Columbus CEO Future 50 of 2021 - Building an Equitable Columbus

Building an equitable columbus Carrying the lessons of a global pandemic and national reckoning on race, 50 of the city’s most vibrant thinkers are sounding the call for gender and racial equity.

The 2021 class of Columbus CEO’s Future 50

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Congratulations!

Franklin University

ROBBIE BANKS

congratulates our alumni

Interim Executive Director and Program Director Leadership Columbus

and faculty recongized

M.S. Marketing + Communication

among the Future 50 Class of 2021. As leaders, innovators and influencers, you make a difference in central Ohio. We are proud of your accomplishments and privileged to share in your journey.

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B.S. Marketing

TASHA BOOKER Executive Director and Vice President City Year Columbus B.S. Marketing

DR. CHENELLE JONES Assistant Dean of Community Engagement Franklin University

STEPHEN SWIFT Service Line Administrator, Perioperative Services Division Nationwide Children’s Hospital MBA

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B.S. Process Management

WWW.FRANKLIN.EDU Franklin University is nonprofit and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org/800.621.7440).

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Contents 7 Anna Sanyal

15 Dan Snyder

8 Ben Blanquera

16 Dante Washington

9 Brian Suiter

17 David Grzelak

10 Bridget Tharp

18 Densil Porteous

associate, Vorys Sater Seymour and Pease vice president, Covail, and co-founder, Techlife Columbus partner and principal, RiverWest Partners major gift officer, Mid-Ohio Food Collective

11 Chenelle Jones

assistant dean of community engagement, Franklin University

12 Chris Mundell

vice president for institutional engagement, Columbus College of Art & Design

13 Courtney Falato

founder and CEO, Lower.com director, team strategic partnerships and business development, Columbus Crew SC partner and chief strategy officer, The Shipyard founder/chief strategist, DePorteous Consulting; interim executive director, Stonewall Columbus; and CEO, Pride Fund

19 Diane Menashe partner, Ice Miller

20 Beth Griffin

senior director of development, Children’s Hunger Alliance

vice president of global philanthropy, JPMorgan Chase

21 Elon Simms

14 Dan Sharpe

22 Erica Bell

vice president, community research and grants management, Columbus Foundation

vice president of community impact, Crane Group associate professor/administrative director, Neuroscience Research Institute, Ohio State University College of Medicine

62 E. Broad St., P.O. Box 1289 Columbus, Ohio 43216 Phone: 614-540-8900 • Fax: 614-461-8746

ColumbusCEO.com Columbus Site Manager

Alan D. Miller

Publisher/General Manager

Ray Paprocki Editorial Editor

Katy Smith Contributing Editors

Jeff Bell, Rebecca Walters Design & Production Production/Design Director

Craig Rusnak

Art Director, Yogesh Chaudhary Digital Editor, Julanne Hohbach Assistant Digital Editor, Brittany Moseley Photography Photo Editor, Tim Johnson Associate photo editor, Rob Hardin Advertising Vice President of Sales

Chris Pettograsso

Sales Director, Holly Beardsley Senior Multimedia Sales Executive

Holly Gallucci

Multimedia Sales Executives

Tia Hardman, Jackie Thiam CLASSIFIED SALES

Amy Vidrick

Marketing Marketing Manager, Lauren Reinhard PRESS RELEASES

pressreleases@columbusceo.com ADVERTISING

advertise@columbusceo.com Future 50, a supplement to Columbus CEO magazine, is published annually by Gannett. All contents of this magazine are copyrighted © Gannett Co., Inc. 2021. All Rights Reserved.

Reproduction or use, without written permission, of editorial or graphic content in any manner is prohibited. Publisher assumes no responsibility for return of unsolicited materials.

SUBSCRIPTIONS Illustration by Yogesh Chaudhary

Toll Free: 877-688-8009 January 2021/Future 50

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File/Dispatch/Doral Chenoweth III

COSI, foreground, the Scioto River and Downtown Columbus at dusk

23 Dr. Jacqueline Nwando Olayiwola

chair and professor, Department of Family and Community Medicine; chief, Family Health Services; founder, Center for Primary Care Innovation and Transformation; Ohio State University College of Medicine

35 Michael Bongiorno

managing principal and design director, AECOM

36 Michelle Moskowitz Brown executive director, Local Matters

37 Patrick Smith

48 Steve Lekas

CEO, Branch Insurance

49 Tasha Booker

executive director and VP, City Year Columbus

50 Theresa Saelim

vice president, IGS Solar

affordable lending relationship manager-Midwest division, JPMorgan Chase

38 Preety Sidhu

51 Traci Martinez

39 Priyam Chokshi

52 Unhee Kim

COO and co-creator, Portfolio Creative

director of community and legislative strategies, CelebrateOne

27 Kyle Strickland

40 Randall Sistrunk

53 Veronica Farris

24 Joe Apgar

chief operating officer, Pelotonia

25 Kristen Easterday

director, communications and public affairs, Columbus Regional Airport Authority

26 Kristen Harris

global vice president for medical products, Cardinal Health

senior legal analyst and special assistant to the director, Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race & Ethnicity

development director, Orange Barrel Media | IKE Smart City

28 Lachandra Baker

President and CEO, Cytonus Therapeutics

senior manager of employee engagement, CoverMyMeds

29 LC Johnson

founder, Zora’s House

30 Lindsay Karas Stencel

partner, VC and emerging companies, Thompson Hine and partner, NCT Ventures

31 Madison Mikhail Bush

founder and CEO, Point Technologies and Point Global

32 Mallory Donaldson

community relations manager, Central Ohio Transit Authority

33 Max Brickman

managing director, Heartland Ventures

34 Megumi Robinson

senior director, Belle Communication

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41 Remo Moomiaie-Qajar M.D. 42 Robbie Banks

interim executive director and program director, Leadership Columbus

43 Ron Jordan

CEO, Jordan Hospitality Group/Hen Quarter

44 Sheldon Johnson

vice president of community development, Community Building Partners

Columbus office managing partner, global board member, Squire Patton Boggs president and chief operating officer, Mount Carmel East chief development and marketing officer, Specialized Alternatives for Families & Youth (SAFY)

54 Wilbert James III

officer and recruiting officer, Columbus Police Department

55 Yanitza Brongers Marrero

LEED for Homes principal and director of housing, Moody Nolan

56 Yogi Terrell

CEO, Warhol & Wall St., and director, Columbus Fashion Alliance

45 Sophia Fifner

community relations chief, Columbus Recreation and Parks Department

46 Stephanie McCloud

director, Ohio Department of Health

47 Stephen Swift

service line administrator, perioperative services division, Nationwide Children’s Hospital

PROFILES by:

Katy Smith and Laura Newpoff Photos by:

Tim Johnson and Rob Hardin

Future 50/January 2021

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Editor’s notes * ksmith@ColumbusCEO.com

Let’s take this chance while we have it Illustration file/Columbus CEO/Manjul

One of the most exciting things about the creation of Future 50 is that we’re building a group of vibrant thinkers that will grow over time. We started with 50 last year. This year, we have 100, and that will grow by another 50 next fall.

Members of the inaugural class have often said how much they looked forward to meeting the class of 2021, who they helped choose—each application was scored once by editorial staff and twice by members of the class of 2020.

We had dreams of a big gathering, where the new class could be announced, followed by cocktails and conversation with the class that came before them, and we’d take a couple of class photos. But alas, it is 2020, the coronavirus pandemic is raging, and a big gathering is not to be had safely (or even a small gathering, for that matter).

The COVID-19 crisis also dampened the class of 2020’s plans for their annual projects.

How do you create a gender equity index when you’re Zoomschooling your kids while trying to run a business from your dining room table?

How does a public mural festival really work in a time when people are staying far

away from one another?

One project survived, though: The Moonshot magazine. The idea of Smart Columbus/Can’t Stop Columbus director Jordan Davis was to have Future 50s write essays for the magazine, building in its pages the vision of a better Columbus through bold moonshot ideas. Davis took great initiative and organized a series of Zoom salons where we exchanged thoughts about

racism, housing, science, technology, transportation, education, civility and more. A group of writers then stepped forward to develop the essays, and we at CEO hired a nationally known illustrator in India, Manjul, to illustrate the ideas.

The product, published in the October issue, was an outstanding piece of thought leadership, a smart, earnest, hopeful portrait of a region where we make decisions

based on data, treat one another with kindness and offer the neediest among us social services systems that work.

The class of 2021 is brimming with similar energy to make change, and unlike in 2020, we go into the year with the advantage of experience.

We’ve already been living through a pandemic. We know how to operate and what to expect. The ideas members of the class of 2021 offer are firmly rooted in the crises of 2020—especially the movement for racial equity. They want to address affordable housing, public art, hunger, and egalitarian systems of governance and corporate leadership.

I’m so much looking forward to seeing what projects they’ll come up with—because we need them, today, now.

We’ll never have this chance again. Let’s take it.

Katy Smith, Editor

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Advertisement

Hack to the Future Taking time to innovate improves employee engagement and business success

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By Lachandra Baker, Senior Manager, Employee Engagement at CoverMyMeds

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Started in 2017 as a two-day hackathon for a software development team, Innovation Days is now a

Scenes from the 2019 Innovation Days event

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cross-business unit event that encompasses the entire Prescription Technology Solutions (RxTS) segment at McKesson, of which CoverMyMeds is included. After introductory presentations, pitchers recruit teams to help them execute their ideas, on which a panel of judges votes. Whenever possible, the ideas are implemented within the business and help fuel strategic planning.

Despite the pandemic, Innovation Days forged ahead in 2020, with a few changes: The whirlwind three-day, inperson event moved to a virtual format for the June and November sessions.

To account for screen burnout—and the many responsibilities our employees juggle at home—the event expanded from a few days to a few weeks. The judging panel saw some updates, too.

Typically made up of senior leadership, the panel now features a mix of senior leaders, past Innovation Days participants and event ambassadors.

In November, 34 employees pitched 42 ideas, which judges narrowed down to 12 finalists. The winner: a new approach to an internal application that uses built-in logic—instead of manual effort—to move prior authorization requests along in the process for any necessary follow-up.

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Innovating from anywhere.

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12/10/20 3:26 PM

Where would we be without COSI?

By Katy Smith

ksmith@ColumbusCEO.com Columbus CEO thanks our partners at COSI for their contributions to the 2021 Future 50 magazine. Class of 2020 member Stephen White, vice president of external affairs, strategic initiatives and business development for COSI, generously arranged to host the class of 2021 photo shoot in late October at the museum, while it was closed to the public.

Dispatch Magazines photographers Tim Johnson and Rob Hardin were able to move freely through the museum’s exhibits, taking portraits of the Future 50 members in individual 15-minute slots, so there

were never more than a couple of people in the cavernous space at once, and several photos were taken outside. When not being photographed, everyone wore masks, and there was plenty of socially distanced smiling and laughing.

COSI embodies the spirit of COSI’s Learning Lunchbox

File/Dispatch/Eric Albrecht

Future 50. With its dedication to the free sharing of knowledge, the cultivation of wonder and equitable access to quality education, the region is privileged to have COSI here with us.

The museum has faced monumental challenges during the coronavirus pandemic

while it has remained closed, with two planned reopenings canceled because of spiking COVID-19 cases.

Yet COSI has carried on with its critical work. It partnered with Children’s Hunger Alliance this summer to create and distribute COSI “Learning Lunchboxes” full of science activities for children at the more than 180 sites around Ohio where Children’s Hunger Alliance drops off food for families.

The museum is also selling COSI Connects Kits containing STEM activities and science experiments for children, many of whom may not have had any science activities since March.

And, look for COSI CEO Frederic Bertley’s new show airing on WOSU TV, “The QED with Dr. B.” The commercials promise an entertaining, enlightening look at how science is at the center of how our world operates.

C O N G R AT U L AT I O N S Vice President Community Impact

You are the future of this community We are so Proud of You! — Crane Group R E S P E C T – F A M I LY – C O M M U N I T Y Photo Credit, Columbus CEO

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We cannot grow in this city without taking care of our most vulnerable residents.

