About Registration Location Agenda Presenters Sponsors & Exhibitors FAQ Plenary Speakers Kwame Christian American Negotiation Institute Kwame Christian American Negotiation Institute Kwame Christian is a two-time bestselling author, lawyer and founder and CEO of the American Negotiation Institute. Recognized as one of the world’s top negotiation experts, he hosts the No. 1 negotiation podcast, Negotiate Anything, with over 10 million downloads and listeners in over 180 countries. Kwame gained prominence through his TEDx Talk, “Finding Confidence in Conflict,” which has been viewed over 500,000 times. He is also the author of two bestselling books: Finding Confidence in Conflict and How to Have Difficult Conversations About Race. Kwame made history at The Ohio State University by winning three alumni awards before age 35 and won the prestigious Columbus 40 Under 40 Award in 2022. He is also a Forbes Contributor and has been featured in NPR, USA Today, Fox, CNBC, Yahoo Finance and more. That said, Kwame’s proudest achievement is his family. He is married to Dr. Whitney Christian, and they have two sons, Kai and Dominic. Meghan Cummings Philanthropy Ohio Meghan Cummings Philanthropy Ohio President & CEO Meghan Cummings is the president & CEO of Philanthropy Ohio. She is passionate about activating the power and potential of philanthropy to achieve transformational change. She has served the nonprofit community since 2001, as a fundraiser for several organizations, the executive director of the Women’s Fund, the vice president of civic advancement at the Greater Cincinnati Foundation and, most recently, as senior vice president of strategy and impact at CFLeads. Her goal is to help create communities where everyone can participate, prosper and reach their full potential. Ashlee Young Interact for Health Ashlee Young Interact for Health Vice President, Policy and Engagement Ashlee Young works to expand the impact of Interact for Health’s direct investments through intentional community engagement and policy efforts that advance improvement in health equity and outcomes in the region. Kelley Adcock Interact for Health Kelley Adcock Interact for Health Senior Director of Data & Learning Kelley Adcock leads data, evaluation, and learning efforts at the regional health foundation Interact for Health, helping translate data and community insights into strategy and action. She also chairs the HEY! Data Committee and supports youth- and equity-centered efforts to measure youth mental health and wellbeing across Greater Cincinnati. Previously, Kelley worked for Cincinnati Children’s Hospital as well as at the Washington, D.C.-based global health nonprofit PATH and the American Bar Association’s Commission on Domestic and Sexual Violence. Kelley holds a master’s degree in public health from the University of Cincinnati and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Xavier University. Cynthia H. Andrews Community Foundation of Lorain County Cynthia H. Andrews Community Foundation of Lorain County President and CEO Over the past 30 years, Cindy has held various senior management positions in the private and nonprofit sectors. Prior to joining the Community Foundation in 2017, Cindy was the executive director at Oberlin Community Services (OCS), a social services organization serving southern Lorain County. Before joining OCS, Cindy spent 26 years at IBM in key management positions, including senior location executive of the company's Northeast Ohio geography, responsible for over 400 IBMers and the relationship with the business and philanthropic community. Cindy also led the IBM Education Industry team for the Public Sector Americas. Cindy has served on the board of trustees of the United Way of Greater Cleveland, Business Volunteers Unlimited, The Center for Families and Children and Oberlin Community. Cindy serves on the board of directors of Mercy Health Lorain and the Fund for Our Economic Future. Cindy holds an MBA and a bachelor's degree from the Pennsylvania State University. Cara Dingus Brook Foundation for Appalachian Ohio Cara Dingus Brook Foundation for Appalachian Ohio President and CEO Cara Dingus Brook is Chief Executive Officer and President at The Foundation for Appalachian Ohio, a regional foundation with a mission to create opportunities in Appalachian Ohio by supporting and inspiring philanthropy. With Cara’s leadership, the Foundation has grown its reach, impact and assets significantly, developed the nation’s first nonprofit “IPO” and facilitated numerous public-private partnerships creating opportunities in the areas of education, economic development, environmental stewardship and health care. During Cara’s tenure, the Foundation incubated ten local community foundations, the African American Community Foundation and the Appalachian Partnership, Inc., a private sector economic development organization and Community Development Finance Institution that excels at attracting new levels of investment into the region. Cara has a strong desire to push the boundaries of philanthropy to be more transformative, inclusive, entrepreneurial and effective. She loves speaking and writing about philanthropy, Appalachia and her vision and ideas for closing gaps in rural philanthropy. Pita Brooks Spaces Pita Brooks Spaces Executive Director of SPACES Pita Brooks is an arts administrator, multimedia artist, and advocate for artist-centered creative communities. As Executive Director of SPACES, she is leading the organization through a new chapter of growth by strengthening its operational foundation while honoring its nearly five-decade legacy as an artist-led institution. Her leadership has focused on implementing a comprehensive strategic plan, developing sustainable organizational systems, streamlining policies and processes, and expanding the organization's capacity to better support artists, staff, and the broader community. Liz Brown YWCA of Columbus Liz Brown YWCA of Columbus President and CEO Elizabeth Brown became President and CEO of YWCA Columbus in 2023, with more than 15 years of experience in non-profits, government, and public policymaking, including as President Pro Tempore of Columbus City Council and as Executive Director of the Ohio Women’s Public Policy Network, a statewide collective impact project to improve women’s economic security through public policy. At YWCA Columbus, Brown steers the non-profit’s front-line work in housing, childcare, emergency shelter, and social justice training, all while serving the organization’s mission of eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. Originally born in the Berwick neighborhood of Columbus, Brown was raised in Granville, Ohio. She is a proud public school graduate and a magna cum laude graduate of Columbia University. She and her husband Patrick Katzenmeyer live near Columbus’ University District, along with their three children Carolyn, Russell, and Maribell. Rebecca Brown Asmo Ohio Humanities Rebecca Brown Asmo Ohio Humanities Executive Director Rebecca is an experienced nonprofit and development leader with a passion for art, history, and community development. An alumna of Georgetown University and an adopted Ohioan since 2004, she lives in Columbus' Fifth by Northwest neighborhood with her two children. Emily Campbell The Center for Community Solutions Emily Campbell The Center for Community Solutions President & CEO Emily Campbell serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer for The Center for Community Solutions, a nonpartisan nonprofit policy and research think tank focused on health, social, and economic conditions. Campbell previously worked for a U.S. Congressman, and she has consulted with numerous nonprofits, foundations, and