Susan has a wealth of knowledge and experience in health care and human services policy and financing. Susan currently provides consulting services to clients through Brighton Strategies, LLC. Susan spent five years at Sellers Dorsey, including serving as Managing Director for the Ohio practice for the last three years. In this role Susan worked with health systems around the country and in Ohio to secure additional Medicaid funding to preserve access and improve care and outcomes for Medicaid patients. She also worked with providers, advocacy organizations, and state universities to implement strategies to improve services and health outcomes for Medicaid enrollees. Susan was the Executive Director for the Joint Medicaid Oversight Committee (JMOC), a legislative agency created to increase the legislature’s role in setting direction and policy for and increasing oversight of the state’s largest program. While there she provided research and analysis for the Legislature on major program changes including the carve-in of foster children, behavioral health services, and dual eligible enrollees into managed care. Susan held a leadership role with the Ohio Association of Health Plans (OAHP) where she was the Director of Regulatory Services. While at OAHP, Susan worked with the plans and the State on the expansion of managed care coverage for children with special health care needs and low-income childless adults, program design for the dual eligible demonstration, and on the implementation of value-based programs including patient-centered medical homes, behavioral health homes, and episodic payments. Susan has also held leadership positions with the Center for Community Solutions and the Ohio Office of Budget and Management.

Jen Brauer, Director of Partnerships, Prenatal to 5 at Preschool Promise, brings experience in elementary and early childhood education, business and consulting with a focus on building teams and new programs. She holds a Bachelor of Science in elementary education from Miami University and a Master of Business Administration from Indiana Wesleyan University. Her non-profit committee service includes Sweet Cheeks Diaper Bank, Ohio Diaper Bank Coalition and Dress for Success. In addition, she also serves on the Board of Directors at The Blanket Crew and New Foundation Savings Bank.

Tara Britton joined The Center for Community Solutions in October, 2010, and currently serves as Director of Public Policy and Advocacy, Edward D. and Dorothy E. Lynde Fellow. Located in the Community Solutions’ Columbus office, Britton leads Community Solutions’ public policy team, engages with state policymakers, and serves as an author for a variety of reports on different blogs and reports on a variety of health and human service topics. Britton serves on the Public Policy Committee of the United Way of Central Ohio, is a co-chair of Advocates for Ohio’s Future and is on the board of the Healthcare Collaborative of Greater Columbus. Prior to joining Community Solutions, Tara was an assistant for three years at a Columbus consulting firm, with a focus on the state legislative process. In that role, she tracked legislation and provided reports on hearings in the Ohio House and Senate. Ms. Britton obtained a Master of Public Administration and Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, both from The Ohio State University.

Julie DiRossi-King is the Chief Operating Officer for the Ohio Association of Community Health Centers. Julie joined OACHC in 2006 and works closely with the President & Chief Executive Officer in the administration and execution of OACHC’s strategic plan. Her work includes leading the association’s COVID-19 efforts, coordinating value-based payment reform, and overseeing OACHC’s public affairs agenda, member technical assistance, and external partnership development. She serves on the Boards of Directors for the Ohio School-Based Health Alliance, Oral Health Ohio, Buckeye Health Plan, and is a member of the National Association of Community Health Center’s Legislative Committee. Julie earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from The Ohio State University and lives with her family in Dublin, Ohio.

Dr. Dorman is a Developmental Psychologist who has been working on behalf of children and families for the past 40 years. Her positions have spanned the academic, nonprofit, philanthropic, and government sectors and always included a special focus on families at risk. She is a Cum Laude graduate of Brandeis University and received her doctorate from Cornell.

Lauren Everett is the Associate Director for Cradle Cincinnati. In this role, she develops strategies, processes, and tools to ensure effective implementation of Cradle Cincinnati programs. Lauren oversees systems-change strategies such as the Cradle Cincinnati Learning Collaborative), the Policy Committee and Mama Certified, cultivating partnerships with key stakeholders across sectors to improve healthcare delivery and address the root causes of health disparities in maternal and infant health. She oversaw Cradle Cincinnati’s 5-year strategic planning process and continues to lead its implementation within the organization and across the collective impact coalition. Lauren has worked in public health for 10+ years working in nonprofit, local and federal government. Lauren received a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Spelman College and a Master of Public Health from Emory University.

