Sue Grabowski, chief executive officer of the Uniontown-based firm Desidara, to deliver Commencement address

After earning her degree in communication arts with a focus on journalism, Grabowski worked as associate editor for Babcox Publications, an account executive with Covington Communications, and as a senior communications representative for Progressive Insurance before launching her own marketing company in 1997. 

Having grown the marketing communications firm into a thriving organization, Grabowski now leads the process-driven Desidara as CEO, serving regional, national, and international clients. In addition to leading Desidara, Grabowski partnered with software engineer Rob Kemmer to launch Squawqr Mobile Media, a cloud-based mobile-first software used by both Fortune 500 companies and small businesses.

Grabowski is a Certified Global Speaker in the Entrepreneurs Organization (EO), serves as Marketing Chair for the EO Cleveland chapter, and serves as a trustee on the Malone University Board of Trustees. With a passion for giving back to her community, she has volunteered her time and talents on a number of community boards and committees including Pathway Caring for Children, Mobile Meals Inc., the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce, Women’s Impact Inc., and The Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank. 

Grabowski has been honored as the recipient of the American Advertising Federation’s Silver Medal award and the Business Excellence Award from the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce. In addition, her firm has won over 100 ADDY Awards and was a five-time Weatherhead 100 winner, and Grabowski herself was an Athena Nominee - Women’s Impact Inc. and featured in Crain’s Cleveland Business Magazine in 2019 as one of their “Notable Women in Entrepreneurship.”