2025 Toast to Trusted Leaders Beacon by bbbcentralohio

Toast To Trusted Leaders

About BBB Center for Character Ethics

BBB’s Center for Character Ethics is a non-profit organization focused on serving businesses, social enterprises, startups, and non-profit organizations. Our mission is to provide assessment, training, and recognition programs for current and future leaders who are intentional about character, culture, customers, and community.

Toast to Trusted Leaders

Cheers to BBB’s trusted leaders! 2025’s ‘Toast to Trusted Leaders’ event honored businesses and students who exemplify integrity, trust, and leadership within our community. The event recognized those who have shown unwavering commitment to ethical conduct and community engagement. Please support these exceptional leaders whose contributions inspire a future grounded in TRUST!

Thankyou

Congratulations Torch Awards for Ethics Winners

Headquartered in Dublin, CollisionRight operates a growing network of collision repair centers built on craftsmanship, care, and character. The company pairs certified technicians and advanced technology with a people-first culture rooted in empathy, transparency, and doing what’s right for every customer. Beyond repair excellence, CollisionRight invests in its team through feedback-driven leadership, growth opportunities, and a mission to create the best place to work. From donating refurbished vehicles through the Recycled Rides program to serving meals at the Columbus Dream Center, CollisionRight demonstrates that integrity in action extends well beyond the shop floor.

Founded in 1881, E.E. Ward Moving & Storage is the nation’s oldest continually operating African American–owned business, built on a legacy of integrity, reliability, and service. As a full-service moving company, E.E. Ward provides residential, commercial, and government clients with an unmatched sense of comfort and security when relocating or storing their belongings nationwide. For more than 144 years, the company has demonstrated that doing the right thing is not just a value but a way of life, inspiring trust and strengthening the customers it serves.

Founded in 2021 in Columbus, OH, Emerald Creative Content is an SEO-obsessed, woman-owned digital marketing agency. Their “anti-agency” agency approach is built on a values-first foundation of trust with their clients. Emerald empowers its team to prioritize transparency and ethical decision-making in every small business partnership. Doing the right thing for clients is never a risk, but it’s the standard. Their commitment to ethical leadership and human-first digital marketing makes them a standout example of integrity in the digital space with strategies designed to help local small businesses move the needle.

MDK Legal, formerly Manley Deas & Kochalski, is a Columbusbased law firm that blends legal expertise with business partnership thinking, helping clients in banking, mortgage servicing, and timeshare industries resolve complex matters efficiently and ethically. Guided by the mission to “create uncommon paths to success for our clients and ourselves,” MDK’s culture is rooted in trust, transparency, and shared purpose. The firm invests deeply in its people through initiatives like its Leadership Lab and Culture Council, fostering open dialogue, professional growth, and belonging across all levels. By living its values daily and leading with clarity, humility, and care, MDK sets the standard for integrity-driven leadership in the legal field.

Based in Powell, Ohio, Measurement Resources Company helps nonprofits and government agencies turn good intentions into measurable impact through data, evaluation, and performance strategy. By equipping mission-driven organizations with tools to track and improve outcomes, MRC ensures that every effort leads to meaningful, lasting change. The firm’s culture of trust is built on transparency, empowerment, and shared purpose, where employees are encouraged to take initiative, act with integrity, and cocreate solutions that elevate clients and communities alike. Through clarity of purpose and data-driven collaboration, MRC exemplifies how doing good and doing it well go hand in hand.

Based in Columbus, Mid-State Basement Systems provides premier solutions in basement waterproofing, foundation and crawl space repair, and basement finishing. With a focus on honesty, communication, and craftsmanship, their team delivers high-quality, warrantied results that restore value and peace of mind. Through initiatives like the “WOW! Service” program and an open feedback culture, Mid-State empowers employees to lead with empathy, integrity, and accountability in every customer interaction. Their commitment to doing what’s right, every time, has built a workplace and brand where trust and excellence thrive.

Founded in 1984 and based in Columbus, Polaris Automation provides smart manufacturing, automation, and digital factory solutions that help manufacturers enhance quality, efficiency, and productivity. As a 100% employee-owned company operating within the EOS framework, Polaris emphasizes integrity, transparency, and collaboration, ensuring that owners are aligned around shared goals and responsibilities. The team is encouraged to act in each client’s best interest, communicate clearly, and address challenges promptly, fostering long-term, trust-based relationships. Polaris also extends its commitment to service through community involvement, including mentoring robotics students and supporting anti-trafficking initiatives.

BBB Spark Awards recognize entrepreneurs 35 and under or those in business for three years or less who demonstrate high character, authentic culture, and connect with the community.

This year, 3 finalists were chosen for BBB Spark Awards:

Bite This By Annie

Columbus Marketing Experts

Rebel Marketing

JUDGES

Lauren Edwards

Natalie Nguyen

Nevin Bansal

Congratulations Spark Award Winner

Bite This by Annie is a Columbus bakery known for bold, scratch-made treats and a welcoming “come as you are” experience. Born from the founder’s sobriety journey, the business centers mental health advocacy, inclusion, and community connection. The team pairs high standards in the kitchen with open feedback, consistent care, and “Wake Up, Do Better” as a daily practice. Their authenticity, ethical leadership, and purpose-driven collaborations make Bite This a standout Spark Award honoree for building Trust while delighting customers.

This year, we were proud to introduce the Center For Character EthicsBuilding Future Trades Scholarship.

This new scholarship was created to celebrate students who are pursuing careers in the skilled trades. Just like our Students of Integrity, these students have demonstrated strength of character, a strong work ethic, and a commitment to contributing to their communities. Congratulations to the three winners this year! We look forward to growing the program to support more Trade Careers in the future!

Kenneth Palmer IV, Southwest Career Academy

Kwame Bosley, Tolles Career & Technical Center

Micah Begly, Southwest Career Academy

Thanks to our Building Future Trades Scholarship judge for the first year:

Paul Kilzer, General Manager - SOS Home Ohio

The BBB Students of Integrity Scholarship recognizes 10 local high school seniors who exhibit high character through leadership, community service, integrity, and academic performance. The 2025 Students of Integrity scholarships are made possible by the generosity of Rosati Windows.

Each of the following students will receive a $1,000 scholarship to the college or university of their choice:

Aayzah Khan, Wellington School

Cooper Valentine, Philo High School

Emma Strickler, Amanda Clearcreek High School

Estrella Flores-Villanueva, Jonathan Alder High School

Haytham Richlen-Bakari, Grandview Heights High School

Hope Goodson, Vinton County High School

Luke Preston, Adena High School

Madison Haugk, Olentangy Berlin High School

Reava Desai, New Albany High School

Yasmine Ahmed, Fort Hayes Art and Academic High School