Columbus CEO – January 2022 issue

Seasons of life

These life events should trigger estate plan updates.

PAGE 50

Committed

BakerHostetler’s new managing partner rose through the ranks.

Dogs for detection

Canines being trained to sniff out COVID.

PAGE 8

January 2022

CLASS OF 2022

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Contents Mark Hatcher

08 Profile

MARK HATCHER

never lost sight of his roots in inner city Detroit during his steady rise to managing partner at the law firm of BakerHostetler. Those roots have shaped his advancement as an attorney and his commitment to his clients, coworkers and community.

Departments 04 Editor’s Note How the Future 50 class gets chosen each year—and an update on slow magazine delivery.

55 Leaderboard Columbus region MBA programs

56 Office Space: Cleary Company The design-builder’s Old Henderson Road HQ.

08

JANUARY 2022 Cover designed by Photo ROB HARDIN

YOGESH CHAUDHARY

January 2022 l ColumbusCEO

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

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VOLUME 31 / NUMBER 1 PUBLISHER/GENERAL MANAGER

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EDITOR

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VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES

Columbus CEO’s latest class of the Future 50 is a diverse bunch, ranging from an urban farmer who calls himself “the sultan of systems” to an advocate trying to improve the lives of service industry workers. But all 50 share a common goal: They want to use their unique talents and creative thinking to make the Columbus region a better place to live and work.

Eugene Jackson

17

MULTIMEDIA SALES EXECUTIVES

Tia Hardman, Jackie Thiam CLASSIFIED SALES

Wade Morrell

Amy Vidrick PRODUCTION DESIGNER

Rebecca Zimmer

07 Breakdown Urban living is hot—but people are loving the suburbs just as much.

MARKETING

MARKETING MANAGER

14 Tech Talk

Lauren Reinhard

Bio-Detection K9 uses man’s best friend to sniff out COVID-19.

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In-Depth

Columbus CEO (ISSN 1085-911X) is published monthly 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. Known address of publication is 62 E. Broad St., Columbus, Ohio 43215. Periodicals postage paid at Columbus, Ohio, and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Columbus CEO, PO Box 460160 Escondido CA 92046

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A rare upside of the pandemic is that it has motivated more people to take the important step of preparing wills, advance health care directives and other estate planning documents to get their affairs in order.

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Editor’s Notes * ksmith@ColumbusCEO.com

Ringing in 2022 with Future 50

Dean Tran

Alida Smith

Almar Walter

Amit Chandna

Janet Chen

Amy Gordon

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e’re proud to celebrate the 2022 class of Columbus CEO’s Future 50 with this special

publication.

This outstanding group of people has the determination, the vision and the heart to help usher the region into a brighter future. This annual endeavor, which we bring to you for the third time this year, calls together the region’s most innovative thinkers and doers to offer their leadership as we confront issues like the wealth gap, racism, education and how the arts can bring us closer together.

This month’s issue is dedicated to the 2022 class of Future 50, with their profiles and their ideas for how to make Columbus better. Many thanks to sponsor CoverMyMeds for its support, and to the Columbus Athletic Club for sharing its space for a photo shoot with this year’s honorees.

How do we choose the Future 50?

Future 50 members are identified by the previous class (2 votes) and Columbus CEO editorial staff (1 vote) based on their achievements, generosity of spirit (and deed) and ideas for creating lasting social impact.

Future 50 Annual Projects Each year the Future 50 works together to complete projects of their choosing. Projects should be specific and achievable within one year. The idea is that the project creates meaningful, quantifiable change in the Columbus region. The project embodies the Future 50 core values—achievement, altruism, boldness, creativity and inclusivity.

The 2021 class of Future 50 has been working since February on projects that help people in the com-

munity. The first project involved a group offering sessions on leadership to children who participated in the Greater Columbus Sports Commission’s camp week at Berliner Park in June.

A second Future 50 group has a vision to bring fresh food to people who need it via the creation of unstaffed community refrigerators that can be accessed 24/7.

And a third group is working on making the internet accessible to more residents of Columbus who need it.

I’m so much looking forward to the projects this year’s group will come up with.

Katy Smith, Editor

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DIVERSE LEADERS IN LAW BIG IDEAS TO HELP WOMEN REACH PARITY

THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 1 P.M. The data is clear: A recent report from the American Bar Association found less than 25% of firm partners are women, and just 3% are racially or ethnically diverse women.

JANE HIGGINS MARX

For the women who do reach equity partner, the pay gap is widening. According to legal recruiting firm Major Lindsey & Africa, in 2010, women partners at larger law firms earned an average of 24% less than their male counterparts. By 2018, women partners reported making 35% less than partners who were men.

KATRINA THOMPSON

Moderator: Katy Smith, editor of Columbus CEO Panelists:

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Breakdown Compiled by KATY SMITH + Infographic by YOGESH CHAUDHARY

The ‘burbs are back From 2010 to 2020, Columbus was the fastestgrowing city in the Midwest besides Chicago, and the population Downtown doubled to just under 10,000 people as walkable, urban neighborhoods became the darlings of the real estate scene. But the suburbs made big gains, too. Here’s how much.

Population growth, 2010-2020 New Albany: 40% Hilliard: 31% Canal Winchester: 28% Pickerington: 26% Grandview Heights: 24% Powell: 23% Dublin: 18% Grove City: 16% Columbus: 15% Reynoldsburg: 15% Groveport: 12% Whitehall: 11% Upper Arlington: 9% Westerville: 9% Worthington: 9% Gahanna: 8% Bexley: 7%

File/DORAL CHENOWETH/Dispatch

The Hinson Amphitheater in New Albany is one amenity drawing people to the suburbs.

Source: United Way of Central Ohio via U.S. Census data

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PROFILE

By JESS DEYO + Photos by ROB HARDIN

Mark Hatcher Managing partner

BakerHostetler Age: 47 In position since: January 2022 Education: Bachelor’s in criminology, Ohio

State University; master’s in criminal justice, Tiffin University; Juris Doctor and Master of Laws, Capital University

Family: Divorced, two children

A quiet storm As BakerHostetler’s new managing partner Mark Hatcher settles in his role, he reflects on what it took to get him there.

M

ark Hatcher is weeks into his promotion to managing partner at BakerHostetler, a position he’s had in his sights for years, but his path there certainly wasn’t linear.

He remembers the day he looked at himself and wondered if he was where he was meant to be. Regardless, the path he was on was headed toward wasted potential, he says. But since, he’s spent every day working to prove that his greatness was there all along to his peers, mentors, family and even his younger self, a Black youth raised in Detroit.

Hatcher grew up on the west side of that city with his parents—his

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mom, a Detroit public school teacher, and his dad, a skilled laborer for General Motors. After school he played football, basketball and was on the swim team. And by the influence of his parents, it was a no-brainer that one day he would go to college.

In high school Hatcher was pushed to be involved and participated in several after-school programs, namely a pre-engineering program at Michigan State University during his senior year which solidified his plan to continue studying the program at the university following high school.

But after Hatcher shared his plans, a teacher at his high school gave him a piece of advice, and for some reason, he knew not to question it. “[The teacher] said, ‘You need to leave the state of Michigan, you need to see something more, because if you stay here, you’ll end up staying here forever.’”

So Hatcher applied and was accepted at Ohio State University in 1993, which he chose for its proximity to home. And to answer the burning question, he wasn’t aware of the OSU versus Michigan rivalry until he got there, but says he learned quickly.

It wasn’t until he was at OSU that Hatcher realized he grew up in what’s considered a lower socioeconomic status, he says. Most shocking to him was the difference in culture from Detroit to Columbus, regardless of proximity.

“One of the things I saw that impacted me and a lot of other young Black students coming from inner city environments, coming to Ohio State was somewhat of a culture shock because you’re coming from a community that’s so homogenous,” Hatcher says. “Where I grew up in Detroit, the only time I saw people who were not Black was probably at school and they were my teachers.”

Mark Hatcher, managing partner, BakerHostetler

I really wanted to be impactful to the community and to people that grew up in places like where I grew up ...

Mark Hatcher, managing partner, BakerHostetler

It wasn’t easy, but Hatcher worked to adapt and felt even more motivated, he says. Soon after making it to OSU, he changed his major from engineering to criminology, determined to make a difference for communities like his hometown.

He graduated from OSU in 1997 and started working as a probation officer for the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas in the adult probation department, where he stayed for five years.

“I really wanted to be impactful to the community and to people that grew up in places like where I grew up and show that there’s a different way of living your life,” Hatcher says.

Quickly, he noticed that the criminal justice system is much more complex than he imagined, and the people looking to make change in their lives often were deprived of necessary resources. He wanted to change the system but knew he needed a more influential role first, so he started considering a career as a lawyer.

But what made him take the plunge were the adults he met through his probation role, many who had the potential to be great but weren’t taking the opportunity, he says. That forced him to wonder if he was doing the same.

“I was self-reflecting and that’s what led me to the law—I want to change not just people’s lives, but systems,” Hatcher says. “... It wasn’t until I looked in the mirror that I said, ‘You know what? You can be the change that you’re looking for. But maybe it needs to be in a different way, to become influential. Maybe what you do is become a lawyer and be impactful to organizations and communities that serve people who look like you.’”

It was fast moving from there.

Hatcher attended Tiffin University for his master’s in criminal justice, a move meant to earn the grades needed to get into law school. He graduated from Tiffin with straight A’s, he says.

He studied for the Law School Admissions Test for a full year, read books and even watched movies to help him get prepared.

In 2002, he enrolled as an evening student at Capital University Law School. At the same time, he continued to work for Franklin County and was promoted to director of the adult rehabilitation program. He prides January 2022 l ColumbusCEO

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Q&A Mark Hatcher on the work still needed toward DE&I efforts.