government agencies to provide data and public policy decision support. Her work on poverty has appeared in every major newspaper in Ohio and she has been interviewed by a wide variety of media outlets including The Economist, The New York Times, ESPN.com, MSNBC, and NPR. She serves on the Board of United Way of Greater Cleveland, the steering committee of First Year Cleveland, and several other Boards and committees in Cleveland and beyond. She was recently named one of Cleveland’s “Power 150” and a Woman of Note by Crain’s Cleveland Business. Campbell holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and a Master of Arts in Political Science from Case Western Reserve University. Lisa M. Chambers TECH CORPS Lisa M. Chambers TECH CORPS Director Lisa M. Chambers has more than 20 years of experience building cross-sector strategic alliances and developing nationally recognized and award-winning Computer Science (CS) and Information Technology (IT) programs for K12 students and teachers. Lisa joined TECH CORPS as the State Director of the Ohio chapter in 1999. In 2011, she was named the TECH CORPS National Executive Director. In this role, she is responsible for the overall impact of TECH CORPS in all the communities it serves. This includes leveraging the power of relationships and networks, and working across private, public and corporate sectors to advance the mission of the organization. Under her leadership, TECH CORPS has experienced significant increases in the number of students served, programs implemented, and revenue secured. Lisa’s work has been recognized and honored at the local, state and national levels. She was named a “Modern-day Technology Leader” by US Black Engineer & Information Technology magazine and a “Technology Rising Star” by Women of Color magazine. She received the comSpark Tech Power Player award, was featured in Who’s Who in Black Columbus, and received the Technology Innovation Award in Nonprofit Service Delivery from TechColumbus, the 2021 Top-Rated Award from GreatNonprofits and the National Telecommunications Partnership Award from The SBC Foundation and Partners in Education. Lisa was appointed by the Governor to serve on the Ohio Tuition Trust Authority Board, serves on the State Committee on Computer Science, Franklin University’s, Center for Public Safety & Cybersecurity Education Advisory Board and is a member of the National Center for Women and Information Technology, K12 Alliance. Lisa is a graduate of The Ohio State University. Janelle Coleman American Electric Power Janelle Coleman American Electric Power Vice President, Community Engagement, AEP and President, American Electric Power Foundation Janelle Coleman has used her professional and community platforms to champion issues for the betterment of women and girls throughout her 20+ year career. Prior to AEP, she held leadership roles at the Columbus Zoo and L Brands. Janelle is the board chair for YWCA Columbus and a founding member of the Columbus Women’s Commission. Jennifer Coleman The George Gund Foundation Jennifer Coleman The George Gund Foundation Program Director Jennifer Coleman is Program Director of Creative Culture and Art at The George Gund Foundation in Cleveland, Ohio. In her 11 years at the foundation, Jennifer has deeply explored Cleveland’s art ecosystem and the issues that are important to its vitality: prioritizing sustainability through operational support; equity in arts funding and resource allocation; arts education in the Cleveland public school system; the structure of the arts and culture civic leadership; and the continuing issue of maintaining public funding for the arts. She has worked with local and national organizations to build a committed network willing to envision what a truly diverse and thriving arts community in Cleveland looks like and what must happen to make that vision a reality. She is also president of her own architecture and design firm, Jennifer Coleman Creative, and founded CityProwl, a company that created digital audio walking tours of downtown Cleveland and its neighborhoods. Jennifer earned a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Cornell University, where she currently serves on the President’s Council of Cornell Women. She lives in Cleveland with her husband, August Fluker and son Cole. Julian Collins Interact for Health Julian Collins Interact for Health Senior Program Manager of Community Engagement Julian Collins serves as Interact for Health’s presence in urban and suburban areas, representing Interact for Health to diverse audiences within communities, contributing to key community initiatives, and bringing knowledge of communities’ cultures, history, values and landscape to inform decisions at all levels. Kaleigh Cox Logan-Hocking Middle School Kaleigh Cox Logan-Hocking Middle School ELA 7&8 Teacher Kaleigh Cox is an eighth-grade English teacher at Logan-Hocking Middle School and one of 105 emerging leaders in the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio's (FAO) Growing Home Fellowship. This five-year program prepares young educators to take on leadership roles in the broader community. Intrigued by the idea that hope could be learned and shaped, Kaleigh worked with FAO, Battelle for Kids and school administrators to design a curriculum grounded in the science of hope. After a year of piloting the curriculum with students struggling with chronic absenteeism, hope levels increased for 92%, resulting in better attendance, fewer behavioral issues and higher academic achievement. As part of her fellowship service commitment, Kaleigh is also cultivating a multigenerational culture of hope through learning and storytelling as the founder of the Appalachian Literary Arts & Storytelling Festival, a two-day event held annually in Nelsonville. Kaleigh holds a master's degree in curriculum and instruction from Ohio University. Cal Cullen Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr. Foundation Cal Cullen Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr. Foundation Program Manager Calcagno (Cal) Cullen (she/her) spends her days at the Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile Foundation, connecting with artists and arts organizations to envision better futures and providing resources to make them a reality. Prior to joining the Haile Foundation, Cal spent over 8 years leading and growing Wave Pool Arts Center, a collaborative community arts organization that she co-founded in 2014 and led as the founding executive director. As a social practice artist herself, she proactively collaborates with others to create projects, systems and organizations to achieve the greatest relevance and community impact. Previous roles in arts education at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the Community School of Music and Arts in Mountain View and the Cincinnati Art Museum all inform her community-based and collaborative practice. M. Daronce Daniels The Heights Movement M. Daronce Daniels The Heights Movement President Daronce Daniels is the executive director of The Heights Movement, a community-driven nonprofit based in Lincoln Heights, Ohio, focused on youth development, workforce readiness, food justice, wellness and neighborhood-based systems of care. Through The Heights Movement and Jackson Street Farms, Daronce has helped build programs that connect young people and families to hands-on learning, fresh food, leadership development, digital storytelling and real-world employment opportunities. Daronce also serves as vice mayor of Lincoln Heights. Through initiatives such as the Rest Stop model, youth workforce programming, urban agriculture and community wellness spaces, Daronce continues to build practical pathways for healing, opportunity