Our Story:

What if there was an ecosystem that understood the struggles of our city’s young adults, uniquely met them where they are, and equipped them to remove barriers without removing ownership?

What if?

Our journey began with a simple yet powerful idea: leadership potential is everywhere, but opportunity is not. We saw the need to bridge that gap and create a space where young emerging leaders in our city could develop their skills, expand their networks, and gain the confidence to step into leadership roles. Brian Gardner’s journey and passion for leadership development laid the foundation for what has become the dynamic community it is today.

Watch Brian’s story here.

Empowering Leaders. Transforming Communities.

At Rising Leaders Cincy, we believe leadership isn’t just a title—it’s a mindset, a skill set, and a commitment to growth. We exist to empower emerging leaders, equipping them with the tools, connections, and experiences needed to thrive in their careers and make an impact in their communities.

Today, Rising Leaders Cincy is a thriving community of changemakers, mentors, and forward-thinkers dedicated to shaping the future of our region.

Mission, Vision, and Values

Our Mission

Build young leaders from the city who multiply hope for the city.

Our Vision

Transform communities through life and leadership development of young adults.

Our Values

  • We believe that individuals are valuable and uniquely created by God for a purpose. 

  • We believe in equipping and resourcing those who persevere despite disadvantaged backgrounds.

  • We believe that the transformed lives of Rising Leaders make them influencers of good.

  • We believe that a positive ecosystem empowers anyone to achieve the next level of life regardless of position, creed, or circumstances.

  • We believe in operating in our giftings alongside others’ expertise to make vibrant communities. 

  • We believe in the value of coaches who hold us accountable to our own dreams, by breaking bad habits and building success mindsets.

Who Are Rising Leaders?

You are a Rising Leader if you have the drive to lead but seek guidance, community, and real-world experience to step into your full potential. You know you’re capable of more, but the path to leadership isn’t always clear. That’s where we come in. Rising Leaders Cincy offers the structure, guidance, and opportunities to help you rise with confidence. Transformation starts with a single step—let us help you take it.

Rising Leaders are 18-28-year-olds from at-risk communities, nominated by partner organizations because they are influencers and/or show promise to become multipliers as they move their lives forward toward a thriving adulthood.

How it Works:

Leadership Development:
Programs that build self-awareness, relational connection, and critical skills to raise influential leaders.

Life Coaching:
Coaches guide Rising Leaders with accountability and responsibility on their journey from surviving to thriving.

Community Development & Impact:
Resources, workshops, and community support to bridge gaps and overcome obstacles.

Transformation Starts Here

Promising young adults are nominated before being inducted as a Rising Leader. Working within their unique gifting and passions, we inspire their dreams, cultivate success habits, and facilitate healing from brokenness. Rising Leaders get an uplifting community as they level up and systematically learn the essential skills in each of the five “Pillars of Success”: Economic, Emotional, Spiritual, Relational, Physical.

Inducted Rising Leaders commit one year at a time to The Leadership Institute, which is comprised of teaching, coaching, tactical exercises, physical training, and retreats. Rising Leaders get a life coach who partners with them to level up their success skills in the context of their personal wirings and apply the teachings to their real-world situations. With courage and perseverance, they build life muscles to resiliently pursue their God-given purposes.

Three levels of Leadership Certification are offered as Rising Leaders achieve progressive proficiency in the 5 Pillars of Success.

Leadership Team

  • Gladys Risma

    CEO

    “It has been a great adventure to create the Life Coaching and Leadership Institute that brings a Generation of Hope through young leaders empowered to pursue their God given purposes through transforming their community.”

  • Matthew Jacobs

    SENIOR LIFE COACH

    “I am a Rising Leader Life Coach  because I see hope in the next generation. They carry a unique strength—one that fosters inclusion through community and a deep desire to impact their family, friends, and beyond.”

  • Vince Smith

    LIFE COACH

    “I want to share my life experience and knowledge with someone young that is willing to accept it. I also want to develop relationships with younger generations.”

  • John Stemple

    LIFE COACH

    “I've been blessed to have amazing coaches, role models and mentors at every stage of my life.  Being able to return this blessing to the adults and Cincinnati community is privilege that I don't take lightly.  I look forward to seeing our Leaders Rise!”

  • Brae Dorcas

    LIFE COACH

    “My mission is to have a generational impact”

  • Patriece Johnson

    LIFE COACH

    “I desire to see the next generation flourishing and fruitful in the city.”

  • Steve Schmidlin

    LIFE COACH

    “I have a passion to help young people overcome”

  • Shammon Payne

    LIFE COACH

    “I am part of Rising Leaders because it gives me hope for growth, and I want to share that same hope with my family and community. “

  • LaKeisha Cook

    PROGRAM MANAGER

    “Empowered young adults create empowered communities. Cincinnati’s next chapter depends on their leadership.”

  • Dejah Rawlings

    LIFE COACH

    “I wanted to be a part of Rising Leaders to be able to walk alongside young adults who are experiencing or have experienced similar obstacles in their lives, that I’ve had on my own. I joined to be an encouragement to those who want to better themselves, but may need a bit of help along the way as they navigate through this thing called life.”

Connect with Gladys, our Executive Director on Linkedin:

Board Members & Committees

  • LaMarque' Ward

    RISING LEADERS BOARD PRESIDENT

    Sr. President at Dream Builders University

  • Anna-Liisa Vockell

    RISING LEADERS BOARD VICE-PRESIDENT

    Nurse Practitioner, Advanced Practice Provider Educator Asthma Research at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center

  • Patriece Johnson

    RISING LEADERS BOARD MEMBER

    City Director at The Navigators

  • Chris Boeckerman

    RISING LEADERS BOARD MEMBER

    Vice President, Research & Development, Procter & Gamble

  • Robert Smith

    RISING LEADERS BOARD MEMBER

    Realtor, Coldwell Banker

  • Monica Benton

    PROGRAM COMMITTEE

    Victim Advocate for City of Cincinnati Police Department

  • Kelly Hayden, LPC, MA

    PROGRAM COMMITTEE

    Founder/CEO, Certified Counselor and Coach of Tri-State Counseling & Coaching

  • Chris Coxs

    PROGRAM COMMITTEE

    Director of Back2Back Cincinnati

  • Roger Howell

    HOUSING COMMITTEE

    Consultant, Former President of City Gospel Mission

Rising Leaders Cincy is more than a program—it’s a movement. Join us in shaping the future of leadership.