How are businesses still lacking in diversity, equity and inclusion efforts?

Each industry is different, but ultimately, what I think it is, is [businesses need to] stop eliminating the notion that [they] can’t find qualified people. If you can’t find qualified people, the question becomes, where are you looking? When we talk about it from the legal perspective, we go to the law schools, and law schools have low enrollment with diverse law students, whether we’re talking about Black law students, or Latino or Asian, or LGBTQ+, their enrollment is low. But there are other places where we can go where they do have more law students that fit that bill … Being intentional needs to happen across the board and eliminating the reasons why we can’t find diverse talent—just go out and do it.

What’s something companies can do today to be more educated and welcoming in the workplace?

Simply talk to your people. Ask them what motivates them, ask them what can be done to make the workplace more inclusive and a better place. There have been very few times in my career that I’ve been asked that question. But when I have been, it yields results… I think a huge component that’s missing is engaging with people on an individual level. Once you do that, you’ll recognize that we have more in common than we have apart.

What has BakerHostetler done toward D&I efforts?

It starts again with our strategic plan, and the items, the issues, the structures that have manifested themselves out of that, starting with the appointment of our [inclusion and diversity] director, Leah Fisher. Leah has implemented the diversity council and a series of programs and strategies to improve the hiring and retention of diverse lawyers. Whether that’s gender, ethnicity or sexual orientation … We’re reimagining how we do things and being more intentional.

himself in taking what he learned from Tiffin and rewriting the program’s curriculum.

And once Hatcher was at Capital it was like he was made for the occasion: He made the dean’s list his first year and was one of few Black students at the time to serve on the law review, let alone on the board of editors. He also had a goal during law school, which has since translated to his day-to-day life, to help better prepare diverse students for law school the way he felt he was. He served on both the regional and national boards for the Black Law Student Association and used his role to help students get ahead.

And while it would be assumed he would study criminal law, he knew he was ready to enter a new arena. After taking a class on business associations and tax he was set on shaping his future around business, and he had hopes to work at a large firm like BakerHostetler. An opportunity to join the team could come following the firm’s recruitment visit to Capital, which typically leads to just one student getting hired, he says, but he wanted to be strategic.

So Hatcher drove to Chicago ahead of that visit to see the firm at a diversity job fair, despite many of his peers judging him for the choice.

By the time BakerHostetler came to Capital, Hatcher had already accepted his spot in the summer associate program, comparable to an internship. He converted to a full-time law student, quit his probation job and was a member of the program in 2006.

The same year, Hatcher earned his Juris Doctor and Master of Laws in business and taxation and corporate governance and finance as part of a dual program, which he took on to help prove himself as a

business lawyer.

Hatcher has been with BakerHostetler’s Columbus firm ever since, starting as a full-time associate in 2006 and being promoted to partner in 2014 by former managing partner Ron Linville after successfully following a seven-year track at the firm, a massive undertaking that many end up extending, Hatcher says.

In 2009, Hatcher continued building on his leadership efforts by participating in Columbus’ African American Leadership Academy, co-led by Donna James, chairwoman for Victoria’s Secret. He remembers the day he told her his hopes of becoming managing partner, and years later, she’s not too surprised he made it happen.

“Mark has this humility about him, which is real,” James says. “But sometimes we think humble people aren’t assertive and go-getters. But Mark has that right balance of humility, and appropriate assertiveness that you want in a lawyer, or you want in any leader.”

In 2016, Linville promoted Hatcher again to hiring partner, putting him in charge of finding new, diverse talent and running the summer associate program—the lifeblood of BakerHostetler, Hatcher says.

There were already initiatives in place to help hire diverse talent, namely the firm’s Paul White scholarship for diverse law students, named after BakerHostetler’s first minority partner based out of Cleveland. When Linville hired Hatcher, he told him to continue expanding on those efforts.

As of December, BakerHostetler employs 106 people in Columbus, but has 1,792 employees across its 17 offices. Currently of the Columbus associates, 53 percent are women and 24 percent are diverse. Of the partners,

Mark Hatcher

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in Columbus through high school to give him guidance. By leaving Detroit earlier than he did, Hatcher hoped his brother could avoid the same culture shock he felt himself.

Kyle went to Olentangy schools and got a full-ride scholarship to the University of Cincinnati.

Regularly, Hatcher mentors students in law school and offers suggested reading and tips on how to prepare. He also is the chairman of the board for Central State University, a historically Black college, a board he’s sat on since 2014. The school has a small enrollment, he says, and around 80 percent are first generation college students, many from urban areas. While he almost turned the offer down, he knew he wanted to make a lasting difference.

Since Hatcher’s service on the board, the university went from an only teaching institution to a teaching and research institution,

Donna James

File/Columbus Dispatch/JEFFRY KONCZAL

24 percent are women and 11 percent are diverse.

Firmwide, the summer associate program has successfully attracted diverse talent, Hatcher says. In 2021, 69 percent of participants were women and 72 percent were diverse.

These numbers are a manifestation of BakerHostetler’s strategic plan for inclusion and diversity (the nomenclature is meant to be switched, Hatcher says). The efforts were spearheaded by Paul Schmidt, chairman of BakerHostetler, with the help of Hatcher. Both served on the firmwide diversity committee prior to the strategic plan’s launch.

The plan started with consultants looking at each of the firm’s offices for areas of improvement. What came from it was the hiring of Director of Inclusion and Diversity Leah Fisher, who implemented an inclusion and diversity council to elevate the voices of the diversity committee, and programming in 2020 to help oversee the strategic plan.

For Schmidt, working with Hatcher toward diversity and inclusion efforts reaffirmed why he continues to be a great fit for the firm and for managing partner. He was appointed to the role late 2021 and began in January 2022.

“He’s a type of person who’s very open, very willing to share, very focused on mentoring,” Schmidt says.

“Not just trying to explain to us as the firm, how important that is, mentoring and coaching, but frankly how important it is with respect to all of our other lawyers and certainly in connection with our diverse lawyers.

We get a lot of great insights into that [with Hatcher].”

Mentoring and coaching is something Hatcher holds close to his heart. It started when he asked his brother, Kyle, who is 20 years younger than him, to move in with him

“Mark has this humility about him, which is real. But sometimes we think humble people aren’t assertive and go-getters. But Mark has that right balance of humility and appropriate assertiveness that you want in a lawyer, or you want in any leader.”

Donna James, co-executive director, African American Leadership Academy

accomplished by achieving 1890 Land-Grant status, which enabled the university to bring forth agricultural research, education and various other programs.

“My goal is to get that spark to go off with them a lot earlier than it did for me. If I can do that, I’ve done my job,” Hatcher says.

Hatcher also sits on various other boards including the Ohio Minority Supplier Development Council, Columbus Next Generation and the Isabelle Ridgway Foundation.

For former managing partner Gary Wadman, who has been with the firm since 1984, Hatcher’s dedication to the community is exactly why he was such a strong candidate for the position.

“Those skills are going to be absolutely essential to managing this office,” Wadman says. “If you can handle a board of folks out in the community or a university, those are skills that you can use to help manage a law firm.”

And for the future of BakerHostetler, Hatcher, 47, already has plans to continue being a voice in the community now more than ever, and expects his team to become more engaged, too.

“I always talk about the three T’s: time, treasure and talent. So, my expectation is that every lawyer that works here, really everyone that works here will engage the community in some way with one of those three T’s.”

Hatcher also plans on continuing to push for a more inclusive firm, a necessity that starts with an atmosphere where questions are welcome and conversations are had, he says.

And with any work Hatcher does, he hopes to be a role model to young people looking to see someone in a leadership role that looks like them to know that they, too, can make it happen. For those kids, Hatcher has this advice: “Never give up,” Hatcher says. “...

I promise you, if you go back to my high school, or meet someone that knew me, even in undergrad and tell them where I’m at now, many of them would not believe me. But I never let anything dictate my outcome and my trajectory. I’ve always believed in myself—I would encourage them to do the same.”

Jess Deyo is associate editor.

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TECH TALK

By CYNTHIA BENT FINDLAY

COVID-sniffing canines Bio-Detection K9 is using French biotech funds to expand.

W

hat if instead of a swab invading your sinus, a dog sniffed you to see if you had COVID-19?

Bio-Detection K9 may make that a reality. The Columbus business already uses dogs to detect agricultural diseases, and it just received a $5 million investment from French biotech firm Neovacs S.A. to take its services to a broader market.

Wade Morrell, CEO and owner of BDK9 Holdings, got his start at Priority One Canine, a tech-assisted canine protection firm based in Columbus.

Photo courtesy Robb McCormick Photography

Wade Morrell

Bio-Detection K9 1200 South Pointe Drive, Zanesville 43071 Bdk9.com BUSINESS: Canine disease detection CEO: Wade Morrell EMPLOYEES: 17 INVESTMENT TO DATE: At least $19 million

14 ColumbusCEO l January 2022

Priority One attained global reach after competing in 2014 on Shark Tank with its drones, which help extend a canine crew’s reach by alerting clients’ dogs to perimeter breaches on large properties.

In September, Morrell and a client investor purchased Bio-Detection K9 with an eye on applying Morrell’s model of tech-assisted canines to biodetection.

Bio-Detection K9 was founded in Alabama in 2011 with dogs able to detect citrus canker in orange groves and diseases in tomatoes and stone fruit trees. The business has won $14 million in U.S. Department of Agriculture contracts.

Morrell is ready to launch an expansion of the dogs’ reach using overhead surveillance of farms. Meanwhile, BDK9’s lead scientist found a way to isolate COVID-19 proteins and train dogs to sniff them out on samples–and people.

The process is simple. Test subjects line up 6 feet apart, each holding a mask they’ve worn in their left hand.

The dog gives a quick sniff to each and sits down next to anyone they sense as positive.