Anna Sanyal Associate, Vorys Sater Seymour and Pease @annaamrita

About: Anna Sanyal joined Vorys’ energy practice this year after serving as an administrative law judge at

the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, where she oversaw a docket of 80-plus cases involving electric, gas, power siting, transportation and telecommunications. She also served on the commission’s diversity and inclusion committee.

Outside of work: Making the practice of law equitable and the rule of law accessible to

all is a passion for Sanyal, who serves on the boards of the Asian Pacific Bar Association, Women Lawyers of Franklin County, the American Constitution Society and the Ohio State Bar Association’s Advisory Committee on Diversity and Inclusion. Sanyal frequently volunteers with Legal Aid Society of Columbus legal clinics in family shelters and community centers, such

as the YWCA Family Center.

Sanyal is a Weinland Park resident and a native of Gahanna and Kolkata, India.

What does Columbus need to thrive? Affordable housing.

We cannot grow in this city without taking care of our most vulnerable residents. As we continue to gentrify neighborhoods near Downtown— my neighborhood, Weinland Park, for example—we need to ensure we are preserving affordable properties so everyone in our community can afford housing. I have seen the need firsthand as a frequent volunteer at the YWCA Family Center. Many families at this shelter live there for months on end because of the lack of access to affordable housing and also because of evictions.

Sanyal’s idea: I would like to work with Mid-Ohio Food Collective to place community refrigerators in strategic areas around the city. These are donationbased, publicly accessible fridges with food for those in need. We face a prolonged recession as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and many of our residents are likely to be food insecure. Other cities, such as Houston, have enacted community fridges in grocery deserts with much success. We should emulate such a program in Columbus.

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We need to build on the spirit of collaboration that has made Columbus so great and focus efforts and investments on reducing the economic and education gaps in our city.

CIO Forum, Blanquera serves as a curator for the Columbus Startup Digest, organizer for Can’t Stop Columbus and Comspark Columbus, speaker for TedXColumbus, board advisor for Women in Analytics and OhioX, technical working group leader for Smart Columbus, and as a rider for the Pan Ohio Hope Ride.

Ben Blanquera

What does Columbus need to thrive? I think we need to build on the spirit of collaboration that has made Columbus so great and focus efforts and investments on reducing the economic and education gaps in our city. We need to improve our public transportation network, continue to fund the arts, and improve diversity and inclusion in all private and public entities.

Vice president, Covail, and co-founder, Techlife Columbus @bblanquera

About: Ben Blanquera is a hub and connector for the technology community in Columbus. He has been gathering companies, startups

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and government agencies together for the last 15 years every quarter to discuss critical technology topics and best practices. He now coordinates the CIO Forum in Ohio, sharing best practices across organizations. Blanquera champions Columbus’ identity as one of the foremost collaborative environments, connecting people across the city to spark and facilitate innovative ideas and initiatives. He is also

the co-founder of TechLife Columbus, an organization for technologists with more than 4,000 participants in its online Slack community.

TechLife Columbus promotes industry news, job and educational opportunities through its weekly newsletter.

Outside of work: In addition to being co-founder of Techlife Columbus and the convener of the Columbus

Blanquera’s idea: I think we should form a “data corps”— (think Teach for America)— that would work with public and nonprofit entities to develop and implement data strategies that allow those organizations to leverage their data for better outcomes.

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Brian Suiter Partner and principal, RiverWest Partners • IG: bksuiter About: Brian Suiter has spent 20 years in real estate, holding principal or management roles in over $1 billion in nationwide mixed-use and retail development projects, most recently with Kaufman Development. Brian recently co-founded RiverWest Development, which is focused on building projects that positively impact communities and investors.

Outside of work: Suiter co-founded arts nonprofit Catalyst Columbus and founded The Next Partnership, a social organization for

real estate professionals. He also serves as trustee for the North Market Development Authority; board member for Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio; Central Ohio district club president for alma mater Colgate University; 8-year “High Roller” in Pelotonia; and as a member of The Contemporaries at the Columbus Museum of Art. What does Columbus need to thrive? With a personal mantra of “building community,” I consider this daily. Revising the city’s zoning code to allow for more

density and transit-oriented development is a good start.

However, we have to address smart transportation faster or Columbus’ population growth will stagnate.

We also need to align and harness “The Columbus Way” around eliminating social divides and have a very honest conversation about why our community is widely considered a segregated city. Striving for the smart development of mixed income, cross-generational and multicultural communities will only make us stronger.

Suiter’s idea: Catalyst Columbus debuted a 10,000-square-foot text mural on an abandoned bridge downtown earlier this year. “We Are Stronger Together” was painted in bright, bold letters as a testament to our community’s resolve in the wake of Covid. The incredible response was proof that our community is aching for more large-scale mural art to create wonderment and conversation. I propose the Future 50 identify a nationally recognized artist with a diverse background, fundraise and gain approvals for a large mural downtown. The artist could host sessions with local artists, convene community discussions about race and art, and celebrate the painting’s completion with a community block party.

We need to align and harness The Columbus Way around eliminating social divides and have a very honest conversation about why our community is widely considered a segregated city.

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Without adding new housing at mid-level and lowincome rates, we are denying access to Columbus’s next generation of connectors, problem solvers and difference makers. people experiencing homelessness, which is a particular risk for foster kids aging out of the system, low-income and mid-range rentals and support for homeownership. Without adding new housing at midlevel and low-income rates, we are denying access to Columbus’s next generation of connectors, problem solvers and difference makers.

Bridget Tharp Major gifts officer, Mid-Ohio Food Collective • IG: bridgetrose614

About: Bridget Tharp secures gifts of $10,000 or more as part of a team that annually raises $14 million to feed our

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hungry neighbors. Since the COVID-19 crisis, it has raised $23 million to meet the overwhelming need. Tharp has fundraised for Make-AWish, Boy Scouts of America and Bowling Green State University, and led an analysis of board diversity for Make-AWish. She previously worked seven years as a journalist for the Toledo Blade and is a foster mom.

Outside of work: Vice president of Weinland Park Community Civic Association, CATCO board, volunteer youth mentor and camp counselor for Royal Family Kids, Volunteer with GiveBackHack and Green Columbus, Leadership Columbus Class of 2018.

What does Columbus need to thrive? Affordable housing. That includes access for

Tharp’s idea: There is a great need to improve food access to boost health for low-income working families who eat more fast food than the general population.

Many are families of color, who are at greatest risk for COVID-19. To get these communities access to fresh produce, I propose food pantry vending machines to create 24-hour access to healthier food for working poor families. Future 50 participants could use Smart Columbus data to identify sites for the machines, work their networks to fundraise and get support from the Mid-Ohio Food Collective.

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Chenelle Jones Assistant dean of community engagement, Franklin University • IG: drcjones

About: Chenelle Jones is a national voice for racial justice and police reform and holds a doctorate in justice administration from Texas Southern University. With over 10 years of experience in higher education leadership, she is assistant dean of community engagement at Franklin University, where she oversees strategic direction of the Center for Public Safety and Cybersecurity Education and the Global Center for

Healthcare Education. She also serves as the chair of Franklin’s Criminal Justice Administration, Emergency Management/Homeland Security and Public Safety Management and Leadership programs. Jones serves as national director of Research for the Teen and Police Service Academy, a federally funded program designed to reduce social distance between police officers and youth.

Outside of work: Jones organized Come Together Columbus and the Black Excellence March: Ladies Edition, where nearly 3,000 Black women convened on Columbus City Hall to march in solidarity with the movement calling for police reform. She

also helped organize the Youth Justice March, which galvanized Columbus youth calling for police reform. Jones serves on the Columbus Community Safety Advisory Commission, as a member of the Juvenile Detention Facility Assessment Team for Franklin County, on the Board of the Grant Medical Center Foundation. Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Create Columbus Commission, Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences, American Society of Criminology, National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice and Racial Democracy and Criminal Justice Network.

What does Columbus need to thrive? Columbus needs sweeping police reform, improved public safety, health

care and more affordable housing opportunities. With a four-year graduation rate in Columbus City Schools of 78 percent, Columbus needs more programs to support students as they learn virtually and in face-to-face formats. Columbus also needs to expand transportation options.

Jones’ idea: The Future 50 class could partner with Columbus City Schools to mentor 50 students.

They can identify a service project that would promote mentoring, give students a voice in identifying an issue in their community, and give them the support to help solve that issue.

Columbus needs sweeping police reform, improved public safety, health care and more affordable housing opportunities.

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Chris Mundell Vice president for institutional engagement, CCAD @ChrisRMundell Mundell’s idea: I was born here and have spent most of my life in Columbus, and I’m a big proponent for the city. However, I’m not afraid to acknowledge I haven’t always felt welcome here—especially in the predominantly white spaces where I’ve worked and been educated. As a Black man, I have come to expect the surprised looks when I’m introduced as a senior executive. I would love an initiative to engage the community in conversation about how racism impacts our everyday experiences and provide people with tangible ideas for making change within their workplace, community organization or place of worship. Columbus can and should lead the way as a truly inclusive, equitable and just community.

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About: During Chris Mundell’s 16 years in higher education, he has been responsible for academic advising and learner support services, wellness services, residence life, dining services, student orientation, campus security and student conduct. Mundell also leads the college’s government and community relations efforts to solidify CCAD’s role as an educational and cultural arts leader

in Central Ohio. Chris has been a mentor for thousands of college students and keeps in touch with many as they grow in their careers. Mundell is chair of CCAD’s President’s Commission on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.

Outside of work: Mundell is the father of two and a former college soccer player who enjoys hiking. In addition to his volunteer soccer coaching

Substantial gaps exist in educational access within our city, and those gaps are closely linked to our city’s growing economic disparities.

for Northwest FC, he serves on the alumni advisory board for his alma mater, Heidelberg University.

What does Columbus need to thrive? Substantial gaps exist in educational access within our city, and those gaps are closely linked to our city’s growing economic disparities.

I firmly believe that education is the fuel that sustains economic development and broadens prosperity within communities. As Columbus continues to grow in population, we must view access to education, especially early childhood education and job training and retraining programs, as a shared community priority.

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How can we truly be a smart city of the future without the democratization of tech tools, digital infrastructure and digital literacy to support it? ogy and curriculum. We must leverage this pandemic as an opportunity to innovate our educational system so all students have access to 21st century educational opportunities, regardless of their ZIP code. Educational transformation is the long-term key to our community’s continued growth and will require a public-private-nonprofit partnership like we have not yet seen in this town. At the end of the day, how can we truly be a smart city of the future without the democratization of tech tools, digital infrastructure and digital literacy to support it?

Courtney Falato Vice president of global philanthropy, JPMorgan Chase @courtney_falato

About: Courtney Falato is responsible for directing Chase’s local philanthropy dollars to causes including neighborhood revitalization, jobs and skills, financial health and small business expansion. She has a history of innovation in the organizations she’s touched, including

having led Ohio State University’s engagement with Smart Columbus, including its $15 million commitment; design and implementation of Ohio State’s corporate engagement model; and the reimagining of the Dublin City School District’s high school model with a focus on college/career readiness experiences.

In the community: Smart Region Task Force member, Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission; Smart Columbus Executive Committee; adviser, Smart Campus student group; adviser, HackOHI/O;

member, Strategic Growth and Outcomes Committee, Columbus Council on World Affairs; Central Ohio Hub Liaison, Ohio STEM Learning Network; and Ohio Department of Education STEM designee applicant reviewer.

What does Columbus need to thrive? When COVID-19 forced local schools online in the spring of 2020, inequities became clear. In some school districts, students went online overnight with little problem, while 5 miles away other districts were weeks behind in pulling together the technol-

Falato’s idea: I’m drawn to the work being conducted by the Columbus Foundation and the Stanford D.School arming our human services leaders with design-thinking skills to propel collective action and broader impact. Bringing the diversity of thinking and background of this Future 50 class, we could take the learnings from this pilot and scale it across the top three to five most important issues here in Central Ohio.

