Thank You!
$830,000 raised!
This year, Hats Off Luncheon proceeds will support the Sawyer Point Playground and Riverfront Rink.
Hats Off to you for your support of our Riverfront.
2026 Phyllis W. Smale Award
Helen Heekin and Debbie Oliver
The Women Who Turned Hats into a Cincinnati Tradition
The Hats Off Luncheon began with friendship, vision and a belief that women could rally a city around its parks.
Helen Heekin and Debbie Oliver helped establish The Women’s Committee of Cincinnati Parks, bringing together women who shared a love for Cincinnati Parks and a commitment to making them stronger for everyone.
What began as an idea became a tradition. What began as a luncheon grew into one of Cincinnati’s most beloved philanthropic gatherings.
Over two decades, Hats Off has paired style with substance, building awareness, inspiring generosity and creating a community of advocates for Cincinnati Parks. Its impact can be seen along the riverfront, throughout the park system, and in the continued strength of The Women’s Committee.
Today, we honor Helen and Debbie, along with all founding Women’s Committee members, not simply for the event they started, but for the movement they inspired.
Honoring Willie F. Carden Jr.
The Leader Who Shaped Cincinnati’s Modern Park System
Willie F. Carden, Jr. helped shape a defining era for Cincinnati Parks.
During his 17 years as Cincinnati Parks Director, Carden helped advance some of the most visible and transformational park projects in modern Cincinnati history, including the creation of Smale Riverfront Park and the renovation and expansion of Washington Park.
His leadership reflected a fundamental belief: exceptional parks are built by people. Public servants, private donors, civic partners, volunteers, neighborhoods and generations of Cincinnatians all have a role in creating public spaces that strengthen a city.
As Carden once said of Cincinnati Parks: “The heart of the story is the legacy from citizens who acted on a vision of a public park system.”
Mentorship was also central to his own story. The late Marian Lindberg, former President of the Cincinnati Board of Park Commissioners, recognized his extraordinary leadership abilities and encouraged his path to becoming Director of Cincinnati Parks.
Carden carried that same spirit of opportunity and encouragement throughout his career, mentoring young leaders across the City of Cincinnati and throughout Cincinnati Parks.
The Willie F. Carden, Jr. Nature Scholarship
Today, the Cincinnati Parks Foundation is proud to honor his legacy with the Willie F. Carden, Jr. Nature Scholarship. The scholarship will help provide nature-based learning, leadership and stewardship, inspiring young people to connect with the outdoors and imagine themselves as future caretakers and leaders of Cincinnati’s park system.
Through them, Carden’s legacy will continue to grow.
Honorary Chairs
Katherine Jarnigo, Molly Vollmer, Charlie Heekin, Micaela Heekin, Alexa Oliver, Jack Oliver
Sponsorship Chair
Kay Geiger
Decor Chairs
Emma Durham, Lee Lindner,
Lindsey Lewis Morton
Volunteer + Logistic Chairs
Lisa Dir, Caroline Evelo
Host Chairs
Lauren Abrams, Leah Tiffany Thamann,
Sarah Tiffany
What is the Hats Off Luncheon?
For 20 years, the Hats Off Luncheon has brought together civic leaders, philanthropists and park champions to celebrate the power of private support in Cincinnati Parks.
Hosted by The Women’s Committee of Cincinnati Parks, this signature event is more than a luncheon — it is a catalyst. Proceeds directly fund transformative park projects that conserve, create and connect the spaces that define our city.
From neighborhood greens to the riverfront skyline, Hats Off has helped turn vision into reality — one park at a time.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Hats Off Luncheon, two decades of impact driven by dedicated women and generous supporters who believe our parks deserve private investment.
Over the past 20 years, the Hats Off Luncheon event has:
Elevated women’s leadership in civic philanthropy.
Funded transformative park improvements.
Helped shape Smale Riverfront Park into a national model.
Created a lasting culture of giving for Cincinnati Parks.
Provided us the riverfront we enjoy today.
Twenty Years of Women Leading for Parks
Past recipients of the Phyllis Smale Award:
2026 – Helen Heekin & Debbie Oliver
2025 – Shannon & Lee Ault Carter
2024 – Jennifer Angeli, PT, DPT, Ph.D
2023 – Cincinnati Parks Riverfront Team
2022 – Groundwork Ohio River Valley
2021 – Mary Jo Bazeley
2020 – Marian and Donald Spencer
2019 – Mill Creek Alliance
2018 – Jay Andress
2017 – Marian J. Lindberg
2016 – Cincinnati Parks
2015– 3CDC
2014 – Brewster Rhoads
2013 – PNC Bank, presented to Kay Geiger
2012 – Cathy Moon
2011 – Anne M. Zaring
2010 – Marjorie Motch
2009 – Elizabeth Asbury Stone
2008 – Marjorie H. Rauh
2007 – Phyllis W. Smale
Past Hats Off Luncheon Chairs:
2026 – Charlie Heekin, Micaela Heekin, Katherine Jarnigo,
Alexa Oliver, Jack Oliver, Molly Vollmer
2025 – LaNae Barnes & Mindy Hastie
2024 – Cathy Crain, Carrie Hayden & Edna Keown
2023 – Michael Betz & Rhiannon Hoeweler
2022 – Deana Brewer & Brian Tiffany
2021 – Ellen Sole & Sheila Simmons
2020 – Pat Hinkley & Lindsay Wilhelm
2019 – Jennifer Buchholz & Carrie Carothers
2018 – Marty Humes & Jamie Humes
2017 – Cathy Caldemeyer, Lisa Diedrichs, Madeline Young
2016 – Kim Kline & Cheryl Rose
2015 – Keke Sansalone & Cynthia Henderson
2014 – Keke Sansalone & Cynthia Henderson
2013 – Amelia Crutcher & Marty Humes
2012 – Trudi Fullen & Helen Heekin
2011 – Trudi Fullen & Helen Heekin
2010 – Cathy Caldemeyer & Dianne Rosenberg
2009 – Cathy Caldemeyer & Dianne Rosenberg
2008 – Helen Heekin & Debbie Oliver
2007 – Helen Heekin & Debbie Oliver