Leadership Ohio (LO) has announced the appointment of its first-ever Ambassadors for the state-wide leadership program established in 1992. The Ambassadors, Melissa Miller (Galena) and Joe Weitz (Gahanna) were selected from the Class of 2019 to serve as representatives of LO, helping to unite people around an exciting, aspirational vision: making Ohio the best state to live and work.
The role of the Ambassadors is to connect with Ohio communities, organizations and employers, deepening awareness of the program and attracting new talent and partnerships. With the Executive Director, the Ambassadors will play an important role in 2020 sessions and receive an honorarium for their service. The honorary appointment begins in March and ends in December 2020.
“With the unique talents and backgrounds of our Ambassadors, Leadership Ohio has the opportunity to reach a more diverse public/private audience of influencers, innovators and activists and help cultivate their passion for service and entrepreneurial problem-solving,” said Dr. Lisa Duty, Executive Director of Leadership Ohio.
The opportunity for government, nonprofits, business, philanthropy and everyday people to work together is powerful. On her inspiration for accepting the appointment, Melissa Miller said “As part of the 2019 cohort, I met incredible people and learned about different sides of their respective industries, which is an opportunity I would not have initially pursued. This exposure helped me integrate useful tools into my current position, and it helped my organization raise additional funds. There are some great things going on in our state, and my experience with Leadership Ohio spurred my desire to share these movements with other participants. Having the space to do this with the 2020 cohort is very exciting, and I’m grateful for the opportunity.”
The newly appointed ambassadors were selected by meeting criteria that ranged from excellence in social organizing, relationship building across networks, community planning, state policy analysis and formation, and experience in public and community service. On his inspiration for accepting the appointment, Weitz said, “Being a part of Leadership Ohio in 2019 was an eye-opening experience for me. I developed an understanding of the great history, strengths, and challenges of this state while also realizing my own potential in its success and opportunities. What better way to continue the journey than to support another great class of leaders?”
The Leadership Ohio Class of 2020 will be announced later this spring.
Meet the Ambassadors
Melissa Miller, MBA, Associate Director, Ohio CDC Association
Melissa Miller has been with the Ohio CDC Association (OCDCA) since 2012, where she began by serving her second year of national service as an AmeriCorps VISTA Leader. She has held a variety of different roles during her tenure at OCDCA and is currently the Associate Director, where she helps build the capacity of community development organizations across the state of Ohio. She does this by managing membership, coordinating training opportunities, and overseeing the association’s programming. During this time, Miller helped grow the AmeriCorps VISTA program to the one of the largest national service programs in the state of Ohio, added AmeriCorps VISTA slots to focus on rural issues, and assisted the Corporation of National and Community Service in piloting special initiative projects. In 2018, Miller oversaw the pilot of the Empowering Communities Grant Challenge, a statewide opportunity funded by the CareSource Foundation that provides funding to CDCs for innovative solutions to unique community challenges that involve the social determinants of health. Since then, CareSource Foundation has replicated this program in Indiana and Kentucky.
Prior to joining OCDCA, Miller served as an AmeriCorps VISTA member with UGIVE.ORG, a web-based youth volunteer platform, coordinating service learning projects and connecting high school students with volunteer opportunities. She was the AmeriCorps Alums Columbus Chapter president from 2014 to 2016. She also spent time interning for State Representative Ted Celeste. She holds a master’s degree in business administration from Ohio University and bachelor’s degree in political science from Kent State University.
Outside of work, Miller volunteers her time as a Big Sister with Big Brother Big Sisters. She currently lives in Etna with her husband, Adam, her son Hugh, and her two dogs, Max and Paris.
Joe Weitz, MLIS, Communications & Policy Coordinator, Educational Service Center of Central Ohio
Joe Weitz has worked for the Educational Service Center (ESC) of Central Ohio as its policy coordinator since 2008 and added communications coordination to his duties beginning in 2016. As policy coordinator, he guides the agency in its public policy tracking, research and strategic analysis of services. He also leads the agency’s communications efforts with internal and external stakeholders and partners. In 2015, he received the Ohio Educational Service Center Association’s Torch Award, established to recognize individuals and/or organizations who have rendered outstanding service or who have made significant contributions to the association and ESCs as a whole.
Previously, Weitz served as a library and research associate in the Ohio Department of Education’s (ODE) Office of Curriculum and Instruction. He also served as an assistant to the state superintendent of public instruction at ODE and to the state librarian at the State Library of Ohio.
Weitz received his undergraduate degree from Northern Kentucky University and a Master’s in Library and Information Science from Kent State University. He holds an administrative specialist license in educational research and has completed graduate-level coursework at The Ohio State University’s John Glenn College of Public Affairs. He also serves as a member of the City of Gahanna’s Area Commission.