CINCINNATI, OH (April 24, 2025) – The Dan Lincoln Institute for
Hospitality Leadership (IHL), a workforce development initiative of
Visit Cincy, recognized 44 graduates during a special ceremony
Celebrating participants from across Hamilton County.
This year’s graduates included high school students and adult learners
from five partner programs: LADD (Living Arrangements for the
Developmentally Disabled, AchievePoint, Oyler High School, Western
Hills University High School and Withrow University High School.
Families, educators, and partners joined to honor these future leaders
in hospitality.
“What started as a pilot program with one high school is now preparing
students across our region for careers in hospitality,” said Julie
Calvert, President and CEO of Visit Cincy. “This work is about opening
doors to opportunity, to community, and to a future in one of
Cincinnati’s most vital industries.”
The ceremony spotlighted the program’s namesake, the late Dan Lincoln,
former President and CEO of the Cincinnati USA Convention & Visitors
Bureau (now Visit Cincy). His legacy of championing education, access,
and workforce development continues through IHL’s expanding reach, now
serving both high school students and adult learners.
Dan Lincoln’s sister, Joanne Maly, attended the event in support of the
program and the graduates.
“The Dan Lincoln Institute was built on access, inclusion, and the
belief that everyone deserves a clear pathway to a meaningful career,”
said Ryah Harrison, Program Manager of the Visit Cincy Foundation for
Hospitality Excellence. “These graduates represent the future of
hospitality, prepared, inspired, and ready to contribute to Cincinnati’s
visitor economy.”
Graduates received IHL certificates and the Certified Tourism
Ambassador(R) (CTA(R) ) designation, a nationally recognized credential
in hospitality and customer service excellence, positioning them to
contribute to Cincinnati’s visitor economy.
Scholarships were awarded to Egide Habarugira and Kristen Saul during
The ceremony.
Founded in 2016, IHL connects classroom learning, mentorship, and
real-world experience to help prepare diverse, skilled talent for
Careers in Cincinnati’s growing hospitality and tourism sector. Visit
Cincy also plans to expand the program into additional social services
agencies focused on workforce development and hospitality.
About Visit Cincy
Visit Cincy connects the Cincinnati region’s people and experiences with
visitors and meeting attendees from around the world through sales,
marketing, communications, and community-building strategies. The
nearly 500 businesses support destination marketing organization
that join together in making Cincinnati, Hamilton County, and the Cincy
region a world-class destination by offering their services,
attractions, and facilities to visitors, meeting planners, and
convention attendees. For more information, go to VisitCincy.com.