As the director of community and public health programs, Ryan provides oversight for the programs impacting community health, in support of the OHA Institute for Health Innovation's core strategies. He oversees OHA’s efforts in partnering with hospital, state, and community partners around maternal and infant health in Ohio. Ryan builds upon quality and population health successes to cultivate a comprehensive approach to support community level management of acute and chronic disease. He also provides support to the operations of quality and patient safety programs. Ryan earned his Bachelor of Science degree and his master's degree in Public Health with a focus on health behavior and health promotion from The Ohio State University. Ryan joined OHA in 2014 and is originally from North Canton, Ohio.

Marché Gendrew is a seasoned social worker and community advocate with extensive experience across micro and macro-level systems. She led the national expansion of Queens Village at Cradle Cincinnati, increasing engagement among Black mothers by 500%. At United Way Greater Cincinnati, she managed a $1.5 million investment portfolio and advanced data-driven program strategies. Marché has also championed education equity through her work with the Cincinnati Education Justice Coalition and held impactful roles in child welfare, mental health, and aging services. Her work is rooted in relationship-building, equity, and systemic change.

Debbie Gingrich is the Chief Clinical Officer for Best Point and leads the agency’s programs under Best Point Behavioral Health. She has led innovations for maternal mental health, created a 24-hour crisis hotline for our most vulnerable, and led the opening of an on-campus pediatric mental health urgent care. Debbie leads a group of over 250 mental health professionals who deliver behavioral health counseling, care coordination, school-based day treatment and infant and early childhood mental health care. Debbie earned the Cincinnati Business Courier’s Forty under 40 award in 2013 and is a BOLD graduate program sponsored by the Leadership Council for Nonprofits. She earned her undergraduate degree from Miami University, OH, in Interdisciplinary Studies and her Master of Social Service degree from Bryn Mawr College in Philadelphia.

Paula Grieb, DNP, RN is Chief Operating Officer and Chief Nursing Officer ProMedica Russell J. Ebeid Children’s Hospital. Prior to her current role, Paula served in several key executive leadership roles including Vice President Patient Care Services Metro Region Hospitals, Chief Operating Officer/Chief Nursing Officer ProMedica Bay Park Hospital and ProMedica Fostoria Community Hospital. Paula has a Doctorate in Nursing Practice and a Master of Science from The Ohio State University and Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Spring Arbor University. She is the president of the Toledo Area Ohio Organization for Nursing Leadership (TAOONL) and a board member for the Ohio Organization for Nursing Leadership. Paula serves on the Ohio Children’s Hospital Association Board and the Ronald McDonald House of NWO Board. Paula has been married to Mike for over 30 years and has 3 beautiful adult children, Jeffrey, Justin and Danielle, and is a Gigi to baby boy Oliver.

Jenelle has spent the last decade dedicated to public policy and healthcare advocacy. Throughout her time as an employee of the State government and non-profits, she has worked diligently with a focus on healthcare reform and quality improvement. She has worked with federal, state and local governments on issues spanning from behavioral health, child welfare, Affordable Care Act, and long-term services and supports. Her time spent on Capitol Square has given her significant experience in legislative affairs and executive administration in her roles of Chief of Staff and Legislative Director. Jenelle has worked for the Ohio House of Representatives, the Department of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services, Job and Family Services, the Department of Medicaid, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, and the Healthcare Collaborative of Greater Columbus. In her current role at the Healthcare Collaborative (Health Impact Ohio), Jenelle has taken on the role of Executive Director of the Central Ohio Pathways HUB. Health Impact Ohio is an independent, not-for-profit organization committed to transforming the quality, delivery, and affordability of healthcare to ensure that all people in the Columbus region have the best healthcare experience possible. Through the HUB model, HCGC ensures that all at-risk individuals in Central Ohio are able to access care and services to better support a positive health outcome and quality of life. Outside of her professional development, Jenelle and her husband, Steve, live in Dublin with their two sons and two dogs. She is actively engaged in the community and enjoys playing with her family, traveling, running, and reading on her porch swing.