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Dan Sharpe

Vice president, community research and grants management, Columbus Foundation • IG: dasharpe Sharpe’s idea: The Future 50 could recruit and connect skilled volunteers and board members by engaging existing infrastructure like Leadership Columbus, African American Leadership Academy and Besa to funnel talent to organizations in need. Those types of organizations are doing a fraction of this work, and only in an ad hoc fashion. Columbus does not have a resource where this type of talent can be found and paired.

Great infrastructures are in place to get volunteers to fulfill transactional shifts (e.g., painting a community center or stocking a pantry), and great infrastructures are in place for connecting amazingly talented and benevolent networks.

However, it all remains disconnected.

About: Dan Sharpe joined the Columbus Foundation in 2004 and has served in various roles across the organization, rising to a position of leadership overseeing the development and implementation of grant policies, program priorities and strategic grantmaking. In 2020, the COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund awarded $5 million to nearly 150 organizations in a

four-month period. Sharpe’s team also coordinated the past several Big Gives, raising a record $32 million for more than 1,000 central Ohio nonprofit organizations in 2020.

The community research and grants management team plays a unique role in convening community discussions around areas of need and participating in community initiatives and partnerships to address these needs.

Outside of work: Ohio Wesleyan University Alumni Association, Central Ohio Sigma Chi Alumni Association, Athletic Club of Columbus governance committee, Seeds of Caring volunteer, Bexley

United Methodist Church governance and administrative committees.

What does Columbus need to thrive? Our community needs to fiercely address the opportunity gap. It is unconscionable that two adjacent ZIP codes can experience a difference of more than a decade in life expectancy—43223 and 43215. The opportunity gap presents many challenges— health, housing, workforce, racial disparities, education, safety—and there is great momentum focused on these challenges. However, more earnest focus and serious commitment is needed to address the opportunity gap.

Our community needs to fiercely address the opportunity gap. It is unconscionable that two adjacent ZIP codes can experience a difference of more than a decade in life expectancy.

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We need more skilled workers.

As Columbus expands and more companies move here, the supply of talent needs to keep up the pace. financial services internship with underserved high school students in Columbus, and helped lead fundraising efforts to support Black-owned businesses in Columbus.

What does Columbus need to thrive? We need more skilled workers. As Columbus expands and more companies move here, the supply of talent needs to keep up the pace.

There are workshops, vocational programs and internship programs for high school students happening, but we need to do more as a city to support this or innovative companies will not come—and they’ll potentially leave.

Dan Snyder Founder and CEO, Lower.com • LinkedIn: snyderdan

About: Dan Snyder is an experienced serial entrepreneur in the finance and technology space. He’s an investor and co-founder of multiple busi-

nesses including a nationwide title agency, digital insurance company and real estate brokerage. Dan is the co-founder of Homeside Financial, a top 50 lender in the country that continues to expand nationally with 32 offices in 17 states.

In 2019, he launched Lower. com with the goal of helping every American realize the dream of homeownership by helping them find a house, find a real estate agent, buy

insurance and secure a mortgage. Snyder’s companies have consistently been recognized as top places to work.

Outside of work: Snyder is a donor and board member with New Albany Foundation and is a pillar donor and actively involved with Children’s Hospital Healthy Homes. He also partnered with Junior Achievement to fund the development of a

Snyder’s idea: Having diverse leadership teams is crucial in building innovative and successful companies. A challenge is that the pipeline of candidates traditionally is from the same sources. So if the traditional source is dominated by white males, the company’s makeup will reflect that. I think it would be interesting to get a group of leaders and hiring managers in a room to uncover more diverse recruiting sources and tap into those pipelines.

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Working together to accomplish a goal is easier said than done, but the Columbus Way ensures that the best interests of the city are always at the forefront. to be inclusive and collaborative. Working together to accomplish a goal is easier said than done, but the Columbus Way ensures that the best interests of the city are always at the forefront. Columbus also needs to stand proud.

This city has so much going for it!

Dante Washington Director, team strategic partnerships and business development, Columbus Crew SC @dantewashington

About: Former professional soccer player Dante Washington has landed somewhere he loves as a director leading business development for Columbus Crew SC, a team

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he played with from 2000 to 2002. Washington went on to spend eight years at Nationwide Insurance leading the creation of an initiative meeting the financial services needs of law enforcement officers. He now manages the Crew’s affiliation program with youth soccer clubs and its alumni relations.

Outside of work: Eight-year rider and fundraiser for Pelotonia; volunteer soccer

coach for Big Walnut Soccer Association; U.S. Soccer board of directors; former national spokesperson for the Office of National Drug Control and Policy for Major League Soccer; former literacy spokesperson for Time Warner Cable in Columbus; former celebrity spokesperson for Muscular Dystrophy Association in Dallas.

What does Columbus need to thrive? We need to continue

Washington’s idea: We could address children’s mental health by focusing on activity. Activity is critical for children, and there is research that shows children are less active than prior generations due to a number of issues, with technology like social media and gaming being a major driver. The added stress and isolation during the pandemic may compound children’s mental health issues. Provided it’s safe, the group could work with local partners including sports stores, professional teams and university athletic departments on bike and helmet donations, free sports camps and recess takeovers at schools.

Virtual activities should be considered if close contact is not permitted.

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David Grzelak Partner and chief strategy officer, The Shipyard @theshipyardcrew

About: David Grzelak has over 18 years of strategic marketing experience. His specialties include brand planning, channel and content strategy and consumer culture for brands such as Nike, Chick-fil-A, In-N-Out, Nestle, Mars, Kraft, Cisco, Hershey’s, Allstate, Nationwide, AEP, Donatos and Scotts Miracle-Gro. Outside of work: Grzelak is

dedicated to changing the conversation around mental health. After losing his 17-year-old son to suicide in 2018, he dedicated his life to inspiring others to drive real change within mental health and reduce the growing numbers of suicides in our country. His company helped create WonderBus and is a board member on the STAR Program (Stress, Trauma and Resilience) at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and fundraiser for Columbus Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

What does Columbus need to thrive? Columbus has a genuine opportunity to be at

the epicenter of mental health change. With the leadership of Nationwide Children’s Hospital and Ohio State University, Columbus can and should become the model of how communities respond to the mental health epidemic we face. This will require better, more advanced care and research within our hospitals, as well as a cultural change in the way we think about and talk about mental health.

Business and community leaders have a responsibility and opportunity to help remove the dangerous stigmas that surround mental health today and raise the dollars necessary to support essential research.

Grzelak’s idea: The high cost of a four-year college degree keeps many bright, ambitious and hard-working individuals underemployed in Columbus. The Future 50 could work with companies to develop new hiring and training programs that increase the number of “new collar” career opportunities in Columbus and ensure the growth of a stable middleclass economy. Some of the largest companies in the world (IBM, Google, Apple, Starbucks) have already shifted their standard requirements for many office jobs—prioritizing skill, grit and determination over a mandatory four-year college degree.

Business and community leaders have a responsibility and opportunity to help remove the dangerous stigmas that surround mental health today and raise the dollars necessary to support essential research.

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Densil Porteous

Founder, DePorteous Consulting; interim executive director, Stonewall Columbus; CEO, Pride Fund 1 @densilporteous Porteous’ idea: Who speaks for US? We speak for US! As a city we must accept that we are more diverse than those elected currently representing us—society will always be more diverse than the body elected to represent it because only a select few raise their hands for that opportunity. How do we engage and encourage a more diverse representation of our city and its leaders?

We uplift and support a more diverse group than those elected. The creation of a citywide speakers/ experts bureau can allow a broader group of people to be noted as experts who can speak on a variety of topics.

Colleges and universities employ a similar system.

About: Densil Porteous continues to show up in places and spaces that are not traditionally welcoming or inclusive—he fights to ensure that all are included. The Jamaica native moved to Columbus in 2012 and began looking for ways to make a difference in his new home. He’s now advancing the region’s LGBTQ

advocacy organization and leading a trailblazing venture capital fund for LGBTQ entrepreneurs. Porteous is former director, marketing communications and outreach at Wexner Center for the Arts and former assistant vice president at Columbus College of Art & Design.

Outside of work: Porteous is chair of the Create Columbus Commission; board member for the Legacy Fund of the Columbus Foundation; Columbus Civilian Review Board Working Group member; Human Rights Campaign board of directors.

What does Columbus need to thrive? Columbus needs to be intentionally inclusive. As our region continues to grow, we also see the diversity of the population expanding. We have a salad of nationalities, socioeconomic backgrounds, cultural identities, community affiliations, religious beliefs, sexual identities, educational experiences...the parts of the salad mix are numerous. In order for us to be a community that grows together we must think of and create systems that allow a variety of individuals to feel and be included in our community happenings.

How do we engage and encourage a more diverse representation of our city and its leaders? We uplift and support a more diverse group than those elected.

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Diane Menashe Partner, director of litigation training and pro bono activities, Ice Miller • @dmenashe

About: Diane Menashe has spent her career working to ensure that the criminal justice system is fair and equitable to all. She has been a criminal defense attorney for 22 years in Ohio with a focus on death penalty cases—most recently she tried the capital

cases of Brian Golsby (2018) and Quentin Smith (2019). In the summer of 2020, Menashe worked to clear the records of many people arrested during protests following the killing of George Floyd. Menashe’s role also includes oversight of Ice Miller’s litigation training and pro bono programs, and she’s on the firm’s Racial Justice Task Force and Diversity and Inclusion Council.

Outside of work: Columbus Police Chief’s Advisory Panel; chair of Ohio State Bar Association’s Access to Justice

Committee; former board member with Franklin County Based Correctional Facility and Dress for Success.

What does Columbus need to thrive? Our companies and corporations need to increase their community involvement with organizations addressing racism, poverty and diversity.

We need to have more difficult conversations as a city and increased transparency as to where we are as a city in terms of programming and spending and compare that to where we want to be as a city.

Our companies and corporations need to increase their community involvement with organizations addressing racism, poverty and diversity.

Menashe’s idea: I’d work with the other 49 class members to help everyone identify one community partner or nonprofit organization that they feel passionately about.

I would then create an easily accessible list of all 50 organizations with a description of what they do and how people and companies can become involved. I would then circulate the list to all 49 of my classmates for repeat distribution. I would also do my part as the group’s pro bono director to support the list and encourage participation and engagement.

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recent college graduates on their resumes. She’s also involved with Central Ohio Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and Miami University Alumni Association.

What does Columbus need to thrive? A 2016 study by the University of Texas at Dallas found children who experience frequent hunger are twice as likely to engage in violence. It is critical that Columbus leaders address the systemic challenges our youth face that lead to inequity. It is critical that Columbus focuses on building a strong population of nourished, educated youth who can grow into the leaders, educators and executives of tomorrow—regardless of the location they grew up in—to propel our great city forward.

It is critical that Columbus focuses on building a strong population of nourished, educated youth who can grow into the leaders, educators and executives of tomorrow— regardless of the location they grew up in.

Beth Griffin

Senior director of development, Children’s Hunger Alliance @bethgriffin99

About: Stunned by the number of food-insecure children in the state of Ohio, a casual

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conversation with the former vice president of development turned into a full-time fundraising job at Children’s Hunger Alliance in 2019 for retail executive Beth Griffin.

Griffin’s background in retail included work with Macy’s, FAO Schwarz, Hasbro and Mead. During the pandemic, Children’s Hunger Alliance and COSI have partnered on

a bold initiative to “Feed Hungry Lives and Feed Hungry Minds.” Through Children’s Hunger Alliance’s distribution network, COSI gave hundreds of children state-approved STEM content packaged in a fun “Learning Lunchbox.”

Outside of work: Griffin’s passion project is working with military veterans and

Griffin’s idea: Taking the existing COSI/Children’s Hunger Alliance model and expanding upon it could lead to lasting positive change in Columbus. If the fundamentals of this budding social enterprise are further refined, there is a real opportunity to penetrate Central Ohio’s underserved youth. Bending Brook apartment complex in Urbancrest is a prime example of where the Future 50 could start with a pilot. Partnering with the Bending Brook community, which has a large Somalian population, could start with creating a counsel of inclusion, which would be essential to understand their specific needs and how the Future 50 can help.

