Colson Baker (aka mgk), Class of 2008, is a Grammy-nominated multi-platinum recording artist who is an atomic force in music, entertainment, film and fashion. The Cleveland, Ohio native has eclipsed genre expectations with the widely acclaimed 2020 Tickets to My Downfall and 2022 Mainstream Sellout. Both hit No. 1 on the Billboard 200 cementing his status as a chart-topping artist. Mainstream Sellout was nominated for a 2023 Grammy Award for “Best Rock Album”. mgk’s latest studio album was the 2025 release ‘lost americana,’ marking his seventh overall Top 10 and third consecutive No. 1 Rock and Alternative album. In addition to music and acting, mgk is an entrepreneur/founder of The 27 Club coffee shop in The Flats and brings the city together with “mgk day weekend” in Cleveland every August. Through philanthropy, mental health advocacy, local investment, and community involvement, mgk has demonstrated a genuine commitment to giving back.

Matt Buder Shapiro, Class of 2008, is the CMO and a Partner at Ensemble Performing Arts, a community of more than 130 music and dance studios and 2,500 teachers across the U.S. Previously, he served as CMO and Head of Growth at Vytalize Health, helping scale the company to more than $3 billion in revenue and recognition as the fastest growing company in America in 2024. He is the founder of MedPilot, acquired by Vytalize, and an active investor in more than 40 companies across consumer, tech, healthcare, and entertainment, including Olipop, Goodles, Headway, and Cleveland Kitchen. Matt serves as a Mayoral Appointee to the Board of Directors for Destination Cleveland. 

Richard Lash, MD, Class of 1977, has served in a variety of leadership positions, including Chief Medical Officer and Executive VP of Operations at Caris Life Sciences, where he developed a unique practice model resulting in measurable and significant improvement in the quality of care to over 1.2 million patients each year. Richard has spent his 40+ year career in the pursuit of bettering himself and his colleagues through education, research, and leveraging medical data. He is currently Clinical Professor of Pathology at UT Southwestern Medical Center and has published 6 medical book chapters and 88 research publications with over 3000 citations.  

Thomas G. Miller, MD, Class of 1973, was a pediatrician in Cleveland for 9 years before an illness forced him to retire in 1991. He then moved to Los Angeles where he obtained his MFA in film and television production at the University of Southern California. He then began a 30+ year career as a multi award-winning documentary editor, director, producer and writer. His film’s focus mostly on topics of social justice, LGBTQ+ issues, and American culture. Tom’s professional memberships have included: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences Documentary Branch, The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, and The American Cinema Editors (ACE). He was also a Full Professor at the USC School of Cinematic Arts for 22 years, teaching editing, documentary filmmaking and running the Alfred P. Sloan Science film program. 

Tiffany Mizen, Class of 2002, is a nationally respected commercial real estate leader and a trailblazer for diversity and equity. As the former Head of Real Estate & Facilities at Bridgewater Associates, she led global workplace operations and chaired the firm’s Operational Sustainability Committee. With over 20 years of experience, she has managed major portfolios for SL Green, Cushman & Wakefield, JLL, IBM, and Bridgewater. Tiffany is a champion for equity, mentoring underrepresented talent and founding Proper Decorum Inc. to support women’s professional development. A mother of an autistic child, she advocates for autism awareness and supports working mothers navigating similar journeys.

Sanford E. Watson, Class of 1981, is a Member of the firm McDonald Hopkins, LLC, and in over 37 years of practice, he is primarily a trial lawyer. He has also served as the Chief Prosecutor as well as Director of Public Safety for the City of Cleveland and as Vice Chair of the Ohio Board of Professional Conduct. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Morehouse College, and law degree from Georgetown University, where he was inducted into the Order of the Barristers. He has served our community as a Trustee or Board Member of numerous nonprofit organizations including Cleveland Institute of Music, Greater Cleveland Urban Film Foundation, Karamu House, and the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes. 

Lorna Wisham, Class of 1984, is a distinguished corporate affairs and philanthropy executive with more than three decades of leadership across government, corporate strategy, and community investment. Lorna’s career has bridged the public and private sectors — from mayoral administrations and lobbying Capitol Hill to leading one of the region’s most impactful corporate foundations. As Vice President of Corporate Affairs and President of the FirstEnergy Foundation, she directed over $72 million in philanthropic investments across the mid-Atlantic region until her retirement in 2025. 

Today, she remains actively involved in the communities she has long championed, serving on the boards of Cuyahoga Community College Foundation, United Way of Greater Cleveland, First Tee of Cleveland, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. Lorna holds degrees from The University of Akron and American University and was most recently named the 2025 BPACF Black Professional of the Year.