We're excited to introduce two incredible new team members who have recently joined our organization: Dani Rose, manager, Programs & Learning, and Meghan Cummings, president & CEO. Dani brings deep experience in program development and education and will be instrumental in enhancing how we design, deliver and grow our learning initiatives. Meghan steps into the CEO role with a strong track record of strategic leadership in philanthropy and a passion for the sector and our communities.
These new additions to our team bring fresh perspectives, valuable experience and a shared passion for leading and equipping Ohio philanthropy to be effective partners for change in our communities. We can’t wait for you to get to know them.
Read on to learn more about the backgrounds, interests and unique talents that Dani and Meghan bring to our team!
Dani Rose, Manager, Programs & Learning
Best advice I ever received:
Be present. I’m very much the anxious type who spends too much time in the future and not enough time in the now.
How my career path prepared me for this role:
I’ve been able to see a lot through my career, and it’s been a journey I’m proud of. I started in events in college: helping to put on my university’s tri-annual Charter Day Ball, in clubs and through internships. I initially looked to the nonprofit sector through internships, but when I decided to move to Austin, Texas, in 2016, the local landscape was full of technology or strictly social event opportunities.
I’ve managed a three-floor event space at a startup coworking space, where I was responsible for selling, setting up, managing and tearing down multiple events a day. That role evolved from workshop-like programming to citywide events and taught me how much I could handle as well as how important the people you work with are. After that, I found myself at Walmart’s technology office managing the office operations for a two-story building on top of being the community lead, keeping four countries of staff connected, including during the 2020 work-from-home shift. I left the Fortune 500 world and returned to social events, working for a small but mighty events company that hosted festivals, ran events and sponsored activations at college and professional sports games. There, I managed logistics and temporary staff.
My final step before this one was with Techstars, where I worked with startup CEOs and key team members to accelerate their businesses by providing three months of business-building content, social events with mentors and the local ecosystem, as well as a demo day production to end each of the five programs I managed. I opened the Techstars Columbus, powered by The Ohio State University, location before I realized the inspiration I saw every day in these founders had bled into me, and I decided to change industries again.
I have extensive experience in programming and events, and I'm eager to learn more about the philanthropic sector. I can’t wait to see how it continues to come together with such great leaders and teammates around me! I love to be of service.
Three goals for the next 12 months:
- Feel confident (impactful) in my role at Philanthropy Ohio.
- Deepen my understanding of where philanthropy exists throughout society around me.
- Explore Ohio! I grew up here, but it’s been a decade, and I have catching up to do!
What I do when I’m not at work:
I love to be outside, so there is no shortage of walks; backyard sits with my husband, our dog and our cat; and stargazing in my spare time. It’s also become a habit that I keep trash bags and a grabber in my car so that I can stop where I see litter and clean up while enjoying the outdoors, if time allows. I genuinely really enjoy doing that!
If we’ve met, you might know I love communication, so talking with my friends and family or digesting a form of storytelling (reading, movies, TV, music, podcasts, etc.) fills up a lot of my life.
What I’m reading:
“The Message” by Ta-Nehisi Coates
Who I’m following on social media or blogs/podcasts I subscribe to:
A few of my favorites on Instagram are @Toritsui_, who is a writer and climate activist with the Fossil Fuel Treaty (her book is next on my list!) and @ayanaeliza, who is also a writer (I loved “What If We Get It Right”) and a marine biologist who cofounded the Urban Ocean Lab and The All We Can Save Project. I haven’t leaned into podcasts too much, but I found one called “What’s Her Name” that does episodes on women throughout history and, in particular, the one on Frances Perkins was a great listen.
Meghan Cummings, President & CEO
Best advice I ever received:
“If you are starting on a blank page, you are starting on the wrong page.” This was from one of my favorite leaders, Vanessa Freytag. It reminds me always to seek out connections and learnings when approaching a new situation.
How my career path prepared me for this role:
I’ve worked in many different areas of philanthropy – from fundraising for direct services, to a corporate charity, to a community foundation and then at a national philanthropy-serving organization. Each of these chapters has thoughtfully prepared me to understand and meet our members’ needs here at Philanthropy Ohio and activate a thriving philanthropic network in Ohio that can make meaningful strides on our biggest opportunities.
Three goals for the next 12 months:
- Connect with our members and stakeholders across the state
- Get to know our incredible staff and understand their aspirations for our work
- Celebrate Philanthropy Ohio’s 40th anniversary!
What I do when I’m not at work:
I play the violin in a community symphony, which brings me joy and connection. I love to travel and cook, and I enjoy finding peace in nature. I’m a huge fan of our son, and you can find me cheering him on at his baseball and basketball games.
What I’m reading:
“How to Know a Person” by David Brooks
Who I’m following on social media or blogs/podcasts I subscribe to:
So many…. A few of my favorites are 99% Invisible, Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me, Work Life with Adam Grant and Diary of a CEO with Steven Bartlett
As we continue to expand our impact and deepen our work, Dani and Meghan bring the expertise, enthusiasm and diverse perspectives that will help shape our future.
Please join us in extending a warm welcome to Dani and Meghan!
Jessica Howard
Vice President, Communications & Membership
Philanthropy Ohio