Oscar Night In Boston

Photo by Ken Herczeg

Cleary commented, "It’s a great win for Boston—and especially for the North End—so anything I can do to promote the *best neighborhood* in the state would be great!"

As Ms. America, Cleary is honored to represent an organization that enriches the lives of women across the country and is passionate about continuing to give back to others through philanthropic endeavors and being the inspiration that helps others achieve their dreams.  

Over 50 contestants applied for the competition where it was narrowed down to 19 finalists. Throughout the three-hour competition, the finalists competed in four categories including: interview, evening gown, sportswear and final on-stage question. Her walk across the stage to accept the crown marked her first steps on a journey that will take her from spotlight to spotlight representing the American woman 26 years of age and up who are single, divorced or married.  

The reigning Ms. America® is a senior manager at Arnold Worldwide advertising, which is owned by the 6^th largest global advertising company, Havas. A successful career advisor and motivational trainer, Cleary conducts and coordinates inspirational seminars across the east coast for employees at the junior, mid and executive levels.  Known as the ‘Talent Developer,' Cleary helps employees reach their greatest potential through strategic goal setting and specializes in elevating employees’ talents for branding, advertising and digital technology to the next level.  Her passion for providing successful, inspirational business training ensures that the agency produces winning brand strategies and promotions for clients such as: McDonalds, Volvo, Ocean Spray, Carnival cruises, Hershey’s and Fidelity.  

A 2003 graduate from Villanova University in Pennsylvania and Chi Omega alumna, Cleary holds a BA in Communication, with a Women’s Studies concentration and Philosophy minor. Ranked third in her class, Cleary achieved Magna cum Laude and was inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa, Phi Kappa Phi, Lamda Pi Eta honors societies, the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and was a Rhodes and Marshall Scholar nominee based on her scholastic achievements and strength of character.  A life-long advocate for education, motivation and serving others through philanthropy, she has worked with the Make-A-Wish foundation, Special Olympics, Habitat for Humanity, Babson College Leadership Development Program and is a Project Leader for the Boston Cares organization, the largest volunteer organization in New England and a part of the internationally recognized HandsOn Network with 370 volunteer affiliates serving 83% of the American population and 12 international communities.  

First runner-up was Christy Van Der Westhuizen from Lakewood, California, second runner-up was Catherine Blades from Manhattan Beach, California, third runner-up was Daphne Rice from Ypsilanti, Michigan and fourth runner-up was Dr. Heidi Ritz from Woodland Hills, California .