“For a PCR test, the cost is $40 to $120. Our dogs can run a group of people in 30 seconds for $2 per person,” Morrell says. From there, he says, positives are usually referred for PCR testing.

Researchers have published studies indicating canines detect COVID with an accuracy of around 94 percent–reflecting BDK9’s own double blind studies in actual people.

“To us, a dog is one of most accurate and proficient sensors to date,” Morrell says.

BDK9 is working to commercialize that potential. The company has worked with performers, including singer-songwriter Eric Church, to test backstage personnel at concerts, and with NASCAR testing drivers

Federal funds could boost fuel cells in Ohio THE FEDERAL Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and Build Back Better plan have the potential to spark huge growth in the hydrogen fuel cell industry here in Ohio.

Fuel cells use hydrogen to power vehicles, among other things, with zero carbon emissions, and are found in myriad applications including forklifts in Amazon warehouses.

The infrastructure act allocates an $8 billion towards establishing four regional hydrogen hubs throughout the U.S., a step toward making hydrogen as a fuel commercially viable.

The proposed Build Back Better legislation also contains a fuel subsidy of up to $3 per gallon for green hydrogen users.

Columbus companies PhMatter and sister firm Power to Hydrogen are looking toward manufacturing of green hydrogen electrolyzers within the next few years— machines that produce hydrogen from solar or wind electricity at a cost competitive with natural gas.

“This could be huge for Ohio,” says Alex Zorniger, Power to Hydrogen’s spokesman. “There are situations where we can already produce green hydrogen for $3 per kilogram [equivalent to a gallon of gasoline]. The subsidy could put hydrogen completely on par with fossil fuels, which would be transformational for hydrogen and clean energy.” and crews at races.

Morrell says the company can scale quickly, especially given the investment from Neovacs S.A., which is focused on the human disease detection research. It takes only 10 weeks to train a dog to detect a specific odor, and the company currently has 15 dogs in training.

BDK9, which relocated to Columbus this fall and is working on finalizing a Zanesville facility, is also working on sepsis detection in health care settings. Other canine research indicates dogs may be able to screen for cancer in humans.

Cynthia Bent Findlay is a freelance writer.

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HEATING. COOLING. PLUMBING. LEADING. INSPIRING. CARING. Congratulations to a guy who can do it all.

Congratulations to our President, Michael Swepston, on being named to the Columbus CEO Future 50 class of 2022!

The entire Atlas Butler team is proud of you! Your impact on our company and our community is enormous and your place on this list is so incredibly well-deserved. Congratulations!

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CLASS OF 2022

Forward momentum AS WE HEAD INTO ITS THIRD YEAR,

the shape of the Future 50 program is continuing to reveal itself.

The basics have remained the same—bring 50 of Columbus’ most talented innovators together to tackle some of the city’s biggest challenges, all while having fun getting to know

one another—but each cohort has its own personality.

If we had to sum up the class of 2022, we’d say driven. This collection of entrepreneurs, public servants, musicians, artists, educators and dreamers is all about getting things done, whether that’s fighting racism in

housing or growing food on Mars.

The class plans to gather in January for a pitch session and class vote to set the annual projects they’ll pursue. Let’s hope the COVID pandemic wanes more permanently, clearing the way for many more in-person meetings in 2022.

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C O N T E N T S 22

Abdul Akel

CEO and co-founder, T-cetra 22

Alex Ditty

Head of content and marketing, Ohio State University Alumni Association 23

Alida Smith

Chief marketing officer, Pelotonia 23

Almar Walter

Vice president of diversity, equity, and inclusion and chief diversity officer, Columbus State Community College 24

Amanda Turner

Executive director, Preventing Tobacco Addiction Foundation/Tobacco 21 24

Amit Chandna

President and CEO, HLG 25

Amy Gordon

Executive director and CEO, Communities In Schools of Ohio 25

Andrea Devier

Associate vice president of grants and data management, LifeCare Alliance 26

Andrew Mills

Assistant head of school and head of high school, Harvest Preparatory School 26

Antoinette Bell

President and CEO, Phoenix Consulting Co.

Ariana UlloaOlavarrieta

28

Executive coach - Lights Regional Innovation Network, Ohio University 28

Aslyne Rodriguez

Director of government affairs, Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA)

29

Ben Kelley

Partner at Kelley Cos., owner of Emmett’s Cafe 29

Betsy Bankhurst

President, Basement Doctor 30

Brad Kaplan

Founder, CEO, dough curator and driver, Lion Cub’s Cookies 30

Brian Higgins

Principal, Arch City Development 31

Brian Pierson

Vice president of community health and well-being, Mount Carmel Health System 31

Charles Hill

Vice president, programs and operations, Columbus Urban League 32

Chevonne Harris

Founder and CEO, brand strategist, ThriveIN 32

Chris Suel

Assistant director of community affairs, Office of the Mayor, City of Columbus 33

Dean Tran

CEO, Cultivate Geospatial Solutions 33

Devin Schaffer

VP (Legal) - Corporate/M&A/ Securities, Cardinal Health 34

Ian Labitue

Director of business development and strategy, Kaufman Development 34

Imran Nuri

36

36

Janet Chen

CEO, ProMusica Chamber Orchestra

Jim Bruner

Sultan of systems/alpha farmer, Mezzacello Urban Farm, PAST Foundation, Ohio Invention Convention 37

Karen Hewitt

Associate director, Leadership Columbus 37

Kashif Smiley

Director, head of tech recruiting, Capital One 38

Keryna Johnson

Project coordinator for Convergence Columbus, Mortgage Bankers Association 38

Kevin Grabeman

Shareholder/consultant, McGohan Brabender 39

Latisha Chastang

Deputy chief, community services, Ohio Department of Development 39

Marty McDonald

Executive vice president, Fahlgren Mortine 40

Melissa Starr

Chief program officer, Jewish Family Services 40

Michael Swepston

President, Atlas Butler 41

Mike Hochron

Social program administrator, Franklin County CSEA

Founder and CEO, 52 Million Project 35

Jennifer Sanders

Portfolio manager, Midwest regional office, AmeriCorps

42

Neethi Johnson

VP, digital strategy, JPMorgan Chase

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Congratulations!

To our P T President, id t

Shyam Rajadhyaksha for being selected to

Columbus CEO’s

42

Nikki Stead

Vice president, people services, Donatos 43

Noelle Arnold

Senior associate dean, Ohio State University College of Education and Human Ecology 43

Paula O’Reilly

Office managing director/financial services lead Midwest, Accenture 44

Rachel Bloomekatz

Principal and founder, Bloomekatz Law 44

Rick Ricart

President, Ricart Automotive 45

Sangeeta Lakhani

46

Sarai Exil

Co-founder and president, Student Success Stores, and manager of inclusion and diversity, Dick’s Sporting Goods 47

Shyam Rajadhyaksha

47

Spencer Jordan

Vice president of leasing, Steiner + Associates 48

Trent Smith

Executive director, Franklinton Board of Trade

Ukeme Awakessien Jeter

48

Partner, Taft Stettinius & Hollister

Sara McKinniss

Marketing director, FST Logistics 46

Sarah Townes

Chief marketing and innovation officer, Experience Columbus

From everyone at The Asian American Commerce Group

Principal, Xcellium

Executive director Service! A Relief Effort for Hospitality Industry Workers 45

Future 50!

PROFILES BY:

Katy Smith and Jess Deyo

WhO’S mOvIng and ShakIng thIS WEEk? Find out when you become a Columbus CEO Insider Stay up-to-date with Columbus CEO’s mobile-friendly enewsletter. Delivered straight to your inbox each week, Columbus CEO Insider has the latest Central Ohio executive news and happenings, as well as local events and more.

Sign-up today at ColumbusCEO.com January 2022 l ColumbusCEO

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12/17/21 1:34 PM

ADVERTISEMENT

Innovation Requires Time and Space for New Ideas

I

By Mike Bukach, Director, Employee Engagement at CoverMyMeds

nnovation is a muscle that must be flexed. However, when you’re hyper-focused on completing your weekly to-do list, it’s not always easy to think outside the box, let alone allocate hours of the day to brainstorm big-picture ideas.

That’s why CoverMyMeds hosts biannual Innovation Days, an opportunity for our employees to dedicate time and space to exercise their creativity.

What began as a one-off hackathon for a software development team in 2017 has since expanded to become a company-wide, week-long event for all employees.

ENGINEERING HACKATHON TURNED COMPANY-WIDE EVENT

Josh Applebaum, director of channel operations at CoverMyMeds, founded the inaugural Innovation Days hackathon in collaboration with Agile Coach Tyler Overton.

“When I started at CoverMyMeds, our software development team was always busy doing heads-down work to fulfill commitments to our clients, which didn’t always provide our engineers with enough flexibility to innovate,” Josh says. “When you hire really smart and talented people like CoverMyMeds does, that rigidity can be limiting.”

The first Innovation Days event was Josh and Tyler’s solution to that challenge, and it’s expanded every year to encourage employees from across the company to participate—no matter what department they work in.

Over the past four years, there have been about 40 winning Innovation Days ideas, with no two the same.

“The best, most innovative ideas don’t always come from the same type of employee—and definitely not always from the top-down,” Josh says.

“For example, an account coordinator who spends hours on the phone with our end users understands our technology better than anyone, so they’re

020-021_AD-CoverMyMeds_future50.indd 20

equipped to provide suggestions for process improvements and technology tweaks.”

ANY IDEA CAN BE INNOVATIVE—NOT JUST TECHNOLOGY

Beyond process improvements and technology tweaks—of which there have been dozens, according to Josh—one cultural improvement project to come from a past Innovation Days was ACES, our Alternative Commuting & Environmental Sustainability employee resource group. What began as a bid to improve carpooling to work has morphed into an ongoing push for socially and environmentally responsible practices at CoverMyMeds.