and collective power in historically Black communities. Matt Dunn Mathile Family Foundation Matt Dunn Mathile Family Foundation Program Officer Matt Dunn is a program officer at the Mathile Family Foundation, where he manages a portfolio of responsive grants, oversees the foundation’s external communications and helps manage capacity-building programs. Matt has worked in the human services, arts and faith-based sectors. He also worked in the public sector, overseeing community development, economic development, human services and arts and cultural grants and contracts. Matt earned his Bachelor of Communication and Master of Public Administration degrees from the University of Dayton. Matt has served on numerous boards and advisory committees, including the Miami Valley Fair Housing Center, Culture Works, Dayton Metro Library Foundation, Homeownership Center of Greater Dayton, Leadership Dayton Curriculum Committee, NCCJ of Greater Dayton, Montgomery County Mentoring Collaborative and more. Matt has also served on numerous community-wide collective impact committees addressing social determinants of health. Hey! Hopeful Empowered Youth Hopeful Empowered Youth (HEY!) Cincinnati Hey! Hopeful Empowered Youth Hopeful Empowered Youth (HEY!) Cincinnati Hopeful Empowered Youth (HEY!) is a diverse coalition of youth and hundreds of community partners working to support the mental health and wellbeing of youth in Greater Cincinnati. The HEY! Fellowship is a paid opportunity for 25 young people (ages 14–23) to speak up, shape the region's youth wellbeing agenda, and build their own skills and confidence along the way. The Fellowship keeps HEY! accountable to one core commitment: following young people's lead. Lauren Etler Community Heart & Soul Lauren Etler Community Heart & Soul Project Co-coordinator for Arlington Lauren Etler served as Project Co-Coordinator for Arlington Heart & Soul in Arlington, Ohio, where she helped lead a three-year, community-driven process to engage residents and turn local voices into action. She is passionate about the stewardship of this work, playing the long game to ensure lasting impact, and helped guide the transition to an independent nonprofit, recently achieving 501(c)(3) status. Lauren now serves as Vice President of the Arlington Heart & Soul Board of Directors, where she continues to help advance the organization’s mission and community priorities. A graduate of the University of Findlay with a bachelor’s degree in Business Marketing, Lauren spent nearly 10 years working in the nonprofit sector before moving into business development for ACI Const. Co., Inc., a construction company based in Findlay, Ohio. She brings a background in marketing, communications, fundraising, and relationship-building to both her professional and community work. She also serves on the Arlington Heritage Committee and is a board member of Friends of Ohio Barns, a statewide preservation organization supporting the stewardship of Ohio's historic barns. Lauren lives in Arlington with her husband and daughter. Chantal (Coco) Forster Warren West Advisory Chantal (Coco) Forster Warren West Advisory Independent Advisor Chantal (Coco) Forster is a nonprofit executive with over 20 years of experience at the intersection of technology and society. She is the co-author of the Responsible AI Adoption Framework for Philanthropy and the former Executive Director of the Technology Association of Grantmakers (TAG). Coco is passionate about modernizing and humanizing philanthropy, helping foundations use technology to create a better world. Her career began in predictive AI with SPSS and has since come full circle as she now advises philanthropic organizations on the responsible use of AI. With a Masters in Public Policy from the University of Chicago, Coco works to align responsible technology innovation with public interest. Beyond her professional work, Coco is a wetlands steward, certified forest therapy guide, and beekeeper, rooted in Southwest Michigan and Chicago and is deeply connected to the ecosystems she serves. Jillian Foster Community Heart & Soul Jillian Foster Community Heart & Soul Program Associate Jillian has a lot of community engagement experience and a passion for helping others find ways to be engaged. She is a past president of the Hastings Rotary Club and has served on many boards and committees as well as being an active volunteer. Before joining Community Heart & Soul, she was the director of community engagement at the Barry Community Foundation, as part of her work she was the director of a community leadership program. She brings a wealth of knowledge about leadership and community engagement to our organization. She is a lifelong resident of Michigan where she resides with her husband, daughter, and two cats. When she is not working, Jillian loves to read, travel, and spend time with her family Sue Frost Mid-Ohio Food Collective Sue Frost Mid-Ohio Food Collective Senior Vice President, Development Sue Frost is Senior Vice President for Development at Mid-Ohio Food Collective. Her career bridges higher education and nonprofit advancement across human services, academic programs, health sciences, and arts and culture. Beyond her staff roles, Sue is a board member of the Women's Fund of Central Ohio, and Columbus-Dresden Sister City Inc, past Board President of Clintonville-Beechwold Community Resources Center, and past CASE District V board member. She holds graduate degrees from Ohio State University and Bowling Green State University, undergraduate degrees from Ohio State University and Tufts University, and a Nonprofit Executive Leadership Certificate from the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. Al Getler Community Heart & Soul Al Getler Community Heart & Soul VP Market Development Al Getler joined Community Heart & Soul after a career in media, where he published award-winning websites, newspapers, and magazines. He also led a non-profit organization for a theater restoration project and serves on several boards. He is a former VT volunteer firefighter and EMT in South Hero, VT where he also organizes the 4th of July parade each year. He is inspired by his parents' commitment to community service. In addition, Al is a professional comedian and ventriloquist. He is a board of advisor member and the Executive Director of the Vent Haven International Ventriloquist ConVENTion which has taken place for over 50 years. Jon Gilbertson Foundant Technologies, Inc. Jon Gilbertson Foundant Technologies, Inc. Client Relationship Manager Jonathan Gilbertson is a client engagement and technology leader with 25+ years of experience supporting organizations from Fortune 500 firms to community foundations. Currently at Foundant Technologies, he helps mission-driven organizations amplify their community impact through technology. A Montana resident, Jon shares his home with his wife, two dogs, two miniature donkeys, six goats and a flock of chickens that keeps growing. Jami Goldstein Greater Columbus Arts Council Jami Goldstein Greater Columbus Arts Council Chief Strategy Officer As chief creative officer, Jami Goldstein brings more than three decades of expertise in marketing, public relations, donor relations and governance in the nonprofit arts to the Greater Columbus Arts Council (GCAC). In addition to overseeing marketing, public relations, branding, events and public art planning at GCAC, she works every day to increase local, state and national awareness of the city’s abundant creative capital and cultural assets. She was a key architect of the Art Makes Columbus/Columbus Makes Art community-wide marketing campaign, and during her tenure has strengthened and expanded GCAC’s partnerships within and