Leadership Ohio has selected 33 Leaders for the Class of 2020. The program enables outstanding individuals to cross sectors and interests, elevating their knowledge, perspective and connections from a community to a state-wide level. The highly competitive program partners change-makers working at high levels of public, private and community service to achieve new impact in Ohio, making our state the best place to live and work.
“This year’s class is an impressive team of entrepreneurs, innovators and movement-builders committed to using their talents to give back to our state,” said Dr. Lisa Duty, Executive Director, Leadership Ohio. “Even as we acknowledge the difficulty and pain so many Ohioans are facing during the current pandemic, we know 2020 will be extraordinary. Together we see compelling opportunities ahead to shape a better, safer and more just future.”
Among this year’s inductees are a combat veteran deployed twice in support of the Global War on Terrorism; the manager of a research fund designed to stimulate innovative responses to Ohio’s addiction epidemic; the CEO of one of the 10 largest housing authorities in the country; the current Ohio Inspector General; a Mayor, and a City Councilman-- who in 2019 made history as the first Bhutanese American to be elected to public office in the United States-- and so many more.
“The credentials and experiences of these leaders are second to none,” said Nan Baker, President, Leadership Ohio. “We anticipate transformational collaboration and a new zenith of service to state and community.”
Across 2020, Leaders will:
Meet and interact with influential business, community and elected officials in the state;
Explore challenges and opportunities facing Ohio and its people;
Learn about various issues with a recognized group of experts, educators and insiders;
Create impact with other leaders who are dedicated to service, and,
Discover new inspiration: shaping how they will impact the world well into the future.
This year's program will launch virtually on May 15-16 and culminate with graduation in November.
Announcing the Leadership Ohio Class of 2020
Michael S. Allio, Founder and President, Saint James Therapeutics, MA Workwear, LLC, The L4 Project
Michael S. Allio graduated from Loyola University Chicago’s School of Marketing Communications in 2006. Since graduation, Allio has developed a successful and tenured track record of leading sales teams, bringing new products to market and giving back to his community. Within the past six years, Allio has built three new start-up businesses within the health care, eCommerce and non-profit sectors. In addition, Allio has developed a deep passion for supporting community-based services and social causes within the Greater-Akron area.
In 2017, Allio’s wife Laura Ritter-Allio was diagnosed with breast cancer just seven months after giving birth to their first and only child, James. After a long and courageous battle, Laura passed away on January 23rd, 2019. In an effort to preserve his wife’s legacy, Allio created The L4 Project, a socially conscious clothing brand which raises money for local nonprofits through the sale of merchandise and apparel. The brand recently launched its first major collaboration with The Boys & Girls Club of Western Reserve and has received both local and national attention.
In 2018, Allio and his wife Laura began laying the foundation for a new venture, Saint James Therapeutics, which seeks to develop novel remedies and consumer-based products aimed at offsetting the painful side effects associated with commonly prescribed chemotherapy treatments. Saint James Therapeutics is set to begin their first clinical trial by the end of 2020 with continued aspirations of developing hyper focused solutions that ease a cancer patients journey from diagnosis to complete remission.
In 2019, Allio was awarded with the Greater Akron Chamber of Commerce’s “30 For The Future” Award for his outstanding work as a business leader, entrepreneur and influential trendsetter within the industry.
Allio currently resides in Copley, Ohio with his 3-year old son, James. He is the 2020 recipient of the Leadership Ohio Ian Schwarber Memorial Scholarship.
Sierra J. Austin, Ph.D., Regional School Improvement Coordinator for Diversity & Equity, Educational Service Center of Central Ohio
Dr. Sierra J. Austin is a graduate of the Department of Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies (WGSS) at The Ohio State University, with a focus on race and social justice. She also graduated with an interdisciplinary specialization in Latino/a Studies. Her research, activism and work focuses on education equity.
Austin’s most recent publications appear in Souls: A Critical Journal of Black Politics, Culture, and Society and Frontiers: A Journal of Women’s Studies, respectively. She is the recipient of several grants awarded by the National Women’s Studies Association, OSU’s WGSS Department, the Council of Graduate Students, the Office of Diversity & Inclusion, and the University of Texas at San Antonio. She has presented original research both domestically and abroad, including in Spain and various parts of the UK.
Austin received a B.A. in Communications from Wilberforce University (the nation’s oldest private historically Black university), and an M.A. in Women’s Studies from OSU. She has also studied at the University of Westminster in London, England. Austin has held teaching appointments at OSU, where she was nominated for an Outstanding Faculty Award, and Purdue University Fort Wayne. Her current appointment is in the Writing, Literature and Philosophy Department at Columbus College of Art & Design, where she teaches African American Literature.
In the K-12 space, Austin has designed and taught curriculum for social justice elective course offerings and has served as a consultant for several equity and empowerment programs. She also served as Director of Leadership and Inclusion Programs at YWCA Columbus. Austin currently serves as Regional School Improvement Coordinator for Diversity & Equity at the Educational Service Center of Central Ohio.
Austin is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated, the Wilberforce University Alumni Association, the YWCA Columbus Alumni Committee, as well as the IMPACT Safety Advisory Board. She serves on the board of directors for the Women’s Fund of Central Ohio, and CHOICE (Center for Humane Options in Childbirth Experience), and was recently named a Deloitte/JP Morgan Chase “Rising Star,” a recognition for up-and-coming female leaders in Central Ohio.