In other words—any idea can be innovative. Tyler agrees.

“CoverMyMeds doesn’t necessarily hire people to solve sustainability challenges, but our employees have lives

outside the workplace and passions they want to pursue,” Tyler says. “Our Innovation Days go beyond technology to encourage employees to assess their environment as a whole and discover new ways to improve it.”

INNOVATION DESERVES ITS OWN TIME AND SPACE

It’s essential to dedicate time and space for ideas to bloom, while removing barriers for employees to intermingle thoughts and share perspectives between technical and non-technical workers.

“As we look to plan future Innovation Days, we’re especially eager to get even more team members involved,” Tyler says. “By incorporating diversity of thought from across the company into Innovation Days, we can pave the way for even more dynamic conversations and game-changing ideas than ever before.”

Three CoverMyMeds employees work on an Innovation Days project at the new Columbus campus

12/17/21 1:50 PM

Innovating from anywhere.

See how we’re helping patients and view open positions at experience.covermymeds.com.

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12/17/21 1:50 PM

Abdul Akel

Alex Ditty

Photo ROB HARDIN

CEO and co-founder, T-cetra

Head of content and marketing, Ohio State University Alumni Association

COMMUNITY: Akel’s team created crowd fundraising platform NeighborRelief with Columbusbased GroundWork group.

COMMUNITY: Columbus Startup Week, Besa

IDEA: My vision is a holistic neighborhood transformation program based on equity, access and innovation. The plan would include identifying at-risk communities, working with local government to facilitate economic opportunities, providing digital inclusion and financial education in neighborhood schools, and developing public/private revitalization partnerships for local businesses, including a mentorship program and fiscal support for local business owners. The plan would address issues of poverty and unemployment by creating resources and equipping individuals on the most local level, and then scaling from there. I am

IDEA: The Future 50 represents a broad range of backgrounds and skill sets that put the group in a unique position to support this growth of our next generation of leaders. I recommend the individuals selected to be a part of the Future 50 work on community outreach to mentor students in underrepresented communities.

From our broad range of professional experience and diverse networks, this outreach can help young people find their passion and ways to connect with their community. Through this mentorship, we can help identify the ideas that will solve the problems for the next generation.

Abdul Akel

an immigrant entrepreneur entrenched in underserved communities. I understand the culture and the inherent trust that exists in the local neighborhood. As the Cen-

tral Ohio economy booms for the middle-class and the affluent, the gap will only widen if we don’t have a plan in place that fosters long-term growth for all.

Photo ROB HARDIN

Alex Ditty

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Almar Walter

COMMUNITY: Board service with Central Ohio Diversity Consortium, African-American Leadership Academy, the Black Heritage Library & Multicultural Center and more. Volunteer with Bread of Life Homeless Outreach, mentoring program for Mifflin Middle School, MidOhio Food Bank, American Red Cross, Rock the Vote,

IDEA: Future 50 could work with local companies and institutions of education to address the critical need for more diverse board representation. The project could help identify barriers and structures that enable the mismatch between homogenous boards and a diverse community to persist. We would identify and ready an inclusive slate of diverse candidates qualified to meet board vacancies. By tapping into partners in our community who are subject experts, we have an opportunity to develop a pathway for existing and emerging leaders of color to have greater access to serve on boards.

Alida Smith

Alida Smith

Chief marketing officer, Pelotonia COMMUNITY: Causes around early childhood education, food pantries and hunger prevention, and dismantling institutional racism. Board member for Broad Street Food Pantry and Broad Street Neighborhood Ministries Council.

Columbus Early Learning Centers supporter.

IDEA: Integrated arts spaces in every Columbus neighborhood for community enlightenment, engagement and enjoyment. Neighborhoods

would define their local vision and partner with our premier arts, science and museum institutions to implement and sustain their ideas. See it: An amphitheater hosting visual music performances with CCAD and CAPA. A neighborhood science-as-art exhibit with COSI and the Columbus Museum of Art. A garden art exhibition space with Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens and Columbus Idea Foundry. A music education venue that explores rhythm through dance and drums with the Columbus Symphony and Flavor’d Flow Studio. An outdoor kitchen and community garden for nutrition and cooking classes with Ohio State’s College of Food Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and Columbus chefs.

Photo TIM JOHNSON

Photo by ROB HARDIN

Vice president of diversity, equity and inclusion and chief diversity officer, Columbus State Community College

March of Dimes, Coats for Christmas and the Ronald McDonald House.

Almar Walter

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Amanda Turner

Photo TIM JOHNSON

Executive director, Preventing Tobacco Addiction Foundation/ Tobacco 21

Amit Chandna

COMMUNITY: Immedi-

ate past president, Dress for Success Columbus; planning and development committee, Clintonville Area Commission; board member for North Broadway School; and campaign volunteer, Franklin County Democratic Party.

President and CEO, Horticulture Lighting Group

COMMUNITY: Amit works with local and out-of-state schools, greenhouses and education sectors by donating and advocating for nextgeneration, environmentally friendly and low-emission grow lights.

IDEA: With the United Way

Amanda Turner

The survey combined with recent U.S. Census data could be organized on a GIS (geographic information systems) map that these organizations can use to identify neighborhoods with the greatest need and move

Photo ROB HARDIN

of Central Ohio, Columbus Foundation, Franklin County commissioners and city of Columbus, Future 50 could survey a select group of local organizations, city agencies and private companies to examine structural poverty with specific reference to: 1) access to affordable housing, 2) prenatal, infant and early childhood care, 3) reproductive health, and 4) workforce development.

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the needle on meaningful change there. The high-resolution reference map could graphically display areas of need and service gaps in an accessible, interactive web-based format for the community and its leaders.

IDEA: I would like to work

on a project with educational institutions on the amazing capabilities of LED lighting as it relates to horticulture (science, growing food on Mars, plants, digital farming).

Amit Chandna Amit Chandna

12/15/21 1:33 PM

Andrea Devier

Amy Gordon

Associate vice president of grants and data management, LifeCare Alliance COMMUNITY: Volunteer for Meals-on-Wheels since 2014; board of trustees with Community Shares of Mid-Ohio since 2018 and now vice chair; and president of the local chapter of the Grant Professionals Association.

IDEA: As a white female, I am acutely aware of the privileges I receive

Amy Gordon

Executive director and CEO, Communities In Schools of Ohio COMMUNITY: Amy is involved in her church and mentoring teenagers.

IDEA: I would love to foster ongoing dialogue and relationship-building across our racially and ethnically diverse communities and socioeconomic neighbor-

hoods, urban and suburban schools, and other places of divergence throughout Columbus. These interactions would be intentional, informed and guided with the goal of bringing understanding, open communication and healing. They would have similarity to and be a combination of the goals seen in the Columbus Foundation’s “Big Table” dialogues, the United Way’s poverty simulations, and the Racial Healing Circles led by Otterbein University to introduce conversation, reduce barriers and increase understanding of a variety of lived experiences across different sectors.

because of my skin color.

We must continue on the path to racial justice. As we’ve heard many leaders say, it is not enough to not be racist. You must be anti-racist. And white community members must be a part of dismantling the systems that were designed to keep our fellow Black Americans disenfranchised. I propose the Future 50 class tackle racial justice and awareness of how Columbus has not been immune to systemic racism. Our city has its own history of redlining, segregation and discrimination that we need to address. Our class would collect this information and produce an educational campaign to raise awareness and bring about change.

Photo ROB HARDIN

Photo ROB HARDIN

Andrea Devier

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Andrew Mills

Photo TIM JOHNSON

Assistant head of school and head of high school, Harvest Preparatory School COMMUNITY: Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership, local church youth volunteer IDEA: Develop a leadership

Andrew Mills

Photo ROB HARDIN

program where any student is eligible to participate and provide them with the opportunity to learn about leadership, see leadership in action, and then use their new-found skills by conducting a community service project, all with the backing of the organizations and companies represented among the Future 50.

Toni Bell

Toni Bell President and CEO, Phoenix Consulting Co.

COMMUNITY: Board mem-

ber, Columbus Metropolitan Club, Columbus Landmarks Foundation, Amethyst, Buckeye Ranch and Ohio Diversity Latino Consor-

tium. Community of Caring Development Foundation committee member, National Speakers Association member and co-founder of Heritage Tours.

IDEA: We can create last-

ing positive change in the community via a project called RASK—random acts of senseless kindness. The idea is just to have people do acts of kindness that

can be small but meaningful. We can set that up as a neighborhood-by-neighborhood project that would easily be replicated. We would develop a web page to tell the stories of RASK. Not only can we be a great place to live, work and raise a family, we could be one of the kindest communities in the nation and offer a roadmap for other people to follow.

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Building Better Businesses & Celebrating Local Leaders We are proud to celebrate success in our communities. Congratulations to all of the Future 50 recipients!

BBB is a community based resource, a trusted advisor, and a partner in business.

We strive to elevate local businesses and leaders that are making a positive impact in our community. To learn more about our recognition programs and BBB Accreditation, visit BBB.org

®

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Aslyne Rodriguez

Photo TIM JOHNSON

Aslyne Rodriguez

Director of government affairs, Central Ohio Transit Authority

COMMUNITY: Boards, YMCA, Mid-Ohio Food Collective, Zora’s House, South Side Thrive, Latina Mentoring Academy, Otterbein University Women & Leadership, New Leadership Council Advisory Board

Ariana Ulloa-Olavarrieta Executive coach, Lights Regional Innovation Network, Ohio University COMMUNITY: Boards of Mid-Ohio Food Collective, Avanza Together and Community Capital Development Corp.

