My Neighborhood Counts. Everybody Count
Saturday March 14, 2020 Quick Links: Program | Kick-off Event | Display Tables |
Registration is closed. However, as always, the Summit is free and open to everyone and we welcome walk-ins
Speaker Bios
Mayor John Cranley
mayor.cranley@cincinnati-oh.gov
John Cranley is Cincinnati’s 69th mayor, an office he assumed in December 2013, and re-elected to for a second term in Nov 2017. As Mayor, Cranley is committed to improving the delivery of basic city services, promoting neighborhood revitalization, creating jobs and increasing minority inclusion in city contracting. He previously served on City Council from 2000-09, where he led a bipartisan coalition that balanced the budget for eight consecutive years, put more police on the streets, and created the Tax Increment Finance Districts that have made revitalizing downtown and Over-the-Rhine possible. Raised in Price Hill, Mayor Cranley lives in Hyde Park with his wife, Dena, and their son, Joseph
City Manager Patrick Duhaney
City Manager Patrick A. Duhaney was sworn in as City Manager in December 2018. Prior to taking on his new role he served as Assistant City Manager and as the City’s Chief Procurement Officer overseeing the Purchasing Division of the Finance Department. Mr. Duhaney began his career with the City of Cincinnati in June of 2009 when he accepted a position of Contract Compliance Specialist with the City Manager’s Office. He also held several leadership positions in the Department of Sewers (now known as the Metropolitan Sewer District of Greater Cincinnati) prior to transitioning to the role of Chief Procurement Officer. Previously, Mr. Duhaney worked for LISC in Cincinnati, where he served as a program officer responsible for issuing community development loans, overseeing the local LISC office’s loan portfolio, and working to bring resources to aid in the redevelopment of Cincinnati neighborhoods, including Avondale and Price Hill. Mr. Duhaney served on active duty and in reserve capacity for the US Army from 1999 to 2015 under combat engineer and ordnance commands. Mr. Duhaney resides in Sayler Park.
Jake Williams, Board President, Invest in Neighborhoods
president@investinneighborhoods.com
Jake is a Partner and Industrial Division Manager at ATA Beilharz Architects. Jake was President of the Mt Washington Community Council 2009-2013 and Vice President 2007-2009. While a member of the Mt Washington Community Council he was the Chair for the Plan Steering Committee at the City of Cincinnati for the Mt Washington Comprehensive Plan. Jake has been a member of the Invest in Neighborhoods’ Board of Trustees since 2011, first serving as Secretary, and currently the President of the Board since 2016
Councilmember Jeff Pastor
Jeff.pastor@cincinnati-oh.gov
Jeff Pastor is a new member of City Council, winning a seat in Nov 2017. He has been appointed chair of the Neighborhoods Committee, which has jurisdiction over a broad range of issues impacting Cincinnati’s 52 neighborhoods. Pastor ran for Cincinnati City Council because he understands the needs of our community. He knows Cincinnati’s small businesses are the engine of job growth and that investing in our education system is central to our youth. For Pastor, education and job creation are the keys to reducing poverty. Jeff was born in Cincinnati, was raised in the West End. Jeff is a long standing community volunteer to help those most vulnerable
Julie Olberding, Director and Associate Professor, NKU’s Master of Public Administration Program
Julie Cencula Olberding is Director of and Associate Professor in the Master of Public Administration (MPA) program at Northern Kentucky University. Her research has focused on community development, economic development, and nonprofit management. It has been published in various journals including Public Administration Review, International Journal of Public Administration, Economic Development Quarterly, Journal of Community Practice, and Journal of Nonprofit Education and Leadership. Prior to NKU, she worked in the public and nonprofit sectors for about 10 years, so she likes to incorporate teaching methods — such as service learning and student philanthropy — that connect her students to government and nonprofit organizations in our region. She serves on several nonprofit boards including the Seasongood Good Government Foundation, Northern Kentucky City/County Management Association, and Pi Alpha Alpha global honorary society for public administration. Julie lives in Pleasant Ridge, and she’s done community-based research in Pleasant Ridge, Kennedy Heights, and other neighborhoods.
Joseph Ewald, MPA Student, Northern Kentucky University
jewald@fuse.net
Joseph Ewald is a student in the Master of Public Administration (MPA) Program at Northern Kentucky University. His particular area of study in the program is Metropolitan Governance, with a specific interest in community development. As part of the MPA program, Joseph has worked on several projects ranging from satisfaction surveys to creative place-making. Prior to NKU, Joseph graduated with a degree in Accounting from the University of Kentucky Gatton College of Business and Economics. He has been employed in local government for almost 17 years; the last six as Director of Finance of the City of Fort Thomas, Kentucky. He has served as the President of the Northern KY Government Finance Officers Association and currently serves as a Kentucky League of Cities appointee to the State’s Premium Tax Advisory Council.
