35 Visionaries Set to Transform Ohio through Bipartisan Work
Columbus, Ohio – April 17, 2025 – Leadership Ohio is proud to announce its newly chosen Class of 2025. Following a fiercely competitive process that attracted more than 230 nominations from around the state, 35 trailblazing leaders have been chosen to explore Ohio’s most pressing challenges and opportunities while strengthening the state’s civic health and prosperity.
“This is an outstanding group of accomplished individuals from across Ohio,” said Lisa Duty, Ph.D. and Executive Director of Leadership Ohio “At a time when effective civic leadership is paramount, we are thrilled to welcome this dynamic, cross-sector group into our prestigious fellowship.”
These distinguished Fellows represent a broad spectrum of Ohio’s professional sectors—from business, healthcare, law, and science to government and public service. Notable affiliations include the Ohio Department of Public Safety, Ohio Latino Affairs Commission, Coalition for Appalachian Development, American Petroleum Institute, and the Transportation Research Center, Inc. The roster is further enriched by influential elected and appointed officials, including the mayors of Barberton, Gahanna, and Upper Arlington.
Throughout an intensive year of groundbreaking sessions addressing critical issues such as talent retention, national security, the judiciary, and affordable childcare, the Fellows will forge deep connections and engage in symposia that blend diverse ideological perspectives, across party lines. These experiences promise to elevate Ohio’s civic health and prosperity to unprecedented heights as these leaders step out into their communities after the Fellowship experience.
Shon Christy, President of the Board of Trustees, added, “We are ecstatic to welcome the Class of 2025. These distinguished leaders are the embodiment of progress, uniting to pave the way for a stronger, brighter Ohio.”
For more information about Leadership Ohio and its transformational programming, please visit www.leadershipohio.org. Nominations for the Class of 2026 will open in Autumn 2025.
Meet the Leadership Ohio Class of 2025
Akron MSA
Steve Buie, Co-founder, Rise 1000x (Rise a Thousand Times) Black Youth Success Movement
Sue Grabowski, CEO, Desidara
Craig Horbus, Partner, Dinsmore & Shohl LLP
William B. Judge, Mayor, City of Barberton
Kevin Pratt, President and Owner, PrideStaff Akron
Rachel Reight, Attorney and Partner, Baasten, McKinley & Co LPA
Shari Warman, HR Manager, GED Integrated Solutions
Canton-Massillon MSA
Clark Harvey, President, Arrowhead Talent Solutions and Executive Director, Brighter Days Foundation
Cincinnati MSA
Dan Driehaus, President and CEO, Driehaus Insurance Group and City Council Member, City of Wyoming
Cleveland-Elyria MSA
Shayla L. Davis, President and CEO, Ohio Legislative Black Caucus Foundation, and Commissioner and Vice Chair, Ohio Elections Commission
Columbus MSA
Parag Agrawal, Chief Mobility and Development Officer and Senior Director, Mid Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC)
Ed Burkhammer, Director of Law Enforcement Services, Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services
Veronica Cardello, Assistant Vice President of External Engagement, Ohio REALTORS®
Ben Greene III, Regional Transmission Organization (RTO) Policy Manager, American Electric Power
Emerald Hernandez-Parra, Assistant Director of Special Projects, Department of Development, City of Columbus
Laurie Jadwin, Mayor, City of Gahanna
Ukeme Awakessien Jeter, Mayor and Council President, City of Upper Arlington
Jocelyn Lowe, Chief Operating Officer, Ohio Department of Public Safety
Matthew Martin, Director of Community Research, The Columbus Foundation
Peter Renner, Chief Human Resources Officer and Director of Employee and Business Services, Ohio Department of Job and Family Services
Jessica Wilson, Global Technical Director, iMotions
Dayton MSA
Darius Beckham, Candidate, Dayton City Commission
Jennifer DeFrancesco, DHA, FACHE, Medical Center Director and CEO Dayton Veterans Affair (VA) Medical Center
Barbara Doseck, Director of Law, City of Dayton
Adam C. Kempf, Director of Operations, Mental Health Recovery Board of Clark, Greene and Madison Counties
Jack Omer, President and CEO, Society for the Improvement of Conditions for Stray Animals (SICSA)
Geraldine Pegues, Assistant County Administrator, Montgomery County
North Northeastern Ohio Nonmetropolitan Area
Arin Blair, AICP, Chief Planner, City of Sandusky
Carson Weingart, Director of Food and Beverage, Cedar Point
Southern Ohio Nonmetropolitan Area
Michelle Corrigan, COAD4kids Division Director, Corporation of Ohio Appalachian Development (COAD)
Mollie Fitzgerald, Executive Director, Athens County Economic Development Council and Athens County Port Authority
Springfield MSA
Claire Linkhart, Associate Director, American Petroleum Institute
Manuel Lopez Ramirez, Program Manager, LexisNexis and Chairman, Ohio Commission on Latino Affairs
West Northwestern Ohio Nonmetropolitan Area
Jenn Dunn, Director of Marketing and External Affairs, Transportation Research Center Inc.
Youngstown-Warren-Boardman MSA
Shawn Carvin, Executive Director, Ohio Land Bank Association
Contact:
Lisa Duty, Executive Director, Leadership Ohio
lisaduty@leadershipohio.org | 614.806.0607