She currently lives in Columbus with her partner Don and one-year-old daughter, Ryleigh.
Devan W. Benjamin, Practice Management Supervisor, Memorial Health System
During his five-year tenure at Memorial Health System, Benjamin has had front-line and leadership roles. While pursuing his undergraduate degree in management and marketing at West University at Parkersburg, he was a front-line staff member in the courier department and quickly transitioned into a leadership role. He began supervising eight staff members and grew the department to twelve. He oversaw transportation logistics of the medical laboratory for the health system to include two hospitals, three campuses, and many outlying ambulatory clinics. He focused on streamlining processes and gaining efficiencies using tools such as LEAN.
In his current role as practice management supervisor, Benjamin oversees three ambulatory outpatient practices consisting of nine providers and nearly twenty front-line staff members. His daily duties include human resource management, physician relations, patient flow, clinical quality excellence, and revenue cycle initiatives. A current management project that Benjamin is focused on is closing care gaps and care coordination as part of a multidisciplinary panel called a Quality Collaborative Team.
Benjamin has lived in the Marietta area for most of his life and enjoys the river town and outdoor activities with his Golden Retriever, Thor. He also enjoys giving back to the community by volunteering his time to the Memorial Health Foundation events, Hunger Solutions, and the Marietta Community Meal volunteer group.
Krystal Burke, Vice President of Business Development, Eastway Behavioral Health
As the Vice President of Business Development for Eastway Behavioral Health, Krystal Burke is responsible for creating and proactively seeking out opportunities for program and service expansion. In this role, Burke has been a driving force in developing strategic partnerships in order to fulfill organizational objectives. As a member of the Executive Leadership Team, she has taken the mission and put it in motion—from property acquisition and hands-on construction project management, to program development and implementation, Burke has overseen multiple start-ups across the region to expand the agency’s service capacity. Burke entered the behavioral health field eight years ago, and in that time Eastway has evolved from a Community Mental Health Center, to one of the largest behavioral healthcare providers in the state, with more than four-hundred staff serving twenty-two-hundred adults, and over a thousand children and families across the state and beyond. Eastway has grown from $18M in annual revenue to more than $30M at the close of the next fiscal year, demonstrating the agency’s commitment to adapting and responding to the growing needs of the region through our breadth of services.
Prior to entering the behavioral healthcare field, Burke held a series of financial management positions in the banking industry. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Lincoln Memorial University and a Master of Public Administration from Valdosta State University. Her background in business and finance has provided a foundation for evaluating opportunities and building sustainable program models. Since joining Eastway, Burke has earned a Master of Science in Social Administration from Case Western University and become a Licensed Social Worker, which has provided the optimal balance between fiscal and programmatic responsibility.
Burke is enthusiastic about the opportunity to connect with active organizational and community leaders in order to leverage resources to make a greater impact in the communities we serve. She is passionate about reaching those among us who are underserved and often overlooked, but in the greatest need of help.
Donald L. Bush, Employee Relations Advisor, Goodwill Easterseals Miami Valley
Donald Bush is a skilled public speaker, trainer, facilitator, and coach with a passion for helping individuals strengthen, enhance, and empower their personal selves. As a lifelong learner, Donald studied Early Childhood Education at Sinclair Community College, and earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Organizational Management from Wilberforce University. He also holds certifications in several areas, most recently earning Adult Mental Health First Aid and Crime Prevention Specialist certifications.
Donald currently serves as the Employee Relations Advisor for Goodwill Easterseals Miami Valley. In this role, Donald has the opportunity to coach, motivate, and counsel more than 1,200 employees, of which more than 50% have a disclosed disability. He also connects the employees to appropriate in-house and area resources in an effort to help them grow, maintain active employment, have their basic needs met, and engage with full inclusion in the life of the community.
Donald is also an enthusiastic and passionate volunteer for several organizations throughout the Dayton community in the areas of Social Justice, the Arts, Education, and Youth Outreach. He volunteers with the Dayton Police Department, The Victoria Theatre Association and the Performing Arts, ThinkTV (PBS), Leadership Dayton, and the City of Dayton and its neighborhoods.
Christian Campbell, Infrastructure and Support Services Manager, Columbus City Schools
Campbell is the Infrastructure and Support Services Manager for the Columbus City School district, where he has served the students and staff for the past 23 years. During his tenure, Campbell has helped oversee the growth of educational technology in the district from a single computer in the library, to the 50,000 plus devices connecting the students to a world of possibilities today. In his current role, Campbell oversees a hard working team of 45 supporting the servers, network, phones, and end point computing devices in 120 plus school and admin buildings in the district.
Campbell is passionate about serving and advocating for public school education. He also strives to be a valuable member of his community. Whether it is helping out with his son’s cub scout pack or hosting a weekly movie night during the summer for the families in his neighborhood, he truly enjoys the sense of community.
Campbell is a native of Columbus, Ohio and currently lives in Worthington, Ohio with his wife Julie, 6th grade daughter Annie and 4th grade son Henry.
Alyse Clark, Director of Secondary Curriculum, Columbus City Schools
With great passion, Alyse Clark has served as an educator for more than twenty-four years. As the Director of Secondary Curriculum, Clark leads with a vision of excellence and equity for all children by working collaboratively to create systems that are designed to provide high quality learning experiences for all students, while supporting and building the capacity of educators.
