David Ball is the Senior Vice President of Energy Delivery at American Electric Power. In his current role, he is responsible for all Energy Delivery engineering functions, real time operations, field services and all associated compliance.

Jim Bender has served as the Vice President, Global Customer Journey for The Wendy’s Company since March 2023. Previously, he was Wendy’s Vice President, Brand Activation since June 2019.

Jim’s journey at Wendy’s began in 2011 when he assumed the role of Director of Brand Marketing. His expertise at Wendy’s spans product marketing, new daypart development, restaurant design and experiential activations. Today, Jim is focused on building best-in-class experience for customers and crew for Wendy’s restaurants across the globe. Throughout his time in marketing, Jim developed the invaluable ability to work across marketing, operations, and technology to design high-impact solutions.

With a drive to never accept good enough, Jim instills in his team the courage to stay curious, dare to ask, “what if…” and explore solutions that may seem impossible. He has built a reputation for taking on big challenges no matter his role. Jim is credited for chartering a new age of Wendy’s Hamburger sales growth, creating the first ever Wendy’s food truck for marketing activations and implementing Coca-Cola Freestyle that Wendy’s fans have come to know and love. Most recently, Jim and his team reimagined Wendy’s menu experience for today’s consumers and operators with streamlined simplicity and digital capabilities to accelerate growth.

Jim’s passion for the Queen of QSR began during the time of Tiffany lamps and newspaper print tables, as he frequented the Wendy’s salad bar with his family. Today, Jim’s work is all about reimagining Wendy’s for the next generation, while upholding the brand’s core values. Jim’s go-to Wendy’s order? The Dave’s Double combo, sans tomatoes.

His commitment to food and family extends beyond his role at Wendy’s, as Jim stays busy attending events for his children and is an active volunteer with Mid-Ohio Food Collective.

Before Wendy’s, Jim held brand management roles at Abbott Nutrition and Kraft Foods, in addition to working in advertising. He is an alumnus of Saint Louis University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications.

Tasha Booker is a bold voice for Ohio’s families and a champion for the child care workforce. As CEO of Action for Children, she leads with vision and heart, and is passionate about making high-quality early learning experiences accessible and equitable for children and families.

Tasha Booker brings nearly three decades of transformative leadership to Action for Children, drawing from a robust background in nonprofit management, strategic communications, and community-focused advocacy.

A seasoned nonprofit leader, Tasha previously served as SVP at City Year Inc., directing a $24M nationwide engagement effort. Before joining the national organization, she served as the Executive Director of City Year Columbus, where her visionary approach turned underperforming operations into a model site recognized nationally for excellence, resulting in a 62% increase in private revenue and a 280% rise in district investments. She’s known for transforming systems, building inclusive teams, and lifting up communities.

Tasha’s commitment to creating a thriving organizational culture has been instrumental in building high-performing, inclusive teams that thrive under her guidance. Her strategic acumen is further supported by an extensive network of partnerships, cultivated through her roles with organizations such as United Way of Central Ohio and I Know I Can, where she developed programs that expanded access to education and resources for underserved communities.

As CEO of Action for Children, Tasha amplifies the organization’s impact on central Ohio’s families, educators, and children by strengthening partnerships with government, businesses, and the community. Her vision centers on positioning Action for Children as a trusted resource for early care, education and family support, with a focus on ensuring accessible, high-quality services that contribute to the well-being and economic vitality of the region.

Tasha holds a Master’s in Education from Mount Vernon Nazarene University, along with a certificate in Designing for Social Systems from Stanford University. She is active in the Columbus community, serving causes such as affordable housing, education and metro parks.

In her free time, Tasha enjoys traveling internationally and spending time with her husband Troy Fowler, son Logan, bonus son T.J. and the family’s 5lb Poodle Skittles and Sir Cooper, the Airdale Terrier.

Jacqueline Bryant is a distinguished Media Professional and Communications Leader with an accomplished career spanning over 35 years. Throughout her journey, she has consistently demonstrated expertise in strategic communications, media relations, and public affairs, earning recognition for her ability to build strong teams and foster meaningful relationships.

Since August 2024, Jacqueline has served as the Communications Leader for Pickerington Local Schools, one of the largest and fastest-growing districts in Ohio. In this role, she leads the district’s communications efforts, overseeing daily messaging, writing, strategic planning, and media relations. Reporting to the Superintendent, she manages a dedicated staff and works collaboratively to support district personnel, offices, departments, and schools. Her commitment to transparency, storytelling, and community engagement is at the core of her work, ensuring that the district’s voice is clearly and effectively conveyed.

Previously, Jacqueline spent 14.5 years with Columbus City Schools, holding pivotal positions including Communications Manager, Director, Interim Executive Director, and Interim Chief of Communications. Throughout her tenure, she played a central role in aligning communication strategies with the district’s mission, overseeing crisis communications, developing content, and serving as a trusted spokesperson. Her leadership was instrumental in navigating change and ensuring cohesive messaging across departments.