Ariana Ulloa-Olavarrieta

IDEA: Work with the human

services sector to provide services for our neighbors in need. Currently, the Mid-Ohio Food Collective is opening hubs throughout the city that include a fresh market and other potential partners to provide a onestop-shop for health and food to anyone in need.

Could a team of 50 brilliant minds come together to find a way to open these at a more rapid pace in key parts of our city? To change the trajectory of our community’s health issues and provide opportunities for growth. To become the national model for what’s possible when a city comes together to support our neighbors.

Photo TIM JOHNSON

IDEA: As NPR reported, “As record-high heat hammers much of the country, a new study shows that in American cities, residents of low-income neighborhoods and communities of color endure far higher temperatures than people who live in whiter, wealthier areas.”

With higher heat comes more air pollution and health implications. I propose a “plant a tree” project. As trees grow, they help stop climate change by removing carbon dioxide from the air.

Trees offer cooling shade, block cold winter winds, sustain birds and wildlife, prevent soil erosion, clean our water, and add grace and beauty to our communities. I would like to plant over 50 trees in neighborhoods with the highest heat index in Franklin County.

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12/15/21 1:32 PM

Photo TIM JOHNSON

Betsy Bankhurst

Ben Kelley

President, Basement Doctor COMMUNITY: Board of Special Olympics of Ohio, corporate ambassador for LifeTown, 100-mile rider and fundraising chair for Pelotonia.

IDEA: Columbus could be a green city. I’ve seen many efforts by the city, private businesses and advocacy groups in recent years working on this goal. Today, more than ever, people are environmentally conscious.

Recycling, adopting energyconserving practices in

Ben Kelley

Partner at Kelley Cos., owner of Emmett’s Café COMMUNITY: COSI Community board member IDEA: To showcase the diverse and incredible creative talent we have in this city, I would love to

see Columbus CEO host a public event highlighting our local chefs, bartenders, makers and artists. It could be hosted on the Columbus Commons and expand into the surrounding streets, but it would include a curated list of people and experiences that puts Columbus and what we love about this city on display. After a year of uncertainty, it is time to celebrate the amazing talent we have in our backyard and the people who bring Columbus to life.

the home and turning to renewable energy sources gains more traction each year. Each person who participates in a meaningful way adds to the collective impact. I’d love to see each of the Future 50 publicly commit to adopt just one or more new sustainable practices in their life and challenge their social networks to do the same. This is how habits are formed, and the wave of effort to take Columbus to a greener level can be achieved.

Betsy Bankhurst Photo ROB HARDIN

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Brad Kaplan

Photo TIM JOHNSON

Living, Nationwide Children’s Hospital’s Healthy Neighborhoods Healthy Families Realty Collaborative, Parsons Area Merchants Association, Short North Civic Association, Victorian Village Architectural Review Commission, Victorian Village Society, All Aboard Ohio, South Side Renaissance, Franklin County Foreclosure Response Work Group, and various urban design and transit collaborations.

Brad Kaplan

Founder, CEO, dough curator and driver, Lion Cub’s Cookies COMMUNITY: Lion Cub’s Cookies has donated thousands of cookies to charitable causes and is involved with Ronald McDonald House of Central Ohio and Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Rise Sister Rise, Serious Fun, Flying Horse Farms and Pelotonia.

IDEA: The Future 50 could help usher in the next wave of successful entrepreneurs, creating jobs, opportunities, community engagement and future diversity of thought. The first step is pooling our resources to create a fund—this is the easy part though, and is not within itself uniquely impactful. The unique part here comes from the collection of experiences, wisdom and diversity of thought that lives within the Future 50. We could

create a program where participants would receive mentorship and coaching from the Future 50. These people will benefit greatly from working closely with the Future 50. I’m imagining how much I would benefit from time with 50 of the most inspiring people in Columbus.

Brian Higgins

Principal, Arch City Development COMMUNITY: Board service with All Inclusive

IDEA: With two kids on the autism spectrum, I don’t know what my children’s lives are going to be like, especially when I am gone. I would like to find a way to create mixed-income, supportive housing for families facing challenges like ours. The housing would need to be affordable, but I wouldn’t want to exclude people that do have financial resources.

There should be therapies and other supportive resources available on-site, a space for people with sensory needs and quiet areas. Hopefully, it could be in a walkable community with access to jobs.

Photo TIM JOHNSON

Brian Higgins

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Photo ROB HARDIN

Charles Hill

Vice president, programs and operations, Columbus Urban League COMMUNITY: United Way of Central Ohio Key Club, Harvest Preparatory School coach IDEA: I would like to see Future 50 develop a sustainable program similar to what Joe DeLoss and Hot Chicken Takeover have done. His program helps people who are re-entering society and

giving them opportunity.

Future 50 could expand on that idea and create a clear pathway for justiceinvolved citizens to get a trade skill and help with the affordable housing situation in our community. Success could be measured by the number of jobs completed and by the number of fulltime hires. We can train these citizens on how to rehab vacant properties in our city and provide quality homes. The group can work on getting stipend money from corporate partners to pay the tradespeople while they are learning, and then companies can hire them for future projects within the community.

This project could bring hope and opportunity to communities that are often underrepresented.

Brian Pierson

Vice president of community health and well-being, Mount Carmel Health System COMMUNITY: Boards of Concord Counseling Services, Physicians Care Connection and First Responder’s Bridge.

IDEA: Our community faces challenges including racism, intolerance, and a lack of access to health care. It is clear: Economic inequality has ties to many of the obstacles

we face as a community.

As leaders, we can drive the conversation around ways to support economic prosperity beyond wealth.

Economic prosperity refers to how someone is compensated, not what they are compensated, allowing them to create a stable environment to support themselves and their families. The snowball effect of poor compensation and gaps in benefits within our community can have devastating impacts on lives. To combat this, the Future 50 class should come together to host a series of community roundtables that encourage open conversation around steps business leaders can take to influence change.

Photo ROB HARDIN

Brian Pierson

Charles Hill

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Chevonne Harris

Photo TIM JOHNSON

Chevonne Harris

Founder and CEO, brand strategist, ThriveIN

Chris Suel

COMMUNITY: National Association of Black Journalists, Columbus Urban League Young Professionals, Eryn PiNK Girl Empowerment Organization, Columbus Commission on Black Girls, Women at Work Initiative IDEA: As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, more people than ever are making the leap into entrepreneurship. While people of color are more likely to start a business than any group, specifically Black women, there is a significant gap in access to capital and operational revenue for Black and brown individuals. I propose a citywide pitch competition for Black and brown business owners, current or aspiring.

But this isn’t your typical pitch competition. This is #NextLevelGiving. Beyond

Assistant director of community affairs, Office of the Mayor, City of Columbus COMMUNITY: Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Alpha Rho Lambda, Central Community House, Starfish Alliance

a large-scale monetary prize (consider a corporate partner), the winners would receive mentorship, oneyear complimentary work space (such as COhatch

or WeWork), a technology makeover (laptops, printers, software), access to pitch to potential investors and complimentary marketing and accounting services.

IDEA: Each year, the Future 50 could choose a school within Columbus City Schools and lead a backto-school drive. Every year, students struggle with receiving school items. This drive could be for the second half of the school year instead of the beginning.

The drive would provide students with essential items after winter break to start the new year replenished and ready for the second half of the year.

Photo TIM JOHNSON

Chris Suel

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12/15/21 1:15 PM

Devin Schaffer

Dean Tran

Vice president, corporate/M&A/ securities, Cardinal Health COMMUNITY: Reaching the Nations International, Cardinal Health Associates Fund, Boys Hope Girls Hope – Chicago IDEA: A guaranteed income demonstration could provide 1,000 randomly selected individuals who are living below the poverty line $500/month for 12 months. The cash is unconditional, which includes no work requirements. The desired outcomes fall into three buckets: decreased

Dean Tran

CEO, Cultivate Geospatial Solutions COMMUNITY: Entrepreneurship mentoring IDEA: Create a cooperative of volunteers, education facilities and local businesses that progresses the lives of disadvantaged adults with a

focus on entrepreneurship, careers, financial literacy and technological acumen.

Bootcamps could be run by qualified volunteers.

From there, the cooperative matches participants with mentors (possibly current and past Future 50 class members), and the group could enlist businesses to provide experience to participants in the form of internships and job shadowing. The highest-performing participants would be encouraged to become volunteers in educating new participants.

income volatility, increased full-time employment and improved physical and emotional health. An identical demonstration conducted in Stockton, California, confirmed that one year into the program, participants had greater liquidity to pay for unexpected expenses and to pay down debt. The demonstration also produced higher full-time employment and capacity to take risks related to seeking better jobs. Caregivers, particularly women of color, were able to receive compensation for what is typically unpaid or underpaid in formal settings. Participants’ mental and physical health improved, they experienced lower levels of financial scarcity, and as a result, a self-determination mindset began to develop where goal-setting was utilized effectively.

Photo ROB HARDIN

Photo TIM JOHNSON

Devin Schaffer

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Imran Nuri

Photo courtesy IMRAN NURI

Founder and CEO, 52 Million Project COMMUNITY: Previously led BuckeyeThon at Ohio State University. Launched 52 Million Project, a nonprofit with the mission of making philanthropy accessible to all while fighting poverty. In our two-year history, we have had nearly 800 donors who have given over $50,000, all $1 at a time, to 80 different nonprofits.

Ian Labitue

Director of business development and strategy, Kaufman Development COMMUNITY: Affordable Housing Trust of Columbus and Franklin County, Community Shelter Board, United Schools Network, I9 Sports basketball co-coach.

IDEA: More than anything

else, I believe in the power of coming together. I very firmly believe that a Future 50 class could put together a restructured budget for the city of Columbus to invest more in education and community programs and less in policing. I can’t imagine the power that a Future 50 class, with our networks, would have in influencing the future of our city through its actions in how it spends its dollars.