Prior to joining Columbus City Schools, Clark served Akron Public Schools as a Social Studies teacher, Instructional Coach, and Administrator. During her tenure with APS, Clark was awarded the district's Teacher of the Year award in 2000 and 2015. Clark is the only teacher in the system to be awarded this honor twice. Clark has also been awarded the Shining Apple Award and was recognized by the Parent Teacher Association for distinctive service.
Clark has served among the national leadership in youth and currently in women's ministry in her church. Clark has also served the local congregation in music ministry for over thirty years.
Clark received her Bachelor's degree in Secondary Education and Master's degree in Educational Administration from the University of Akron. Clark resides in Columbus with her husband Tyrone and two youngest daughters Symone and Rylee.
Kathy Day, RN, OCN, MSN, Nurse Manager, University Hospitals
Kathy Day currently works at University Hospitals in Cleveland, Ohio. As UHPS Nurse Manager, she manages the Ambulatory area to ensure adherence to scope of evidence-based practice, process improvement and management of the Medical Assistant Float pool. Previous to this position, she was the Inpatient Nurse Manager for Solid Organ Transplant and General Surgery. Kathy has over 28 years of nursing experience and working in many specialty areas such as Orthopedics, Palliative Medicine and Oncology.
Day has a Master’s Degree in Nursing with a concentration in Healthcare Management from Kent State University and a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from Ursuline College. She has had her Certification in Oncology Nursing since 2007.
Day is also Secretary for American Croatian Association of Professionals (ACAP) and has been membership chair for the Cleveland Chapter International Transplant Society and President and Treasurer for the Cleveland Chapter Oncology Nursing Society.
She was born and raised in Ohio and has been married for 28 years with 2 adult children.
Mark Griffin, Inspector General, Cuyahoga County
Mark Griffin serves as Cuyahoga County’s Inspector General and Chief Ethics Officer. The Agency of the Inspector General has a staff of attorneys, certified fraud examiners, and data specialists who investigate waste, fraud and abuse in County Government. Since becoming Inspector General in 2015, Griffin and the AIG have identified over $7 million in challenged costs, referred more than a dozen cases for criminal law enforcement review, and provided pro-active ethics training to more than 5,000 public employees.
The United States Department of State now coordinates visits of international delegations to Cuyahoga County to understand the County’s response to public corruption, transparency and accountability. In 2019, Griffin was awarded the Citizen Diplomat of the Year by the Cleveland Council on World Affairs.
Griffin has a Masters’ Degree in Public Policy from Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government; a law degree from Case Western Reserve University School of Law and a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics and Political Science from the University of Pennsylvania. Griffin worked as an Intern for a Conservative member of British Parliament, and served two years as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Cameroon, West Africa building schools, supporting small economic development projects and promoting community development.
Priyam Chokshi, Director of Community & Legislative Strategies, CelebrateOne, Mayor’s Office, City of Columbus
Priyam Chokshi is the Director of Community and Legislative Strategies for CelebrateOne, a place-based, collective-impact initiative in the Mayor’s Office to reduce infant mortality and improve health equity in Columbus and Franklin County.
Before devoting her work full-time to Celebrate One, Chokshi served as a policy advisor to Mayor Andrew J. Ginther and worked to create Kiva Columbus, the Columbus Women’s Commission and engaged in social and economic programs and policies to improve the lives of residents in the City of Columbus.
Chokshi has also served as a legislative aide for Columbus City Council. She joined City Council in September 2010 and was responsible for legislative analysis, public policy research, communications, community engagement and public relations.
Chokshi is an alumna of the YWCA Gen Y Leadership Program, the Leadership Columbus Signature Program, the Tony Wells Foundation Social Impact Investing Executive Education program and the New Leaders Council. Chokshi currently serves on the regional board of the Children’s Hunger Alliance.
Chokshi graduated from George Washington University with a bachelor’s degree in International Affairs and is currently pursuing her master’s degree at Harvard University.
Chokshi has a passion for public service and remains committed to making government work for all people. Chokshi is a transplant from Cleveland and has been living in downtown Columbus for over 10 years. Chokshi believes it’s the best city to work, play and live.
Anthony Gatto, Executive Director, Arts & College Preparatory Academy
Anthony Gatto was on the founding staff of the Arts & College Preparatory Academy (ACPA) in 2002, and has been the school leader since 2010, currently in the role of Executive Director. ACPA is an independent charter school in Columbus, serving students in grades 7 through 12 (artcollegeprep.org).
Under Gatto’s leadership, ACPA has a mission and vision based on safety, acceptance and inclusivity, top state report card ratings, rigorous academic, a comprehensive arts program, and a student body that is valued and included regardless of race, gender, gender expression, class, or sexual orientation. This is all due to Gatto’s autonomous style of leadership, which has created an environment where students and staff have a voice in high-level decision-making.
Gatto believes that schools have a responsibility to teach students the importance of diversity, and that students and school staff need to be able to understand, respect and learn from each other. He states, “I am in a position to foster and enact progressive educational philosophies and practices that have the capacity to make school safer and more inclusive for all students, and I take that responsibility and privilege seriously.”
Gatto has a B.A. in Journalism from Miami University and a M.Ed. in Educational Leadership from the University of Cincinnati. Gatto was recognized as the 2016 School Leader of the Year by the Ohio Alliance for Public Charter Schools and a 2016 GLSEN Educator of the Year Honor Roll member. Gatto is also currently the Education At Large Commissioner and Treasurer for the Greater Southeast Area Neighborhood Commission in Columbus.