Darrin Wilson, Assistant Professor, Northern Kentucky University
wilsond32@nku.edu
Dr. Darrin Wilson is an Assistant Professor of Public Administration at Northern Kentucky University. He received his Ph.D. in Public Administration from Florida Atlantic University. His research interests include community/economic development and local government finance. His recent work has been published in Journal of Public Budgeting, Accounting & Financial Management, International Journal of Economic Development, and Community Development.
Rosalia Polter, Student, Northern Kentucky University
rosie.polter@gmail.com
Rosie Polter is a Historic Preservation Consultant in the Greater Cincinnati Area. She obtained Bachelor degrees from University of Cincinnati in Anthropology and Landscape Archaeology and certificates in Historic Preservation and Cultural Heritage Studies. She is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Northern Kentucky University.
Joseph Nava, President, Nava Law LLC, Carthage Civic League
jnava@navalawllc.com
Joseph Nava is founder and President of N7 Consulting Services, a bi-lingual business consulting enterprise, providing tax preparation, bookkeeping, start-up, and business management for Cincinnati’s Hispanic community. He also founded Unity Export, Unity Staffing, and is co-founder and President of Unity Prime Construction, the first fully certified Hispanic Construction Company in the Tri-State. Joseph has been Vice President for Labor Council for Latin American Advancement-Chicago and National Vice President for the Hispanic Internal Revenue Employess. He has received the National Achievement Award, National Hispanic HIRE. Locally, Joseph is past President of the Pan American Society of Greater Cincinnati, received the Ceasar Chavez Lifetime Acievement Award from Su Casa Hispanic Center, and served as Trustee and President of The Children’s Law Center. He as served as the President of Carthage Civic League since 2019.
Laura Mitchell, Superintendent, Cincinnati Public Schools
mitchec@cpsboe.k12.oh.us
Laura currently serves as the Superintendent of Cincinnati Public Schools. Prior to her current role, Laura served as a teacher, principal and program manager for the Stupski Foundation where she worked with large urban districts across the nation. Over the course of her career, Laura’s educational initiatives have been recognized on a national level. Her reform accomplishments have been highlighted through multimedia: television, radio and professional publications. She has served as the keynote speaker for several conferences and is the subject of a leadership case study published by the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia, which focused on school turnaround. Laura has been awarded the Mayor’s Salute Award, Governor’s Educational Leadership Award, State of Ohio Senate Commendation and House of Representatives Tribute for Nationally Recognized Educator as well as the Milken National Award. She is a lifelong Cincinnatian, born in Bond Hill, and beams with pride when she tells you what high school she graduated from: CPS’ School for Creative and Performing Arts. After earning her bachelor’s degree at Bennett College in North Carolina and her master’s degree at the University of Cincinnati, she began her life’s work in education with CPS.
Sarah Trimble-Oliver, Chief Strategy Officer, Cincinnati Public Schools
trimbles@cpsboe.k12.oh.us
Carla Walker, Climate Advisor, City of Cincinnati
Carla.Walker@cincinnati-oh.gov
As the City of Cincinnati Climate Advisor, Carla works with the City as part of the American Cities Climate Challenge. She works closely with the sustainability team, community leaders and city officials to help advance carbon reduction strategies of the Green Cincinnati Plan. She was the strategic facilitator for the 2018 Green Cincinnati Plan and has worked on a number of sustainable and environmental initiatives in Cincinnati and beyond. From 2006-2010, she served as the Chief of Staff for Mayor Mallory where she helped re-establish the Office of Environment and Sustainability, Office of Planning, and develop the Climate Protection Action Plan which was the inaugural Green Cincinnati Plan.
Savannah Sullivan, Climate and Community Resilience Analyst, City of Cincinnati – Office of Environment and Sustainability
savannah.sullivan@cincinnati-oh.gov
Savannah Sullivan is currently the Climate and Community Resilience Analyst for the City of Cincinnati’s Office of Environment and Sustainability, and got her start with the City as a Public Ally in 2018. She is also the Resilience Toolkit Coordinator for the Environmental Resilience Institute and a Masters of Public Affairs and Masters of Science in Environmental Science dual candidate at the O’Neill School for Public and Environmental Affairs at Indiana University. She grew up in Goshen, Ohio and is a graduate of Oberlin College.
Seth Walsh, Executive Director, College Hill CURC
seth.walsh@chcurc.com
Seth Walsh has been the Executive Director of the College Hill CURC (“CHCURC”) since 2016. Under Walsh’s leadership, CHCURC has grown into an organization that owns 22 properties in their business district and is leading the revitalization of the College Hill business district along Hamilton Avenue. In his spare time, Walsh serves on the Board of Directors for the Friends of the Taft Legacy, is President of the Cincy Soccer League, and Chair of the Cincinnati Elections Commissions. Walsh lives in Clifton with his two dogs.
Matt Strauss, Madisonville Community Urban Redevelopment Corporation
matt@mcurc.org
Matt Strauss has been the Real Estate Development and Marketing Manager for the Madisonville Community Urban Redevelopment Corporation since 2013. He has been in community development for twenty years, beginning in Camp Washington and then in Price Hill.