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Elon Simms

Vice president of community impact, Crane Group • LinkedIn: elonasimms

About: Elon Simms leads the philanthropic efforts of one of the city’s most civically engaged companies as vice president of community impact for Crane Group. He also serves as an adviser or board member for several organizations, and as a social worker, he serves as a lecturer

for Ohio State University’s College of Social Work. He was previously director of community affairs for the city of Columbus; director of field education for the OSU College of Social Work; and a child welfare caseworker for Franklin County Children Services.

Outside of work: Board member, BESA and Franklin County Children Services; resource development committee, United Way of Central Ohio; advisory board member, Reeb Avenue Center and Global Center for Health-

care Education at Franklin University.

What does Columbus need to thrive? When I think about Columbus’ growth in the years to come, it is important that we as a community work together to ensure that children who attend Columbus City Schools have the same educational opportunities as their peers in our surrounding communities. Research has shown that improving schools can support an individual’s ability and the community’s ability to contribute to economic growth and personal well-being.

Simms’ idea: In this era of coronavirus and remote learning, broadband access is key to building equitable learning experiences and outcomes. I propose a project where the Future 50 could work alongside city leaders to find ways to provide free broadband access. In the next year, what could it look like if we identified a local census tract and built a pilot program that would provide a neighborhood in our community with broadband? As we learn about the needs of this specific neighborhood, we could build the foundation for a program that could be replicated in other areas of our community. We know that this issue is less about infrastructure and more about the ability to adopt and access this service.

In this era of coronavirus and remote learning, broadband access is key to building equitable learning experiences and outcomes.

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Erica Bell

Associate professor and administrative director, Neuroscience Research Institute, Ohio State University College of Medicine @drericabell Bell’s idea: Development of a Columbus CEO diversity, equity and inclusion organization. The time is now to act on the momentum behind racial and gender equity issues.

This group could help Columbus on many facets of creating pathways for ally-ship, sponsorship and mentorship, raising funding, organizing educational activities in public schools, and facilitating access to workshops on unconscious bias and inclusion in workplaces and businesses across the city. It would be great to see Columbus be a national leader in these movements, and we are at a tipping point for making needed changes on both of these fronts.

About: Erica Bell has been a faculty member at Ohio State University and member of its Comprehensive Cancer Center for 10 years working primarily to develop better molecular biomarkers for adult and pediatric brain tumor patients. A nationally recognized researcher and patentholder, she also been an

engaged member of gender equity initiatives for faculty members at the College of Medicine and universitywide. Bell recently took a new administrative role working on biobanking and biomarker initiatives in addition to developing professional development and mentoring programs.

Outside of work: Ambassador for the American Cancer Society ResearcHERS campaign; supporter and rider for Pelotonia; active alumni at Otterbein University for STEM outreach; former member of Otterbein

University Board of Trustees.

What does Columbus need to thrive? With COVID-19 we will need government and community support for small businesses severely impacted by the pandemic.

Another big issue currently for many is the lack of available and affordable childcare due to decreased capacities and closure of schools. Transformational changes are desperately needed in this area for the next generation of young parents and soon-to-be parents to be successful in growing our economy.

The time is now to act on the momentum behind racial and gender equity issues.

It would be great to see Columbus be a national leader in these movements.

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Columbus needs to emerge as a city where there is not only diversity in numbers, but in leadership, businesses, education and thought.

Dr. Jacqueline Nwando Olayiwola Chair and professor, family and community medicine; chief, family health services; founder, Center for Primary Care Innovation and Transformation, Ohio State University College of Medicine @drnwando Dr. Olayiwola has been a leader in harnessing technology to increase access to care for underserved and disenfranchised populations.

About: Dr. Jacqueline Nwando Olayiwola is an internationally renowned boardcertified family physician, public health professional, health systems redesign leader, workforce diversity and inclusion champion and primary care transformation pioneer. As one of a very small number of physicians and women of color bridging academic, health care and health technology leadership,

Outside of work: We Care Solar advisory board member; Primary Care Progress advisory board member; Robert Graham Center for Policy Studies in Family Medicine and Primary Care advisory board member; founder and CEO, Inspire Health Solutions in San Francisco Bay Area and Columbus; founder, Association of Minority Women Professionals.

What does Columbus need to thrive? Over the last few decades, Columbus has seen

a surge in expansion of racial/ ethnic, religious and other minority groups like few other cities have experienced. We need to ensure economic and business opportunities for all who call Columbus home.

This will require fewer silos in economic efforts, health care and neighborhood developments. Columbus needs to emerge as a city where there is not only diversity in numbers, but in leadership, businesses, education and thought.

This will require significant renewal or optimization of programs that support minority and women owned businesses and a laser focus on social justice and equity in policies and actions.

Nwando Olayiwola’s idea: The Future 50 group could be galvanized to create a diversity and equity scorecard or rating system to hold accountable Columbus leaders, investors, businesses, government officials and educators. Similar to Zagat for restaurants or star ratings for movies, this scorecard could rate organizations and entities on a consensus-developed set of metrics. Input would be sought from members of the community, and criteria could include quantifiable data points that the cohort of Future 50 leaders could develop together. We are working on something similar at Ohio State for our anti-racism efforts.

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frequent speaker for programs including BuckeyeThon, Nationwide Children’s Hospital Adoption Academy Panel, the Oncofertility Conference at Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Rock the Road Experience.

At Pelotonia, Joe has championed the organization’s partnership with Cristo Rey Columbus High School, supporting the placement of four student interns at Pelotonia each of the last two years.

What does Columbus need to thrive? The resources existing in our city—higher education, diversified industries, philanthropy—have really spurred innovation throughout our city. However, we must recognize progress can create a dearth of affordable housing and an increasing income gap. My vision for the future of our city is that our forward progress will be defined as change that didn’t leave any citizens behind.

Partnering with thousands of companies, we could create an internship program that blends real-life work experience with positive mentoring and educational activities.

Joe Apgar COO, Pelotonia • IG: joe.apgar

About: As chief operating officer at Pelotonia, Joe Apgar drives the execution of the organization’s priorities and

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leads day-to-day management of staff. Under his leadership in 2019, the annual bicycle ride to raise funds for cancer research reached record participation and pledged more than $102 million to create the Pelotonia Institute for Immuno-Oncology at the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Apgar began his career at Rockbridge as part of the

capital markets group, helping to raise more than $650 million of capital before leading company-wide strategic initiatives for the firm.

Outside of work: As a young cancer survivor himself and after seeing his sister go through cancer from the age of 5, Joe has dedicated himself to mentoring young cancer survivors. He is a

Apgar’s idea: We could establish a summer internship program modeled after the Cristo Rey program for high school students.

Partnering with thousands of companies, we could create a program that blends real-life work experience with positive mentoring and educational activities designed to open the next generation’s eyes to the opportunities that exist in our society. Providing access to education and opportunities that many in our community may never have can transform our youth’s future.

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12/11/20 9:22 AM

Kristen Easterday

Director, communications and public affairs, Columbus Regional Airport Authority @easterdayk as vice president for government relations at the Columbus Chamber of Commerce.

She began her career as a staff assistant to then-U.S. Senator Mike DeWine.

About: Kristen Easterday leads communications and government affairs for the Columbus Regional Airport Authority, successfully lobbying for capital project funding and keeping the organization in touch with critical stakeholders during one of its most challenging years to date.

Easterday previously served

Outside of work: Advocacy chair for the Ohio Aviation Association; treasurer for the Ohio Council of Port Authorities; board member for Neighborhood Services, a food pantry in Columbus; service on policy committees at the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission and United Way of Central Ohio; and membership on COSI’s Young Professional Board and

Capital Crossroads Special Improvement District.

What does Columbus need to thrive? Let’s become known as one of the most welcoming cities in the world. As a guiding principle, this will set the tone for continued growth as a just and compassionate community.

Over the past two decades, Columbus has developed its swagger and now appropriately owns its title as the 14th largest city in the U.S. We have shown the world that we can take on any challenge and succeed when we do things our own way—the Columbus Way. Examples include winning the Smart City Challenge, building one of the largest Pride events in the nation, gaining support from over 2,500 business leaders to declare racism a public health crisis, saving our local soccer team and creating the New

American Initiative. We need to double down on this energy and hasten our work to be an opportunity city for all.

Easterday’s idea: The group of Future 50 could help amplify the welcome message within our personal spheres of influence. Each of us could also commit to erecting a single “welcome” sign in a different language and unique artistic design somewhere in Columbus.

Imagine the force of 50 distinctive “welcome” messages across our community as a friendly reminder of the attitude want to embody.

Let’s become known as one of the most welcoming cities in the world.

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Kristen Harris Co-founder and COO, Portfolio Creative • IG: portfolio.creative Harris’ idea: We could develop a diverse creative workforce pipeline with internships, mentorships and commitments to hire for entry-level candidates of color. By creating opportunities, we can develop young people with creative talent from our underserved communities, providing meaningful career options in the arts. With mentorship and career progression for creatives of color, we can develop people into leadership roles. This would provide more diverse local business leadership as well as mentorship for young creatives.

About: Kristen Harris helped co-founder Catherine LangCline create the Columbus region’s first and only staffing and recruiting firm focused solely on creative and marketing roles. Before starting Portfolio Creative, Harris held several creative and leadership positions, including roles with Express, Structure, Limited Too, and Victoria’s Secret.

Community involvement: Portfolio Creative supports Columbus Society of Communicating Arts, American Marketing Association, American Advertising Federation, Rise & Design, Creative Mornings, Together Digital, Greater Columbus Arts Council and the Wexner Center for the Arts. Harris is a member of the ASA National board of directors. Past board positions include CSCA, NAWBO Columbus and EO Entrepreneurs’ Organization.

Harris also is a founding supporter of the Matriots PAC. What does Columbus need to thrive? Columbus is a great

city–I’ve been here to see the evolution from a so-called “cow town” in the late 1980s to the Midwestern jewel it is now. But, as proud as I am of our city, we still have work to do. Mayor Ginther and national publications have tagged us as an “opportunity city,” especially highlighting our creatives and artists. As an “opportunity city” we need to lift up and provide opportunity for all of our citizens. To look closely at the inequities between neighborhoods, including access to quality education and other resources. At how we are supporting and growing small businesses, especially those owned by minorities and women.

By creating opportunities, we can develop young people with creative talent from our underserved communities, providing meaningful career options in the arts.

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ber, OSU Moritz College of Law’s Divided Community Project and member, Obama Foundation’s My Brother’s Keeper National Framework Committee. Member, public policy regional roundtable, Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission, and Columbus Bar Association. Fellow, Roosevelt Institute.

What does Columbus need to thrive? COVID-19 will exacerbate existing inequalities in our society. As our city rebuilds, we must center racial equity to ensure no one is left behind. For too long, Black and brown voices have been ignored, exploited or overlooked. We must recognize that many communities were struggling long before this crisis. We must provide immediate short-term relief and build for long-term resiliency and support for families in need.

As our city rebuilds, we must center racial equity to ensure no one is left behind. For too long, Black and brown voices have been ignored, exploited or overlooked.

Kyle Strickland

Senior Legal Analyst and Special Assistant to the Director, Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race & Ethnicity; Director, My Brother’s Keeper Ohio. @kstrickland

About: Kyle Strickland is Senior Legal Analyst and Special Assistant to the Director at the Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race & Ethnic-

ity at Ohio State University, where he develops strategies to increase the policy impact of the institute and build partnerships with community stakeholders. Strickland’s work focuses on civil rights issues, criminal justice reform, economic justice and equitable access to education. In addition, he serves as the director of My Brother’s Keeper Ohio, a statewide network providing educational and

community opportunities for youth of color. An Ohio State alum, he holds a juris doctor from Harvard Law School.

Outside of work: Board member, Ohio Poverty Law Center, Ohio State University Black Alumni Society, American Constitution Society Columbus chapter, Create Columbus Commission and John Mercer Langston Bar Association.

Steering committee mem-

Strickland’s idea: We should launch a guaranteedincome pilot in the city of Columbus, which provides monthly cash payments for households in need.