Lydia Gray, Manager of University Relations, Bon Secours Mercy Health
Gray has been a Talent Acquisition Professional with Bon Secours Mercy Health (formerly Mercy Health) since 2013. She has been working in the Human Resources (HR) field since 2003, taking a brief hiatus to work with inner city students in the world of charter school education. Gray’s HR expertise focuses primarily on talent acquisition, learning and development, and HR Generalist and Project Management work.
In her most recent role as Manager of University Relations for Bon Secours Mercy Health (BSMH), Gray is responsible for the strategic development and implementation of the system-wide university recruitment and relations program. Over the course of the past few years with BSMH, Gray has been instrumental in successfully leading the talent acquisition work-stream through merger related department redesign, policy consolidation, and standing up a combined ministry talent acquisition function.
Gray holds a Senior Certified Professional Certification through the Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM-SCP). She obtained her undergraduate degree from Xavier University and her Master of Science in Organizational Leadership from the College of Mount St. Joseph (now known as Mount St. Joseph University). She resides in the Wyoming suburb of Cincinnati, OH with her husband and four children.
Daniel Hof, Disabled Veteran Outreach Specialist, State of Ohio Department of Job & Family Services
As a Disabled Veteran Outreach Program Specialist (DVOP) for the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS), Daniel Hof provides Dayton-area job-seeking veterans that have employment barriers with one-on-one guidance and referrals customized to each veteran’s needs.
Hof is a combat veteran, having served 9-years in the Ohio Army National Guard. He deployed twice in support of the Global War on Terrorism and was awarded the Purple Heart in 2005. Now the current Department of Ohio Senior Vice-Commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH), Hof is responsible for membership and local chapter administration within Ohio.
In 2019, the Huber Heights City Council appointed Hof as one of the first commissioners for the city’s newly established Military & Veteran Commission. Hof serves on the board of directors for the Compass Retreat Center; a veteran organization focused on reintegrating veterans and their families after combat. Hof is a Mission Continues Fellowship alumnus, where he helped Columbus first responders develop protocols to assist veterans in crisis.
Prior to working for the State of Ohio, Hof worked as a project manager and served 9-years in law enforcement. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Indiana Wesleyan University. Originally from Cincinnati, Hof now lives in Huber Heights with his wife and four children.
Laura Koprowski, Director of Marketing & Communications, Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority (TARTA)
As Director of Marketing & Communications at the Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority (TARTA), Laura Koprowski is charged with directing and advancing the Authority’s efforts in marketing, communications and external affairs to ensure public transportation is integral to the social and economic well-being of Toledo’s future. Koprowski’s responsibilities also include implementing a new community vision for TARTA, which includes rebranding the transit authority and its services and strengthening the leadership within the organization.
Prior to joining TARTA, Koprowski served as the Executive Director of OPTA. In this role, Koprowski provided statewide leadership and coordination to strengthen the future for Ohio public transit systems. She was responsible for the Association's legislative initiatives, community outreach, media relations, and professional development programs and events.
Koprowski served on the executive leadership team at the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) from 2017-2019 as vice president of government affairs and communications. In this role, she led the Authority’s advocacy and legislative work as well as external and internal communications. During her tenure at COTA, the system received the Outstanding Public Transportation System Achievement Award in 2018 by the American Public Transportation Association.
Prior to joining COTA, Koprowski led the public and government affairs department at the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC). Her responsibilities encompassed government relations, membership services, communications and community relations to promote MORPC in the 15-county Central Ohio region.
Koprowski earned a master’s in public administration at Bowling Green State University and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Ohio University.
Active in her community and professional organizations, Koprowski serves on the following boards and committees: Neighborhood Design Center, ODOT’s Access Ohio 2045 Steering Committee, Clean Fuels Ohio Public Policy Committee, Columbus Metropolitan Club, and the Legislative and State Affairs Committees of the American Public Transportation Association.
Paul Koomar, Mayor, City of Bay Village
Paul Koomar was sworn in as Mayor of Bay Village on January 1, 2017. Koomar has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. He started his professional career in public accounting as a Certified Public Accountant and then used his business skills in management at Cleveland Clinic.
Koomar is a board member of the Cuyahoga County Emergency Services Advisory Board (CCESAB) and an alternate for the Northeastern Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA) as well as a member of the Westshore Council of Governments (COG). He was elected by the Cuyahoga County Mayors to serve on the District One Public Works Integrating Committee (DOPWIC). As part of DOPWIC he also is a member of the Small Government Subcommittee and the Natural Resources Assistance Council (NRAC).
In 2017, he worked collaboratively with the Cuyahoga County Planning Commission to complete a Master Plan for Bay Village and with the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA) to complete a connectivity study. The focus of the study was to improve pedestrian and biking access in the city parks / town center and the adjoining Cleveland Metroparks Huntington Reservation. A strategy was developed to identify external funding for implementing these plans. The creation of a full time position allowed the city to execute on grant opportunities and economic development initiatives.
Planning has continued, most recently with an overlay zoning project to update the city’s commercial and retail zoning code. The Stay in Bay initiative focused on building vibrant commercial districts that reflect the existing character of the city.
In the first two years of actively working these plans the city secured funding from public and private sources in excess of $15M for the town center.
