Piqua, Ohio • May 17, 10am - 1pm
Edison State Community College
1973 Edison Dr. • Piqua, OH 45356
Event Agenda & Details
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Edison State Community College Theatre 1973 Edison Drive Piqua, OH 45356
10 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 Richard Hanes, Vice President Advancement, Strategic Planning, and Partnerships at Edison State Community College and Executive Director of The Edison Foundation
11 am: Panel Conversation
Moderated by David Larson, Miami County ESC, expert panelists include:
Julie Ehemann, Shelby County Commissioner
Deb Frazier, Center Director at Greene Street Daycare and Preschool
Karin Somers, Early Childhood Director, CORS Head Start
Trish Wackler, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Nursing Officer, Premier Health, Upper Valley Medical Center
12 pm: Lunch and Table Discussion
12:45 pm: Conclusion and Wrap-Up
1-2:30 pm: Empowering Advocacy Through Storytelling: Crafting Narratives to Influence Policy and Change
Family advocates are encouraged to participate in the LORE Storytelling project immediately following the event.
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.
David Larson, Superintendent of Miami County Educational Service Center
David Larson is the Superintendent of the Miami County Educational Service Center. Mr. Larson provides support to school districts throughout Miami County, Ohio. Before serving as the Superintendent for MCESC, Mr. Larson served as the Assistant Superintendent for Piqua City Schools and the Superintendent of Convington Exempted Village Schools, two districts in Miami County.
Richard Hanes, VP of Edison State Community College
Richard (Rick) A. Hanes, EdD, has served seven years as Vice
President of Advancement, Strategic Planning, and Partnerships at Edison State and Executive Director of The Edison Foundation. Rick also serves as a visiting faculty member for Miami University’s Educational Leadership Department. He enjoys co-facilitating the Paul G. Duke Academy for Community Leadership. He holds a Doctorate in Education from Miami University. Before Edison State, he served as the Piqua City School District Superintendent and the Tipp City Exempted Village School District Assistant Superintendent. Rick also serves on the board or otherwise supports the efforts of various local nonprofit organizations.
Julie Ehemann, Shelby County Commissioner
Julie was the first woman elected to be Commissioner in Shelby County. Julie is also active on the Sidney Shelby Economic Development Executive Board, the Emergency Management Executive Board, the Shelby County Land Reutilization Corporation and the Shelby County Drug-free Coalition.
Julie enjoys being involved with the County Commissioner’s Association of Ohio serving as President of the Executive Board for 2019, the Water Quality Task Force, the Justice and Public Safety Committee, the Taxation and Finance Committee, and the Jobs, Economic Development and Infrastructure Committee. Julie serves on the NACo (National Association of County Officials) Board and serves as a member of NACo’s Rural Action Caucus and their Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee.
Deborah Frazier, Center Director at Greene Street Daycare and Preschool
With nearly four decades dedicated to Early Childhood Development, Debbie Frazier has a strong commitment to nurturing young minds. For the past 26 years, she has served as a childcare center director, including 13 years as a preschool teacher, providing leadership to staff while ensuring high standards of care and education.
She is passionate about working with young children and understands the joys and challenges of parenthood. As a mother of 3 and grandmother of 4, she brings first-hand perspective that guides her interactions with children and their families.
Debbie was honored with the Director of the Year Award by the Dayton Association of Young Children in 2013. She is known in her community for her warmth and compassion, and she has touched the lives of countless children through her dedication to early childhood education.
Karin Somers, Early Childhood Director at CORS Head Start
Karin Somers joined Council on Rural Services (CORS) as the Early Childhood Director in 2017. She has a bachelor’s degree in social work from Ball State University, Muncie, IN. Karin previously worked for a Head Start program operated by a community action agency in Indiana, serving as the director for 3 ½ years and 10 years as the manager of Family Services and Disability and Mental Health services. Prior to her Head Start experience, she has an additional 13 years of experience in case management with a specialty in early intervention and community mental health. Karin currently serves as a board member with the Ohio Head Start Association (OHSAI).
Trish Wackler, COO/Chief Nursing Officer at Upper Valley Medical Center, Premier Health
At 16, Trish took a job as a nursing assistant in a long-term care facility. From there, she transitioned to her first nursing position on a medical unit at the former Good Samaritan Hospital. Upon graduation from nursing school, Trish thought she would work on a medical unit to gain some experience and then head back into the world of long-term health care. As time went on, she liked medical nursing so well that she decided she would stay in the field until retirement. But others around her quickly noticed her leadership skills and promoted her to team lead, and then to team manager. As time went on, Trish became interested in expanding her nursing skills and took a position on the coronary care unit until it closed and merged into the ICU (intensive care unit). Her next position was working as an administrative officer (A.O.) on night shift for a year and a half. From there, she became a unit educator for the telemetry unit.
Trish’s next big transition was to move into the role of a nurse manager at Soin Medical Center, part of the Kettering Health Network. Trish found the leadership style there to be more prescriptive rather than participatory, which led her to return to Premier Health. She took a position as an Epic order-set manager when she returned and says that it felt good to be back where she felt she could make a difference. Her next move was to direct education for Premier Health’s new Learning Institute, tasked with providing education for the system. From there, Trish became Premier Health’s chief learning officer for a year.
We want to hear from you. Policymakers need to hear about your expertise and challenges. Help inform early childhood policy and take our brief survey today.
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 Piqua, Ohio. Child care is essential to Ohio’s working families, so we’re ready to make our #BIGVOICE heard by the state’s policymakers. #GOListeningTour #Piqua
Follow us online: @GroundworkOhio