There has been growing momentum for guaranteed income pilots across the country, including in Stockton, California, where they have provided $500 a month to 125 adults for a period of 18 months. While the pilot is underway, the results are promising.

People are using the money to cover basic needs that they otherwise would not have been able to cover. We can leverage partnerships to make a program happen right here in Columbus.

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11-year volunteer for Pelotonia; 2019 Stefanie’s Champion; IABC Grant Committee member and chair; 2020 Rela Leadership Event chair; 2014 Canal Winchester School District levy chair; Communications Advisory Board member at Franklin University.

What does Columbus need to thrive? Ensure all voices are heard. Systems of historical and present-day racial injustice permeate our communities, from redlining to food deserts to underrepresentation in government and business. Those in power, and who have been fortunate enough to have privilege, should champion those who have been overlooked and underestimated. As we look to the future, we must fight to ensure that life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are accessible to all. Now is the time for positive change.

Lachandra Baker Senior manager, employee engagement, CoverMyMeds @lalabak

About: Award-winning communicator and motivational speaker Lachandra Baker

is mentor, TedX performer and dedicated community volunteer. Across roles at Cardinal Health, Mount Carmel Health System and now CoverMyMeds, she has brought her special brand of optimism and inclusion, rising to quickly become one of the most respected leaders at CoverMyMeds since joining in 2018. La, as she is known,

has a mission to make every space more diverse, equitable and inclusive.

Outside of work: Board member of Healing Broken Circles; Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Council member for Besa; Certified Tourism Ambassador for Experience Columbus; board member of Film Columbus;

Those in power, and who have been fortunate enough to have privilege, should champion those who have been overlooked and underestimated.

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Baker’s idea: To identify, educate and prepare an inclusive slate of candidates to run for every open public office in every election. We often see elected officials who are career politicians and look very homogenous.

There are also many elections where the ballot is uncontested. This does not provide a way to hold those running for office accountable to the issues they claim to be advocating for, nor does it help to truly remove many of the barriers and structures of inequality that have been created over time. By having a development program that we can create, support and innovate, we would take a tremendous step forward.

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LC Johnson

Founder, Zora’s House, and director of community entrepreneurship for Franklin County Forward Cities • IG: no1doesitlikelc expert whose work and writings on race and gender have appeared in national outlets.

About: LC Johnson is a writer, entrepreneur and activist with a passion for empowering women, especially women of color. A dynamic community builder, she serves as the Local Director of Community Entrepreneurship for Franklin County Forward Cities and is the founder of Zora’s House, a coworking space and leadership incubator for women of color. She is a recognized subject matter

Outside of work: LC is Cycle 16 Fellow of the African American Leadership Academy; member of the Columbus Commission on Black Girls; and was a featured speaker in the 2017 Women’s Fund Keyholder event. Her 2018 TEDxColumbus talk has been viewed almost 15,000 times What does Columbus need to thrive? My organization, Zora’s House, is created by, led by, and shaped by women of color. In 2020, this should not still be radical, but it is.

The nonprofit and social

change sectors are peppered with programs created for women of color, but not in collaboration with or led by women of color. This is true of many initiatives seeking to uplift and empower marginalized communities. As Columbus continues to grow and become more diverse, we already are seeing the level of disparities continuing to rise.

If we are committed to building a community where every person can thrive regardless of race, gender, sexuality, class or neighborhood, it will require that we create leadership onramps and prioritize the knowledge, leadership and lived experiences of people whose voices are typically on the margins.

Johnson’s idea: The rise of COVID-19 as well as the social unrest prompted by the murders of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd has shown us the necessity of transformative social change. Without knowing the needs and social/cultural environment one year from now, it is impossible to choose one project. But I do believe that with the right mix of diversity, creativity and will towards change, 50 local leaders could create transformative change in our community.

With the right mix of diversity, creativity and will towards change, 50 local leaders could create transformative change in our community.

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What does Columbus need to thrive? Now, more than ever, Columbus requires empathetic and compassionate leadership at all levels of government, business, nonprofits and academia. Columbus is an incredible city where all of those intersect daily. We need a methodology to ensure all voices from all sectors and walks of life can be heard.

Now is a time for openness and inclusion. All leaders need to look honestly and thoughtfully at their organizations and create microcosms of what they would like this great city to be. If we can build diverse organizations at every level, we are in a much better place to thoughtfully build this city in an inclusive way so that all people, regardless of socioeconomic status, may flourish.

Now, more than ever, Columbus requires empathetic and compassionate leadership at all levels of government, business, nonprofits and academia.

Lindsay Karas Stencel Partner, venture capital and emerging companies, Thompson Hine; partner, NCT Ventures @LKS_Law

About: Lindsay Karas Stencel is the one of the region’s foremost legal minds in

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technology startups and venture capital. She has helped launch hundreds of companies and brokered more than 1,000 transactions.

The Thompson Hine and NCT Ventures partner also is an adjunct professor at Ohio State University Moritz College of Law. Karas Stencel previously served as chief legal counsel for NCT, chief

investment officer and fund manager for Launch New York and managing principal of her private practice, LKS Law. Outside of work: Board member for Small Biz Cares, Data Inventions Inc. and Upstate Capital Association. Strategic adviser for Pride Fund and co-founder, W Fund.

Karas Stencel’s idea: Because it is imperative that we work collaboratively to recommend pathways forward, an advisory committee with representatives from the government, business, nonprofit and education should be nominated by their respective organizations and convened every two months to discuss the most pressing issues and possible solutions, which would be recommended to the appropriate body (Columbus City Council, a particular business sector, etc.). This way, we have a diverse group of voices calling for action (or inaction) on pressing matters to better ensure that no one group goes unheard or underrepresented.

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Madison Mikhail Bush

Founder and CEO, Point Technologies/Point Global @madisonmikhail Mikhail Bush also is vice president of the Mikhail Foundation supporting educational needs of 300 young girls in Egypt. Additionally: founder of 100kmasksforOhio.org, Can’t Stop Columbus organizer, We Feed Cbus memAbout: Since Madison Mikhail Bush launched it in 2018, Point Technologies has enabled thousands of users to find volunteer opportunities for causes they care about and raised over $200,000.

Previously, Mikhail Bush was director of corporate development for Gnome Diagnostics, a clinical DNA testing company. She holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from Capital University and has giant tortoises as pets.

Outside of work: As an Egyptian-American, Madison invests in programs in Egypt including Mobile Clinic, which launched in 2020 to serve rural villages in Egypt.

ber, Benefit Beers founder, GivebackHack mentor, O2 Mentor, Festival for Good planner, AirBNB Superhost and jewelry designer.

What does Columbus need to thrive? As people leave major

cities as a result of COVID-19, I expect Columbus to continue to boom. In the community space, I see affordable and appropriate housing as the major issue our city faces as we grow.

As luxury apartments are built for young professionals, houses that are built for families or affordable housing options are put on the back burner.

It’s critical that our city’s infrastructure allows people to move here, live here and stay here. I believe city planning is key to Columbus’ success.

It’s critical that our city’s infrastructure allows people to move here, live here and stay here. I believe city planning is key to Columbus’ success.

Mikhail Bush’s idea: A digital “housing map” of the city could be crucial in attracting people to Columbus and also bringing transparency to housing issues. Other ideas include: surveying voter suppression and bringing broadband service to at-risk neighborhoods. A personal passion project would be to partner with the city to increase our recycling programs and compliance.

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Mallory Donaldson

Community relations manager, COTA • LinkedIn: Mallorydonaldson Donaldson’s idea: High-level problem: Transportation is a barrier for all nonprofits COTA serves. (The) majority of nonprofit partners do not have a budget or funding to purchase passes at a discounted rate. Nonprofits spent about $700,000 on transportation in 2019.

Solution: Donate mobility.

Matching eligible nonprofits with companies who would like to sponsor or donate money to nonprofits to purchase bus passes/ COTA services and/or donate emergency rides to passengers in need.

About: Donaldson joined COTA in the fall of 2019 after working as executive assistant to the president and CEO of economic development group One Columbus. Her accomplishments include partnering with Bob Evans Restaurants to provide 16,000 meal kits to nonprofit partners, local food pantries and churches during Covid-19.

She also collected 21,000 cloth

and paper masks from the community, which were given to COTA riders and nonprofit partners to provide equitable access to an essential need and essential travel during the pandemic. She received a bachelor of arts degree in international studies, education from Ohio State University in 2006.

Outside of work: Donaldson is passionate and purposeful about empowering and encouraging young women in all walks of life and reducing black maternal and infant mortality. She is a YWCA Columbus board member, a resource development committee member at CelebrateOne

and manager of operations for the Archie and Bonita Griffin Scholarship Fund. In 2019 she founded Eliza Consulting LLC, which specializes in managing nonprofit and foundation needs and creating strategies to build, maintain and expand their impact.

What does Columbus need to thrive? Columbus needs to convene resources and allocate them to the African American community. We continue to be underfunded and resourced.

In order to thrive in a prosperous city, we need to hold ourselves and others accountable to achieving prosperity through equity.

In order to thrive in a prosperous city, we need to hold ourselves and others accountable to achieving prosperity through equity.

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As we rebuild following Covid-19, Columbus faces a threat of mass suburbanization and a decline of the urban core. for more space) and inability to use downtown amenities are all factors that point to an exodus from the city center.

This threat is not unique to Columbus, but we have more to lose. As one of the densest cities in the Midwest, Columbus has one of the most thriving urban cores, allowing for increased culture, diversity and efficiency. … Columbus needs to promote urban development and discourage sprawl.

Max Brickman Managing director, Heartland Ventures @MaxBrickman

About: Max Brickman founded Heartland Ventures in 2016 to enhance Silicon Valley startups’ access to Midwestern customers. While pursuing his B.S. from the Indiana University Kelley School of Business from 2010 to 2014 he

served as CEO and founder of CleanSlate and Peloton Investors. Through the process of inventing, designing and marketing, Brickman was able to patent and license CleanSlate, a technology that prevents cheating on written exams. He founded Peloton Investors, a Milwaukee-based real estate investment firm that he grew to 450 residential units, at age 14.

Outside of work: Brickman serves on several regional boards designed to increase per capita income and entre-

preneurial activity. He also is a member of the Jewish Columbus Leadership cohort.

In Brickman’s spare time he is pursuing a pilot’s license. He and his wife, Haley, live in the Short North.

What does Columbus need to thrive? As we rebuild following Covid-19, Columbus faces a threat of mass suburbanization and a decline of the urban core. Eliminating the need to commute downtown, more time spent at home (leading to a need

Brickman’s idea: Large coastal cities are losing much of their value and we’re seeing many people and businesses opt for secondary cities like Columbus. The problem is that many of these people have never spent significant time in the Midwest and are unsure of which city to choose. Through targeted programming Columbus can introduce itself to coastal startups interested in relocation.

An annual project could include each Future 50 member leveraging (his or her) network and appeal of learning about Midwestern markets to host one coastal startup in Columbus for a specified two-day period.

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ing our Experiences communications committee member.

She also is a member of PRSA Central Ohio and a graduate of the Leadership Columbus Class of 2016. She does pro bono public relations work for Can’t Stop Columbus and We Are All In This Together. She lives in Merion Village with her husband and their pup.

What does Columbus need to thrive? To thrive, Columbus must focus on addressing the city’s racial and economic inequalities and disparities.

Covid-19 has magnified these issues in our city and the recent protests have brought to light that change must happen now. Let’s leverage the spirit of collaboration that is ingrained within our city’s DNA to bring public and private sectors together to create thoughtful, lasting solutions.

Megumi Robinson Senior director, Belle Communication • Instagram: megumirobinson

About: Robinson joined Belle Communication in 2020 to lead client relations and business development. She manages the firm’s public relations, influencer relations,

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social media and creative strategy. She joined Belle after spending nearly six years at Experience Columbus where she was director of public relations. She has a bachelor’s degree in media communication public relations from Taylor University.

Outside of work: Robinson’s nonprofit work focuses on how to positively impact social services, gender equality and community development.