Prior to his mayoral appointment, he spent 16 years on City Council and was President of City Council from 2012-2016. He serves on Bay Family Services, a joint city and school program to help at-risk youth. He is a member of the Bay Village Kiwanis, Bay Men’s Club, and Bay Village Historical Society. He is active with the Scouts BSA in Troop 40 with his daughter. Mayor Koomar and his family are members of Bay Presbyterian Church.
Sue Marzano, Energy Advisor/Program Coordinator Sr., AEP Ohio
Sue Marzano is an Energy Advisor at AEP Ohio where she currently works with her team of energy efficiency professionals to promote energy efficient products and services. This includes marketing and outreach campaigns, business development, and direct outreach to Ohio customers with a goal to increase the customer’s experience while assisting with a community’s economic development. It was at AEP Ohio that she received her Residential Energy Auditor certification from the Association of Energy Engineers, and a Key Contributor Award.
Before joining AEP Ohio, Marzano was a Commercial Field Specialist at CLEAResult assisting commercial and industrial customers in seven Ohio counties to make smarter energy decisions for measures such as compressed air, process efficiency, HVAC and VFDs, refrigeration, and networked lighting.
Marzano received her MBA from Indiana Wesleyan University. She spent two decades serving and assisting local education and community development boards in Stark and Summit County to raise funds to implement their missions, and also taught business courses at Stark State College in North Canton, OH.
Marzano studied interior design and facility planning at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh and was an accomplished interior designer and facility planner designing commercial office space and private homes for which she received critical acclaim and award.
Marzano continues to be a contributing community supporter where she is a member of Canton Rotary and the Building Industry Association. She currently lives in Canton, OH but also enjoys visiting her two children in Washington, DC. and Macon, GA.
Angela P. Meleca, Executive Director, Ohio Citizens for the Arts
Angela P. Meleca is Executive Director for Ohio Citizens for the Arts (OCA), a member-driven, not-for-profit, grassroots arts advocacy organization working to benefit the citizens of Ohio. OCA is the only statewide organization that advocates for increased funding and public support for arts and culture across Ohio. Meleca comes to OCA with more than 25 years of experience in journalism, politics, public relations/marketing, and the arts.
Before joining OCA, Meleca was the Founder of Angela Meleca Gallery, a contemporary art gallery located in downtown Columbus. The gallery was active in elevating and transforming arts and culture in Central Ohio through connecting individual artists, arts advocates, and arts organizations.
Before her career in the arts, Meleca was a political journalist and press secretary for the Ohio Senate Majority Caucus. She has extensive experience in communications, media, and public relations.
The Columbus, Ohio native earned her B.A. from The Ohio State University with a concentration in Political Science and Journalism. Her professional affiliations include serving on the Wexner Center for the Arts Donor Circle Council, Columbus Museum of Development Committee, Columbus College of Art and Design Guest Lecturer and Student Mentor Program, and the Dublin Arts Council Board of Directors.
Randall Meyer, Ohio Inspector General, State of Ohio
Randall Meyer was appointed by the governor as Ohio Inspector General in January 2011, and reappointed in 2015. While serving as inspector general, Meyer has released over 675 reports of investigation and identified over $1/4 billion lost to Ohio’s taxpayers.
Prior to his appointment, Meyer worked in public service for more than 25 years. After serving in the U. S. Navy for four years, Meyer began his career in law enforcement in 1990 working as a police officer and deputy in California. In 1992, Meyer returned to Ohio and worked as a police officer and detective for the Wilmington Police Department. In 1999, Meyer was recruited to serve as a criminal investigator for the Ohio Attorney General, and later promoted as director of the agency’s Anti-Gang Unit. In 2003, Meyer joined the Ohio Auditor’s Public Corruption Unit as senior investigator and, in 2007, was promoted to chief of Special Investigations.
Meyer holds a bachelor’s degree in Public Safety Management from Franklin University. Meyer has served on the Franklin University Criminal Justice Advisory Board since 2009, and on the board of directors of the National White Collar Crime Center since 2008. In 2013, Meyer was elected to the board of directors of the Association of Inspectors General.
Christine Morris, MA, MLIS, Deputy Director, OhioNET
At OhioNET, Christine Morris connects libraries of all sizes and types throughout the State of Ohio and beyond, so that they can build stronger communities for their users. Morris holds a BA in Economics and International Studies from Bowling Green State University, an MLIS from Kent State University, and an MA in Public Policy and Management from Ohio State University.
Through her work at OhioNET, Morris leverages $9 million annually in public and private funds to provide licensed content, professional training, and technology solutions for nearly 300 libraries. Additionally, Morris has been very active in developing library leaders through her mentorship of ILEAD-USA Ohio participants since 2013 and her work with the Library Leadership Ohio program since 2017.
A “Hoosier by accident and a Buckeye by choice,” Morris has worked in a variety of public, academic, and special libraries in Indiana and Ohio prior to coming to OhioNET. Outside of her work as a librarian, Morris enjoys spending time with extended family, watching baseball, reading historical fiction. She currently lives with her husband Jeremy and their 12-year-old Connor.
Tracee M. Murphy, Wellsville Carnegie Public Library, Director
Tracee Murphy is the Director of the Wellsville Carnegie Public Library. Murphy attended Youngstown State University where she received her MA in American History, and then went on to earn her Master of Library and Information Science degree from Kent State University.
Murphy began her library career as a work study children’s librarian at the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County. While at YPL she worked in all the departments of the library. Murphy then accepted the position of Assistant Director at Galion Public Library. Four years later in 2008 she accepted the position of Director at the Wellsville Carnegie Public Library. Murphy is responsible for overseeing the operation of the library, which includes staffing, collection development, and administering the library budget.
