2026 President’s Award Recipient
At the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association’s 2026 Annual Meeting on June 4, the President’s Award will be presented to Brandon Chrostowski. The honor recognizes leadership that has made a lasting impact on the legal profession, the Bar, and the broader community.
The President’s Award is chosen by the current CMBA president and given to an individual whose work reflects a sustained commitment to the mission and values of the CMBA. This year, President Nicholas DiCello chose Brandon Chrostowski, whose career exceeds that standard through action, consistency, and results.
Chrostowski is the founder, president, and CEO of EDWINS: Leadership & Restaurant Institute. Through EDWINS, he has built a nationally recognized program that supports people returning home from incarceration by pairing workforce training with practical support. His core belief is straightforward: past mistakes should not permanently limit future opportunities.
EDWINS operates a working restaurant in Cleveland while also providing a structured six‑month training program in culinary arts and hospitality. Students receive education, housing, job placement assistance, and case management designed to support long‑term stability. The program also reaches people still incarcerated through a prison‑based education model now operating nationwide.
The results are measurable. EDWINS graduates secure employment at exceptionally high rates and experience significantly lower recidivism than national averages. These outcomes reflect a system built around responsibility, preparation, and accountability rather than shortcuts or symbolism.
At its core, Chrostowski’s work speaks to values long held by CMBA and the legal profession. Access to opportunity and meaningful reintegration are not ideas discussed only in theory. They affect families, employers, and the safety of our communities. His approach proves that collaboration across systems can lead to real, lasting change.
The work is personal as well. After receiving a second chance early in his own life, Chrostowski committed himself to creating the same opportunities for others. While EDWINS has earned national recognition, including honors from the James Beard Foundation, its focus has remained local, grounded in Cleveland and centered on people.
The President’s Award honors leadership that strengthens communities through sustained effort and real impact. Brandon Chrostowski’s work reflects those principles and demonstrates how one organization, guided by clear values, can change outcomes for individuals and the community as a whole.
CMBA is proud to recognize Brandon Chrostowski at its 2026 Annual Meeting and to celebrate leadership that advances opportunity, accountability, and lasting change.