Another idea would be for the Future 50 to raise money to make sure every Columbus City Schools building has air conditioning year-round.

Imran Nuri Photo TIM JOHNSON

Ian Labitue

IDEA: The My Brother’s

Keeper Village program facilitated by the city of Columbus’ development office has a program through the Columbus Fashion Alliance focused on introducing young Black men to all facets of the fashion industry, including marketing, finance, design and modeling. In speaking with the program’s executive director, Yohannan Terrell, a member of the Future 50 class of 2021, this summer’s inaugural internship program was such a success that the city wants to support the project so it can run throughout the school year. I propose putting together a cohort of Future 50 members who commit to serve as a “consulting firm” to the Fashion Alliance project, providing advice, counsel and ideas to help the program become a sustainable educational academy that impacts young lives.

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12/15/21 1:15 PM

Janet Chen

Photo ROB HARDIN

CEO, ProMusica Chamber Orchestra COMMUNITY: Columbus Music Commission, League of American Orchestras, International Women’s Forum, Columbus Cultural Leadership Consortium, Asian American Commerce Group, Play Us Forward program, collaborations with Boundless, South Side Early Learning.

IDEA: I would love to

see the Future 50 come together, capitalizing on the strengths of our public, private and nonprofit sector collaborations to create a mentorship initiative that connects young people

Janet Chen

in our community with careers. It is important to support our school systems, particularly those in economically disadvantaged neighborhoods, so

all students have equal access to learning, mentors and opportunities. Each Future 50 member could partner with a student to support their dreams,

identify barriers and work toward overcoming those challenges, helping them see their endless possibilities through education and compassion.

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Jennifer Sanders

Portfolio manager, Midwest Regional Office, AmeriCorps COMMUNITY: Who’s Who in Black Columbus, emerging leader, 2012 to 2015; Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, graduate/legacy candidate; Berwick Civic Association, annual meeting co-chair, trustee/treasurer, 2014; Employers Resource Association, member, 2014 to 2016; Health Policy Institute of Ohio Workforce Workgroup, member, 2015 to 2016; Columbus Inspires, board member, 2016; Experience Columbus, Certified Tourism Ambassador, 2017; and more.

Photo ROB HARDIN

Sultan of Systems/ Alpha Farmer, Mezzacello Urban Farm, PAST Foundation, Ohio Invention Convention

Jennifer Sanders

Jim Bruner

Photo ROB HARDIN

IDEA: Through hard work and collaboration, an annual project can be hosting a Sunday dinner to commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s goals and dreams. This is an opportunity to sit down in a family-style setting with key Columbus community leaders and “break bread” while discussing key topics within our communities.

The evening can conclude with recognizing nominated organizations who are consistently making a positive impact to go above and beyond what it means to be part of a community.

Jim Bruner

COMMUNITY: Jim founded a nonprofit demonstration, Urban Farm, in downtown Columbus to serve as an experiential applied STEM learning lab and modeled his agricultural test center after programs he ran at PAST Foundation. He has a goal of changing the way society thinks about community gardens including the notion of its limits and expectations.

IDEA: My vision for Mezzacello has always been to get people and communities to see our emerging food crisis. We must establish teams that will build stronger food oases communities. Together we can create a better system for evolving the community garden concept from an idea to a structurally necessary tool. I support using better ecological, educational and cultural integration with resources that can be crowdsourced, shared, leveraged and funded in new and more dynamic ways.

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Photo ROB HARDIN

Kashif Smiley

Director, head of tech recruiting, Capital One COMMUNITY: Each year Kashif helps plan a turkey drive to give out over 1,000 turkeys to families in need and plans a toy drive to give out over 1,000 toys to kids in underrepresented communities. Kashif also volunteers around 150 hours each year with JPMorgan

Chase, Columbus Urban League Young Professionals and his fraternity. He sits on two foundation boards.

IDEA: Quarterly random acts of kindness—Each quarter, the Future 50 could have a project that helps with positive change. For example, a sock and blanket drive for the homeless during the winter, efforts to bring life back to playgrounds in the spring, and for the summer we could plan a music festival to provide entertainment for our community and attract people to the area.

Karen Hewitt

Associate Director, Leadership Columbus COMMUNITY: Zora’s House, member; Columbus Commission on Black Girls Columbus, non-voting alternate; LGBTQ+ Roundtable, board member; Buckeye Flame, board member; Afrocentric Personal Development Workshop Committee; Speaking Queerly Podcast. Karen also created the Ohio REST Collective for the community to have

access to tools and resources so we can regulate our individual and collective nervous systems.

IDEA: I would want to

create a support hub for human service members.

Future 50 participants would volunteer their services so that if there was an immediate need that the nonprofit or service provider had, they could request support. We would get the categories that support is most needed from a survey which we would give to the Human Service Chamber to distribute. This would be a place of respite and reprieve and a “support hotline” project.

Photo TIM JOHNSON

Karen Hewitt

Kashif Smiley Photo ROB HARDIN

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Keryna Johnson

Photo ROB HARDIN

Keryna Johnson

Project Coordinator for Convergence Columbus, Ohio Mortgage Bankers Association

COMMUNITY: Keryna is the co-founder of startup nonprofit Co-Op Columbus and is a board member of the Columbus Chapter of the New Leaders Council, a volunteer organization that supports progressive leaders. In 2020, she served as the organization’s anti-racism taskforce co-chair.

IDEA: I want to do something concrete to support lower-income Columbus homeowners, particularly seniors, in keeping their homes and building generational wealth. I would do this in two ways, first by partnering with a nonprofit organization to recruit volunteers to invest “sweat equity” and help renovate the homes of lower-income residents. Another step would be developing a canvassing campaign to share information to help homeowners understand their options when facing financial challenges that could result in the loss of their home.

Kevin Grabeman Shareholder/consultant, McGohan Brabender

Kevin Grabeman Photo ROB HARDIN

COMMUNITY: Kevin is a member of the Leadership Columbus Class of 2019, Evans Scholar Foundation, Nationwide Children’s Hospital Development Board, Columbus Symphony, Columbus Association for the Performing Arts and the Columbus Museum of Art. IDEA: I would like to approach the question in a different manner by answering in a way that could bring creativity, long-term value and a lasting impact to future annual projects.

We could create a “think tank” group that is tasked with identifying community issues each year, obtain data to produce quantifiable action opportunities and then determine which issue should be a priority for the upcoming Future 50 annual project. We also would create a fluid list of topics to focus on that impact our communities, including diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, the impact of COVID-19, mental health awareness, opioid awareness and much more.

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Photo TIM JOHNSON

Latisha Chastang

Marty McDonald

Executive Vice President, Fahlgren Mortine COMMUNITY: Marty participated in the 2021 Leadership Columbus program and is involved with countless organizations including A Kid Again, Kids ‘N Kamp, a nonprofit serving children with cancer, central Ohio and Dayton chapters of Public Relations Society of America and helped Ohio Dominican University establish its Public Relations Student Society of America chapter and national charter.

IDEA: Now is the time to support and guide those who will pen the strokes of

Columbus’ future blueprint—giving them exposure to learning resources that focus on diversity, inclusivity, empowerment, hope and positivity. By collecting donations, enlisting support from various employers and creatively leveraging our personal networks, what a notable difference we could make in our community for generations to come by ensuring that libraries, childcare facilities and local schools have access to a wish list of carefully curated books collected by the Future 50.

Latisha Chastang Deputy Chief, Community Services, Ohio Department of Development COMMUNITY: Latisha

serves on the board of health for Franklin County Public Health, is the Helen Flud community core advisory board chair, serves the Focus Learning Academy and is on the Women’s Business Center advisory board.

IDEA: We truly don’t know the entire impact on the

community post-pandemic.

The Future 50 could create a needs assessment for Columbus to identify the needs of each family and help human service organizations gather the data needed to create and develop programming and services that are relevant and needed for the city to thrive.

Marty McDonald Photo ROB HARDIN

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Melissa Starr

Photo TIM JOHNSON

Chief Program Officer, Jewish Family Services

COMMUNITY: Community Shares of Mid-Ohio, BalletMet MetPremiere, Franklin County Children’s Services mentorship IDEA: The Future 50 could partner with city council representatives and create a PSA campaign for selected community-facing initiatives. This brings our generation’s attention to work that is being done and an amplified platform for our city officials.

Michael Swepston President, Atlas Butler Melissa Starr Photo ROB HARDIN

Michael Swepston

COMMUNITY: Outside of the numerous philanthropic efforts of Atlas Butler, Michael is involved in Vistage, a peer mentoring organization for business leaders, and has dedicated time throughout the years working with the Salvation Army.

IDEA: While the pandemic

certainly exacerbated the issue of a shortage of skilled trade labor, it didn’t necessarily create it. For years, college degrees were touted as the best option, and while it’s the best option for some, it’s not for everyone. A career in a skilled trade is lucrative, has great benefits and can help avoid any crushing student loan debt. That’s why I think it’s important to create a city-wide mentorship program to educate high school juniors and seniors on the benefits of considering a skilled trade as an option for a career path.

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Mike Hochron

Photo ROB HARDIN

Social Program Administrator, Franklin County CSEA

COMMUNITY: Mike serves

as a trustee on the board of Mental Health America of Ohio and is a member of the public policy subcommittee.

He also serves as a board member of New Leaders Council Columbus, is the vice-chair of the Alumni Impact committee and sings with the Harmony Project.

IDEA: The existential crisis of climate change impacts every community around the country but falls most heavily on our underresourced communities

Mike Hochron

right here in Columbus. In partnership with the city of Columbus’s Urban Forestry Master Plans, Future 50 could leverage the collective resources and man-

power of our organizations to deploy mass planting of trees in neighborhoods most in need of an expanded canopy. Imagine what we could achieve by

banding together to source, purchase and plant thousands of trees to capture carbon, reduce air pollution and intercept rainwater in Columbus’ neighborhoods.

