With a new year comes a new team! Philanthropy Ohio expanded its staff in 2022, bringing on four new staff members: Carrie Arblaster, Eric Bowles, Brittany Hardgrove and Krista Ivey. Read on to get to know our newest colleagues.
Carrie Arblaster, Vice President, Public Policy
Carrie ensures that Ohio’s philanthropic community is well represented at the state and federal levels and that policymakers understand the vital role philanthropy plays in their communities. Additionally, she provides timely information about state and federal policy, empowering members to make informed decisions about their work. She joined the team in January 2022 and the best part of her job is sharing with policymakers all of the wonderful things Ohio philanthropy is doing.
Carrie has a Master of Arts in international relations and comparative politics from Wright State University and a Bachelor of Science in sociology from Milligan College. Carrie has worked in Ohio politics for over a decade and began her career in the Ohio Senate as a Legislative Service Commission Fellow. Shortly thereafter, she moved to the campaign side and ran state legislative races for two cycles. In 2016, she accepted a position with the Ohio Realtors where she lobbied and ran their hard- and soft-dollar PACs.
Carrie is originally from New Carlisle, Ohio, and left the state in 1998 to attend college in east Tennessee. When she came back to Ohio for graduate school, she moved to Tipp City and has been there since 2003. She chose Tipp City because it is a small town with a vibrant downtown and easy access to the outdoors. You might not know that Carrie plays the piano!
Best advice I ever received: Don’t sweat the small stuff.
How my career path prepared me for this role: I’m a great relationship builder, I love speaking publicly and I’m a total public policy/political nerd.
Three goals for the next 12 months: Get to know the public policy team and other Philanthropy Ohio staff; learn as much as I can about Ohio philanthropy; and be prepared to hit the ground running come state budget season!
What I do when I’m not at work: As a single parent to three teenagers, I’m basically an Uber driver.
Who I’m following on Twitter or blogs/podcasts I subscribe to: Every Ohio journalist (almost) and lots of national political commentators.
Eric Bowles, Director, Programs and Learning
Eric plans, implements, facilitates and hosts learning opportunities on a variety of philanthropic and professional development topics including racial equity, addressing power imbalances and system changes. He joined the team in July 2022 and the best part about his job is getting the opportunity to impact and facilitate change.
Eric has a Doctor of Education in organizational leadership, a Master of Education in curriculum and instruction and a bachelor’s degree in history. He’s been in the field of education for the last six years as an Equity and Inclusion Instructional Coach helping teachers become more culturally proficient and culturally responsive in their classrooms. He’s also spent some time in the private sector after serving in the U.S. Air Force on active duty for 12 years.
Eric resides in Gahanna, Ohio, loves that there’s always something to do there and enjoys spending time by Creekside. You might not know that Eric never intended to get his first degree in history, but a certain professor convinced him otherwise, for which he’s thankful!
Best advice I ever received: Do the very best you can with what you have and make an impact.
How my career path prepared me for this role: I have a variety of experiences and have been privileged to see the world. My path has allowed me to see a variety of perspectives and different lenses through which the world can be viewed.
Three goals for the next 12 months: Build relationships with the various members of Philanthropy Ohio; make an impact at Philanthropy Ohio; and continue to learn as much as I can to make more informed decisions that impact our surrounding community.
What I do when I’m not at work: I spend my time with my family, enjoy kayaking and continue to be a lifelong learner.
Who I’m following on Twitter or blogs/podcasts I subscribe to: Twitter: @ProfJeffries @NicholasFerroni; Podcasts: “Up First” and “The Daily”
Brittany Hardgrove, Manager, Programs & Learning
Brittany helps coordinate and implement all programming and learning opportunities for Philanthropy Ohio and leads the launch of a self-directed online learning series. She also provides administrative support for the vice president, programs & learning, and the programs & learning department as a whole.
She joined the team in March 2022 and the best part of her job is getting to know her amazing colleagues. She went to The Ohio State University for undergrad and has been working with nonprofits doing event planning for the past five years. She recently became a Certified Meeting Professional. Brittany loves living in Columbus because there is no shortage of things to do and if you want to visit a different part of the state, nowhere is too far away. You might not know that Brittany has a twin sister! They are fraternal twins (she has blonde hair and Brittany’s is naturally red) but look very similar in the face.
Best advice I ever received: Err on the side of compassion.
How my career path prepared me for this role: I’ve spent the last five years planning and organizing educational events for various nonprofits, mostly in the mental health and wellness sector. I’m excited to bring my experience and expertise to Philanthropy Ohio and to see how the organization and I can grow together.
Three goals for the next 12 months: Help plan and run a fantastic Philanthropy Forward ’23; immerse myself in Philanthropy Ohio and the philanthropy community to learn as much as I can about the field; and build relationships with Philanthropy Ohio members.
What I do when I’m not at work: Read, watch movies, teach myself how to crochet, try new restaurants and bars, go to concerts and live theater and spend as much time as possible with my husband Bill, our dog Max and our family and friends.
Who I’m following on Twitter or blogs/podcasts I subscribe to: Podcasts: Stuff You Should Know; Deep Cover; The Piketon Massacre; Nightwing News
Krista Ivey, Senior Director, Finance
Krista maintains the financial stability of the organization through annual budget planning, budget management, internal controls and risk management. She joined the team in October 2022 and the best part of her job is seeing the difference that can be made in the community.
Krista received her bachelor’s degree from Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas. After graduating, she moved back home to Arizona where she completed her Master of Business Administration. She worked in the mining industry and quickly realized she needed a career where she can help others and shifted into philanthropy.
Krista is originally from Willoughby, Ohio, but was raised in Arizona. She has just relocated to the Columbus area after being gone for 40 years and is most excited to experience the four seasons, instead of the two seasons “hot” and “hotter.” You might not know that Krista went to college on a softball scholarship!
Best advice I ever received: You never know what someone else is going through. Be gentle, be kind. Have compassion.
How my career path prepared me for this role: My years of experience working in a large nonprofit as well as a private foundation have provided me with the experience needed to step into this role.
Three goals for the next 12 months: Transition my children into a new school; complete relocation from Arizona to Ohio; and learn about the philanthropic sector in Ohio.
What I do when I’m not at work: Spend time with my children and family, watch sporting events and explore new restaurants.
Want to get to know the rest of the Philanthropy Ohio team? Visit philanthropyohio.org/our-staff to learn about and contact us! We are here to help you connect to the right people and information you need to reach your philanthropic goals, increase your impact and be an effective partner for change in our communities.
Jessica Howard
Sr. Director, Communications & Marketing
Philanthropy Ohio