Before her time in education, Jacqueline built a strong foundation in broadcast journalism. She spent 17 years with WCMH-TV/NBC 4, progressing from an assignment editor to Executive Producer, where she managed key programming and led reporting teams. She also gained valuable experience with WBNS-10TV, NBC Sports (covering the Barcelona Summer Olympics), and lifestyle television programming, further shaping her expertise in media production and storytelling.

A Columbus native, Jacqueline holds a Master of Business Administration from Franklin University and a Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Journalism with a minor in Interpersonal Communications from The Ohio State University.

Outside of work, Jacqueline embraces outdoor adventures at various park locations and athletics, with a passion for softball, running, and pickleball. Music remains her personal sanctuary, and she continuously seeks new experiences through travel and connections with people from diverse backgrounds. A dedicated community member, she actively volunteers to support causes close to her heart. She is also the proud owner of Bijou, her independent-minded Cane Corso, who keeps her on her toes.

Dan Cannon is a proven business and strategy leader with nearly thirty years of experience. He currently serves as AVP – Commercial Lines Product for Grange Insurance after many years of service at Nationwide and Farmers Insurance.  In addition to business experience, Dan has spent the past 15 years supporting youth sports in his community. He has coached baseball, boys’ basketball, girls’ basketball, football and wrestling while also supporting the boards of several of the organizations.

His passion for youth sports comes from his upbringing where he grew up in a financially unstable environment. Sports was what gave him hope for the future and day to day purpose. Sports gave him the confidence to change his trajectory. He wants all kids to have the same opportunities through playing sports, which means access to resources, equipment, coaching, etc. He hopes to give back in that regard.

Dan holds an MBA from Ashland University and a BA in Finance from Otterbein University.

He lives in Upper Arlington with his spouse, Ali, and their 3 children, Jake, Tyler and Ellie.

Oyauma Garrison serves as the President & Chief Executive Officer at Maryhaven, Inc, a nonprofit organization that helps individuals and families lead healthy lives free from addiction and mental health challenges by providing education, treatment, and support. Maryhaven has served over 400,000 since 1953. Under Oyauma’s leadership, the organization will engage in beating the stigmas associated with addiction and mental health, serve tens of thousands more, drive collaboration and execute a wrap-around strategy (including workforce development) to help break the relapse cycle.

Prior to Maryhaven, Oyauma served as the National President & CEO for A Kid Again, a nonprofit focused on providing Hope, Happiness and Healing for families raising children battling a life-threatening condition. He grew the organization from one state to all fifty (50) states plus D.C., in less than five (5) years. Oyauma is a former insurance company executive of over 20 years. He worked at State Farm, Nationwide, Allstate, and Jacobson.

Active in the community, Oyauma has received numerous awards for leadership and community service. He received an honorary doctorate degree from Franklin University in 2019. In 2021, Oyauma received the Denison University’s highest alumni honor, an Alumni Citation. Honors and recognition include, Top 50 Smart Business Leaders, CEO of the Year finalist (2020 & 2021) – Columbus CEO, a Columbus Business First Most Admired C-Suite leader (2019 & 2021) and NBMBAA Lifetime Achievement Award, and National MBA of Year. Oyauma has been featured in several publications and delivered his first TedTalk on Corporate Social Responsibility in 2016. He has been recognized with the United States of America Presidential 2014 Gold Standard Award for Service. Serves as an Executive In Residence at Franklin University and Denison University. Additionally, he has been recognized twice by the Oho General Assembly for his leadership and by Columbus City Council.

Oyauma currently serves as a Director on the Board of Buckeye Mutual Insurance Company, and Board Member of Aileron. Oyauma serves as an Executive In Residence for Franklin University and Denison University. He has served as Board Chair for St. Vincent Family Centers, co-chair of the United Way Campaign Cabinet corporate development committee and served a two-year term as Co-Chair of the United Way of Central Ohio Tocqueville society. As an avid runner, Oyauma has completed numerous full and half marathons, along with adventure runs. A member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc and St. Mark’s Lodge #7 – Prince Hall Masons.

Oyauma earned his bachelor’s degree from Denison University and his MBA from Franklin University. He has four wonderful children.

In November 2024, Judge Monica Hawkins was re-elected to fulfill another six-year term on the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, Division of Domestic Relations and Juvenile Branch, bringing to the bench decades of public service experience working with families in our community.

Also in 2024, Judge Monica Hawkins assumed the role of Administrative Judge over the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations and Juvenile Branch, effective January 1, 2024.

Most recently, the Supreme Court of Ohio appointed Judge Hawkins to the Commission on the Rules of Superintendence for Ohio Courts to serve as a Domestic Relations Judge member for a three-year term beginning January 1, 2025, and ending December 31, 2027.

Since taking the bench, Judge Hawkins has presided over more than 17,000 cases involving juvenile delinquency, abuse, neglect and dependency, permanent court custody matters, divorces and dissolutions, custody, visitation, and child support cases.

Judge Hawkins graduated from The Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice, The University of Dayton with a Master of Science Degree in Education, and Capital University Law School with a Doctor of Jurisprudence. She was licensed to practice law in Ohio in 2000.