Leslie Mattie Rich, Executive Director, Westwood Works
leslie@westwoodworks.org
Leslie Rich is the Executive Director, since 2019, of Westwood Works (www.westwoodworks.org), an Asset Based Community Development non profit focused on creative placemaking along with racial, educational and economic justice in Cincinnati’s largest neighborhood. She is passionate about building relationships, creativity and community. She cut her teeth in community organizing and leadership development in her work creating Girl Scout troops in public housing as a member of the professional staff of Girl Scouts of Western Ohio. In 2009 she co-founded Westwood Works with seven friends to bring an Artworks mural to the neighborhood. What started with a mural, fueled a community building movement that has driven the renaissance of Westwood. Leslie co-chairs the Westwood Art Show, and serves on the boards of Gamble Nippert YMCA, Lutheran Outdoor Ministries of Ohio, and My Neighbor’s Place. She is a member of the One Westwood Initiative and the Westwood Coalition.
Jena Bradley, Manager, Community Impact, United Way of Greater Cincinnati
Jena.Bradley@uwgc.org
Jena Bradley serves as a manager on the Community Impact Team at United Way of Greater Cincinnati. Outside of work, Jena is actively involved in her neighborhood of Walnut Hills, serving as a member of the Redevelopment Foundation, Area Council, and Historical Society.
Terri Hurdle, United Way of Greater Cincinnati Champions for Change
tmhurdle@gmail.com
Dr. Hurdle is a Cincinnati native who began her academic pursuits at Tuskegee University located in Alabama, however, due to financial constraints she transferred to Xavier University (Ohio) where she received her B.A. in Political Science and M.S in Criminal Justice. In 2012 she earned completed her Doctorate from the University of Cincinnati. Currently, she is an adjunct instructor at UC and owns her own business T Marie Consulting
Kendra Davis, Champion, Champions of change
Kelolo7277@gmail.com
Mother daughter sister friend proud Cincinnati native. Advocate for change and growth for Cincinnati’s marginalized citizens.
Patrice Watson, Publisher, Soapbox Cincinnati
patrice@soapboxmedia.com
Patrice launched the consulting firm, Raise Your Share, in 2010 to take a deep dive into digital and social media to learn how nonprofits and businesses can integrate new media to develop revenue and audience. Her offline career includes a decade as Publisher at Cincinnati Magazine + 25 years in radio sales and management for groups Clear Channel (formerly Jacor Communications), American Media/DKM Broadcasting and Taft Broadcasting Company. Patrice joined Issue Media Group as publisher for Soapbox Cincinnati and NKY thrives in February, 2016, and lives in North Avondale. Follow her on Twitter @patricewatson10.
Jim DeBrosse, Project Editor – Ohio Civics Essential, Soapbox Media
jimdebrosse@gmail.com
Jim is a veteran journalist, retired professor and co-founder of a social justice news website, Cincinnatians for the American Dream. He is currently project editor of a series of stories on civics knowledge and citizen engagement for Soapbox Media.
Sarah Corlett, Director of Community Development, Madisonville residents, Design Impact
sarah@d-impact.org
Design Impact (DI) is a nonprofit social innovation firm based in Cincinnati, Ohio. DI collaborates with individuals, organizations, and funders to apply creative and inclusive approaches to complex social challenges. Our approach combines creativity, equity, and leadership practices to create social change. We do this in part by amplifying and empowering unheard voices ‚ especially those directly affected by poverty, in the design of their own solutions. To date, DI has partnered with community leaders on over 300 social design projects that span multiple sectors including community health, early education, community development, and food access.
Kathy Schwab, LISC
KSchwab@lisc.org
Kathy Laker Schwab is the Executive Director of the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), a national non-profit intermediary organization that helps resident-led, community-based development organizations transform communities. Schwab has over 30 years of real estate experience in both the for-profit and non-profit development, where she came to LISC in 2009 from a Real Estate Development position at Al. Neyer, Inc.
Liz Blume, Executive Director, Community Building Institute
blume@xavier.edu
Liz Blume is the Executive Director of the Community Building Institute, an organization that helps communities organize their own redevelopment by tapping into the passion of their residents and identifying the assets of their neighborhoods. A planning professional with more than 30 years of experience, Liz has led multiple city, county, and neighborhood planning processes. A significant portion of her research and work has focused on the issues of affordable housing, urban education, land use, equity and community engagement. In addition to her role with CBI, Liz also serves as the Co-Director of the Master’s program in Urban Sustainability at Xavier University.