Ms. Murphy is a member of the American Library Association, the Ohio Library Council, Wellsville Lion’s Club, and is a member of the Wellsville Community Advisory Board. She currently serves on the Board of Trustees of Northeast Ohio Regional Library System and is a judge for the Midwest Book Awards. Recently, she concluded her term as Correspondence Secretary after nine years on the Board of the Wellsville Area Chamber of Commerce. In her free time, she enjoys concerts, travel and of course reading.
Michelle Angelozzi, Executive Director, Sodexo Healthcare at University Hospitals
Michelle Angelozzi is the Multi-Service Executive Director for Environmental and Nutrition Services at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center. Angelozzi has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in human resources. She has over twenty years of management experience with spending the last ten years in healthcare.
Angelozzi began her career in food service operations with G&R Management. With a great passion for training and development, it soon landed her in a position with direct oversight for training and human resources. Angelozzi has current responsibility for $42M managed volume, 40 managers, and 650 employees.
Angelozzi is an Inclusion Ambassador for Sodexo’s Diversity and Inclusion and also is a trained facilitator for diversity learning labs throughout the country. Angelozzi has also served as a Mentor through the Sodexo IMPACT Mentoring Program over the last four years.
Angelozzi loves to travel to the Caribbean as frequently as possible. She has two wonderful children - a daughter studying Pre-Med at the Ohio State University and a son who is a junior in high school. She enjoys going to her son’s baseball games for his high school and travel team. The gym is also a large part of her busy schedule.
Jeffery K. Patterson, Chief Executive Officer, Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA)
Jeffery K. Patterson was appointed to Chief Executive Officer by the CMHA Board of Commissioners in March of 2012 after serving as CMHA's Interim CEO and Chief of Staff and Operations. Patterson has over 24 years of dedicated service to the residents of Cuyahoga County. As CEO of one of the 10 largest housing authorities in the country, he is responsible for a $260 million dollar budget, 1,000 employees, 10,500 units of housing, 15,000 housing choice vouchers, and nearly 55,000 residents and participants of CMHA's Low Income Public Housing and Housing Choice Voucher Programs. Patterson directs CMHA's efforts to be the leader in providing safe, affordable housing for low income residents of Cuyahoga County, while striving to use innovative sustainable practices and techniques to serve the residents of CMHA.
Before being named Chief of Staff and Operations, Patterson served as Deputy Executive Director of Operations and Human Resource Management and Director of Human Resources. Prior to 2002 when he joined CMHA, Patterson worked 13 years for the City of Cleveland starting as an intern in the Office of Mayor George V. Voinovich. Patterson subsequently worked his way up through City government ultimately being appointed by Mayor Michael R. White, to the cabinet level position of Director of Personnel and Human Resources.
Patterson possesses a Bachelors of Arts Degree from Mount Union College and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Baldwin Wallace College.
Patterson serves on various national and local Boards of Directors, such as: Council for Large Public Housing Authorities, Housing Authority Insurance Group, National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO), Cleveland Transformation Alliance, St. Luke’s Foundation, Cleveland Neighborhood Progress, American Heart Association, Greater Cleveland Foodbank, Unify Project, Campus District, Cleveland Rape Crisis Center, National Initiative Mixed Income Communities, Board of Directors, United Way Board of Directors and Chair for the Kidney Walk in 2020.
Sarah Poe, Manager of Energy Efficiency Programs, Columbia Gas of Ohio
As the manager of Columbia Gas of Ohio’s energy efficiency programs, Sarah Poe is responsible for driving strategy and overseeing the execution of the company’s energy efficiency portfolio. This includes ensuring that the energy efficiency programs meet natural gas savings targets within budget while delivering a strong experience for customers. Prior to her current role, Poe supported the energy efficiency team through roles in program evaluation and data analysis. Poe serves on the GreenSpot Advisory Board in Columbus.
Poe joined Columbia Gas of Ohio in 2009 and has earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics from the University of Dayton, and a Master’s in Business Administration from Ohio University. Poe currently resides in Upper Arlington with her husband, Merrill.
Bhuwan Pyakurel, Councilmember, City of Reynoldsburg
Bhuwan Pyakurel, a former refugee from Bhutan, resettled in the United States in 2009. He and his family moved to Ohio in 2014 and he became a U.S. citizen in 2015. They bought their first home in Reynoldsburg and immediately became involved in the community. Pyakurel and his wife, Dil, have been married for 14 years and they have two children, Aditi and Dev, both who attend Reynoldsburg Public Schools. Aditi loves reading and volunteers her time to raise funds to protect the environment. Dev loves sports and plays basketball and soccer, and enjoys skateboarding, karate, chess, and solving the Rubik’s Cube.
As a community leader, Pyakurel has worked with the Reynoldsburg Police Department and residents ever since he moved to the city. He believes education is the most important tool to bridge the gap and build trust between those in public safety and the community. Since 2015, Pyakurel has been a manager of interpretive services for Primary One Health, which operates 10 clinics in Central Ohio, and he serves on the Board of the new Reynoldsburg YMCA and Multiethnic Advocates for Cultural competence (MACC). He has also served as President of the Bhutanese Community of Central Ohio (BCCO).