outside the arts community. She says one of the greatest joys of her job is connecting people who can do good work together. Joseluis Guajardo Directions for Youth & Families Joseluis Guajardo Directions for Youth & Families Senior Director of Advancement & Prevention Programs Joseluis Guajardo, LPCC-S, is Senior Director of Advancement & Prevention Programs. He has been with the agency since 2009 and has over 18 years of experience working with at-risk youth in therapeutic and residential settings. He has a Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and is an Independently Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC-S). Joseluis serves on the City of Columbus Middle School Advisory Committee, the Steering Committee for the Partnership for Success (P4S), and provides agency and community trainings around Trauma Informed Care and Resilience Oriented approaches (ARC Model). His trainings include: Cultural Competency, Implementing Trauma Informed Care through Prevention Programming, Self-Regulation, Verbal De-escalation, Affect Identification, and Routines & Rhythms. He has served as a panelist for the Columbus Police Department’s Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) in a collaborative effort to improve cultural competency among law enforcement and has been a leader in expanding community after-school programming through the City of Columbus’s After-school Initiative for Middle School. Todd Hellman AASA, The School Superintendents Association Todd Hellman AASA, The School Superintendents Association Vice President of Partnerships Todd Hellman is vice president of partnerships at AASA, The School Superintendents Association, where he leads national initiatives that connect education systems, philanthropy and workforce pathways to expand opportunity for students and communities. With more than two decades of leadership spanning public education, nonprofit strategy and innovation, Todd has helped design and scale some of the most widely adopted frameworks for student success. His work reflects a blend of practical system-building and analytical rigor. Todd partners with school systems, community organizations and leaders to translate research into strategies that are measurable, actionable and designed to improve outcomes. He particularly focuses on helping communities align vision, systems and decision-making so more individuals can see pathways forward. Todd holds an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and was named to Poets & Quants' Top 50 Executive MBAs list. Patrick Hogan Graystone Consulting - Columbus / Grand Rapids Patrick Hogan Graystone Consulting - Columbus / Grand Rapids First Vice President, Institutional Consultant Patrick Hogan is an institutional consultant with Graystone Consulting, where he delivers total enterprise consulting for institutional endowment and foundation clients. His responsibilities include servicing institutional clients in portfolio construction and positioning; delivering capital markets and economic research; supporting spending and liquidity needs; and providing philanthropic resources to help clients advance their missions. Patrick is one of the firm’s alternative investments directors, helping clients pursue a broad range of non-traditional investment strategies across diverse markets and geographies to diversify their portfolios. Patrick is a member of the leadership team for the Graystone Columbus / Grand Rapids group, which has been consistently ranked among Barron's Top Institutional Consulting Teams each year since 2015. Additionally, Patrick was recognized by Forbes Magazine as a Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisor in 2024. Patrick brings over a decade of investment experience to Graystone Consulting, joining Graystone in 2010 from Citigroup, Inc., where he served as a senior financial analyst focused on hedge fund and alternative investment administration. Patrick is a member of the Association of Professional Investment Consultants (APIC), holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from The Ohio State University and an MBA in finance from Ashland University. Amanda Holm Hartigan CFLeads Amanda Holm Hartigan CFLeads Amanda Hartigan is the Senior Director of Programs, Strategy, and Culture at CFLeads, the country's national network of community foundations committed to community leadership. In this role, she leads the strategic implementation of all CFLeads programming in issue areas such as economic mobility, community safety, the Sustainable Development Goals, and more. In previous roles, she has led programming at the Boston Foundation, the United Way of Tri-County, and at place-based nonprofit organizations serving youth. Amanda holds an MBA from Boston University, a BA from Harvard University, and is based in the Boston area where she lives with her husband and three children. Trevor Horn Mid-Ohio Food Collective Trevor Horn Mid-Ohio Food Collective Farm Director Trevor Horn is the Farm Director for Mid-Ohio Farm, overseeing three growing locations in the Columbus Area dedicated to agricultural education and research while producing thousands of pounds of fresh food for the community. With 13 years as a chef, including 8 years at Walt Disney World focusing on culinarian succession planning and sustainable sourcing, Trevor brings deep food systems expertise to his role. He also spent 5 years teaching agriculture and food science career tech education at Reynoldsburg High School, blending education, research, and industry experience to advance food security and sustainability. Emily Hughes Mathile Family Foundation Emily Hughes Mathile Family Foundation Grants Management & Operations Director Carol Kauffman Ohio Environmental Council Carol Kauffman Ohio Environmental Council Executive Director As Chief Executive Officer for the Ohio Environmental Council (OEC), Carol Kauffman brings nonprofit and corporate experience advocating for environmental, community, and social justice issues, as well as directing sustainability programs and strategies. From 2013 to 2017, Kauffman worked in the nonprofit sector in Cambodia, where she designed development projects, helped businesses develop more responsible practices, and responded to natural disasters in the region. Since 2017, Kauffman led environmental and social responsibility efforts within the corporate sector at The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company, and most recently, at Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. Kauffman is an active leader in local and national environmental policy. She serves on the Board of Directors of the Alliance for Water Efficiency, the Ohio Business Energy Partnership, and the Board of Commissioners for the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission. She is also a member of the State Advisory Board for Climate Power. Rick Kellar Peg's Foundation Rick Kellar Peg's Foundation President Rick Kellar is the President of Peg’s Foundation, a position he has held since 2005. Born out of personal experience, Rick challenges the status to advance access to behavioral health care, student achievement, and appreciation for the creative arts. He believes Ohio can serve as a template for the nation, inspiring others to “Think Bigger!” Prior to the foundation, he spent 28 years in the U.S. Army including service in the Infantry and Special Forces (Green Beret). His work included a variety of leadership positions at the Joint Special Operations Command and at the Pentagon as the Director of Resourcing for the United States Army Operations and Readiness initiative, supervising an $8.6-billion annual program. Rick holds a Bachelor of Science in Nuclear Engineering from the United States Military