Kiana Trabue, Executive Director, Population Health Strategies, The Health Collaborative
ktrabue@healthcollab.org
Kiana R. Trabue currently serves as Executive Director for The Health Collaborative where she leads
Greater Cincinnati/N KY’s population health agenda, Gen-H. In this role she provides leadership,
strategic direction and oversight for Gen-H which is focused on activating data driven solutions to reduce
the impact of chronic disease and build a care system that’s healthy by design. Additionally, Kiana serves on the Mill Creek Alliance Board, Cradle Cincinnati’s Advisory Board, Planned Parenthood of Southwest Ohio Board, Health Policy Institute of Ohio’s Health Equity Advisory Group, Ohio Diversity Council’s Cincinnati Advisory Board, Xavier University’s Population Health Advisory Board, Hamilton County Public Health’s Public Health Advisory Council. In 2020 she joined Impact 100 and became a Trustee for Princeton Education Foundation.
Maryse Amin, Supervising Epidemiologist, Cincinnati Health Department
maryse.amin@cincinnati-oh.gov
Dr. Maryse Amin is a supervising epidemiologist overseeing the Epidemiology program at the Cincinnati Health Department. Dr. Amin received a Bachelor of Arts from Miami University in Psychology and Neuroscience. She received a Master of Science in Experimental Psychology from the University of Texas at San Antonio. Dr. Amin received her Doctoral Degree, PhD in Epidemiology from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. Her interests are to identify risk factors associated with poor overall health to eventually improve vulnerable populations health outcomes through public health advocacy. Dr. Amin has over 16 years of diverse experience in research ranging from basic science to applied epidemiology developing study designs and analyzing results for platform presentations and community engagement.
Barbara Busch, Executive Director, Working In Neighborhoods
bbusch@wincincy.org
Barbara Busch co-founded Working In Neighborhoods (WIN) in 1978 and continues as its Executive Director today. WIN provides financial education and homeownership opportunities to low and moderate income residents throughout greater Cincinnati. Originally started with a $14,000 budget, the organization now has an annual operating budget of $1.4 million and employs 21 staff members. As an urban renovator and innovator, S. Barbara Busch sees both needs and strengths in greater Cincinnati’s low and moderate-income communities. Under her guidance, neighborhood residents have united across racial and socio-economic boundaries to improve our community. S. Barb has trained countless community leaders to challenge public and private leaders to be accountable. She is a member of the Sisters of Charity. S. Barbara has a Master of Social Work from University of Michigan and is a Licensed Independent Social Work Supervisor.
Jenna Hippensteel, Community Matters
jenna@cmcincy.org
Jenna is a social worker in Lower Price Hill. The Justice League lets her join their meetings and partners with her to carry out service projects. Jenna enjoys learning sweet dance moves from Justice League members.
Michelle Ricica, Santa Maria Community Services
michelle.ricica@santamaria-cincy.org
Michelle is a youth development worker in Lower Price Hill. The Justice League lets her join their meetings and partners with her to carry out service projects. Michelle always brings snacks and jokes to meetings, which Justice League members really appreciate.
Thomas Cortez, The Justice League
Cortez is a member of the Justice League. He attends Oyler and is one of the coldest basketball players in the neighborhood. He co-designed Justice League’s presidential election system.
Aluchion Davis, The Justice League
Aluchion co-designed the Justice League’s presidential election process. He’s an Oyler student, and he’s got some cold moves on the basketball court.
Izaiah Cathey, The Justice League
Izaiah is in high school at Oyler. He likes to hoop and produce podcasts. Lower Price Hill’s neighborhood grandma is his actual grandma.
Elijah Cathey, The Justice League
Elijah is in high school at Oyler. He likes to hoop and produce podcasts. Lower Price Hill’s neighborhood grandma is Elijah’s actual grandma.
Charles Harris, The Justice League
Charles is a founding member of the Justice League. He loves coaching football and teaching kids in the neighborhood how to channel their energy into sports. Charles goes by Duka, a nickname he got from family members when he was little.
Elissa Pogue, President, Mt. Washington Community Council
eapogue@gmail.com
Elissa Pogue is a community activist in Mt. Washington, currently serving as president of the Mt. Washington Community Council board. Born and raised in Cincinnati, Elissa has lived in Mt. Washington for over 20 years. She and her husband, Mike Henson, raise chickens, create pottery and poetry, and work to make Mt. Washington an equitable, healthy and safe community.
Fred Neurohr, Principal, FnCI
fneurohr@gmail.com
Fred Neurohr has worked in the private and nonprofit sectors, and has been involved in his local community for years. His main concern is getting boards to acknowledge the 80/20 rule in volunteerism, and how their organizations can get more done with dedication to processes and investing in a few simple steps. Fred served 7 years on the Northside Community Council, until 2019
Patrick Ormond, East End
psormond@gmail.com
Patrick is a long-time activist and community organizer in his neighborhood, the city and the county. He has recently completed his latest term as President of the East End Area Council and is currently serving as Vice President. Over the course of his time in the community, Patrick has served on over 30 committees and boards and as chair of eight, including, but not limited to, Neighborhood Health Care and the Eastern Riverfront Urban Plan. Most recently he completed the Community Benefits Agreement for Homerama 2020 and the East End Garden District Plan. Accomplishments Patrick is most proud of include initiating and fundraising to take 350 city wide youths to a Cincinnati Reds Game in cooperation with the Cincinnati Police Dept. and being able to devote enough time to eastern hillside slippages.
