Clemons is “an individual who inspires and leads by example,” according to a bio from the West Chester/Liberty Chamber Alliance.
“In the areas of education, transportation, and workforce development, Erin has taken the success of the Community Foundation to the next level,” according to the bio.
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Clemons started working at the foundation in 2014 as vice president of development and donor relations. She became president and CEO in 2015.
“With the Community Foundation, she has worked to organize events such as the Key Event and the Shamrock Shuffle,” Clemons’ bio said. “Through the Community Needs Assessment, she has learned that the Community Foundation’s efforts should be focused on education, transportation, and workforce development.”
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Leadership is nothing new to Clemons. After spending her adolescence as an athlete and running in college, fitness was an important part of her life. With a history of running injuries, her solution was to pick up cycling. Nine months after giving birth, she won the Master’s State Cycling Criterium Championship. In 2014, she co-founded the first women’s elite cycling team in Ohio, Women’s Racing Project.
WRP’s mission is to ensure there are equal racing opportunities available for women, and the team has expanded to represent Ohio and Indiana.
Clemons, who attended Mount Notre Dame High School, has lived in West Chester Twp. for most of her life.
“Her impact on the West Chester/Liberty area is noticeable, although she is the type to shine the limelight on the people who helped her make the goal achievable,” according to her chamber bio. “There is no person more deserving of recognition than the one who praises it in others and Erin is the one to be highlighting others’ accomplishments while saying nothing of her own.”
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The other nine honorees of the 18 annual Women of Excellence Awards were:
• Theresa Baker, leader of Relay for Life at Lakota West for 8 years, helped raise almost $400,000 while raising community awareness.
• Jamie Beringer, founder of non-profit organization, Bicycle Recycle Project, which provides bicycles to children in foster care and underprivileged in the community.
• Anne Broshear, intervention specialist at Lakota Schools
• Nia Butts, freshman at Bowling Green State University, Lakota East High School graduate; served with a kind, fun-loving heart at Edge Teen Center, giving over 100 hours of her time and energy.
• Diane Egbers, president and CEO of Leadership Excelleration
• Kim Hollon, contributor to efforts at Family Promise of Butler and Warren counties for the past 10 years, also leads the Stepping Forward Program at her church.
• Kris Loughrie, director of finance for UC Health West Chester Hospital, champion for the Matthew J. Stratman Foundation, Free Throws for Kids, multiple charity walks and more.
• Monica Posey, president of Cincinnati State Technical and Community College and the first African American woman to lead an institution of higher education in the greater Cincinnati area.
• Suesann Sepela, senior regional director of Tutoring & Learning Centers for Miami University Hamilton & Voice of America Regional campuses, founding member of both Winton Woods Education Foundation and the Winton Woods Achievement Boosters and serves on many other boards and committees.
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