Judge Hawkins was a Child Welfare Caseworker with Franklin County Children Services, working directly with the diverse population of Franklin County. As a Court Liaison for Franklin County Children Services, she served as a catalyst to improve communications and relationships between the Agency, the Court, the Prosecutor’s Office, and court staff.

Prior to joining the bench, Judge Hawkins worked as a clerk for a Domestic Relations attorney, was a drug and alcohol counselor for Children’s Hospital, and worked in the Federal Public Defender’s Office as an Investigator. She also worked for City Attorney Zach Klein as an attorney, further diversifying her skill and experience.

As a senior trial attorney, Judge Hawkins represented Franklin County Children Services in the broad variety of cases she now presides over as Judge. Among the cases most significant to her were—and remain—the highly sensitive termination of parental rights cases.

Judge Hawkins is currently a member of the Ohio State Bar Association, Ohio Judicial Conference, Ohio Association of Domestic Relations Judges, The Ohio Association of Juvenile Court Judges, Association of Family & Conciliation Courts, National Council of Juvenile & Family Court Judges, Women Lawyers of Franklin County, and a host of other associations, organizations, and clubs.

Judge Hawkins oversees the Juvenile Intervention Center Community Garden and serves on the Community Advisory Board for My Brother’s Keeper Violence Prevention, the JJCPI/JDAI Executive Committee, the JDAI DSI/Warrant Committee, the Criminal Justice and Community Correction Planning Board. She also serves as an executive member on the Look Ma’ No Hands Organization Board.

Judge Monica Hawkins is the proud mother of Dionte’ J. Johnson, former Ohio State University football captain, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. He and his wife, Jessica, are the parents of Judge Hawkins’ beautiful grandchildren.

Bernita Reese joined the City of Columbus Recreation and Parks Department in January 2022. She previously served as the Director of the Huntsville, Alabama Parks & Recreation Department.

Before her time in Huntsville, Bernita spent three years as Assistant Director for Columbus Recreation and Parks, overseeing the Community Recreation and Special Programs section. Her previous leadership experience includes 15 years with the DeKalb County Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs Department.

With over 30 years of experience in the parks and recreation profession, Bernita possesses specialized training and expertise. She is a practical, problem-solving, professional administrator, educator, and self-motivated organizer who welcomes performance-based evaluations. Bernita actively participates in various professional activities at national, state, and local levels. She is currently a member of the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) and the Ohio Parks and Recreation Association (OPRA). Additionally, she holds the position of president of the Bridge at Austin and currently serves on numerous boards.

Bernita has extensive experience working with public, private, and military recreation. Her work has spanned nationally and internationally, encompassing recreation, athletics, and therapeutics. Throughout her career, Bernita has been driven by a passion to motivate people and implement programs that have a lasting impact on the community.

James “Jamie” Ryan is an attorney with 39 years of experience who focuses on commercial lending transactions for national and regional lenders, asset-based transactions, and specialized lending transactions. Jamie also provides legal advice to retailers, insurance companies, manufacturers, and distributors on minimizing liability for unclaimed funds and assists them in audits by the states. He also serves as corporate counsel to privately held companies and helps clients with drafting operating agreements, issuing equity, conducting mergers and acquisitions, and negotiating contracts.

Mr. Ryan represents numerous retailers operating in all 50 states and numerous foreign countries in connection with point-of- sale, advertising, sales audit, gift card and unclaimed property issues and laws.

Jamie is a frequent speaker on unclaimed property issues at national conferences and has served as an expert witness in unclaimed property litigation. He is a member of the Unclaimed Property Professionals Organization’s governmental relations and advocacy committee, which has significant influence affecting pending unclaimed property legislation.

Mr. Ryan graduated from The University of Dayton magna cum laude and from The Ohio State University, Moritz College of Law cum laude.

Professional Recognition includes Martindale Hubbell, AV Rating and listed in ” The Best Lawyers in America” every year since 2003/ 2004 by Woodward/ White Inc. Columbus CEO, Top Lawyer 2023.

Jamie is a member of the Buckeye Ranch Foundation Board of Directors, President of the Columbus Crew SC Foundation Board of Directors and President of the Central Ohio Civil War Roundtable.

Neil Shingala is a born and raised Columbus, Ohio native. He grew up playing sports around the local playgrounds, and learned to value outdoor activities, and community from an early age. He also learned early on what it means to have humility, empathy, compassion, and faith while his father battled cancer. He passed away in 2002, when Neil was 16 years old.

Neil attended The Ohio State University with a focus on Finance and Marketing, before taking the reins of Capital Core, Inc., an Ohio based wholesale transmission distribution company which his late father started. As Vice President, he oversees all aspects of the business, including sales, inventory management, supply chain, and special transactions. Capital Core, Inc., is proudly headquartered in Columbus and has provided jobs to over 200 Ohio citizens over the years.

Neil has a deep sense of pride and passion for local parks, playgrounds, and public facilities for those in need. He has spent recent years working with organizations to help rebuild and revive local playgrounds, with an emphasis on upgrading ADA accessible equipment for children with varying abilities. He hopes to create educational programs to enhance literacy for everyone in need.