Chandra Yungbluth, Complete Count Committee
chandra.yungbluth@cincinnati-oh.gov
Ms. Yungbluth leads the Office of Aging and Accessibility which includes serving as the liaison to the Cincinnati Accessibility Board of Advisors (CABA), directing all City ADA initiatives, and ensuring Title IV and accessibility compliance by the Streetcar. Chandra is leading efforts such as working with AARP to maintain the City’s Livable Communities initiative and helping to oversee the Census 2020 project. While working for the Ohio Secretary of State, Ms. Yungbluth was responsible for working on accessibility-related issues at polling places in counties throughout the Greater Cincinnati region. Most recently she served as the Southwest Ohio Director of The Ohio Environmental Council (OEC) where she worked to bring together opinion leaders, local officials and key stakeholders to develop strategies to address and advocate for specific issues.
Katherine Keough-Jurs, City of Cincinnati Department of City Planning
Katherine.Keough-Jurs@cincinnati-oh.gov
Ms. Keough-Jurs has worked for the City of Cincinnati since September, 2000. She was Project Manager for Plan Cincinnati, the City of Cincinnati’s first comprehensive plan in over 30 years, and winner of the American Planning Association’s (APA) 2014 Daniel Burnham Award for a Comprehensive Plan, APA Ohio’s 2013 Ohio Planning Award for Comprehensive Planning in a Large Jurisdiction, and the 2013 Frank F. Ferris Award for Planning in Hamilton County, Ohio. Ms. Keough-Jurs was appointed Director of the Department of City Planning in February 2018. She is a member of the Board of the Ohio Chapter of the APA and is also the Director of the Cincinnati Section of APA Ohio and has been certified by the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) since 2001.
Steven Kenat, Director of Community Development, GBBN
skenat@gbbn.com
Steve Kenat is a registered Architect and Principal at GBBN. As Director of Community Development, he specializes in projects – including housing, cultural institutions, transit-oriented development and workplaces – that celebrate the vibrant, authentic, (and often messy) urban condition. Passionate about projects that are transforming the city of Cincinnati, he led GBBN’s teams for the new 1010-on-the-Rhine grocery and apartments, the renovation of the Cincinnati Union Terminal, and the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company. Steve is a resident of downtown Cincinnati, and a board member of multiple nonprofits and professional organizations, including ULI Cincinnati and LISC.
Samantha Essel-Addo, CAFM Programmer, GBBN Architects
sesseladdo@gbbn.com
Learning to code cracked Sam’s world wide-open: That’s when she knew she could impact communities across the street or across the globe by helping organizations use technology to reach people and achieve their goals. As a programmer with GBBN’s in4mation group, Sam brings a passion for problem solving and the ability to quickly assess and understand client needs. Originally from Ghana, West Africa, Sam is tri-lingual (she is fluent in English, Ga-Ghana, and Twi Ghana) and a lover of travel and mentoring others.
Chas Wiederhold, Designer, GBBN Architects
cwiederhold@gbbn.com
Chas Wiederhold is a designer at GBBN on the Community Development team. Having grown up in a tight knit community in rural Ohio, Chas has long been drawn to public spaces, the built environment, and places where people gather. He is driven by the catalytic role architecture can play in communities and uses an empathetic approach to design for all people who will ultimately be impacted by a project. He is a founding board member of the Cardinal Land Conservancy and currently serves as the Steward for the Architecture Lobby, Cincinnati Chapter.
Kareem Moncree-Moffett
drktmoncree@gmail.com
As a long time volunteer in the community space, trainer, educator and advocate, Kareem has recently launched the #HearUsNow Youth Voice Alliance to connect all organizations that work with youth the magnify the impact, organization and engagement with youth and their ability to reconcile issues of race, socio-economics, social justice and political topics. As well as an education research consultant, Kareem is an Adjunct Professor of Math at Cincinnati State. She previously served on the Board of Invest in Neighborhoods and as the co-chair of the NAACP Education Committee, and currently has been appointed to CPS’ Strategic Engagement and Planning Committee.
Renee Hevia
reneehevia@gmail.com
Renee is an experienced educator with demonstrated history of working in the primary/secondary industry, with a 30 year career as a teacher and administrator. She is currently the Chair of GLSEN Greater Cincinnati and a Board Member for Women’s Club of Cincinnati. Renee serves as Advisor to the Youth Executive Team for #HearUsNow Youth Voice Alliance.
