Winter 2014 Follow the Leader Newsletter

Executive Director’s Report

Happy New Year to our 3,500 alumni, stakeholders, supporters, board members and friends! This year Leadership Columbus celebrates its 40^th anniversary and we like to say ‘40 is the New 40!’ 2014 is sure to be one for the books as we not only celebrate 40 years of creating, connecting and engaging leaders, but also move forward with rolling out new programs, partnerships and opportunities for you to connect with other leaders who make things happen!

Leadership Columbus is a part of a national network of community leadership programs that can be found thriving in cities both small and large all over the country. Our connections with these other leadership programs have enriched not only our programming – but also my personal life as I have developed deep and meaningful friendships with my colleagues. During my conversations with these friends, I am repeatedly reminded that one of the most unique benefits of our leadership program is that it occurs in a city that is thriving, growing, giving and doing.

Looking at its eclectic Short North, evolving Downtown, historic neighborhoods like German and Victorian villages, and emerging neighborhoods like King Lincoln and Franklinton, Columbus has made tremendous progress. We also continue to expand our reputation as a destination city. There has been a marked shift in the response I receive from my peers at national conferences – from the early 90’s when I was asked which Columbus I was from – to now, where Columbus no longer needs ‘Ohio’ as a qualifier. THAT IS PROGRESS!

So, as Leadership Columbus prepares to celebrate its 40^th anniversary, give yourselves a huge pat on the back for all YOU have done to build a city that has emerged as a smart, open, caring and forward-looking community. And stay tuned in 2014 as we honor our past 40 years and launch our plans for the next 40!

Class of 2014 Update

The 54 participants in the Leadership Columbus Class of 2014 are reaching their halfway point on their 10-month journey. The class marks our 40th class of civic leaders representing a multitude of sectors including small and large companies, non-profits and public and private employees.

Inspired by the Human Services Program Day, 19 members participated in Amethyst’s Holiday Wishes Program, donating over 31 gifts to three mothers and three children in need.

In the News

Joe Spinelli, 2008 graduate and owner of Spinelli’s Delli, fully embraced the spirit of giving the holiday season. He organized two food drives to help the NNEMAP Food Pantry, which was facing a serious food shortage due to government cutbacks. In total, Joe collected 105 turkeys for Thanksgiving and 44 hams for Christmas.

Reflecting on her opening retreat experience, Shiloh Todorov, Director of the German Village Society and Class of 2014 participant, wrote a piece for the German Village Gazette’s “Village Notebook. Read here article here.

LC Adds New Trustees

Leadership Columbus welcomes three new members to its Board of Trustees:

Brad Campbell (’07), Vice President and Corporate Controller at the Dispatch Media Group
Steven Fields (’12), Vice President and Director of Community Engagement at Huntington Bank.
Bonny Fowler, Director of Public Affairs at Cardinal Health

Colab: Buckeye Leadership Fellows

This fall Leadership Columbus collaborated with The Ohio State’s University’s Buckeye Leadership Fellows on its Leadership Luncheon Series. The lunch series provides OSU students with the opportunity to meet, network, and learn from community leaders. Keynote speakers included ten LC alumni as well as Executive Director Laurie Stein Marsh.

Recruitment Starting for Class of 2015

Recruitment for the Leadership Columbus Class of 2015 will start in late January, when the application will be available to download from our website. Deadline for early application (a $250 tuition discount) is March 14; regular deadline is April 25.

Tuition for 2015 is $4,900, and scholarships of up to half tuition are available for qualified applicants. Consider encouraging an employee, friend of colleague to apply! For more information visit our website.

Professional Updates:

People on the Move:

Deirdre Bey (McDonald) (’12) joined the board of CityMusic Columbus.
Stephanie Campolo (’12) accepted the Development Director position at the Junior Achievement of Central Ohio.
Darci Congrove (’03) and Bill Curlis (’80) both joined the German Village Society Board of Trustees.
Dan Creekmur (’11) now sits on Capital University’s Board of Trustees.
Shawna Davis (’11) and Kevin Wood (’03) are now board members of the Columbus Metropolitan Club.
Cindi Englefield (’14) joined the Women’s Small Business Accelerator Board of Trustees.
Jared Hill (’12) is now Vice President of Franchise Finance Group at Huntington National Bank.
Shelly Hoffman (’90) is now the Director of Corporate Communications at Equity.
Mary Jo Hudson (’00) has joined Mount Carmel College of Nursing’s Board of Trustees.
Nicolette Hudson (’12) is now a board member of The Women’s Fund of Central Ohio.
Donna Kanoski (’06) accepted a new regional position at American City Business Journals.
Richard Kruse (’06) joined the board of Ohio Auctioneers Commission.
Mandy Medve (’12) accepted a new position at Abbott.
Thomas Merritt (’94) has been promoted to Vice President of Business Operations at H.R. Gray.
Jonathan Moody (’13) has been named partner at Moody Nolan.
Brian Poling (’94) has been appointed as board treasurer to Furniture Bank of Central Ohio.
Christy Prince (’14) now sits on The Salvation Army of Central Ohio’s Board.
Bob Robenalt (’98) joined Fisher & Phillips LLC as partner.
Tricia (Smith) Wheeler (’08) has joined North Market Authority’s Board.

Alumni Awards and Recognitions:

Otto Beatty III (’99), Co-Owner of E.E. Ward Moving & Storage, and Somers Martin (’13), Director of Business Development at the Columbus Chamber of Commerce, were both recipients of the 2013 Class Columbus Black Leaders Award.
Elfi Di Bella (’96), President and CEO of YWCA Columbus, and Todd Dieffenderfer (’13), Chief Alignment Officer at United Way of Central Ohio, appeared in Columbus Business First’s “20 People To Know in Nonprofits” for December 2013.
David Kandel (’85), after a 34-year career with Ohio Bell/Ameritech/SBC/AT&T, David has decided to start the next chapter in his life – retirement.
Angela Krile (’06), of Krile Communications, was featured as one of Columbus Business First’s “Up Next” Businesses.
Vikram ‘Shyam’ Rajadhyaksha (’03), CEO of DLZ Corporation, was featured as one of the “Top 25 Minority-Owned Businesses in 2013” by Columbus Business First.
Ed Redder (’14), Counsel at Thompson Hine, will be a panel expert at Columbus Business First’s “Demystifying Health Insurance Exchanges” on January 16th.
Sherri Tackett (’14), CEO/Founder of Delta Energy Services LLC, was named one of “The 2013 Class of Power Players in Columbus” by Smart Business Magazine.

Got a Promotion? Award? Degree? Let Us Know!

LC alums are always moving up, getting involved and doing great things,and we want to promote these activities to the greater LC community. If you recently landed a new job, earned an award or recognition, were seated on a board, etc., let us know. We will include it in the next newsletter as well as post on our social media outlets.