Community Leader Award

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Margaret W. Wong

Honored with the Albert B. & Audrey G. Ratner Community Leader Award

Margaret W. Wong, nationally recognized immigration attorney and founder of Margaret W. Wong & Associates, was honored with the Albert B. & Audrey G. Ratner Community Leader Award at Global Cleveland’s 2025 Annual Meeting Luncheon, held on Thursday, November 13th at The Aviator.

In the program’s tribute, Margaret Wong was described as “a trailblazer in her field and a beacon of hope for immigrant families across the nation.” The award was presented by Sanjiv K. Kapur, Partner at Jones Day and a longtime friend of Ms. Wong. Accepting on her behalf was George Hwang, Ms. Wong’s brother, as she was away providing urgent support to a vulnerable client—an example of her lifelong dedication to immigrant communities.

During his remarks, Kapur emphasized Wong’s extraordinary impact, noting, “This award recognizes steadfast leadership and deep compassion for newcomers, and Margaret Wong embodies those qualities as fully as anyone I know.”

Global Cleveland’s Annual Meeting is widely recognized as the organization’s signature event, “celebrating the people and partnerships that strengthen our region.” More than a celebration, the luncheon serves as a call to action advancing the shared vision of a Northeast Ohio where every individual has the opportunity to contribute, succeed, and belong.

This year’s gathering also honored several outstanding community partners and leaders:

  • Cleveland Regional Transit Authority — Global Employer Award
    Accepted by George Fields, Deputy General Manager of Human Resources

  • Signal Cleveland — Media Partner Award
    Accepted by Rita McNeil Danish, Chief Executive Officer

  • Elena Boop — Volunteer of the Year Award
    Chief Trial Counsel, City of Cleveland Law Department; immigrant from Siberia

  • Elizabeth Papp Taylor — George Forbes Sister City Architect Award
    President, Cleveland Hungarian Development Panel; immigrant from Eastern Europe

  •  Rabab Anttar — Youth Leader Award
    Advocate for global human rights and refugee empowerment; immigrant from Morocco

Remarks from Global Cleveland’s Incoming Board President

Ms. Abigail Levin, Global Cleveland’s incoming Board President and Senior Vice President & Chief External Affairs Officer at the Jewish Federation of Cleveland, delivered a compelling address. She praised the organization as:

“An organization dedicated to enhancing the economic success and prosperity of Northeast Ohio through the lens of welcoming international newcomers. This includes advocating for inclusion and social justice, making language access widely available, creating programming to expand workforce development initiatives, and civically engaging newcomers. Global Cleveland is the only organization in our region navigating this essential work in such a broad and deep way.”

A Celebration of Leadership, Inclusion, and Community Impact

Ms. Margaret W. Wong’s recognition highlights her unwavering commitment to immigrants and her profound influence on communities across the nation. Global Cleveland’s 2025 Annual Meeting once again underscored the power of partnership, advocacy, and leadership in building a vibrant, inclusive Northeast Ohio.