Academy, West Point and a Master of Business Administration from Syracuse University Summa Cum Laude. Rick served as a member and president of the Tallmadge City School Board since 2005. He serves on the LeBron Community Advisory Board and is a member of the CEO Alliance for Mental Health. In 2020, Rick was awarded a Doctor of Science, honoris causa, from Northeast Ohio Medical University. Caroline Kleinfox Little Fox Collaboratory, LLC Caroline Kleinfox Little Fox Collaboratory, LLC Caroline Kleinfox is an independent consultant providing strategic support, facilitation, and convening design to organizations working at the intersection of civic engagement, sustainable development, and community leadership. She most recently led the American Leadership on the Sustainable Development Goals initiative at the UN Foundation and Brookings Institution, where she mobilized a national network connecting local leaders—mayors, educators, organizers, and students—to frameworks for equity, climate, and community resilience. Previously, she led SDSN USA, a coalition of 180+ universities advancing sustainable development. Caroline holds an MPA from Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs and is based in the DC area. Melissa Krabbe Greater Cincinnati Foundation Melissa Krabbe Greater Cincinnati Foundation CFO Melissa Krabbe is chief financial officer of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation (GCF), where she leads business planning, accounting and finance, and oversees GCF's investment strategy and management. She serves as treasurer for GCF and its two supporting organizations and partners with donors and financial institutions to manage and grow assets. Before joining GCF, Melissa was an auditor at Grant Thornton LLP, specializing in nonprofit organizations and small financial institutions. She serves on the board and Finance Committee of Crayons to Computers, contributes to the Accounting Practices Committee of the Fiscal Administration and Operations Group (FAOG) and volunteers on the Finance Committee of Philanthropy Ohio. Melissa is a CPA and CGMA. She earned a bachelor's degree in accountancy from Miami University and is a member of the Ohio Society of CPAs and the American Institute of CPAs. Caroline Lembright Interact for Health Caroline Lembright Interact for Health Director of Communications Caroline Lembright serves as director of communications at Cincinnati-based Interact for Health, where she drives strategy for media relations, content creation and narrative change. She loves working alongside grantees to tell stories and shift mindsets. Caroline has been honing her skills as a connector and collaborator for over a decade. Brittany Lovett Beloved: Ohio Celebrates Toni Morrison Brittany Lovett Beloved: Ohio Celebrates Toni Morrison Principal Consultant Brittany received her BA in Marketing from Xavier University and is passionate about the community and supporting non-profit organizations. Brittany has spent her career working at non-profits focused on youth development, including Big Brothers Big Sisters and the YMCA of Greater Cincinnati. Brittany lives in Oberlin with her two sons. Matthew Martin The Columbus Foundation Matthew Martin The Columbus Foundation Director, Community Research Matt is responsible for commissioning, interpreting and synthesizing community research to help guide evidence-informed funding decisions across Central Ohio. He regularly briefs foundation leadership, donors and civic partners on emerging trends, needs and what's working in peer cities. He leads grantmaking initiatives in neighborhood revitalization, affordable housing and historic preservation and works with supporting foundation boards on strategy, due diligence and grant recommendations. Before joining the foundation, Matt was a researcher with The Ohio State University's Kirwan Institute for nearly a decade. While there, he produced the Institute's award-winning documentary feature film, "Free To Ride," and conducted community opportunity assessments with partners around the country to help them understand spatial patterns of inequality and how to make their communities more inclusive, resilient and age-friendly. Matt began his career as a regional planner with the Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission in Dayton, where he worked on land use policy, transportation planning and regional development. He holds a bachelor's degree in urban affairs and a minor in African and African American studies from Wright State University, and a master's degree in city and regional planning from The Ohio State University. Matt was part of Business First's '40 Under 40' class of 2020 and is a 2025 graduate of the Leadership Ohio fellowship program. Andrea Martinez Frey Citizens Andrea Martinez Frey Citizens Director of Strategic Community Partnerships & Engagement Andrea Martinez Frey is the director of strategic community partnerships & engagement for Citizens. Andrea leads strategic community engagement initiatives, corporate volunteerism programming and philanthropic communications, partnering with nonprofit organizations to maximize impact. Tim Mathile Mathile Family Foundation Tim Mathile Mathile Family Foundation Chair of the Board of Trustees Tim serves as chair of the Mathile Family Foundation Board of Trustees. Additionally, he has started or assisted in the launch of multiple ventures and now holds equity positions in several other entities. He has extensive experience in family governance and has been active on both for-profit and nonprofit boards. His current board participation includes serving as the chair of the Mathile Institute for Human Nutrition and as a trustee of Aileron, Summit Country Day School and the Harry Whiting Brown Community Center. Prior roles include trustee/director for the Mathile Family Office, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Gardens, Cincinnati Zoo Foundation and Cincinnati Art Museum. He is also an alumnus of Leadership Cincinnati – Class XXV. Tim earned a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Ohio Northern University and an MBA from Xavier University. Amy McIsaac PACE - Philanthropy for Active Civic Engagement Amy McIsaac PACE - Philanthropy for Active Civic Engagement Managing Director Amy helps funders learn, connect, and experiment in an effort to strengthen American democracy and civic engagement. Currently, she is leading the development of a new initiative for PACE (soon to be announced). For over five years as the Managing Director of Learning and Experimentation from 2020-2025, Amy led learning among PACE’s network and specifically led the Civic Language Perceptions Project and the Faith In/And Democracy initiative. Amy is a proud AmeriCorps Alum, having served as an AmeriCorps VISTA in Washington, DC, during the height of the 2008 economic crisis. She has led multiple national and international nonprofit organizations focused on community engagement and service over her career, including with LIFT and 2Seeds Network, and most notably, was part of the small leadership team that established Service Year Alliance in 2015. Amy lives in the Boston/Providence area (Go Friars!) with her husband, Kevin, and three children. Eli Meiners Hopeful Empowered Youth (HEY!) Cincinnati Eli Meiners Hopeful Empowered Youth (HEY!) Cincinnati Program Manager Eli Meiners helps lead HEY! Cincinnati, a diverse coalition of community groups, healthcare providers, educators, policymakers’ families, and most importantly, young people themselves, working collaboratively to create a community that supports the well-being of all youth in the Greater Cincinnati region. Eli partners with youth fellows, community organizations, schools, and funders to turn youth