As a nonpartisan, nonprofit coalition of state and local health and human services policy, advocacy, and provider organizations, AOF’s membership covers a broad range of policy areas, including hunger, healthcare, child care, education, safety net benefits, child welfare, workforce, aging, Ohioans with disabilities, and more. Sarah also supports the newly-formed Economic Mobility Alliance Ohio (EMAO), an alliance of state and local advocacy, research, workforce development, and health and human service organizations and funders committed to ending the system of disincentives to work known as benefits cliffs that trap Ohioans in poverty.

Maleka J. James, MPH, CD, is a dedicated maternal and child health advocate and public health professional committed to advancing equity and improving outcomes for families. She serves as the Infant & Child Wellness Initiatives Project Manager at Dayton Children’s Hospital, where she leads cross-sector efforts to reduce infant mortality and improve maternal health, supporting healthy beginnings for all children. She is also a certified birth and postpartum doula, providing culturally responsive, community-centered care to families throughout their perinatal journey. Maleka serves on several statewide boards and advisory councils, including the American Heart Association – Dayton Board, Omega Community Development Corporation, YWCA Dayton, the Ohio Doula Advisory Group, and the Ohio Collaborative to Prevent Infant Mortality. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Kentucky State University and a Master of Public Health with a Global Health concentration from Wright State University. Her personal experience as a mother further fuels her commitment to building equitable systems of care for all families.

A leader who has helped guide and influence major aspects of Ohio’s health policy and Medicaid funding structures over the past 20 years, Juenger joined OACB in October of 2022 from Molina Healthcare of Ohio, where she served as Director of Government Contracts since April of 2019. Prior to joining Molina, Juenger served for eight years as Director of Stakeholder Relations in the Office of Health Transformation (OHT) under former Governor John Kasich, where she oversaw the design and implementation of the state’s value-based initiatives, encompassing 11 health plans, more than 15,000 health care providers, and approximately $60 billion in annual health care spending.

Hope Lane-Gavin joined the Ohio Association of Foodbanks in January 2023 and serves as their Director of Nutrition Policy and Programs where she focuses on strengthening access to public assistance programs aimed at eliminating food insecurity. Prior to this role, Hope served as the Health Equity Fellow with The Center for Community Solutions where she led their maternal health, racism as a public health crisis and nutrition access portfolios statewide. Hope also has extensive legislative experience having both worked for the General Assembly as both a staffer and lobbyist. Hope is a graduate of both Kent State University and The George Washington University and currently resides right outside of Columbus, in Grove City with her yellow Labrador, Ella-Barker, her husband Mark and her stepson, Mark Jr.

Dawn Miller is a professional with 20 plus years serving in the public health and philanthropic sectors providing leadership for community-based social determinants of health programs; providing experience building and maintaining successful relationships with community partners and state and local government leaders to establish policies and programs. She has held positions at the Ohio Department of Health, Bureau of Oral Health Services, Vermont Department of Health, Office of Primary Care coordinating the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s State Action for Oral Health Access initiative, Sisters of Charity Foundation of Canton, and currently at Canton City Public Health. She served on Governor DeWine’s Eliminating Disparities in Infant Mortality Task Force and currently serves on the Stark County Department of Job and Family Services Planning Committee, Great Start for Great Futures, Stark Family Success Network Team, and Stark County Community Health Improvement Plan Advisory Committee. Since 2016, Dawn has overseen the countywide collaborative known as Stark County THRIVE/ Ohio Equity Initiative Infant Mortality Project as Program Director at Canton City Public Health. Her experience in project management, community health assessment and coordination of public private partnerships are born out in the successful implementation of the Stark County THRIVE infant vitality collaborative. With over 40 partners implementing about ten strategic interventions, the Collaborative is working to decrease infant deaths and eliminate disparities in birth outcomes. She obtained a Master of Business Administration and Management degree from Ashland University and a Bachelor of Education from The Ohio State University. In addition, she is a registered dental hygienist. She and her husband reside in Stark County with their fur-kid Rudy.