For Ward 3 residents and all of Reynoldsburg, Pyakurel’s plans include: helping keep Reynoldsburg residents safer by fixing sidewalks, roads and infrastructure and improving lighting, increasing the number of code enforcement officers in the City, boosting communications and transparency between City Council and citizens by using modern technologies, and making City government work better for the people of Reynoldsburg by holding regular town hall forums with constituents.
Pyakurel, who has a Bachelor of Science degree from North Bengal University in India, and the City of Reynoldsburg, made history in November 2019 when he became the first Bhutanese American to be elected to public office in the United States. After he and 120,000 fellow Bhutanese-Nepali’s were forcibly pushed out of Bhutan and their civil, human and political rights stripped away, Pyakurel says he will “always be grateful to this nation for giving me a second chance to live my life and enjoy these freedoms in the greatest country in the world.” Pyakurel deeply values his American citizenship and its inalienable protected rights, and he now works to “pay it forward” and create new opportunities for the people of Reynoldsburg.
Kent Rademaker, Director of Brand Strategy, Highlights for Children and Owner, Human Heart Marketing
As Director of Brand Strategy at Highlights for Children, a global mission-driven children's media company, Kent Rademaker leads brand strategy, advertising, public relations, corporate communications and social media. Rademaker is responsible for shepherding the organization’s mission: to create content and experiences that help children become their best selves, with the vision of creating a more empathetic and optimistic world.
In addition to his role with Highlights for Children, Rademaker owns a branding and marketing consultancy focused on helping organizations better understand, define and create action around their guiding mission or purpose.
Rademaker has led marketing efforts for global organizations and their brands including MillerCoors/Molson Coors, McDonald’s, the NHL and Abercrombie & Fitch. He is a member of the Central Ohio Regional Board of the Children’s Hunger Alliance.
A graduate of Xavier University in Cincinnati, Rademaker is a practitioner of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and lives in New Albany, OH, a suburb of Columbus, with his wife and twin daughters.
Jessica M. Roach, LPN, MPH, CEO, ROOTT
Jessica M. Roach is the co-founder and CEO of Restoring Our Own Through Transformation, (ROOTT) a Non-Profit, Black Women led Reproductive Justice Organization focused on Maternal Child Health and Birthing Justice in Columbus, Ohio. Her work has spanned over 20 years in areas such as clinical nursing, public health advocacy, and independent scholarship. Ms. Roach has a deeply experiential perspective in her research both personally and professionally, regarding the effects of stress related to structural determinants, and the social determinants created as consequence of those structures, with a focus on inter-generational and historical trauma as it relates to policy development. Ms. Roach currently serves as the co-lead of the care working group for the Black Mamas Matter Alliance and has been featured in Rewire, The Atlantic, Columbus Underground, and Columbus Alive. She has served as a full-spectrum doula, homebirth midwife and assistant, consultant to various organizations and is the mother of three young women, one of which was a pre-term infant.
Kendra N. Smith, Vice President Community Health, Bon Secour Mercy Health
Kendra Smith is Vice President, Community Health with Bon Secours Mercy Health (BSMH). As an experienced thought and practice leader in community development, affordable housing, urban planning, and social determinants of health, she provides direction and oversight of collaborative efforts to implement community health priorities and address social determinants and health inequities in BSMH markets.
Previously, Smith served as the Director, Social Determinants of Health for ProMedica, managing community investment, housing and community programming, including the Ebeid Neighborhood Promise, a 10-year, $50 million place-based community revitalization health improvement program. In earlier roles as Executive Director of Preferred Properties, Inc. and Senior Housing Planner for the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, Smith helped leverage more than $20 million for affordable housing development in city neighborhoods, co-authored regional policies related to fair housing and engaged more than 3,000 residents in community-based planning and investment decisions.
Smith earned a master’s degree in urban studies with a focus on neighborhood and community development from Cleveland State University and has additional degrees and certifications from Ohio University, Harvard University Kennedy School of Government and La Universidad Pública de Navarra in Pamplona, Spain.Locally, Smith serves on the board of the Rotary Club of Toledo, is a 2017 recipient of the Toledo 20 Under 40 Award, and is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Whitney Somerville, Senior Partner, Client Experience at FrazierHeiby
Whitney Somerville brings more than a decade of in-house and agency communications experience to her role. Her time with the American Red Cross and FrazierHeiby have honed her thoughtful and passionate approach to strategic communications counsel, along with her keen sense for storytelling.
Somerville’s role at FrazierHeiby is a hybrid of client experience and agency management. She acts as a partner for FrazierHeiby’s clients—managing accounts, team members and diverse projects—ensuring they get the top-notch service and solutions they deserve.
Somerville prides herself on identifying stories that will spark genuine connection and finding the best way to share them, whether it is with internal or external audiences.
Somerville earned a Master of Arts in Journalism & Public Relations, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Journalism from Marshall University. She currently lives in Pickerington with her husband Bryant and son Penn.
Danielle L. Sydnor, Executive Director, Economic and Community Development Institute and President, Cleveland Branch NAACP
Danielle Sydnor is the Executive Director of Economic and Community Development Institute (ECDI) Northern Ohio. ECDI provides small business lending, coaching and training services to underserved individuals. Sydnor worked in banking since 2002, including National City Bank, MBNA and Bank of America, with experience in retail banking and management experience in credit card sales, service and lending. Sydnor is a formerly licensed financial advisor with Merrill Lynch. She obtained her licenses in 2011.