insights into strategies that strengthen belonging, agency, and opportunity for young people. Eli draws on diverse experience in architecture, art, and hospitality, bringing nearly two decades of project management expertise to HEY! Brian Miller Graystone Consulting - Columbus / Grand Rapids Brian Miller Graystone Consulting - Columbus / Grand Rapids Senior Vice President, Institutional Consultant Brian Miller is an institutional consultant with Graystone Consulting, where he delivers total enterprise consulting for institutional endowment, foundation and defined benefit pension clients. His responsibilities include establishing and implementing investment objectives, determining asset allocation & portfolio construction, investment policy statement review and performing asset/liability studies. Brian is a member of the leadership team for the Graystone Columbus / Grand Rapids group, which has been consistently ranked among Barron's Top Institutional Consulting Teams each year since 2015. Additionally, Brian was recognized by Forbes Magazine as a Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisor in 2019 and 2022. Brian brings over 15 years of investment consulting experience in the institutional arena. Kerri L. Mollard Mollard Consulting Kerri L. Mollard Mollard Consulting Founder & CEO Kerri Mollard is the founder and CEO of Mollard Consulting based in New Albany. She is a respected authority on nonprofit board governance, planning and fundraising. Since 2003, Kerri and her team have served nearly 200 clients and thousands more through workshops and trainings. Prior to consulting, Kerri worked for nonprofits in various roles, from box office manager to interim executive director. In 2025, the company launched Board Building, a unique board matching, training and support service. She has a master's degree from Indiana University, a bachelor's degree from The Ohio State University and a Certificate of Nonprofit Board Consulting from BoardSource. She is also a local elected official, serving as Plain Township Trustee since 2022. Amber Newlove Community Heart & Soul Amber Newlove Community Heart & Soul Project Co-coordinator for Arlington Amber Newlove most recently served as Co-Coordinator for the Community Heart & Soul process in Arlington, Ohio, helping lead a multi-year effort to gather stories, engage residents, identify shared community values, and turn those values into action. She now serves on the Board of Directors for Arlington Heart & Soul, a newly established nonprofit organization, where she continues the work of connecting people, ideas, and community-led priorities. A graduate of Huntington University with a degree in Recreation Management, Amber spent more than 20 years serving at a local nonprofit long-term care facility, including 12 years as Activities Program Director. She also serves on the Arlington Heritage Committee, volunteers with the Arlington Beautification Committee, and is active in her church. Amber lives in Arlington with her husband and their three sons Melissa Newman Press Forward Blue Grass Melissa Newman Press Forward Blue Grass Executive Director Dr. Melissa Newman is Executive Director of Press Forward Blue Grass, bringing her decades of journalism experience, fundraising, and grant writing skills into this work. Melissa previously served as the Associate Vice President for Place-Based Partnerships at Partners for Rural Impact and Executive Director of the Appalachian Cradle to Career Partnership. Her dual roles supported convening strategically aligned organizations in Kentucky’s Appalachia and guiding other rural places nationally in their cradle-to-career work, specifically around communication and policy, with a mission and vision to create cradle-to-career systems transformation in rural America. Melissa has dedicated her career to elevating the status of Kentucky’s Appalachia through fundraising, grant writing, public and community relations, and research. Melissa is a former journalist, public relations practitioner, and published novelist. Her academic research focuses on how the news media has influenced sustained negative stereotypes in Appalachia. It has revealed that changing the region’s story can positively impact individuals, their communities, and the economy. Dr. Newman’s more recent work includes a book chapter she co-authored, A History of Media Coverage of Poverty in the United States Since 1960, as part of a collective of work within “The Routledge Companion to Media and Poverty” that explores the complex, and often problematic, ways in which the news media shapes perceptions of poverty. Melissa also teaches in the Department of Communication at Eastern Kentucky University. She is also a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE). Rebecca Lynn Petersen West Central Initiative Rebecca Lynn Petersen West Central Initiative Brian Reitz Akron Community Foundation Brian Reitz Akron Community Foundation Vice President, Community Investment Brian cultivates relationships in the community to better understand nonprofit needs, resources and opportunities, ensuring their good work continues forever. Additionally, he educates nonprofits about strategic capacity building, financial viability and fundraising best practices while also overseeing our grant processes. Brian previously served as Akron Community Foundation's director of agency engagement and endowments, where he enhanced services for the foundation's agency endowment and designated fundholders, including stewardship, endowment building and other technical needs. Brian has a strong leadership background in Northeast Ohio's nonprofit sector, including roles as an executive director, director of fundraising and major gifts officer. He has served on numerous boards in the area and previously served as the executive director of Hale Farm & Village and Habitat for Humanity of Portage County. He holds a bachelor's degree in history from Kent State University. Kristin Riepenhoff Zelinskas Greater Cincinnati Foundation Kristin Riepenhoff Zelinskas Greater Cincinnati Foundation Director, Community Investments Kristin is a Program Officer at the Greater Cincinnati Foundation who oversees the cultural vibrancy initiatives for the Community Investments department. Over the past 13 years, she has dedicated her career to cultivating and connecting the community to arts and culture through some of Cincinnati's leading cultural institutions, such as FotoFocus and the Contemporary Arts Center. Kristin currently serves on the board of Xavier University’s Professional Mentor Program—advocating and mentoring the next creative leaders of our region. Amy Rohling McGee Health Policy Institute of Ohio Amy Rohling McGee Health Policy Institute of Ohio President Amy Rohling McGee has served as the president of the Health Policy Institute of Ohio since 2010. With her leadership, HPIO has developed a reputation as a trusted source of data and evidence-informed policy analysis. McGee has more than 30 years of experience in policy analysis, management, government relations, planning, stakeholder engagement, coalition building and communication. McGee has both public and private sector experience, including service in the executive and legislative branches of government and leadership of nonprofit organizations. McGee earned her bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in social work from the Ohio State University. Erin Scott The Columbus Foundation Erin Scott The Columbus Foundation Director, Capacity Building and Community Knowledge Erin joined The Columbus Foundation as the Director of Capacity Building and Community Knowledge in 2024. In this role, Erin leads The Columbus Foundation’s sector building work, supporting central Ohio