Athens, Ohio • July 16, 10 am - 1 pm
Athens Community Center
701 East State Street • Athens, OH 45701
Event Agenda & Details
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Engage with us online! We want to hear from you. Use #GOListeningTour when tweeting during the day.
Sample post:
🚗 [Take a photo/selfie at the event] I’m with @GroundworkOhio on their 2024 Roadshow Listening Tour in #Athens. We’re ready to make our #BIGVOICE heard by the state’s policymakers! #GOListeningTour
Follow us online: @GroundworkOhio
10:00 am: Registration
Take part in our data engagement activity before the formal program begins.
10:30 am: Welcome and Introductions
Lynanne Gutierrez, President, Groundwork Ohio
Randy Leite, Executive Director, Appalachian Children's Coalition
11 am: Maternal and Infant Health Panel
Dr. Jody Gerome, OBGYN
Mark Grippi, CEO, Amerihealth
Rose Frech, Integrated Services for Behavioral Health
Paul Isherwood, Director, Pathways HUB
11:45 am: Early Childhood Care and Learning
Michelle Corrigan, COAD4kids Division Director at Corporation for Ohio Appalachian Development
Brielle Clark, Hopewell Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Coordinator
Stella Marshall, Director of Child Care Centers at Children’s Hunger Alliance
12:30 pm: Lunch Discussion
1 pm: Conclusion and Wrap-Up
Lynanne Gutierrez, President, Groundwork Ohio
As the President of Groundwork Ohio, Lynanne Gutierrez is at the forefront of our statewide mission, spearheading a powerful early childhood movement. As a dedicated child advocate, Lynanne oversees the development and implementation of Groundwork’s policy agenda and shapes priorities and strategies through effective communication, advocacy, research, and data analysis.
A pivotal figure in Groundwork's strategic growth and transformation over the past seven years, Lynanne played a crucial role in expanding the organization's Statehouse footprint, relationships, and reputation across the state. Additionally, her efforts were instrumental in the successful transition to a standalone 501c3 in 2021.
Recognized as a respected early childhood expert in Ohio and nationwide, Lynanne is frequently sought out to address diverse audiences on early childhood policy advocacy. Appointed by Governor Mike DeWine to the state’s Early Childhood Advisory Council, she has served as a member since 2019.
Lynanne's professional journey includes prior roles in advocacy and private law practice focused on children and families. Before becoming a licensed attorney, she served as a Senior Legislative Aide in the Ohio Senate. A distinguished alumna of The Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Arts and a Juris Doctorate from Capital Law School, Lynanne is also a 2023 graduate of the prestigious Leadership Ohio program.
Lynanne, a resident of Columbus, Ohio, shares life with her husband Anthony and their two young children. She is an avid reader and amateur quilter.
Randy Leite, Executive Director, Appalachian Children Coalition
Rose Frech, Grant and Business Development Administrator, Integrated Services for Behavioral Health
Rose Frech is a licensed social worker with broad expertise in navigating the complexities of the health and social services in Ohio. She has served in key positions in fundraising, program management, policy analysis, and advocacy in multiple areas of the sector, including community mental health, food access, Community Action, Medicaid, early intervention, and more. A longtime social work educator, Rose has had the privilege of teaching new social workers for over 10 years. Born and raised in Athens, she is a passionate advocate for the Appalachian Ohio region. Rose currently serves as the Grants and Business Development Administrator at Integrated Services for Behavioral Healthcare, a behavioral health and housing organization serving 21 counties across Southeast Ohio.
Dr. Jody Gerome, OBGYN
Mark Grippi, CEO, Amerihealth
As Market President for AmeriHealth Caritas Ohio, Mark Grippi serves as CEO of all operations in Ohio, ensuring alignment with the Ohio Department of Medicaid Next Generation of Medicaid Managed Care person-centered vision.
In his 25 years of healthcare leadership, Grippi has held positions including Chief Operating Officer, Regional Director, and Director of Network and Sales at several leading managed care organizations, and he spent nearly a decade in the long-term care industry as a nursing home executive director. He remains committed to improving outcomes by reducing administrative burden and focusing on culturally relevant healthcare delivery models.
Grippi earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and history from Heidelberg University.
Paul Isherwood, Director, Pathways HUB
Initially drawn to Southeast Ohio from Ireland to study at Ohio University, it was the community and family that I found here that led me to want to make Athens my home. After a career in education, I began working for Hocking Athens Perry Community Action as the first Athens County Broadband Coordinator. Through this work, I developed a network of local stakeholders to develop a community-led solution to the county’s broadband deficits, focusing on attainable strategies rooted in the best interests of the region. Two years ago, I moved to a position with the Corporation for Ohio Appalachian Development as the director of a new initiative, the COAD Pathways HUB. This program offers Community Health Worker services to the most vulnerable members of communities across 15 counties in Southern Ohio, utilizing the nationally recognized Pathways model. Through this work, I have become deeply involved with both the healthcare and social services sector in the region, while gaining knowledge about the social drivers of health in the region.
Michelle Corrigan, COAD4kids Division Director, Corporation for Ohio Appalachian Development
Michelle Corrigan, M.A. is the COAD4kids Division Director at Corporation for Ohio Appalachian Development, headquartered in Athens, Ohio. Michelle, originally from Northeast Ohio, received her Bachelor of Arts in Geography from Miami University and traveled the US as a GeoImmersive Data Producer, before moving to Athens to receive her Master of Arts in Geography from Ohio University in 2010. Michelle went on to serve two years as a COMCorps/AmericCorps Service Member with Athens County Children Services and Live Healthy Appalachia, where she developed the Live Healthy Kids cooking curriculum for elementary students. She then served as President of the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce before joining COAD in January 2023. Michelle oversees the COAD4kids divisions’ efforts in recruitment and support of foster / kinship placement, establishment of new child care centers and family child care businesses, and the delivery of quality Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) services to the parents and guardians of COAD’s service area. She also advocates for children and families of the 31-county region to receive equitable care and resources.
Brielle Clark, Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Coordinator, Hopewell Health Center
An independently licensed social worker with specific training in perinatal mood and anxiety disorders and infant mental health. Brielle is also trained in Child Parent Psychotherapy and is a Certified Lactation Counselor. Brielle’s passion is helping caregivers fall in love with their infants and building parental resiliency. . Brielle was born and raised in Athens County and is dedicated to serving her community.
Stella Marshall, Director, Child Care Centers, Children’s Hunger Alliance
Stella Marshall is the Director of the Child Care Centers Department at Children’s Hunger Alliance, a statewide non-profit sponsoring organization for the USDA Child & Adult Care Food Program. She has been with the Agency since 2004, and has also served as a Program Specialist and Senior Manager in the Family Childcare Department. In her current role, she provides leadership to Program Specialists and oversight of over 70 child care centers throughout Ohio. Stella has over 30 years of professional training and experience in the early care and education field and notably holds her CACFP Management Professional (CMP) certification through the National CACFP Sponsors Association. Stella is extremely passionate about ensuring young children has access to nutritious meals and snacks each day and she firmly believes that no child should ever experience food in-security. She has dedicated her professional career to combatting childhood hunger and helping educators create healthier learning environments in the child care setting.
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Athens Community Center
701 East State Street
Athens, OH 45701
Engage with us online! We want to hear from you. Use #GOListeningTour when tweeting during the day.
Sample post:
🚗 [Take a photo/selfie at the event] I’m with @GroundworkOhio on their 2024 Roadshow Listening Tour in #Athens. We’re ready to make our #BIGVOICE heard by the state’s policymakers! #GOListeningTour
Follow us online: @GroundworkOhio