In 1996, an event created to mark Cleveland’s Bicentennial sparked the beginning of what has now become one of the city’s most-anticipated annual business and social gatherings.
This year, over 200 influential business and community leaders, as well as well-known social figures, filled the Union Club for the Cleveland Magazine and Community Leader Business Hall of Fame & Community Leader of the Year Awards.
Guests enjoyed a cocktail reception, followed by a formal dinner where speakers shared the inspiring success stories of the honorees, celebrating their contributions to the city.
Honoring Business Leaders
The event honored 2024 Business Hall of Fame Inductees Lee Friedman of College Now, Steve Potash of OverDrive and Marc Stefanski of Third Federal Bank.
Lee Friedman, as CEO of College Now, has been a driving force behind making education more accessible for students in Cleveland.
OverDrive’s Potash, as president and CEO, has played an important role in improving access to books and information all over the world.
For Stefanski, strong company values that include trust, respect and a genuine care for others have been a huge part of Third Federal’s success.
Community Leaders Making an Impact
The event also honored Community Leaders Margot Copeland of KeyBank Foundation, Ed and Megan McNamara of Prayers from Maria and LeadDIVERSITY’s Peggy Zone Fisher.
Copeland helped transform the lives of Cleveland students when, during her time as KeyBank Foundation CEO, she was able to funnel grant money to fund KeyBank Classroom for STEM Education at Cleveland State University, allowing high school students to explore STEM on a college campus.
For Megan and Ed McNamara, creating the Prayers From Maria Foundation was a way to honor the legacy of their late daughter while making a huge impact, raising more than $12 million for childhood cancer research.
Zone Fisher, during her 18-year tenure at the Diversity Center of Northeast Ohio, was instrumental in increasing fundraising to help combat bigotry and advocate for diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging in our communities.
The awards event is an opportunity to celebrate all these accomplishments and their tremendous impact on Greater Cleveland.
Jim Carulas, Meaden & Moore Sponsor
Richard Pogue and Margot Copeland, Independent Board Member
Megan and Ed McNamara, Prayers From Maria
Peggy Zone Fisher, Diversity Center of Northeast Ohio
Paul Federico, Carrie Carpenter, and Eddie Taylor
Lee Friedman, College Now
Brian Potash, Alison Potash, Steve Potash, Loree Potash, Erica Lazzaro and Karen Estrovich
Marc Stefanski, Third Federal Savings & Loan
