ATHENS, OHIO—OCTOBER 15, 2026—Carmella Williams, Executive Director of Intentional Development Group, has been named the recipient of the Stephanie J. Bevens Award by the Ohio CDC Association (OCDCA) for being deeply committed to her community. The recognition was announced at the Ohio CDC Association’s 42nd Annual Conference in Athens, Ohio, on September 17th.
The Ohio CDC Association’s 42nd Annual Conference, Rooted in Place: Growing Strong, Interconnected Community Ecosystems, brought together over 200 community development professionals, partners, and leaders from across Ohio in Athens from September 15-17 to share practical strategies, build partnerships, and celebrate the work happening in Ohio communities.
The Ohio CDC Association is the statewide association representing community development organizations across Ohio, serving 200+ members through advocacy, training and technical assistance, and networking opportunities.
The Stephanie J. Bevens Award is presented each year to an individual who has an entrepreneurial spirit and is a strong advocate on behalf of low- to moderate-income people in recognition of Stephanie Bevens, a long-time OCDCA Board Member, an innovative director of microenterprise programs at Pike County Community Action, and a tireless advocate on behalf of low-income entrepreneurs.
Carmella Williams was nominated by Jennifer Roller, President of The Raymond John Wean Foundation, for embodying the spirit of Stephanie Bevens through her unwavering dedication to uplifting people and strengthening community.
As Executive Director, Carmella has led Intentional Development Group to be a leading example of how trust and community-rooted leadership can drive meaningful economic opportunity in the Mahoning Valley.
OCDCA is proud to honor Carmella Williams for helping to connect entrepreneurs to capital and financial resources and ensuring that investment reaches those who are often overlooked yet vital to the region’s economic future.
“We are so pleased to award Carmella Williams the Stephanie J. Bevens Award. Carmella has built Intentional Development Group into a trusted bridge between entrepreneurs and the capital, partnerships, and resources they need to succeed in the Mahoning Valley. Her work with partners has opened doors for business owners who are too often overlooked. This award reflects exactly what Stephanie Bevens stood for: leading with authenticity and purpose to help others recognize their own potential.”
— Torey Hollingsworth, Executive Director, Ohio CDC Association
“The Wean Foundation is grateful to support Intentional Development Group’s efforts here in the Mahoning Valley. Carmella’s work has made a real difference in the lives of so many people. She embodies the spirit of this award and truly lives out our mission of empowered residents creating a more equitable Mahoning Valley. We are incredibly proud to see her leadership and service recognized across Ohio.”
—Jennifer Roller, President, Wean Foundation
About the Ohio CDC Association
The Ohio CDC Association is a statewide membership organization that fosters vibrant neighborhoods and improves the quality of life in all communities through advocacy and capacity building of our member agencies.
About The Raymond John Wean Foundation
Established in 1949, the Wean Foundation is dedicated to community building in the under-resourced communities of Warren and Youngstown in Ohio’s Mahoning Valley. The Wean Foundation leverages a dynamic combination of grantmaking, capacity building, convening and partnerships to provoke new thinking, strengthen communities and disrupt the status quo to achieve its vision: empowered residents creating an equitable Mahoning Valley. Visit weanfoundation.org to learn more.