nonprofits with strategic grantmaking investments that strengthen organizational infrastructure, build capacity, and improve nonprofit and community outcomes. Additionally, Erin develops and drives the Foundation’s capacity building programming, providing training, cohort-based learning, professional development, and educational resources to local nonprofit leaders. An accomplished professional, Erin previously served as Co-Executive Director of the Ohio Women’s Alliance, an organization she co-founded, where she provided coaching, strategic planning, and relationship-building support to women-led nonprofits at no cost. She also has extensive experience as a nonprofit consultant, providing professional counsel to organizations on topics ranging from board management and succession planning to best practices for fundraising and leadership development. In addition to her professional experience as a nonprofit leader and consultant, Erin is also an adjunct professor at The Ohio State University John Glenn College of Public Affairs, where she instructs graduate and undergraduate courses on nonprofit finance, management, and governance. Erin received a Bachelor of Science from Ohio University’s College of Health & Human Services and a Master of Public Administration from The John Glenn College of Public Affairs at Ohio State. Matthew A. Shannon Clearstead Matthew A. Shannon Clearstead Executive Managing Director Matt Shannon is the executive managing director and head of Institutional Consulting Services at Clearstead, where he supports both institutional and private wealth clients with investment advisory services. He has been working in the financial services industry since 1998, joined Clearstead in 2023 and is a Clearstead shareholder. Matt brings expertise in investment consulting, client relationship management and international business development. Before joining Clearstead, he worked as managing director for investments and as a senior institutional consultant at Legacy Strategic Asset Management of Wells Fargo Advisors and previously served as director of international marketing at Shreiner Company. Throughout Matt’s career, he has led initiatives to support client portfolios and expand global market reach. Matt obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in management and marketing from the University of Dayton and holds the Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA®) designation. Dan Sharpe The Columbus Foundation Dan Sharpe The Columbus Foundation Vice President - Community Research and Grants Management Dan joined The Columbus Foundation in 2004. His responsibilities include overseeing the development and implementation of grant policies, program priorities, and strategic grantmaking. Under his leadership, the Community Research and Grants Management team plays a unique role in convening community discussions around areas of need, participating in and leading community initiatives and partnerships to address these needs. DeAnna Shores Midletown Connect DeAnna Shores Midletown Connect Program Manager DeAnna Shores is project manager for Middletown Connect, a community engagement initiative focused on strengthening relationships between residents, organizations and local systems to create more connected and responsive neighborhoods. With a background in education, case management and public health collaboration, her work centers on building trust, facilitating resident-led conversations and developing practical strategies that improve community outcomes. Sarah Sisser CreativeOhio Sarah Sisser CreativeOhio Executive Director & CEO Sarah Sisser is executive director & CEO at CreativeOhio, where she leads statewide advocacy efforts for the arts and cultural sector. With 15 years of nonprofit and public administration leadership, she builds cross-sector coalitions, educates sector leaders in civic engagement and advances public policy supporting Ohio’s creative economy. Travis Speice Women's Fund of Greater Cincinnati Foundation Travis Speice Women's Fund of Greater Cincinnati Foundation Applied Research Director Dr. Travis Speice is the applied research director at the Women's Fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation, where he leads research and advocacy initiatives focused on gender and racial equity. He holds a Ph.D. in sociology from the University of Cincinnati and is dedicated to using evidence-based solutions to drive systemic change. Michelle Toney Learning Grove/FamiliesFORWARD Michelle Toney Learning Grove/FamiliesFORWARD Executive Director Michelle Toney is a passionate leader with more than 32 years of experience advancing education, youth development and community engagement. As executive director of FamiliesFORWARD and vice president of school-age services at Learning Grove, she champions innovative programs that help children and families thrive academically and beyond. She holds degrees from Tennessee State University and the University of Tennessee and is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor. Kiana Trabue HealthPath Foundation of Ohio Kiana Trabue HealthPath Foundation of Ohio President Kiana uses a deeply collaborative approach to cultivate bi3’s internal and external partnerships. She works with grantee organizations to co-design innovative initiatives to achieve bi3’s goal of solving Greater Cincinnati’s deep-seated health issues. Previously, Kiana served as Executive Director for The Health Collaborative where she led Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky’s population health agenda, Gen-H. As the pandemic hit in 2020 Kiana quickly pivoted her focus toward helping to lead the region’s COVID-19 response efforts, specifically working to ensure equitable response strategies to target neighborhoods and populations for COVID testing. Kiana is a 2017 YWCA Rising Star, a member of the Cincinnati Business Courier’s 2018 Forty Under 40 class, a recipient of Lead Tribune Media Group’s 2017 Healthcare Leadership Award, and was recognized as a Distinguished Alumni by Princeton City School. Trabue holds a Master of Public Health from Wright State University’s Boonshoft School of Medicine and is a graduate of the Center for Clinical and Translation Science and Training’s Community Leaders Institute and the Urban League’s Urban Leader’s Institute. Kiana is a devoted mother to two children, and also currently serves as Vice Mayor of the Village of Woodlawn and Treasurer of Princeton Community Middle School PTA. Cassie Turner The Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation Cassie Turner The Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation Community Engagement Officer Cassie Turner is a dedicated public servant whose focus on youth and community development aids in her work to engage with Hancock County in this programming and grantmaking role. Cassie graduated from the University of Findlay and received her master’s degree in Human and Community Resource Development from Ohio State University. She served as a district executive for the Black Swamp Area Council of Boy Scouts before joining OSU Extension. As Extension Educator, Cassie worked in Meigs County and Hancock County for a total of 15 years. Her knowledge of the community, local resources and connections make her a valuable part of the Community Engagement Team. Cassie is a member of the Kiwanis Club of Findlay and past board member. She continues to volunteer for OSU Extension and the 4-H program and volunteers for Habitat for Humanity of Findlay/Hancock County. She is a 2017 graduate of Hancock Leadership. Cassie lives near Rawson with her dog Daisy. Kippy Ungerleider Mathile Family Foundation Kippy Ungerleider Mathile Family Foundation Executive Director Kippy has been