Sonia Minnes is an Associate Professor of Social Work at the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences (MSASS). She holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in psychology and a doctorate in social welfare from MSASS. Her research interests are in the study of child development and the multiple factors that affect cognitive and mental health outcomes. Dr. Minnes is particularly interested in the study of risk and protective factors both biologic and environmental that interact to affect long term developmental outcome. Biologic risk factors of interest include prenatal drug exposure (cocaine, marijuana, alcohol and tobacco) and elevated blood lead levels (pre and postnatally). Environmental factors of interest include exposure to ongoing stress, maternal psychopathology and substance use, caregiver placement and other conditions related to socioeconomic status. Dr. Minnes is the Principal Investigator of a longitudinal study of prenatal cocaine exposure funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse. This study, now in its fifth phase of data collection and funding has followed a group of over 400 caregiver infant pairs since the children were born during 1994-1996. Dr. Minnes is currently assessing the study subjects as emerging adults, and will evaluate their substance use and antisocial behaviors, the development of mental health problems and their adaptive functioning. Through her work with multirisk, prenatally drug exposed children she has recognized the importance of health disparities among inner city children, particularly in regard to exposure to environmental hazards including lead found in old housing stock in the city of Cleveland.

Bio to come

Brittany is a visionary executive leader with over 15 years of experience driving transformation in healthcare, education, and community sectors. Known for her strategic mindset and inclusive approach, Brittany has a track record of fostering organizational cultures focused on equity, continuous learning, and sustainable growth. Currently serving as Assistant Vice President at OhioGuidestone, she leads The Institute of Family & Community Impact, pioneering evidence-based practices that bridge clinical research, advocacy, and training. Her work extends to public policy influence, innovative program development, and multi-stakeholder engagement to address health disparities and enhance workforce equity. Brittany's commitment to social justice and community empowerment is reflected in her numerous board roles, including her active leadership at Benevolent Love Ministries and advisory roles with the Center for Maternal & Young Child Health. Brittany is dedicated to advancing equitable healthcare and educational access, particularly for underserved communities. Through her expertise in fund development, organizational development, and strategic planning, she brings transformative impact to every initiative she leads.

Professor Veranda Rodgers, MBA is a dynamic and accomplished individual who has made significant contributions in the fields of infant & maternal health, education, and philanthropy. As the founder and president & CEO of Pregnant with Possibilities Resource Center and Bloom Behavioral Health, Veranda has dedicated herself to supporting and empowering youth and perinatal individuals. Veranda's passion for education extends beyond advocating for the health and well-being of women and children. She serves as an adjunct professor at Cuyahoga Community College, where she shares her experience, business and marketing practices with students while inspiring them to reach their full potential. Her commitment to education and her ability to connect with students earned her the admiration and respect of both her colleagues and students alike. In addition to her work in education, Veranda is deeply involved in philanthropy and community service. She serves as the marketing chair of the Black Professional Association Charitable Foundation facilitating a professional development pipeline for students, aspiring professionals, and civic leaders in Northeast Ohio. She also serves as a board trustee of the Cleveland State University Alumni Association, where she works tirelessly to connect alumni, foster a sense of community, and advocate for the needs and aspirations of the university's graduates. Veranda's exemplary work and commitment to her community have not gone unnoticed. She was recently honored with the 2023 Community Hero Award from the Cuyahoga Democratic Women's Caucus. Her outstanding contributions to the betterment of the community also earned her the prestigious recognition from the Soul of Philanthropy as the 2022 outstanding young adult philanthropist of the year. Veranda credits her life’s journey of a teen mom turned CEO for the fortitude to face any challenge that comes her way. Her drive, compassion, and commitment to making a difference fuels her inspiration to motivate others to become the best version of themselves. Her leadership and dedication serve as a shining example for her staff, future generations, and the individuals she serves.