Sydnor is an active community member and serves as President of the Greater Cleveland Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). As President, Sydnor is responsible for fighting for the equality of rights of all persons with a focus on eliminating racial hatred and racial discrimination.
Sydnor is President of the Board of Trustees at Eliza Bryant Village, and 2nd VP of the National NAACP NEXTGEN Alumni Council, just to name a few. Sydnor holds a bachelor’s degree in Finance from the University of Phoenix. Sydnor is a native of Sacramento, California. Her family moved to Cleveland, Ohio in 1995. She has since proudly deepened her roots here and lives in Shaker Heights, with her two sons Noah and Giles.
Alpha Tongor, MBA, President, MK Global Holdings
Mr. Tongor is a husband and a father of four. He was born in the West African nation of Liberia and migrated to the United States by way of Philadelphia, PA, at age fourteen. Mr. Tongor earned a Bachelor degree in Business Management from LaSalle University, an MBA from Ohio Dominican University and a Management Essentials Certificate from Harvard Business School Online. Mr. Tongor is the President and CEO of MK Global Holdings. MK Global Holdings offers management consultant activities to small business owners through business start-ups, mergers, acquisitions, and investment strategies.
Mr. Tongor is a high-performance entrepreneur and executive with over 13 years of business experience. He has shown consistent success in maximizing performance with business start-ups in the Fintech industry. His ability to lead high profile teams, drive growth, and improve profits are some of his biggest strengths.
Additionally, Mr. Tongor is a community leader, mentor, community organizer, and philanthropist with a particular interest in community empowerment and economic development. He is currently the President of Liberians in Columbus (LICI), a fast-growing New American community in the City of Columbus. Mr. Tongor and his team are leading the efforts to build a $1.5 million community center to benefit families on the Far East Side of Columbus, Ohio. He is a member of the Columbus Inner-City Lions Club and volunteers on the board of directors for the Central Ohio African American Chamber of Commerce (COAACC). Mr. Tongor is also a graduate of the New American Leadership Academy, an initiative by the City of Columbus, teaching Civic Engagement and Community Leadership.
Anne C. Trinh, MPH; Senior Program Manager, Addiction Innovation Fund, OSU College of Public Health and Extension; Evaluator and Community Engagement Specialist, OSU Center for HOPES (Health Outcomes and Policy Evaluation Studies)
Anne Trinh manages a research fund designed to stimulate innovative responses to Ohio’s addiction epidemic. She also has a part-time appointment as an evaluator for multiple public health projects within and outside of OSU. Trinh has almost two decades of experience in public health practice and research in different settings, including local and Tribal governments; nonprofits; and universities. She is passionate about implementation and translational science within the context of population health improvement and believes that focusing on prevention, equity, and the social indicators of health can create and sustain thriving communities.
Before taking her position at the university, Trinh served as the maternal and child health epidemiologist and program specialist for Columbus Public Health. During her seven years with the city, she performed outbreak investigations and developed and led community coalitions to work with diverse partners to reduce Franklin County’s infant mortality rate. From 2008-2010, she lived on a reservation and worked with Tribes in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan as a chronic disease epidemiologist. This experience changed her immensely personally and professionally. During graduate school, Trinh worked for the San Diego County Veterinarian’s office to address challenges at the intersection of human and animal health.
Trinh went to school in San Diego and received a BS in Microbiology, with minors in Communications and Visual Arts, at the University of California, San Diego and a MPH in Epidemiology at San Diego State University Graduate School of Public Health. She is originally from Los Angeles and misses the ocean above all else from her home state.
Zac Writesel, Senior Program Manager, MaGrann Associates
Zac Writesel is the Senior Program Manager overseeing Residential New Construction for MaGrann Associates in Ohio. He is responsible for administering contract implementation and compliance and is the first point of contact for utility energy efficiency program stakeholders and participants.
As the senior team member in Ohio, Writesel coordinates meetings with utility clients, ensures that program goals are met, prepares, coordinates and conducts program presentations and training seminars, outreach activities, and provides input to program design, development and deployment.
Utility energy efficiency programs managed by Writesel have a proven track record of success, earning multiple types of national recognition including the Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year award for four consecutive years, the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy’s Exemplary Programs Award and numerous awards related to marketing and advertising.
Writesel has participated in the organization and execution of several charitable events to support the community in which he lives and to increase the exposure and positive perception of clients, sponsors and employers. He has been published in Livingston Community News and Building Insider Magazine.
A graduate of Muskingum University in New Concord, Writesel currently lives in Blacklick, Ohio with his wife and two dogs. When not pestering his family and friends with energy-saving tips, Zac enjoys astronomy, reading, volunteering with Habitat for Humanity and riding motorcycles.
Michael Yopko, Regional Vice President, Catalyst Funds
Michael Yopko was born in NE Ohio and grew up in Carroll County in Eastern Ohio. He graduated from Malone College in Canton, but not before receiving the Journalism Award his senior year. He started a career in financial services in 1986 in Florida and moved back to Ohio a year later. Yopko had served in different management capacities with several New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) retail firms, before taking up the wholesaling of financial products to financial service representatives. He has trained over 20,000 financial service reps in his career and raised well in excess of One Billion dollars into the financial products of the manufacturers he represented. Yopko attended Penn’s Wharton School of Business and completed their Retirement Planning Certification program. He has multiple investments in wineries and restaurants, has passed his sommelier exam and also has produced award winning films in his spare time.
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This release was last updated on June 2 to reflect current class membership.
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