TOLEDO, Ohio, November 25, 2025 – SSOE Group, an internationally ranked architecture and engineering firm headquartered in Toledo, is proud to announce Candice Harrison, Director of Inclusion & Community Impact, was named a 2026 YWCA Milestones: A Tribute to Women honoree in the category of volunteerism. Harrison will be recognized alongside seven other distinguished women leaders at the 31st annual awards ceremony on Thursday, March 26, 2026, at Toledo’s Glass City Center.
Established in 1996, the YWCA Milestones honor women of Northwest Ohio who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and opened doors for others to achieve their potential. Honorees are selected from 300 local nominations for their exemplary achievements, commitment to community, and embodiment of the YWCA’s mission to empower women.
Since joining SSOE in 2022, Harrison has been instrumental in advancing the firm’s vision for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), launching impactful initiatives such as SSOE’s annual scholarship for students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities and leading the development of six active Employee Resource Groups that foster inclusion and professional growth across the organization, along with volunteerism and civil service in the community.
Harrison’s leadership has not only shaped and elevated SSOE’s culture but also strengthened its brand reputation and championed positive change across the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry. She has served locally and nationally in a variety of roles.
Harrison currently serves as President-Elect for the Rotary Club of Toledo, Board Member for the Art Tatum Zone, and is a member of the Board of Directors at Central Catholic High School where she is the Chair of the Marketing Committee. She is formerly the President of the Press Club of Toledo, Vice President of the Public Relations Society of America, Northwest Ohio Chapter, member of the Lucas County Workforce Development Board, The Arts Commission, and several other boards and committees.
Building Community & Leading Change
The firm’s ongoing commitment to community and inclusion is reflected in both its internal initiatives and its active support of local partnerships. In 2025, the firm established the SSOE Foundation, a collaboration between SSOE and the Greater Toledo Community Foundation aimed to maximize the impact of SSOE’s philanthropic efforts, which Harrison currently leads as a part of her expanded role. In response to her Milestone Award honor, Harrison shared:
“It’s rare that I’m speechless, but this recognition truly humbles me. I’ve always had a servant’s heart, so being honored by the YWCA in the volunteerism category is deeply meaningful. This award represents my community commitment, but also my legacy of trailblazing in spaces where I have been the first person of color to lead, or one of the few women seated at the table. What drew me to leadership at SSOE was its long-standing commitment to volunteerism and community partnerships—a value embedded since the firm’s founding. This aligned with my personal values.
I’ve been enabled and empowered to enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion at the firm as an extension of that culture. That culture has empowered me to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion as an extension of our community focus. I also believe my strong connection to and understanding of the community has been critical to my success in this role, as it is the foundation for influence and collaboration both in and out of SSOE. I’m grateful for the opportunity to impact my community through service, for an employer that champions these efforts, and for the privilege of being recognized for my service to others.”
Next month, SSOE is set to sponsor the upcoming Amplify Allyship™ conference in Toledo, the second-to-last stop of a four-city tour. Harrison will serve on the “Executive Power Panel: From Me to ‒ The Real ROI of Cross-Community Allyship” on Tuesday, December 2.
SSOE’s Vince DiPofi, PE, CEO, to whom Harrison’s directly reports, will deliver the keynote at the event on advancing allyship as a core leadership capability. The conference emphasizes allyship as intentional actions that align with behaviors benefiting everyone, fostering cultures of inclusion and innovation.
DiPofi, a steadfast supporter of Harrison who was present at the November 18 press conference announcing Harrison’s Milestone Award honor, commented on her contributions:
“Candice’s passion for volunteerism, community partnership, and inclusion shines through in everything she does—from empowering colleagues to championing initiatives. Her recognition as a YWCA Milestones honoree reflects the profound influence she’s had within SSOE and across Northwest Ohio. Her reach is undeniable; nearly everyone in Toledo knows Candice, many through her hands-on work on the front lines of giving back. She inspires others, including me, to share that same commitment to community.”
Harrison also hosts SSOE’s popular podcast, A Blueprint for Equity, which explores challenges and opportunities in DEI across the AEC industry and related fields. Now preparing to launch its second season of episodes, the podcast continues to spark meaningful conversations and inspire action throughout the profession. To celebrate the upcoming season two premiere, DiPofi joined Harrison for an insightful discussion—watch the video here.
About the YWCA Milestones Awards
The YWCA Milestones: A Tribute to Women Awards recognize women in Northwest Ohio for outstanding accomplishments in eight areas: Arts, Business, Education, Government, Sciences, Social Services, Volunteerism, and Woman on the Rise. For more information, click here.