Congratulations,

Trent

on being named a Columbus CEO Future 50

Your ongoing work in the Franklinton community is appreciated by businesses and residents alike.

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Neethi Johnson

Photo TIM JOHNSON

VP, Digital Strategy, JPMorgan Chase

COMMUNITY: Treasurer on board of Student Success Stores IDEA: One idea to improve access is to create a platform for Columbus youth. There are 20,500 young adults aged 16 to 24 who are not in school and not working. This represents over $647 million lost in productivity, tax revenues and expenditures on resources.

An idea could be for a platform to empower young people to build their own financial, professional and community safety net through accessible resources and real-time support.

Nikki Stead

Vice President, People Services, Donatos COMMUNITY: Vice chair, board of directors, Westside Free Store Ministries

Neethi Johnson

Photo TIM JOHNSON

Nikki Stead

IDEA: I believe the Future 50 project should be a multi-faceted approach that connects the community, rebuilds the neighborhoods and enhances the safety of Columbus. I envision the Future 50 splitting into three teams and focusing on connection, rebuilding and safety. The first cohort should work together to bring the citizens of Columbus together with leadership to learn more about the current and future states of the city.

The second cohort should work together to select an area of Columbus to beautify by creating a green space in order to build pride in the community and bring together community members around a common goal. The third cohort should work together with the Columbus Police Department to develop crime prevention tactics including courses, block watches and self-defense training.

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Photo TIM JOHNSON

Paula O’Reilly Office Managing Director/Financial Services Lead Midwest, Accenture

COMMUNITY: Paula is the volunteer engagement chair for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society of Ohio and will become the chair in 2023 after serving as vicechair for 2022.

IDEA: To achieve measurable progress in Columbus, we need diverse talent engaged in

technology. A community project I’d like to develop is increasing the pipeline of high school students into technology-related fields. We can partner with companies, community organizations and school districts to expose students of all backgrounds to the possibilities of technology careers. Columbus is an ideal location for this type of program due to the city’s active technology community and numerous local college opportunities.

The only way we can create sustainable change is by empowering the young students in our city to become leaders and encouraging them to want to learn more about the power of technology and its impact.

Noelle Arnold

Senior Associate Dean, Ohio State University College of Education and Human Ecology COMMUNITY: One of Noelle’s most important areas of community involvement is mentorship to youth, young professionals and peers. These relationships often come as a result of professional networks where she has established a reputation for care. However, she also offers mentorship to various women

IDEA: Future 50 could spark a service-learning collaborative with 50 K-12 schools, faculty and students from central Ohio colleges, universities and industry partners in order to enact change in their communities. Institutions of higher education and area businesses are great sources of talent, expertise and mobilization. However, there is treasure trove of emerging talent, expertise and mobilization in K-12 schools among students, teachers and families. I would love to work with others to bring together a multi-generational service corps with projects aimed at supporting and celebrating local communities.

Photo ROB HARDIN

Noelle Arnold

around the country.

Paula O’Reilly

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Rachel Bloomekatz

Photo TIM JOHNSON

Rachel Bloomekatz

Principal & Founder, Bloomekatz Law COMMUNITY: Rachel serves on the rules committee of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, executive board of the Federal Bar Association Columbus Chapter, board of directors of Jewish Family Services of Columbus and is a Temple Israel committee member.

IDEA: This last election revealed that there are still barriers that make it difficult for people to vote and those barriers fall disproportionately on people of color

and low-income citizens in our community. The Future 50 could focus on integrating voting rights and voter information with the human service organizations that already serve the most vulnerable in Columbus to ensure all Columbus residents participate in our democratic system. We could work with the Human Service Chamber and its member agencies to identify resources that would be most helpful for those organizations and develop toolkits, best practices modules, and more.

Rick Ricart

is a champion for the Ricart R-Community Program and helped initiate the company’s internal One of R Own 501(c)3 which supports employees in need.

President, Ricart Automotive COMMUNITY: Rick has

IDEA: I see immense opportunities if each member joins the board

served A Kid Again in various ways, most recently as the 2021-2022 Columbus chairman and board member. He also is a Ronald McDonald House volunteer and partner and

of a local nonprofit to take our passion and energy to those that need the most impact. Columbus will continue to become a better place to live and work if we invest in the students, teachers and resources needed to support future local leaders.

The Future 50 class could come together using our time and resources to set up Columbus’ students for success. As business leaders, we have the ability and responsibility to do more to provide handson, paid internships to our public-school systems.

Photo ROB HARDIN

Rick Ricart

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Photo TIM JOHNSON

Sara McKinniss Marketing Director, FST Logistics COMMUNITY: Sara serves as the FST logistics captain for Pelotonia, is on the membership committee of the Public Relations Society of America’s Central Ohio Chapter and volunteers for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio, Grove City Parks and Recreation Department Community and Wittenberg University.

IDEA: I would like to create a career development center for young professionals, including those coming from underserved communities, to have a place where

they can turn for career mentorship and professional development. As the dynamics of the workforce change, more students opting for community college and trade programs and non-traditional students turning to online classes in the pandemic world, many are not receiving the resources they need to be successful within the career. I would like to see a center created where people could receive help with career development, have it operated by people in different fields and provide mentorship and resource guidance.

Sangeeta Lakhani

Sangeeta Lakhani COMMUNITY: Over the years, Sangeeta has volunteered with BESA, Dress for Success, Harmony Project, Ronald McDonald House, Habitat for Humanity, the Short North Alliance and Service! Relief, the nonprofit organization she co-founded in 2020 where she now serves as executive director.

IDEA: We need a community of hospitality professionals working alongside mental health professionals and

community organizers to change the structures of the industry. The goals are to break down the stigmas surrounding mental health, give employers tools to better support their employees, and give employees tools to better advocate for their wellbeing. Because mental health affects everyone, all socioeconomic backgrounds, all ethnicities, ages and gender and sex orientations, nobody within Columbus’ hospitality community is outside of the scope of this work.

Photo TIM JOHNSON

Executive Director, Service! Relief

Sara McKinniss

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Sarah Townes

Photo TIM JOHNSON

Chief Marketing and Innovation Officer, Experience Columbus COMMUNITY: Sarah is a board member for the Greater Columbus Arts Council and an active supporter of arts and culture. In the past, Sarah served as chair-elect of the Bloomington Chamber of Commerce where she championed the role of small businesses and retailers.

IDEA: Amplify lessons learned from the One of US campaign and the early adoption of Experience Columbus’ Live Forward campaign by combining those lessons with what

we’ve learned from partnerships, the downtown district development and other strategic moves to highlight Columbus within its competitive set and strategically boost our development, innovations and image out of that list.

In partnership with GCAC and CCAD, we could also complete a citywide art project in which artificial intelligence and digital storytelling technologies are applied to existing public spaces and art installations to tell the story of Columbus’ techenabled growth.

Sarai Exil

Sarah Townes

Co-founder and president, Student Success Stores, and manager of inclusion and diversity at Dick’s Sporting Goods COMMUNITY: As Student Success Stores president and co-founder, Sarai oversees the volunteer-led

Sarai Exil

nonprofit that is accessible to over 7,000 students and leads the organization in strategic planning, fundraising and governance to help serve vulnerable students with essential items in Columbus City Schools and beyond. Sarai has volunteered over 500 hours to help lead the organization.

IDEA: Advocate for a living wage at all central Ohio companies. Our hardworking community deserves more than living paycheck to paycheck—we hold the keys to making a movement reality for Columbus. Or we could find ways to contribute to more affordable housing in our city so that everyone can call Columbus home.

Photo TIM JOHNSON

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Photo ROB HARDIN

Spencer Jordan

Shyam Rajadhyaksha

Vice President of leasing, Steiner + Associates

COMMUNITY: Spencer has been involved with the Urban Land Institute, Green Energy Ohio, Women for Economic and Leadership Development and more.

IDEA: Identify five to ten locally owned restaurants to support. We could leverage our resources to improve their online presence by advising on copy and professional photography and creating social media pages and provide insight on design and layout. We could also introduce business owners to industry mentors, lobby major employers to use local restaurants when catering and partner these restaurants with employers to offer discounts and other incentives for employees.

Shyam Rajadhyaksha Principal, Xcellium

COMMUNITY: Shyam currently serves as the president of the Asian American Commerce Group, which supports minority and diverse-owned businesses. Shyam is also active in the Columbus Arts community, is a strong supporter of the Columbus Museum of Art and Columbus Ballet and is a board member of the Greater Columbus Arts Commission. One of his proudest contributions to the city was co-founding the Downtown Residents of Columbus, which was formed as a Leadership Columbus group project

in 2003 to provide a civic association to the growing number of downtown residents.

IDEA: Create a “Welcome to Columbus” website for new residents, especially new immigrants from foreign countries. The website would provide links to resources, including health care, education and legal services in multiple languages. In addition to providing needed information, the website would demonstrate the region’s openness to new residents, regardless of background.

Spencer Jordan Photo TIM JOHNSON

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Trent Smith

Photo TIM JOHNSON

Executive Director, Franklinton Board of Trade COMMUNITY: Trent has served on multiple nonprofit boards including Habitat for Humanity, Lower Lights, Community Crime Patrol, Community Shares of Mid-Ohio, Gahanna Lions, Gahanna Area Chamber of Commerce, Homeless Families Foundation, Franklinton High School, First Night Columbus and more. He also served on the Franklinton Area Commission as a commissioner, secretary, and chairperson.

Trent Smith

Ukeme Awakessien Jeter

IDEA: Public restroom facili-

Photo TIM JOHNSON

ties in Franklinton, even if only temporary.