Rick Wolf, Youth Voice Alliance
Jessica Powell, Vice President of the Hamilton County Landbank, The Landbank
Jessica Powell joined The Port in 2017 to help manage neighborhood revitalization in the overall execution of the Hamilton County Land Reutilization Corporation’s board-driven mission and policies. Managed by The Port since 2012, the Landbank is an important tool addressing vacant and abandoned properties. In this role, Jessica works closely with the neighborhood revitalization team and community development corporations so that she can effectively support and lead holistic, program-driven initiatives that restore properties to productive use. She works closely with the City of Cincinnati and other jurisdictions and community stakeholders to affect management and stewardship of Landbank-owned properties.
Deborah Robb, Director of Homesteading & Urban Redevelopment Corporation (HURC) and Residential Sales, The Port
Deborah Robb joined The Port in 2004. A long-time housing and neighborhood advocate, Deborah is The Port’s program director of the Homesteading and Urban Redevelopment Corporation (HURC), a 501(c)(3) Ohio nonprofit corporation dedicated to improving the quality of housing stock and increasing affordable homeownership for first-time homebuyers or low to moderate income families and individuals, providing a quality product with minimal overhead. Deborah leads economic inclusion efforts for The Port and its managed entities, and she serves as the listing and sales agent for all The Port’s residential properties.
Bill Fischer, Vice President of Community Development, The Port
William Fischer, EDFP, joined The Port in 2019 to lead the organization’s outreach efforts in neighborhoods throughout Hamilton County and with real estate developers in Greater Cincinnati. He focuses on residential and commercial development, supporting The Port’s goal to foster a wide range of residential housing options in neighborhoods with thriving neighborhood business districts. Bill works closely with Jessica Powell, Vice President of the Hamilton County Landbank, to maximize The Port’s work delivering holistic neighborhood revitalization strategies. Together, they work to repurpose unproductive real estate to achieve its highest and best community use, fostering new residential and commercial development.
Councilmember Greg Landsman
greg.landsman@cincinnati-oh.gov
Greg Landsman is a City of Cincinnati Councilmember. Greg is CEO of the 767 Group, which supports communities in the United States and overseas achieve large-scale community and systemic change, especially on behalf of children and families. Greg is the son of teachers and a former teacher himself, which raised him to believe in the potential of every child, and every family. That’s why he led the Cincinnati Preschool Promise to provide two years of quality preschool for children in Cincinnati. On Cincinnati City Council, Greg’s passion for making Cincinnati a better place for children and families drives his agenda.
Art Dahlberg, Department of Buildings and Inspections
art.dahlberg@cincinnati-oh.gov
Art Dahlberg is the Director of the Department of Buildings & Inspections for the City of Cincinnati. Mr. Dahlberg previously worked as the Commissioner of the Department of Neighborhood Services for the City of Milwaukee, where he managed Milwaukee’s new construction, fire prevention and property maintenance programs. During his time there he was responsible for reintegrating the permitting and inspection process, creating a uniform system for the interpretation of numerous construction codes. Prior to the City of Milwaukee Mr. Dahlberg served as the Commissioner of Buildings in Richmond, Va., and Director of the Code Enforcement Bureau for the City of Richmond, Va. He has also worked as a Patent Examiner and Structural Engineer
Erica Faaborg, City Law
erica.faaborg@cincinnati-oh.gov
Erica Faaborg is the Chief Counsel of affirmative litigation and the Quality of Life Division for the City of Cincinnati’s Law Department. Erica started her legal career in Chicago, Illinois where she worked for a boutique civil rights law firm. After litigating in federal court for several years, she moved back to Cincinnati, Ohio and worked “behind the bench” at the United States Court for the Southern District of Ohio where she served as a law clerk for the Honorable Magistrate Judge Karen L. Litkovitz from 2011-2015. Erica joined the City’s Law Department in September 2015, where her work is focused on reducing blight, revitalizing communities, and improving housing conditions and the quality of life of residents in every neighborhood
Mary Reid, St Vincent De Paul
mreid@svdpcincinnati.org
Mary Reid, JD, M.S.W, L.I.S.W. – Mary has over 30 years of experience working with children and families living in poverty. Earning her Master’s degree in Social Work from Howard University in Washington, DC and her law degree from John Marshal Law School in Chicago, IL, she has worked as a social worker in the child welfare, mental health and school settings in the Cincinnati area. She has practiced law as a GAL-Attorney with the Hamilton County Public Defender’s office. Currently she is the Social Services Director at St. Vincent de Paul overseeing the administration of the Eviction Prevention Initiative funded by the City of Cincinnati. Mary is the single mother of a 26 year old son who is a graduate of The Ohio State University and a current grad student at Xavier University for school counseling. Her motto is “Be kind to everyone you meet, for everyone is fighting some kind of battle.”
