institution. Fifth Third Bancorp is the indirect parent company of Fifth Third Bank and its common stock is traded on the NASDAQ^® Global Select Market under the symbol "FITB." Investor information and press releases can be viewed at www.53.com. Deposit and credit products provided by Fifth Third Bank, National Association. Member FDIC.