Ukeme Awakessien Jeter Partner, Taft Stettinius & Hollister COMMUNITY: Ukeme serves on the board of directors for Ohio Legal Help, is an appointed member of the community relations committee for the city of Upper Arlington and serves on United Way of Central Ohio’s diversity and inclusion advisory council.

IDEA: The class could

develop a smart city infrastructure planning playbook to compliment the work that LinkUS currently has underway.

The playbook will serve as the guiding principles developed through robust community engagement and partnership and will provide the overall direction to decision-making for

smart city connectivity with infrastructure planning. A playbook with a holistic and strategic planning approach ensures that municipal governments within Columbus understand their respective community’s current and future needs and enables them to meet those needs effectively and efficiently.

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12/15/21 1:27 PM

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12/17/21 9:06 AM

Estate planning

Expert advice What you need to know about estate planning.

By VIRGINIA BROWN

Cover the basics IF YOU HAVEN’T started at all, experts urge you to cover the basics.

“Everyone should have a last will and testament, a living will, and powers of attorney for both health care and financial matters,” says Shamus Cassidy of Cassidy Law. Some people, he adds, may consider a revocable, living trust as a means to avoid a probate court process at their passing and to provide greater distribution options for beneficiaries.

A last will and testament ensures that your assets are distributed how

Photo Gettyimages.com

T

he uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic has us all considering how unforeseen circumstances can affect our lives. According to a 2020 survey by Everplans, half of all respondents said that the pandemic made them realize how unprepared they were for a serious emergency, and 64 percent reported that the pandemic made them realize that planning for the future is more important than ever.

While people may know that getting their affairs in order, many people usually just haven’t gotten around to it. Now’s the time.

Here’s what experts want you to know:

you’d like upon your death. It’s also the mechanism for choosing an executor and usually nominates a guardian for minor children. Without a will, if you pass away, determinations are made not based on your wishes, but based on the laws of your state of residence. The process is called probate and can be lengthy and pricey.

A living will, also known as an advance health care directive, is a legal document that designates a trusted person to decide what actions should be taken for your health if you are deemed by medical professionals no longer able to do so for yourself.

“You may need help understand-

“I get a little cringy when people try to find and do this stuff online on their own.

I think there are certain things, like your taxes, that you should go to an accountant for. You should go to a doctor, not WebMD. I think lawyers are the same way.”

GEOFF KUNKLER, an attorney with Carlile Patchen & Murphy

ing your medical circumstances,” says Garrison Carr, an attorney with Decker Vonau. “Especially for the elderly, medical names and advances in technology can be very hard to understand. Instead of relying [only] on a doctor, you have a person you trust to review your files and make appropriate medical decisions” Financial decisions are equally important. “If I’m asleep or awake, the bills come,” says Carr. “My house, my car–the bill comes no matter what. A financial power of attorney allows for you to designate an agent to step into your shoes and function as if you showed up to the bank.”

That way, if you become incapacitated, you don’t fall behind and risk losing assets to foreclosures and repossessions.

Also, be certain that your beneficiaries are accurate on all investment accounts and other important accounts. “Be mindful of how your assets are titled and of your beneficiary designations, often referred to as payable on death (POD) or transfer on death (TOD),” says Cassidy. “I have unfortunately seen many plans

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where the assets are not properly titled or designated in a manner to avoid probate court, even at times when the client has well-drafted estate planning documents created on their behalf,” he says.

Revisit your plan every 3-5 years THERE ARE MANY life stages in which you want to revisit your estate plans, says Geoff Kunkler, an attorney with Carlile Patchen & Murphy. They include new additions to the family, adult children leaving home for the first time, preparing for retirement, and heading into the sunset years.

Kunkler references the five Ds. “If there’s been a death, divorce, a diagnosis, a decline in health or a new decade …we should probably revisit your plan,” he says.

Estate planning isn’t just for seniors or the wealthy THINK YOU’RE YOUNG and healthy and don’t need a plan?

Regardless of age or assets, experts

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say estate planning is not only for seniors. “Once you’re 18 … [parents] are not the decision-makers anymore, so you probably want them to make your decisions if you can’t,” says Kunkler. “If you’re in an accident, you need a healthcare power of at-

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torney saying that mom and dad can make [your] decisions.”

“Estate planning is also not just for the wealthy,” Kunkler says. You don’t get your affairs in order only for your own peace of mind, Carr says, but for those you leave behind. Without having the proper documents in place, “You are leaving a headache to usually your most responsible child.

Now [you] have created a menagerie of problems that could have easily been rectified, if you had put things in order before you passed.”

Go with a pro SINCE EVERYONE’S NEEDS are a

“If I’m asleep or awake, the bills come. My house, my car–the bill comes no matter what.

A financial power of attorney allows for you to designate an agent to step into your shoes and function as if you showed up to the bank.”

GARRISON CARR, attorney with Decker Vonau

little different, an estate or retirement planning expert can help you determine yours.

“I get a little cringy when people try to find and do this stuff online on their own,” Kunkler says. “I think there are certain things, like your taxes, that you should go to an accountant for. You should go to a doctor, not WebMD. I think lawyers are the same way.”

That said, he agrees that there is good information online for researching what types of documents you may need. That way you can go into a meeting with a professional planner with a good idea of what you need and whom you’d designate. And even though the documents can be pricey, “Many professionals, including myself, give a free consultation,” says Kunkler.

Virginia Brown is a freelance writer.

52 ColumbusCEO l January 2022

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12/16/21 12:46 PM

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$31,139 1925

60 21 months

$24,120 1992

36 12+ months

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$12,780 1973

36 2 years

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$27,000 1978

30 10+ months

Evening, weekend, full-time, online

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36 2 years

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$23,400 1997

36 2 years

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62

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36 18 months

Online

24

$11,952 2004

36 19 months

Online

493 443 162 100 89 76 73

8 Ohio Christian University 1476 Lancaster Pike, Circleville 43113 877-762-8669 www.ohiochristian.edu/online-college/ online-masters-degree-programs

9 Mount Vernon Nazarene University

800 Martinsburg Road, Mount Vernon 43050 740-392-6868 • mvnu.edu/gps

The CEO Leaderboard features selected topics each month. The April Leaderboard will feature Columbus region family law firms. The deadline for inclusion in that survey is Feb. 7. If you want your company to be considered for an upcoming CEO Leaderboard, contact Linda Deitch at ldeitch@columbusCEO.com.

Information included in this survey was provided by schools listed and was not independently verified.

054-055_Leaderboard_MBAPrograms.indd 55

FORMAT

PROGRAM LENGTH

5 Ashland University Dauch College of Business & Economics

CREDIT HOURS

YEAR ESTABLISHED

3 Ohio University College of Business

ANNUAL TUITION

AVERAGE STUDENT AGE Daytime, evening, weekend, full-time, online

27.9

Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution with a GPA of at least 2.75. If GPA requirement is not met, applicant can petition for conditional enrollment by submitting an essay detailing other criteria for consideration.

At least two years of professional work experience; bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university; resume; personal statement; two letters of recommendation. No GMAT or GRE required.

Jackie Rees-Ulmer Bachelor’s degree with a 3.2 or higher GPA; at least three years of professional work experience; professional references; personal interview; and/or GMAT may be requested.

31

Sharon Peck 2.75 or higher cumulative GPA with a minimum of two years professional experience.

Elad Granot

27

26

33

Online application and fee, academic record, GMAT or GRE, one letter of recommendation, resume, essay, personal statement, video interview, TOEFL for international applicants.

Alyncia Bowen

32

35

DEAN OF SCHOOL

Anil Makhija

34

25

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution and 3.0 cumulative GPA or higher, or minimum 2.75 cumulative GPA in at least 60 hours of bachelor’s degree work along with additional requirements.

Ken Fah GMAT scores for applicants with less than a 3.3 GPA; official transcripts from all institutions; two letters of recommendation; personal statement; resume; interview; completion of four foundation courses

Bridget Newell Bachelor’s degree with 3.0 or higher GPA.

Jon Tomlinson

Application, transcripts, and undergraduate GPA of 2.8 or higher

Aaron Burgess Source: Survey of MBA programs Information compiled by LINDA DEITCH

January 2022 l ColumbusCEO

55

12/14/21 4:58 PM

Office Space

By JESS DEYO + Photos by ROB HARDIN

Cleary Company 989 Old Henderson Road Columbus Ohio 43220 clearycompany.com

The remodel-designbuild firm moved to this 19,000-squarefoot office in 2019.

Sparking inspiration Clients can identify their taste with examples or visit the design studio down the hall to create their vision from scratch.

Award-winning space The office remodel won multiple awards and even received national recognition.

Meet the founder George Cleary founded the company in 1994. Since, it has grown to 52 employees.

All about the culture The office offers a fair balance of work and play.

Visit columbusCEO.com for a full article on the space.

The trusted, right-hand pup Cleary founded the company, but the real work is done by Russell, the official “good boy” and door greeter.

56 ColumbusCEO l January 2022 056_OfficeSpace.indd 56

12/15/21 12:50 PM

Alison is building on her strong foundation with the Capital MBA. “I have been involved in many leadership and management training programs over the course of my career. I was looking for a more structured and robust learning opportunity -- one that would push me in ways that I hadn’t been pushed before.

Capital has a strong reputation academically and the MBA program is geared toward working professionals. I wanted to learn how to position Marker to be successful for generations to come and Capital is helping me do just that.”

Alison Marker, MBA Class of 2023 President, Marker Construction

BEGIN YOUR BUILD WITH CAPITAL.

STRONG REPUTATION

FLEXIBLE SCHEDULES

DISTINGUISHED GRADUATES

capital.edu/mba The Capital MBA. Building brighter futures since 1974.

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12/17/21 1:40 PM

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