Calcagno Cullen, Wave Pool
cal@wavepoolgallery.org
Calcagno Cullen is a social practice artist, arts educator, and curator. She is founder and Executive Director of Wave Pool Arts Center, a gallery, studio space, and socially-engaged arts activator in Cincinnati, United States, and the co-founder of The Welcome Project, a social-enterprise and makerspace for and by Cincinnati’s refugees and immigrants. She is a member of the women’s art collective The FemFour, and collaboratively organizes the traveling exhibition and catalog of Women’s March posters entitled “Still They Persist” She has also curated and organized a multitude of exhibitions including “Dial Collect” in 2013 at SOMArts in San Francisco, “Social Medium” at Wave Pool, and a segment of “Bay Area NOW” at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts. She has been artist in residence at The Center for Great Neighborhoods in Covington, KY, Lo Studio dei Nipoti in Calabria, Italy, Teple Misto in Ivano Frankivsk, Ukraine, and in Sardegna, Italy. Her work has been shown in solo shows at Adobe Books Backroom Gallery, the Contemporary Arts Center in Cincinnati, and elsewhere.
Chris Bigham, Assistant City Manager, City Budgeting Office
chris.bigham@cincinnati-oh.gov
Currently the Assistant City Manager and the Budget Director for the City of Cincinnati, Chris is a 27 year employee of the City with extensive experience with City operations, budgeting, and financial policies and procedures.
Brian Gay, Supervising Management Analyst, City Budgeting Office
brian.gay@cincinnati-oh.gov
Brian is a 9 year employee of the City’s Office of Budget and Evaluation. He is primarily responsible for the annual coordination of the all funds capital budget for the City.
Jared Ellis, City Planner, City of Cincinnati Department of City Planning
jared.ellis@cincinnati-oh.gov
Jared joined the Department of City Planning in 2016 as an intern and was hired as a full-time City Planner in 2018. Jared serves as the liaison for the Budget Office and City Planning for the Community Budget Requests (CBR) and Neighborhood Project Suggestion (NPS) forms. Jared is also concurrently working on the Columbia Tusculum and Kennedy Heights neighborhood plans.
Ioanna Paraskevopoulos, co-founder, Action Tank
ioanna.para@gmail.com
Ioanna Paraskevopoulos was born and raised in the Clifton Gaslight District, and in 2019, she returned to the neighborhood with her three year-old, Hugo, after a lengthy detour through Annapolis, New York, Washington D.C., Brussels, and Northside. She has served as Chief of Staff in Council Member David Mann’s office since October 2016, and in 2019 co-founded Action Tank, a think tank committed to partnering with artists to research, educate, and advocate for equitable policy in the Cincinnati area. She is passionate about helping community groups navigate City Hall to effect policy changes that lift up their neighborhoods, and she loves getting to know her neighbors as they work together to discuss, plan, argue, build, work, and celebrate their community. She is a devoted yoga student, an enthusiastic amateur chef, and an avid moviegoer. Prior to returning to Cincinnati, she worked at the U.S. Department of State, where she managed the Human Rights and Congressional Affairs portfolio for the Middle East Bureau. She has a B.A. in Philosophy from Columbia University and a J.D. from Northern Kentucky University.
Margy Waller, Co-Founder, Action Tank
margywaller@gmail.com
Margy Waller is co-founder of Action Tank and an advocate for building equitable policy and places through the arts. She is a Senior Fellow at Topos Partnership (a national strategic communications organization), founder and Serendipity Director of Art on the Streets, and was a leader in the transformation of ArtsWave, an arts advocacy and support non-profit. She is an advisor to national organizations like Americans for the Arts, PolicyLink, and LISC, currently serving as field coordinator for four leading creative placemaking organizations, ArtPlace, Kresge Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, and Arizona State University. Previously she was Visiting Fellow at the Brookings Institution, with a joint appointment in the Economic Studies and Metropolitan Policy programs.
Mary Clare Rietz, Facilitating Artist, Storefronts at Miami U. Center for Community Engagement
mcstoriesandart@mac.com
With a background in community organizing, Mary Clare Rietz is a Cincinnati-based artist who offers herself as instigator, facilitator, co-generator of ideas, and gatherer of people and resources, for aesthetic-centric community projects. Those with most stake develop, produce, voice, and perform these place-based public works that point to possibilities for empathy, connection, and action toward equity.
Dorothy Smoot, Community Police Partnering Center
dsmoot@ulgso.org
As the Executive Director of the Community Police Partnering Center since 2012, Dorothy supports a staff of twelve individuals committed to building bridges and relationships in Cincinnati neighborhoods. We empower community people to partner with the police and community stakeholders to utilize a transparent inclusive process that helps find community driven solutions to issues of crime, disorder and quality of life. This approach helps build positive and supportive relationships between the neighborhoods and the Cincinnati Police Department. A diverse background in social service program delivery for adults and youth helps Dorothy’s work. She is a member of the Cincinnati City Manager’s Advisory Group, a Crime Prevention Specialist certified by the Ohio Crime Prevention Association in 2018, and an Alumni Member of the Cincinnati Citizen’s Police Academy.