She is a Downtown Residents Association of Columbus board member, Walk With a Doc board member and Rul-

To thrive, Columbus must focus on addressing the city’s racial and economic inequalities and disparities.

Robinson’s idea: As Covid-19 has forced schools in Columbus to turn to virtual education for the near future, many students are left struggling due to inadequate or no access to the technology they need to complete coursework.

We must immediately address this issue as it will disproportionately impact students within disadvantaged neighborhoods. Leveraging the Future 50 class’ talents and resources, we can create solutions that ensure all students within Columbus City Schools have reliable technology and internet to do their schooling.

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Michael Bongiorno

Managing principal and design director, AECOM @mikebongiorno man Government Center and the Columbus Museum of Art Walter Wing.

About: Bongiorno joined the Columbus office of global design firm AECOM in 2019 after spending 25 years at DesignGroup. His architectural prowess can be found in some of the most prominent building projects in the city.

They include the new Mitchell Hall at Columbus State Community College, the City of Columbus’ Michael B. Cole-

Outside of work: Bongiorno is chair of the board of trustees of the Greater Columbus Arts Council and is on the board of trustees for Columbus College of Art and Design. He founded Columbus’ “Design Week,” a community design festival, while serving on the board of trustees for the Columbus Center for Architecture and Design, where he led the award-winning “CBUS Ideabook” and “cbus:FOTO” public engagement projects. He received his bachelor’s degree in architec-

ture from the Pratt Institute School of Architecture. He has three daughters and he and his wife, Sarah, live in Grandview Heights.

What does Columbus need to thrive? If we are going to be a smart, equitable City of the Future, we need to amplify the interconnectedness of the elements that makes great cities what they are.

This interconnectedness has physical, technological and social dimensions that must be in equilibrium in order to improve the quality of life for all citizens and to increase our resilience in the face of future stressors and shocks.

Bongiorno’s idea: I have had a desire for Columbus to become a designated UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) City of Design within their Creative Cities Network for a number of years. … I am hoping that the U.S. will reenter UNESCO in 2021 and it would be fantastic if we can harness the collective will, energy and influence of 2021’s class to drive this forward. The UNESCO designation is aspirational – not an award for what Columbus has done, but for what it has the potential to be as a “Creative City.”

If we are going to be a smart, equitable City of the Future, we need to amplify the interconnectedness of the elements that makes great cities what they are.

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Michelle Moskowitz Brown Executive director, Local Matters • IG: mishmosh614

Brown’s idea: I would like for my peers and I to invest in building an ad campaign that supports the development and ongoing operations of Black-owned businesses in Columbus. A diverse Future 50 class will have a wealth of information and networks through which we can build a campaign and develop a pipeline for Black entrepreneurs to cultivate capital and connections. Investing in Black business means investing in Columbus.

churches and pharmacies.

She holds a bachelor of arts degree in dance anthropology from Antioch College and she studied urban planning at New York University’s Wagner School of Public Service.

About: Brown joined food education and advocacy group Local Matters in 2011 where she focuses on supporting unmet needs and increasing equitable education and access to healthy, delicious foods. The nonprofit supports diverse populations in neighborhoods across Central Ohio. The work takes place in partnership with schools, hospitals, recovery centers,

Outside of work: Brown chairs the Ohio Food Policy Network, a statewide coalition dedicated to developing a food system that supports and serves all Ohioans. She also is a member of the Columbus & Franklin County Local Food Board. Brown also volunteers to do food runs with the Columbus chapter of Food Rescue US to deliver leftover food from restaurants and distributors to organizations

serving neighbors facing food insecurity. She lives in Columbus with her husband and two children and they co-parent a dog, Angus, with her mother.

What does Columbus need to thrive? There needs to be more communication within and across sectors; we need more of a relationship between City of Columbus departments, and we need to ensure there are stakeholders from public and private sectors in the city processes.

Most importantly, we must make major investments to ensure all Columbus residents have access to affordable food and housing.

I would like for my peers and I to invest in building an ad campaign that supports the development and on-going operations of Black-owned businesses in Columbus.

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through IGS Energy. He and his wife, Erin, live in Gahanna and have three children – Dennis, Maggie and Kelly.

What does Columbus need to thrive? Columbus needs a holistic, grassroots approach to narrowing the city’s inequality gap. We are increasingly seeing this inequality manifest itself in racial tensions, lack of employment and education, broken families and violence across our communities in need. However, popular rebuilding efforts are generalized and the results are marginalized. Too often the development efforts are treated as projects, not people, and this causes many of the continued failures in achieving long-term vitality. Instead, we need to engage motivated leaders that are empowered, funded and supported to make lasting differences.

Patrick Smith Vice president, IGS Solar • LinkedIn: Patrick-Smith

solar space. Smith received a B.S. in business administration from Ohio University.

About: Smith has been with IGS Energy since 2013 and was instrumental in founding the business unit that grew into IGS Solar. His leadership has led to more than $200 million of new business in the

Outside of work: Smith is the founder of TwentyEight19, a faith-based nonprofit focused on relationship-based development of individuals and families in the Linden neigh-

borhood. He is the founding member of Linden McKinley Football Boosters and the leader of Team Linden, an organization within the New Albany Presbyterian Church.

Smith also coordinated the donation of a $150,000 solar panel system for the new Linden Community Center

Columbus needs a holistic, grassroots approach to narrowing the city’s inequality gap.

Smith’s idea: To establish working teams to support grassroots community development in communities most in need— namely North Linden, South Linden and Franklinton.

This support would be through financial assistance, planning, mentoring and long-term partnerships.

The Future 50 would divide into community teams, and first identify community, religious and business leaders most committed and capable of making changes. Future 50 members would then partner to develop a one-, two- and five-year plan for making lasting changes on three foundations— education, employment and family development.

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While Columbus has experienced economic and population expansion, our city also continues to experience some of the highest poverty and segregation rates in the country.

supports the human resources and client services committees. The nonprofit provides behavioral health solutions to help Ohioans navigate complex challenges with a commitment to building educated, self-reliant and contributing members of strong communities. She also is planning to host a video blog series about cooking and lifestyle.

What does Columbus need to thrive? To thrive, let’s celebrate and protect Columbus’ creative culture that has empowered our growth and attracted new residents while bringing advocacy to pronounced differences in the quality of our social infrastructure across our neighborhoods. While Columbus has experienced economic and population expansion, our city also continues to experience some of the highest poverty and segregation rates in the country.

As we define the city we hope to become, let’s transition our emphasis from concentrated growth to intentional and resilient growth that is shared across neighborhoods – most importantly focusing on our under-served populations.

Preety Sidhu

Global vice president, medical products, Cardinal Health @byPreety

About: Preety Sidhu has been with Cardinal Health since 2017 and oversees strategy

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and business development for the company’s $16 billion global medical segment. She is the co-chair of Cardinal Health’s diversity and inclusion steering council and steering committee member of the Asian Pacific American network employee resource group. She has a B.S. in political science and economics from Northeastern Univer-

sity, a M.S. in international public policy from University College London and a M.S. in strategic communications from Columbia University.

She and her husband, Joe, live in Olde Towne East with their two dogs, Tanny and Tremont.

Outside of work: Sidhu serves on the board of directors for Ohio Guidestone where she

Sidhu’s idea: I would love to see us create a digital story-telling platform – Communities of Columbus: The Moments We Don’t See – similar to Humans of New York and Story Corp, which fosters exploration of others’ experiences while highlighting our similarities and nurturing our growth.

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Priyam Chokshi

Director of community and legislative strategies, CelebrateOne • IG PriyamCkhan Harvard University. She lives in downtown Columbus and enjoys exploring ethnic eats with her husband, Faraz.

About: Priyam Chokshi has been with CelebrateOne since 2017 where she develops and executes policies to impact maternal and infant health by collaborating with public and private partners.

She has a bachelor’s degree in international affairs from George Washington University. She is pursuing a master’s degree in global development practice at

Outside of work: Chokshi is a regional advisory board member for Children’s Hunger Alliance. She also helps manage Celebrate Onesie LLC, which was created from GiveBackHack. The social enterprise is designed as a buy one, give one model. Individuals throughout in the region can purchase a onesie from ShopCelebrateOne.com and, with every purchase, CelebrateOne donates a sleep sack to a family in need in Franklin County.

A sleep sack is a wearable blanket and a resource to

prevent sleep related infant deaths – a low hanging fruit to reduce infant mortality.

What does Columbus need to thrive? A robust privatepublic investment toward comprehensive education reform in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. There are many young residents who do not have access to enough economic and social opportunities to thrive in this city and many of these STEM skills are outsourced.

The digital age calls for talent in technical skills to develop sustainable economies. The effort could be supported by private and public sector institutions.

Chokshi’s idea: Future 50 could embark on an annual project to create a sustainable pipeline for diverse board representation in Columbus companies, nonprofits and academic institutions. The project would ensure to strive toward a more equitable representation of Columbus’ population and include young residents interested in learning and creating social change to create a more competitive local market.

The digital age calls for talent in technical skills to develop sustainable economies.

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Randall Sistrunk Development director, Orange Barrel Media | IKE Smart City • LinkedIn: Randall-sistrunk of Jordan, a fifth grader, and Myanah, a second-year premed student at the University of Dayton.

Sistrunk’s idea: Full engagement and employment for 100 restored citizens.

I propose an initiative to address the top five barriers to employment that keep restored citizens from full engagement and employment in the workforce. The five barriers are: record expungement, hiring bias, training and education, resources and support and housing.

About: Sistrunk joined Orange Barrel Media in early 2019 after several years working for the city of Columbus on diversity and inclusion initiatives. Before that he was the program director for the Columbus Urban League. He has a B.S. in sociology and applied criminology from Walsh University and took part in the Young American Leaders Program at Harvard Business School in 2018. He’s the father

Outside of work: Sistrunk serves on the advisory committee for Franklin University’s School of Public Administration, on the board of directors of the Franklin County Community Based Correctional Facility and on the City of Columbus Police Chief Advisory Panel. He’s also the chief opportunity maker for his side gig, Connect 3.0, which specializes in connecting opportunities with interest. The goal is to take advantage of his networking and relationships to develop a business

that will allow him to help professionals and businesses discern needs, position opportunities and solve complex challenges.

What does Columbus need to thrive? Columbus should continue to build on the Columbus Way, understanding the need to intensify our approach in ensuring equitable distribution of opportunities.

(That includes) the support of small and minority businesses, advancement of minority leadership, addressing health disparities and providing necessary resources to students now required to learn in nonconducive environments as a result of COVID-19 limiting educational resources.

Columbus should continue to build on the Columbus Way, understanding the need to intensify our approach in ensuring equitable distribution of opportunities.

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justice worldwide. He’s also a donor to the American Heart Association and the Mount Carmel Foundation.

What does Columbus need to thrive? As Columbus continues to evolve, it will need to diversify its talent base to compete with other emerging hubs of technology.

Currently, the startup environment is very much driven by consumer goods and IT. The underutilized infrastructure of healthcare in Columbus is where the most value can be created and attract more talent to Columbus.

Dr. Remo Moomiaie-Qajar President and CEO, Cytonus Therapeutics Inc. @CytonusTx Medical, which has developed a home light therapy system for dermatologic disorders such as psoriasis. He also is a member of the Ohio Tech Angel Fund IV. Moomiaie-Qajar received his medical degree from the University of Szeged About: Moomiaie-Qajar founded Cytonus Therapentics in 2018 to develop next-generation medicines to treat rare cancers and inflammatory diseases. He also is the founder of Clarify

in Hungary. He is married and lives in German Village with a German short-haired pointer.

Outside of work: MoomiaieQajar is president of Chantal Paydar Charities, a nonprofit focused on peace and social

As Columbus continues to evolve, it will need to diversify its talent base to compete with other emerging hubs of technology.

Moomiaie-Qajar’s idea: Given the current state our city, state and country is in with the (pandemic), there are many people who are unemployed or with job uncertainty in their futures.