the executive director of the Mathile Family Foundation since 2024. Kippy has a long history with the foundation, having joined as a grants associate in 1999 to manage the quarterly grantmaking process and to assist with evolving grantmaking initiatives. In her current role, Kippy promotes the foundation's vision and mission by engaging family members, leading the development and implementation of strategic direction, empowering staff and ensuring strategic alignment among the mission, philanthropic investments and operational systems. Throughout her tenure at the foundation, Kippy has also directed the development of evaluation processes and systems to better measure grantmaking impact and to maximize the effectiveness of the foundation’s funded programs and initiatives. She also has previous experience in fundraising and development. Kippy earned a bachelor's degree in biology from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and an MBA from Xavier University. Deepa Vedavyas NOPEC Deepa Vedavyas NOPEC Director of Resiliency & Sustainability Deepa Vedavyas is an award-winning sustainability and resilience leader whose cross-sector work bridges local action and global impact. She serves as the inaugural Director of Resiliency and Sustainability at the Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council (NOPEC), a council of governments serving nearly 250 communities across Ohio, where she established the organization's first sustainability and resiliency platform and is advancing commitments to a just and equitable energy transition. With a foundation in architecture and urban planning and a recent Master's in Sustainability from Harvard University, where she was awarded the 2026 Dean's Prize for Outstanding ALM Capstone in Sustainability, Deepa's work integrates energy systems, community development, and climate action to help communities translate ambitious sustainability goals into implementation at scale. Her leadership has shaped initiatives including Cleveland's Clean and Equitable Energy Future Plan and the city's LEED for Cities and Communities Silver certification. At the Cleveland Foundation, she pioneered Ohio's first SDG learning cohort for foundations, launched the ICLEI Resilient Cities Leadership Cohort, and mobilized federal and philanthropic resources to advance climate education and resilient communities. Deepa serves as Co-Chair of the UN SDSN USA Working Group on Diversity, Equity, and Justice for Sustainable Development. She is a co-author of the forthcoming Code-Name Hope: A Voluntary Local Review of the Black Community in Greater Cleveland and co-author of Why 2025 Must Be the Year of Leaving No One Behind, published by the International Institute for Sustainable Development. She has represented her region at COP27, COP28, the World ESG Forum, and ICLEI's World Congress. Her current work explores how community-centered energy systems and regional collaboration can accelerate equitable climate action and build resilient communities. Patrice Watson Soapbox Cincinnati Patrice Watson Soapbox Cincinnati Publisher Patrice Watson is publisher and managing editor of Soapbox Cincinnati, an Issue Media Group digital publication covering the people, places and ideas shaping the Cincinnati region. Through narrative storytelling and solutions journalism, Soapbox informs residents and strengthens civic engagement. Patrice leads a team of freelance journalists while building partnerships with foundations, civic and government organizations, nonprofits and businesses to sustain community-centered reporting. She works at the intersection of journalism and philanthropy, helping mission-driven organizations connect community investment with trusted local reporting. Her background spans publishing, media sales and consulting. amy weber United Way of Greater Cincinnati amy weber United Way of Greater Cincinnati Chief Impact Officer amy weber has spent 20 years turning nonprofit strategy into local impact. As Chief Impact Officer at United Way of Greater Cincinnati, she leads impact strategies advancing economic mobility. With a JD and a master's in strategic foresight, weber is known as an innovator and leading voice on social change. Matt Weinkam Literary Cleveland Matt Weinkam Literary Cleveland Executive Director Matt Weinkam is the executive director of Literary Cleveland. He holds a master's degree in creative writing from Miami University and a master of fine arts degree in fiction from Northern Michigan University. His work has been published in Denver Quarterly, Sonora Review, New South, HAD, DIAGRAM, Electric Literature and more, and he has helped edit and publish anthologies of writing by immigrants, veterans, seniors and essential workers during the pandemic. Marissa Williams DRG Talent Consulting Experts Marissa Williams DRG Talent Consulting Experts Fellow Marissa Williams is passionate about strengthening communities through effective nonprofit and government services. Drawing on over 15 years of experience in community development, leadership development and consulting, Marissa has partnered with nonprofits, local governments and state agencies across the country to develop outcomes-driven strategies that improve services for individuals, families and communities. She specializes in facilitating dynamic conversations, engaging diverse stakeholders and guiding organizations through complex decision-making processes. Marissa holds a master’s degree in social science administration from Case Western Reserve University, with a concentration in community and social development, and a bachelor's degree in sociology from Willamette University. Miranda Williams Ohio Department of Health Miranda Williams Ohio Department of Health Chief of Staff Miranda Williams, PharmD, RPh, is the chair of the Board of Directors for the Public Health Fund of Ohio. She serves as chair on behalf of the director of the Ohio Department of Health, where she has served as the chief of staff since 2021. Miranda earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Findlay. Prior to her leadership role at the Ohio Department of Health, Miranda served Ohio as the pharmacy director for the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation. Renée T. Willis Martha Holden Jennings Foundation Renée T. Willis Martha Holden Jennings Foundation Executive Director Dr. Renée T. Willis is the Executive Director of The Martha Holden Jennings Foundation; a private foundation committed to advancing educational excellence in Ohio’s PreK-12 public schools since 1959. Appointed in January 2024, Dr. Willis brings more than 30 years of experience in public education to her role, having served as a teacher, principal, and superintendent. She is the first woman and the first African American to lead the Foundation. A proud graduate of Cleveland Public Schools, Dr. Willis holds a Ph.D. in Urban Education from Cleveland State University, a master’s degree in educational administration from Baldwin Wallace University, and a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Spelman College. Her leadership at the Jennings Foundation reflects her belief that bold, equity-focused philanthropy can drive real systems change in education. Dr. Willis is also an engaged member of Philanthropy Ohio, where she serves as Co-Chair of the Education Policy Table. Her session will highlight how funders can leverage their influence to shape education policy, support public schools through strategic grantmaking, and navigate the evolving landscape of K-12 education in Ohio. Drawing from both her practitioner and philanthropic experience, she brings a unique and actionable perspective to the conversation on how philanthropy can strengthen public education statewide.
