Locals named to top 20 under 40

TOLEDO — Three Findlay locals have received a 20 Under 40 Leadership Recognition Award for 2024. Emily Wolfe, Catherine M. Kisseberth and Kaleb Jai Harrison Brown were three of 20 candidates chosen from total 187 total nominations for the leadership award. Emily Wolfe Wolfe is a sales consultant for CosmoProf Beauty and founder of Cookies for the Cure. She earned a 14-year service award from Sally Beauty in 2024, the "Heart of the Community Award" from CosmoProf in 2021 and "Rookie of the Year" from Beauty Systems Group in 2010. While she has enjoyed a successful career, she has said her passion is volunteerism and fundraising. She founded "Cookies for the Cure" in 2018 and has raised over $50,000 for cancer nonprofits. From 2018-21, Wolfe served on the race committee for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Findlay. She was a "Look Good Feel Better" volunteer for the American Cancer Society from 2015-18, taught the "Beginners Guide to Essential Oils" for Cancer Patient Services from 2015-2017 and currently serves as race chair for their "Flock Walk." Since 2022, she has served on the Susan G. Komen Advisory Board for the 3-Day series. Since 2014, Wolfe has been a lunch monitor at St. Michael the Archangel School and currently is a Daisy Girl Scout Troop leader. One of her favorite ways to give back is through her blog that she started when she was diagnosed with breast cancer and where she continues to tell her story. Wolfe is a graduate of the Paul Mitchell school for cosmetology in Columbus. Catherine M. Kisseberth Kisseberth is CEO of Hancock Federal Credit Union. After college, she was promoted to director of accounting. She earned a CPA and left HFCU, only to return in 2015 as chief financial officer before advancing to CEO. As CEO, Kisseberth collaborates with the Ohio governor and treasurer's offices and helped launch the Ohio Homebuyer Plus program, positioning HFCU as one of the first in Ohio to offer tax-advantaged savings accounts for homebuyers. She is one of the youngest female CEOs among Ohio's credit unions. Kisseberth is the chair of the Findlay-Hancock County Chamber of Commerce advisory board, a board member of The Alliance, a board member with Hope House for the Homeless, board treasurer for the Hancock Historical Museum, chairs the Scholarship Committee for the Kiwanis Club of Findlay, was a past president of the Findlay Young Professionals and is a member of the Ohio Credit Union League's Advocacy Action Committee. In 2023, Kisseberth was honored as a distinguished alumni by the University of Findlay. A graduate of the Hancock Leadership Program, she continues giving back through mentorship and has participated in programs with the Credit Union National Association, Credit Union Women's Leadership Alliance and the Ohio Credit Union League. Kaleb Jai Harrison Brown Brown is a community impact manager at United Way of Hancock County and an adjunct professor in the masters level Health Informatics Program at the University of Findlay. At United Way, Brown secured grant funding to support food insecurity and oversaw the allocation of $2 million to community agencies. After completing five international service programs, he will lead a university student service group to India this fall. Brown served in the Peace Corps in Ghana, West Africa, and spent a year in Beijing, China, teaching English to children. During the pandemic, he was an administrator and trainer for COVID contact tracing and served at FEMA's Community Vaccination Centers in New York. In the community, Brown is a member of the University of Findlay Health Informatics Advisory Board; Findlay Young Professionals Board at the Findlay Hancock Chamber of Commerce; Hancock County Cultural Humility and Health Equity Delegation; the Alcohol, Drug, and Mental Health Services Opioid and Addiction task force; City of Findlay Immigration task force; the Hancock County Community Partnership Prevention Coalition; and the Affordable Housing Alliance. Brown graduated with both bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Findlay and received the Founders' Son Award, the highest university honor, while a student at UF. He is an Eagle Scout, certified scuba diver and a 2nd-degree black belt in taekwondo. 20 Under 40 The 20 Under 40 program started in 1996 and has been awarding 20 "young community leaders" ever since with a total of 580 having been recognized so far in the Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan region. The 20 Under 40 website describes a standout candidate as one who has "demonstrated, measurable achievements in their field and/or in community service." The pool of applicants are gathered from solicited nominations and include artists, entrepreneurs, doctors, educators, nonprofit executives, public figures, business leaders and behind-the-scenes contributors, among others. From the pool of nominations an independent council selects 20 for the award. The selection council rotates its members yearly. Nominations for the 2025 award are open now through June 30, 2025 and can be found online at https://20under40toledo.com/nominations.