They are home and have anxieties about what their financial prospects will look like post-Covid-19. As a group of diverse community leaders, I believe a monthly or bi-monthly webinar series could be organized to help the community through this time. Topics centered around entrepreneurship can be taught by business leaders and entrepreneurs who can also provide mentoring. ‌ Friends in various financial situations have recently, more frequently, reached out to me to guide them through a new venture. The common denominator in their desire to go out on their own points to the serious doubts they harbor about the nature of their industry and job status in the near future.

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Marshmallow, the French bulldog.

Outside of work: Banks is a trustee for I Know I Can, a Greater Columbus Certified Tourism Ambassador, a Pelotonia rider, volunteer with LifeCare Alliance and a volunteer with Pride on Parsons.

What does Columbus need to thrive? Columbus needs quality, affordable housing to thrive. Per the Affordable Housing Alliance of Central Ohio, economic, housing market and population trends are creating a growing housing affordability gap: 54,000 Franklin County households living in poverty now pay more than half of their income for housing. The impact of the global pandemic will certainly increase this need.

Robbie Banks

Interim executive director and program director, Leadership Columbus @rmbanks the program that develops, connects and inspires diverse leaders who serve as catalysts in building a strong and vibrant community.

She’s also a self-employed makeup artist who has 23 years of experience in the About: Banks has been with Leadership Columbus since 2017 where she oversees

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cosmetics industry. She has a B.S. in marketing and an M.S. in marketing and communication from Franklin University. She lives in northwest Columbus with her partner, Justin, and their dogs – Jade, the pug and

Columbus needs quality, affordable housing to thrive.

Banks’ idea: I would like to see us commission a large public art piece that embodies Columbus – something that residents and visitors alike would want to include in their photos and make a ‘mustdo.’ The success could be measured by the use of a hashtag on social media.

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Ron Jordan

CEO, Jordan Hospitality Group @jordanhospitalitygroup

About: Jordan has been with Jordan Hospitality Group since 2015 where he oversees the holding company for his family’s restaurant businesses, including the upscale Hen Quarter in Dublin. He has a bachelor’s degree in communication from Eastern Illinois University. Jordan and his wife, Dawn, have four daughters and live in New Albany.

Outside of work: Jordan serves on the Alliance Board and the Governmental Affairs Board for the Ohio Restaurant Association.

He also participates in a mentorship program at his alma mater, Westerville Central High School. Each year he selects one or two student athletes to participate in an externship with him.

His goal is to show athletes that there is more to life than simply the sport they play. In conjunction with this mentorship program, Jordan awards a Jordan Family Scholarship each year.

Through Hen Quarter, he has donated meals to healthcare workers during Covid-19.

What does Columbus need to thrive? Columbus needs more diversity in every sector possible. Columbus also needs someone that is going to look at this current downturn as an opportunity.

We need leaders who will be at the forefront of a lot of controversial causes and hot button topics. As a community, I hope we utilize the opportunity in front of us to take a broader approach and be much more inclusive.

Columbus needs to see less domination of a particular person or industry giants and provide more opportunities for independents to break through and enrich our lives and our community.

Jordan’s idea: I would love to try to create a task force with (U.S. Rep.) Joyce Beatty and other community leaders to really try to bring together an opportunity for us to capitalize on some of these Black-owned businesses that don’t have the same advantages as other businesses when it comes to loan and investment options.

Columbus needs to see less domination of a particular person or industry giants and provide more opportunities for independents to break through and enrich our lives and our community.

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Sheldon Johnson Vice president of community development, Community Building Partners @sheldonkjohnson

Johnson’s idea: A story drive for a Future 50 annual project. We could conduct interviews of a wide swath of Columbus residents. We could capture stories about the history of Columbus and places in the city that no longer exist. Once we have captured the stories, we could work with community partners to develop artistic representations of these memories and share them on a website or an art installation.

Divinity School. He lives in Weinland Park with his wife, LC Johnson, two children, Sheldon Jr. and Karah, and a mutt named Huey.

About: Johnson joined Community Building Partners in 2020 to work on affordable housing development. He has a bachelor’s degree in Black studies, political science and education from the University of Michigan; a Master of Public Policy degree in social policy from the Sanford School of Public Policy at Duke University; and a Master of Divinity from the Duke

Outside of work: Johnson is an advisory board member for New Leaders Council, a board member of the Greater Ohio Policy Center, a board member of the Police Abuse Law Fund and a Cycle 15 fellow for the African American Leadership Academy.

What does Columbus need to thrive? For me, a thriving Columbus is not about how many cranes are lining our skyline or the number of

craft breweries per capita.

A thriving Columbus will be a city where residents of neighborhoods like the South Side, Milo-Grogan, Bronzeville, Linden and the Hilltop can be beneficiaries of growth as opposed to collateral damage. The first step is to recognize and acknowledge this fact. From there we can move onto finding and implementing solutions. Columbus has the potential to be a leader in equitable community and neighborhood development.

Bringing the collective power of the public, private and human service sectors to do so will make Columbus one of the best cities in the country.

For me, a thriving Columbus is not about how many cranes are lining our skyline or the number of craft breweries per capita.

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Columbus needs hyper collaboration to lift up all communities and ensure all residents are moving forward. sory Council of the Ohio Alliance to End Sexual Violence, on the board of directors of the Women’s Fund of Central Ohio and is an alumna of the Jo Ann Davidson Leadership Institute and the John Glenn College of Public Affairs’ NEW Leadership program.

What does Columbus need to thrive? Columbus needs hyper collaboration to lift up all communities and ensure all residents are moving forward. I realize the ‘Columbus Way’ can be interpreted as somewhat obtuse or, in some circles, overused. However, now more than ever we need to establish more privatepublic partnerships to build and support the resources and organizations that make this city great.

Sophia Fifner

Community relations chief, Columbus Recreation and Parks Department • LinkedIn: Sophia-fifner

About: Sophia Fifner has been with the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department since 2017 where she man-

ages a team of 13 community relations professionals and leads the team’s approach to attract, retain and grow nearly 150 corporate and athletic sponsors. She’s held previous roles at I Know I Can, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Nationwide Insurance and as a staff assistant to former Senator George Voinovich.

Fifner has a B.A. in organizational communication from

Miami University and a M.S. in marketing and communication from Franklin University.

She and her husband live in northwest Columbus with their daughters Caroline and Hannah Grace.

Outside of work: Fifner works to be a change agent for issues regarding sexual assault and civic engagement. She serves on the Survivor Advi-

Fifner’s idea: One suggestion is creating a forum for better collaboration between our social and economic sectors. If One Columbus’ mission is to be the most prosperous region in the United States by improving our community’s economic and social well-being. I think a forum for input and results would be a great forward thinking event that this team could coordinate and execute.

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Counselors, Social Workers, Marriage & Family Therapists Board and served more than 10 years chairing Reynoldsburg’s Design Review Board. McCloud served more than a decade on Maryhaven’s board.

In light of the turbulence and division cities are currently experiencing, there must be a vibrant partnership with leaders of the various stakeholders of the downtown area.

Stephanie McCloud Director, Ohio Department of Health

About: McCloud began her career as a staff attorney for the Ohio Bureau of Workers’

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Compensation in 1996 and returned to the organization in 2019 as leader of the largest state-run insurance system in the U.S. She’s a longtime public servant who has held prominent roles across state government.

She was announced as the new director for the Ohio Department of Health in November. McCloud

has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Ohio University and received her law degree from Capital University. She lives in Reynoldsburg with her husband, son and cat.

Outside of work: In addition to being a former Truro Township trustee, McCloud served six years on Ohio’s

What does Columbus need to thrive? In light of the turbulence and division cities are currently experiencing, there must be a vibrant partnership with leaders of the various stakeholders of the downtown area. While the outer edges of a city cannot be ignored, the reality is that cities fail from the inside out.

A thriving downtown leads to a fruitful and prosperous outer edge.

A partnership of merchants, residents, safety forces, elected officials and philanthropic organizations (to include churches) must unite to establish a plan of goals and objectives that includes a timeline of implementations of short, medium, and long-term. Each shareholder, while having different needs and wants, still shares the common desire to see the city thrive.

McCloud’s idea: The Future 50 can organize and sponsor such a partnership for its first year. Each year the partnership would identify a geographic region within the city on which to focus its efforts.

Some short-term goals achievable in the first year can include beautification, a food festival and open house for any and all businesses and households wishing to participate in the corridor.

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Stephen Swift Service line administrator, perioperative services division, Nationwide Children’s Hospital @columbusmaestro and business administration and an MBA in business from Franklin University. He lives in Upper Arlington with his wife, Erxis, sons Colin and Dylan, dog Captain and a tank of fish.

About: Swift has been at Nationwide Children’s Hospital for more than 13 years where he’s focused on comprehensive surgical care for infants.

He received a B.S. in business and process management

Outside of work: Swift is a governing board member of Franklinton High School, serves on the board of directors of Gladden Community House and is an active volunteer with Big Brothers, Big Sisters Project Mentor

and the Boys and Girls Club of Central Ohio. He’s also the managing partner of side gig Swiford LLC, which revitalizes neighborhoods one property at a time.

What does Columbus need to thrive? Columbus needs to continue focusing on solving three main barriers and they’re all related to access.

Access to transportation. Access to information (broadband). Access to healthy foods.

Just think how little of an impact giving $100 is to most of the Future 50 recipients and how significant $5,000 could be to a nonprofit in creating an impactful community solution.

Swift’s idea: Creating a community impact fund or grant program benefiting nonprofits. ... The fund would be funded by the Columbus CEO’s Future 50 class members each year and awarded the same year to the nonprofit of the class’s choice. Example: Each year, each member of that class contributes $100 to the fund totaling $5,000. The nonprofit in need … would apply during the open application period, with a brief overview including a detailed explanation of exactly how they would use the funds to create a quantifiable, lasting and positive change in the community. This could be an annual project for the Future 50 program in addition to each class’s unique annual project. Just think how little of an impact giving $100 is to most of the Future 50 recipients and how significant $5,000 could be to a nonprofit in creating an impactful community solution.

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Steve Lekas CEO, Branch Insurance, SafetyNest • IG: lekassteve

sciences and marketing from Kent State University. He and his wife, Nikki, have three daughters.

Lekas’ idea: I’d like to see a curriculum and mentorship program developed and administered by our Future 50 designed to provide a model for and a window into massive success and impact to those who have the fewest such models.

About: Lekas co-founded Branch Insurance in 2018 to restore insurance back to its original intent – a force for communal good. Lekas has bachelor’s degrees in computer and information

Outside of work: Lekas and his team designed SafetyNest to charitably help communities as a complement to Branch Insurance. The nonprofit’s mission is to eliminate the uninsured problem in the U.S. by helping more people become insured. Financial assistance is given to people who have suffered a loss to

their home or auto and didn’t have the right amount of insurance to cover the damage.

What does Columbus need to thrive? We chose to bring Branch and its team to Columbus because we believe Columbus is a metro well positioned for rapid growth while we rapidly grow. On a much larger scale, we in Columbus need to invest time, energy, money and action to rethink fairness and equality for positive change.

We in Columbus need to invest time, energy, money and action to rethink fairness and equality for positive change.

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If we want to close the socioeconomic gaps in our community, we have to address the educational inequities that persist throughout our community. to a post-Covid-19 future we know that we cannot rebuild our community and exclude the education sector from these important conversations. The pandemic not only exposed but exacerbated the disparities that exists throughout Central Ohio. The digital divide our students faced was made greater during the school closures, but it represents a microcosm of the challenge facing our otherwise thriving city. Access to reliable internet should be as accessible as turning on a light switch.

Tasha Booker

Executive director, vice president, City Year Columbus • IG: Tasharenee_7

About: Booker has been with City Year since 2014 where she leads efforts to partner with public schools in high-need communities to help students stay on track

to graduate and get ready for college and career success.

She has a B.S. in marketing from Franklin University and a master’s of education degree from Mount Vernon Nazarene University. She lives in Reynoldsburg and is married, a mother of one and has a 5-pound poodle named Skittles.