Shawna Rohrman, PhD, is Director of the Cuyahoga County Office of Early Childhood/Invest in Children, overseeing an early childhood service continuum from prenatal to kindergarten. She is a sociologist by training and brings this lens to her work to better understand how our social systems shape children’s early experiences and environments, and how we can improve these systems to ensure all children have opportunities to thrive. Shawna came to Invest in Children in 2017, serving first as Evaluation Manager and more recently as Associate Director. In each of these roles she has worked collaboratively with OEC/IIC’s lead agencies, community partners, and other County offices to help ensure a strong continuum of services for young children in Cuyahoga County. Shawna graduated Summa Cum Laude with a B.A. in Sociology and Criminal Justice from Baldwin-Wallace University, received a M.A. in Sociology from the University of Akron, and has a Ph.D. in Sociology from Indiana University.

Twinkle French Schottke, MA ECMH Twinkle was the co-founder and Director of Moms2B with The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. Moms2B, a community-based education program that worked with pregnant Moms to have healthy babies in central Ohio, in the 8 areas that had the highest rates of infant mortality and grew to Dayton. Prior to working at Ohio State, she worked at Nationwide Children’s Hospital for twenty years in numerous roles, helping babies and young children in the community. She has a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Special Education and a certificate in Infant Mental Health Twinkle also served as a Consultant for Zero to Three with Military Projects, in which she provided trainings at military bases across the United States on the effects of deployment, grief, loss, injury, and reunification to professionals who work with babies and young children. She is Past President of the Association of Infant Mental Health in Ohio (AIMhiOH) and serves on the Governor’s Early Childhood Advisory Council and Groundwork Advisory Board. Twinkle is excited to grow infant mental health in Ohio to help assure that each baby born is welcomed into the world and has a space in someone’s heart to grow.

A Toledo, Ohio native, Stacy Scott, Ph.D., MPA, Executive Director, Baby 1st Network, and founder of the Global Infant Safe Sleep Center, is a 30-year public health advocate and infant safe sleep expert who’s worked from the government agency level to ground zero spearheading numerous community outreach programs nationwide to end health disparities and reduce the risk of sudden unexpected infant deaths. Scott serves as the executive director for Baby 1st Network. Baby 1st Network is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to uniting families, caregivers, and researchers with government, business, and community service groups to reduce infant mortality to the lowest level possible in Ohio and support families who have lost a child from sudden unexpected infant death. In her role, she has facilitated a series of community forums and implemented a community-based mini-grant program designed to fund outreach activities promoting safe infant sleep messaging and practices in urban and rural areas. Scott also serves as a state of Ohio spokesperson for the “ABC of Safe Sleep” campaign. In July 2018, Scott was elected to co-chair the Ohio Collaborative to Prevent Infant Mortality (OCPIM), a statewide partnership formed to eliminate infant mortality and advocate for equity in birth outcomes. OCPIM’s mission is to eliminate preventable infant mortality and improve the health of all women of childbearing years throughout Ohio by sharing data and best practices, community engagement, and advocacy. Scott is a member International Society for the Study and Prevention of Perinatal and Infant Death. She received her undergraduate degree from Spelman College, a master’s degree in Public Administration at Bowling Green State University, and a doctoral degree in Urban Higher Education from Jackson State University. She also holds a certificate in Social Justice from Harvard University.

Since 2014, Jessica Seeberger has been a driving force in communications at Cradle Cincinnati, currently serving as Senior Communications Specialist. Her commitment to the organization's goals is evident in her long tenure and impactful work. Jessica's academic background, including a Master of Public Health (MPH) from the University of Cincinnati and a Bachelor of Arts in Strategic Communication and German from Miami University, equips her with a strong understanding of both public health principles and strategic messaging.