Andria Carter, Community Police Partnering Center
acarter@ulgso.org
Andria Y. Carter is a media and community relations expert who currently works for the Community Police Partnering Center as a Community Engagement Specialist/Media Coordinator. Her work with the CPPC is in many of Cincinnati’s 52 neighborhoods helping to find solutions to safety issues. She previously worked as Communications Director for former President Pro Tem Yvette Simpson with the Cincinnati City Council and later for the Center for Closing the Health Gap. She also serves on the board of Invest in Neighborhoods, MAC (Multicultural Awareness Council with the Cincinnati Symphony), United We Stand, and Cincinnati-Nancy Sister City Association.
Kevin Laudat, Executive Vice President, Rosleawn Community Council
kevin.laudat@yahoo.com
A graduate of Withrow High School, Kevin grew up in the neighborhood of Madison Place /Madisonville and was a Life Scout in Boy Scouts. Of modest means he attended NKU as a nontraditional student and graduated in 2009 with a Bachelors of Liberal Studies with 4 concentrations. In 2016, he graduated from NKU again with a Masters in Public Administration focusing on Metropolitan Governance and Executive Management. He moved to Roselawn in 2015. As a parent, when his daughter made the statement that she did not feel safe in Roselawn he immediately sought to find a solution, which led to becoming a Trustee of Roselawn Community Council and an EVP. Roselawn has a 10 year plan that includes “Roselawn: Not What You Expected”, “Roselawn: Just What You Expected”, and “Roselawn: More Than You Expected” focused on creating a friendly walkable space for residents to raise and enjoy their families without sacrificing the diversity that exists by loss through gentrification.
Jeff Raser, Architect, AIA Cincinnati
jraser@cudastudio.com
Jeff Raser, AIA, is the owner of Cincinnati Urban Design and Architecture Studio (CUDA Studio). Midway through Jeff’s 30 year career he realized it is the space outside and between buildings that is the focus of his passion. Jeff has master-planned new communities, created urban design plans for existing urban neighborhoods, and helped create zoning codes (including form-based codes) which allow developers to profitably create what communities want and need. He’s also designed many new urban-infill buildings and restored historic ones, helping communities realize their full potential.
Couper Gardiner, Co-chair Urban Design Committee, AIA Cincinnati
cgardiner@unitingarch.org
Couper Gardiner, AIA LEED AP, is a registered architect and community advocate with design experience in strategic change. He is the founder of m.Arch Inc, a non-profit that offers management and technical assistance to neighborhood and community organizations. Prior to forming m.Arch, Couper spent 20+ years at BHDP as a principal and project leader. In between, he refocused his career on community building as an executive-on-loan to ProKids and KnowledgeWorks, and since then has become more involved in Avondale, Camp Washington, Price Hill, and Hyde Park.
John Kornbluh, AIA Cincinnati
john.kornbluh@gmail.com
John Kornbluh is a retired senior project architect specializing in planning and design for civic, civil and community infrastructure facilities. His many new building, renovation, addition and rehabilitation projects, were focused on facility planning and the renovation and reuse of existing buildings as a way to make efficient use of our built environment. In 2002 he was a founding board member of the Corporation for Findlay Market, the non-profit organization that manages Findlay Market, and he continued to serve as a volunteer board member for 12 years. Kornbluh was a program organizer, leader and participant in community design sessions, public forums and other events in Cincinnati including the Lower Price Hill Riverfront Park Vision Session in 2013, the Wasson Way Community Design Workshop in 2013, and the Cincinnati Casino District Public Design Charrette in 2010.
Freda Epum, Program Manager, Public Allies Cincinnati
fredae@publicallies.org
Freda Epum is a writer and Program Manager for Public Allies Cincinnati. Her responsibilities include facilitating and developing curriculum, as well as mentoring the next generation of leaders. For the past several years she has worked with a variety of audience groups in museums, higher education, and learning centers. Her work has lead to a passion for increasing accessibility in education, including gender, sexuality, racial diversity, and nontraditional education programs like for ESL students or those with developmental disabilities.
Danyetta Najoli, Community Builder, Starfire
danyetta@starfirecouncil.org
Danyetta Najoli is a lead community builder at Starfire. She works with people to, showcase their talents, explore their interests, develop their passions, and maximize their strengths. As a connector, Danyetta discovers people who are interested in building community with the people she supports, around areas of interests, community projects, and key neighborhoods. In addition, Danyetta trains and facilitates learning around Starfire’s organizational design and process. Most recent was a learning-intensive, alongside Tim Vogt, of two major human services organizations who learned Starfire’s design over a ten-week period, for their own implementation. Danyetta has trained and facilitated learning since 2000 and welcomes the learning process. She earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration from Fisk University (HBCU) and a Masters of Arts in Organizational Leadership from Regent University. Danyetta has extensive training in leadership and coaching from Achieve Global (Formerly Zenger-Miller Frontline Leadership), Harvard Business School and The Graduate School of Coaching. She is a member of the West Price Hill Community Council. Danyetta enjoys traveling, writing, singing, and spending time with her husband and two children.