Outside of work: Booker serves on the board of directors of the Human

Service Chamber and Momentum Columbus, is on the Columbus Metropolitan Club’s program committee, is a charter member of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, is a member of the Delta Signa Theta Columbus Alumnae chapter and is a member of the Links Incorporated Columbus Chapter.

What does Columbus need to thrive? As we look forward

Booker’s idea: We know that virtual learning in some form is here to stay. What if for the next three years we partnered with Columbus City Schools, the Columbus Foundation and community philanthropists to raise investments to secure laptops for district students and worked with our local governments to expand internet access in our city?

Students entering the sixth grade today would be in the ninth grade—a critical transition year for academic achievement.

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To thrive, Columbus needs an inclusive plan for growth and development that both addresses the need for more affordable housing and pro-actively engages Millennials and New American communities. and New American communities. In a recent study by the Affordable Housing Alliance of Central Ohio it was found that housing insecurity is on the rise and that there are over 54,000 households in Franklin County that spend over 50% of their paycheck on housing.

While Columbus has made great strides in its efforts to address this growing issue, it will only be further exacerbated by the pandemic.”

Theresa Saelim Affordable lending relationship manager, Midwest division, JPMorgan Chase & Co. @MsT614

About: Saelim joined JPMorgan Chase & Co. in 2020 to help clients purchasing a home or refinancing find the mortgage that’s right for them. Saelim has a bachelor’s

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degree in American diversity studies from Ohio State University. She lives in Canal Winchester with her husband, Maurice Henderson, is the proud mom of Asya, 18, and Maurice IV, 10 months.

a dozen nonprofits over the years and currently is a member of the Franklin County Community Development Advisory Board and the City of Columbus-Franklin County Housing Advisory Board.

Outside of work: Saelim has been active with the United Way of Central Ohio since 2007 and is a grant reviewer for its Neighborhood Partnership Grant Program. She’s volunteered for more than

What does Columbus need to thrive? “Columbus needs an inclusive plan for growth and development that both addresses the need for more affordable housing and proactively engages Millennials

Saelim’s idea: “I would love to see the creation of a public/private outreach campaign to promote the benefits of homeownership to Millennials, which would include a financial education toolbox that can be presented and shared with different groups. This campaign may include social media PSAs, as well as engaging local nonprofits and/or companies with employee business resource groups that are geared toward individuals in that demographic.”

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Traci Martinez Columbus office managing partner, global board member, Squire Patton Boggs LLP @SPB_Global

About: Martinez has been with Squire Patton Boggs, where she is a civil litigation and labor and employment lawyer, since 2008. She serves as vice chair of the firm’s Advancing Women’s Task Force.

The former elementary school teacher holds a bachelor’s degree in philosophy, Latin American studies from the University of Notre Dame, a

master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from the University of Houston and a law degree from the Ohio State University Moritz College of Law. Martinez lives with her significant other, Heath Wagner. She has two children, Briana and Mateo, and a dog named Elle.

Outside of work: A champion of empowering diverse lawyers, Martinez has taken leadership roles with the Hispanic National Bar Association, the Moritz College of Law and the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity. She also is a member of the Ohio Women’s Bar Association.

What does Columbus need to thrive? Most importantly, working together to continue business growth—such as what we’ve witnessed with the expansion of the Hilton Hotel—will attract more visitors and, in turn, create more job opportunities.

By the same token, we have a responsibility to recognize that some of the influx of tax dollars related to that population and business growth needs to be invested in social programs that will help our most vulnerable community members to tackle issues like a shortage of low-income housing and infant mortality.

Martinez’s idea: I believe that the mental health issues due to limited interaction with teachers, coaches and friends, especially within the Columbus City high school students who will be attending school completely remote, are going to be serious. I would love to develop a program that can connect high school students with community resources—mentors, social workers, perhaps a dedicated place to Zoom call in—that they can utilize during this year of virtual learning.

We have a responsibility to recognize that some of the influx of tax dollars related to that growth needs to be invested in social programs that will help our most vulnerable community members to tackle issues like a shortage of low-income housing and infant mortality.

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Unhee Kim

President and COO, Mount Carmel East • LinkedIn: Unheekim

Kim’s idea: There are already many Black-founded and minority-led organizations and movements that simply need the power and resources to thrive. Our project would identify organizations that need support and work directly with their leaders to connect them with the right people, leverage our unique strengths and abilities, and provide innovative solutions to support the meaningful work that has already been done.

American Heart Association, is the chair of Go Red for Women, is a Franklin University Doctor of Healthcare Administration Advisory Board member and a member of the Westerville Area Resource Ministry.

About: Kim has been with the Mount Carmel Health System for nearly six years where she leads its flagship hospital. She has a B.S. in nursing from the University of Akron and an MBA from Cleveland State University. Kim and her husband, Vince, and son Ian live in Westerville and Solon.

Outside of work: Kim is on the board of directors of the

What does Columbus need to thrive? Last year, about 70,000 people experienced homelessness in Ohio, including 20,000 children. The pandemic has accelerated the growing concerns about housing insecurity in our community. According to Census data, over 500,000 Ohioans could not pay their rent in June. Housing is an essential part of one’s health, and we

need to work to incorporate affordable housing across the community as we look to expand other developments.

We also need to continue our investment in innovative, sustainable transportation to ensure our community has access to jobs, healthcare and other essential services.

In addition, we need to increase our investment in public health, as it is critical to our community’s safety and economic growth. I believe that everyone should have access to high-quality, comprehensive healthcare. Improving the health—both mentally and physically—of those who call Columbus home will help us thrive for decades to come.

Improving the health —both mentally and physically­—of those who call Columbus home will help us thrive for decades to come.

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tors for Homes on the Hill.

She also has mentored youth for the past 10 years, including through Big Brothers, Big Sisters, her church and 4-H youth development clubs.

Farris also has volunteered with The Center for Healthy Families.

Veronica Farris

What does Columbus need to thrive? Columbus must consider the thoughts and ideas of the next generation as part of our decision-making and planning. The city has an abundance of boards, councils and commissions, which are comprised of adults making decisions that impact the lives of everyone, both young and old. Including a youth committee as part of these organizations will. bring fresh ideas to the table. Additionally, I recommend establishing a Youth Advisory Council composed of high-performing high school and collegiate students from diverse racial, ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds to encourage thinking around policy issues, identify the challenges facing our youth and develop commonsense solutions. This would also help to build up future leaders in and around Central Ohio while fueling diversity and inclusion.

Chief development and marketing officer, Specialized Alternatives for Families & Youth • IG: Veronica_0401 content strategies to increase awareness of its programs, thought leadership and the need for foster parents. Farris has a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Notre Dame College of Ohio and an MBA from Ashland University. She About: Farris joined Specialized Alternatives for Families & Youth in 2015 where she executes programs to secure funding to support its programs and clients. She also oversees its branding and

and her husband, Kevin, live in Blacklick and have three children—Kayla, Kevin and Kaden—and a mini goldendoodle.

Outside of work: Farris is a member of the board of direc-

Columbus must consider the thoughts and ideas of the next generation as part of our decisionmaking and planning.

Farris’ idea: Forming a citywide Youth Advisory Council could become our annual project. The Future 50 could collaborate with each other to bring this idea to life—from developing the strategy to defining its mission, objectives and goals to outlining the governing practices to ultimately launching and finetuning as we go.

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By law, every child in the United States is guaranteed a free public education through the 12th grade. I believe every child deserves equity in that education. to thrive? The disparities in our inner-city community are directly linked to the disparity and inequity that are evident in our inner-city schools. By law, every child in the United States is guaranteed a free public education through the 12th grade. I believe every child deserves equity in that education. Columbus public schools should have access to the same funding and resources as surrounding public suburban schools. Proper funding would ensure students have access to adequate buildings and technology to compete within the 21st century learning model and receive an education that sets them up to succeed in an ever-evolving world.

Wilbert James III Police officer, recruiting officer, City of Columbus @wjames06

About: Wil James has been with the Columbus Police Department for 15 years and focuses on recruiting new officers from the community. With the support of the

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police division he developed the CPD Basketball BootCamps, a youth program that partners with Columbus City Schools high school basketball programs to develop skills and create dialogue. He also is the president of the Columbus Police Basketball Team which has raised over $50,000 for local charities.

James has a bachelor’s degree in general studies from Ball State University. He lives in Columbus with his partner,

Future 50/January 2021

Deja Redman, and has two sons, Brandon and Owen, a daughter, Dylan, and a stepdaughter, Brielle Smith.

Outside of work: James is involved with the Columbus Police Marauders, Public Safety Corps, CPD Basketball Boot Camps, Diversity Recruiting Council, Commission for Black Girls and the Ronald McDonald House.

What does Columbus need

James’ idea: I believe a project partnering with Columbus inner city high school youth to form a junior career mentorship program would create positive change within the community. The program would target high school sophomores and juniors seeking guidance and exposure to various career fields and how best navigate their path toward success.

ld ates ree n

Yanitza Brongers Marrero Director of housing and principal, Moody Nolan • IG: Yanitza_brongers design from Universidad de Puerto Rico and a master’s degree in architecture from Ohio State University. Marrero lives in Upper Arlington with her husband, two teenage sons and their hermit crab Blue.

rves

About: Marrero has been with Moody Nolan for nearly 10 years where she leads the architectural firm’s housing studio. She has a bachelor’s degree in environmental

Outside of work: Marrero is the first Hispanic president of the Columbus chapter of the American Institute of Architects. She mentors others through involvement with the Center for Architecture and

Design Board. And she volunteers at Northwest Christian Church.

What does Columbus need to thrive? We need more livable communities and housing that support our urban core.

Housing provides a sense of dignity and when people have that sense of security and belonging you are preparing that individual for a bright future and enabling them to succeed.

Marrero’s idea: Because our future is our youth, I would like to develop a project that mentors young people into finding their passion. I want to build more programming that creates awareness of the possibilities out there and help children who might not have a mentor in their lives to understand the possibilities through education.

I want to build more programming that creates awareness of the possibilities out there and help children who might not have a mentor in their lives to understand the possibilities through education.

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Columbus’ biggest barrier is being the greatest city you’ve never heard of.

Yohannan Terrell CEO of Warhol & Wall St. and director, Columbus Fashion Alliance • IG Bigbizyogi old daughter.

About: Yogi Terrell has been with Warhol & Wall St. since 2011, and he leads sales and development for the branding firm. He leads overall strategy for the Columbus Fashion Alliance. Terrell has a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in marketing from Ohio State University. He’s the father of a 24-year-old son and 14-year-

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Outside of work: Terrell actively supports the minority community. The Columbus Harlem 100 Celebration was a year-and-a-half-long campaign that highlighted African American Artists in Columbus. He created 614 Day to celebrate and support local businesses. And the Columbus Fashion initiative is a multi-year effort to support the fashion industry.

What does Columbus need to thrive? Three words: innovation, culture and communication. Columbus’ biggest barrier is being the greatest

city you’ve never heard of. Innovation is needed to help us embrace and grow our leading industries – we are seeing that with local companies like Root Insurance and CoverMyMeds. But we should also push for building culturally rich communities that are in high demand in major markets. When people visit or move to a city they look for culturally rich communities that feel authentic and not manufactured. The city investing in building cultural hubs would encourage these communities to bring out the best of their cultures. That then needs to be paired with telling our story.

Terrell’s idea: To take a culturally rich, minority dominant neighborhood and re-envision it to become a cultural hub. A blueprint, based on surveys and sessions would then be given to the community, helping show how minorities can build their future. An example of this could be in the Bronzeville district. This could lead to creating the hub that would enhance the arts and fashion district to create a community where African American and art/ fashion cultures are thriving by reinvesting in our legacy institutions.

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David Grzelak would never approve this ad.

It’s shining a spotlight on his contributions as a beloved and inspired leader in our community. And David doesn’t seek the spotlight. His empathetic contributions have helped families deal with the mental anguish of suicide and chipped away at the stigmas that keep us from talking about it.

The Shipyard crew is so very proud to have him as a leader and a friend, and to have him be recognized as a part of the Future 50 Class.

We want the rest of the community to know how we feel. And we’re not going to be subtle about it.

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