Julie Stone is the Executive Director of the Ohio Head Start Association, a professional membership organization that represents Ohio’s sixty Head Start and Early Head providers. The Association is dedicated to leadership, professional development, research and advocacy. Julie has been with Head Start for over 26 years and is committed to building and strengthening strategic partnerships that support Ohio’s most vulnerable children and families

Danchell Taylor is the Chief Financial Officer of the Child Development Council of Franklin County, Inc., a federally funded Head Start agency serving more than 1,400 children and families annually with an operating budget nearing $38 million. She brings over 15 years of senior financial leadership in nonprofit and mission-driven organizations, with deep expertise in fiscal strategy, operational oversight, and regulatory compliance for federally funded programs. She holds an MBA with a concentration in Strategic Management and a BS in Accounting and is certified in Financial Management and Analysis. Danchell has also completed advanced training through the Office of Head Start’s Fiscal Management Program, reflecting her strong command of grant stewardship and public accountability. A former young parent, Danchell is a passionate advocate for equitable maternal and early childhood health. Her lived experience, combined with her professional acumen, informs her service on Groundwork Ohio’s Advisory Board for Maternal and Young Child Health, where she is committed to shaping policies that strengthen outcomes for families across Ohio. In addition to her work in early childhood systems, Danchell also serves as an advisor to Partners in Ministry in Liberia (PIMIL), a nonprofit supporting educational access for children in Liberia. She is the annual sponsor of photography for PIMIL’s signature fundraising luncheon. Her involvement reflects a personal commitment to global equity and is inspired in part by the mission of PIMIL’s founder, Mother Abby Flemister.

Denise Thomas brings a deep passion for education, equity, and community health to her work. She earned her undergraduate degree in Education from Kent State University and later completed a Master’s in Community Practice for Social Change from Case Western Reserve University. Denise began her career as an AmeriCorps VISTA, working with Native American Tribes in Arizona to support community-driven initiatives. Her path led her to higher education, where she focused on increasing college access and success for underserved populations. Today, Denise is dedicated to advancing community health across Summit and Medina Counties, working to ensure that everyone has access to the resources they need to live healthy lives. When she’s not working to build healthier communities, you can find Denise rowing on the water, cheering on Chelsea FC, or spending time with her two very good dogs, Pierre and Hugo.

Dominique Walker is the Senior Data Management Specialist for Cradle Cincinnati. In this role, she collects, analyzes, and disseminates data to community members, and partners of Cradle Cincinnati programs and initiatives that focus on reducing infant mortality and improving maternal and infant health in Hamilton County. Dominique, a native of Cincinnati, has a BA in Health Promotion from Morehead State University and a Masters in Public Health from Western Kentucky University. Dominique has worked in Public Health for about 10 years, most of which has been spent serving the Hamilton County community. Her passion is for innovative and impactful data-driven solutions for reducing health disparities and working toward more equitable health practices and systems.

Melissa Wervey Arnold has over 23 years’ experience in the association management, fiscal oversight, event planning and development field. In her current role as the CEO of the Ohio Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics, she provides leadership to the Chapter and its membership, as well as serves as the head of Ohio AAP Foundation. During her tenure, the Ohio AAP has received numerous awards and recognitions, including the Chapter of the Year Award from the American Academy of Pediatrics every year eligible in 2006, 2010, 2014, and 2018, and has increased its operating revenue from $300,000 per year to over $4.8 million, and has established a successful lobbying program that has advocated for the passage of various child health legislation. In 2019 she was named the Healthcare CEO of the Year from Columbus CEO as well as a member of the Columbus CEO Future 50 inaugural class, and in 2015 she was recognized by the Association Forum as a National Forty Under 40 honoree. Previously in 2006, she was recognized as one of the Forty Under 40 honorees from Business First in Columbus for her outstanding professional accomplishments, awards in her professional field, and commitment to community service. Ms. Arnold lives outside of Columbus, Ohio with her two children and two dogs. She serves on the emeritus Board of two Columbus non-profit organizations, serves in the leadership role and trustee of the Ohio University Foundation Board of Trustees, is an emeritus member of the Board of Directors for the Ohio University Alumni Association, and is a sustainer for the Junior League of Columbus.

My name is Brooke Yager and I’m currently the Director for HARCATUS Head Start. We serve Early Head Start Home Base along with Head Start Home Base and Center Based programs. Our service area is very rural covering the Harrison, Carroll and Tuscarawas Counties. Before working for Head Start I worked for over 12 years at a privately owned child care. I have been in the education field for almost 19 years. I’m looking forward to getting involved with Groundwork Ohio and helping make a difference in the Education field.