The presentation shared during the Roadshow Listening Tour can be downloaded here.

9:30 am: Registration

Take part in our data engagement activity before the formal program begins.

10:00 am: Welcome and Introductions

Lynanne Gutierrez, President, Groundwork Ohio Rev. John Jones, President and CEO, HOPE Toledo

10:25 am: Early Childhood Education Panel

Moderated by Elisa Huss-Hage, Director of Early Childhood at HOPE Toledo, panelists will include:

• Stephanie D. Kynard, Owner/Operator, Kynard’s Child Development Center, LLC

• Michelle Bieber, Owner, Over the Rainbow Early Learning Center / President, Ohio Association of Child Care Providers

• Dr. Kristi Hannan, Associate Director of Early Childhood – Lucas County Family and Children First Council

• Dr. Veronica Motley, Superintendent, Sylvania Schools

11:05 am: Remarks and Presentation from Community Partner

• Angela M. Mingo, MCRP, Vice President, Development and Corporate Affairs

• Dr. Mary Kay Irwin, Senior Director, School-Based, Nationwide Children’s Hospital

11:20 am: Maternal and Young Child Health Panel

Moderated by Dr. Tashlai Burney, Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction at Rise and Shine Academy, panelists will include:

• Dr. Mary Kay Irwin, Senior Director, School-Based, Nationwide Children’s Hospital

• Rebecca Good, MPA, CHW, Pathways HUB Manager

• Dr. April Hille, RN, MSN, DNP, Maternal Child Health Supervisor, Toledo-Lucas County Health Department

• Cherie Sexton, BS, MSN, APRN, PMHS, NCHS, Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Nationwide Children's Hospital - Toledo

12:05 pm: Call to Action

12:15 pm: Lunch and Table Discussion

12:45 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.

Rev. John Jones, President and CEO, Hope Toledo

Rev. John C. Jones President and CEO, HOPE Toledo John C. Jones is a proven leader with expertise in diversity, inclusion, board governance, strategic community building and leadership development. HOPE Toledo is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the premise that strengthening education will increase opportunity for all of Toledo’s children and youth, grow prosperity for its residents, and improve the future of our families and neighborhoods. John leads HOPE Toledo’s focus to advocate, support and ensure equitable access to high-quality education for Toledo children and youth via two strategies. 1) Expand high quality early childhood education (preschool) for Toledo four-year-olds. 2) Expand the opportunity for every Toledo high school graduate to have a scholarship to a college, career-technical, or postsecondary trade school.

Prior to HOPE Toledo, John served in various roles for ProMedica over 16 years, with the last assignment being with the social determinants of health team. John previously served the community as the President and CEO of the Greater Toledo Urban League from 2008 – 2012. He is a certified diversity practitioner, which he received from American Hospital Association’s Institute for Diversity and Health Equity. He has a MBA from the University of Toledo (2013) and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Finance from Central State University (1996).

John serves the community in various capacities through organizations, boards, and other volunteer opportunities. His greatest calling is being an ordained minister. He serves as an Associate Minister at the Christian Temple Baptist Church under the leadership and pastorate of his father, Rev. Charles E. Jones. Preaching and ministering for 20 years, John clearly defines who he is through this service and it is the guiding principle for what he does in his professional life. John resides in Toledo with his wife Charity. His most significant blessings are his four beautiful children, Alexa Renee, Naomi Elise, Cathryn Elisabeth, and John Michael.

Elisa Huss-Hage, Director, Early Childhood, HOPE Toledo

As HOPE Toledo’s Director of Early Childhood, Elisa Huss-Hage is leading and guiding the early learning initiatives of HOPE Toledo Pre-K. As a lifelong Toledoan, she is passionate about the mission of HOPE Toledo and assuring that all children have access to high-quality early education experiences. Ms. Huss-Hage spent 25 years at Owens Community College as a Professor of Teacher Education and Human Services, focusing on the preparation of educators to serve Toledo’s young children. Elisa is involved in local and state ECE initiatives, and the National Association for the Education of Young Children where she is currently serving on the Higher Education Accreditation Commission. She was a NAEYC Governing Board member(2016-2020), leading the creation of the Advancing Equity in Early Childhood Education position statement, revising the foundational Developmentally Appropriate Practice position statement, and shepherding the elevation of the Professional Standards and Competencies for the Early Childhood Educators . Ms. Huss-Hage earned her MEd in Educational Administration and a BEd from the University of Toledo. She is married to Chuck Hage, and together they are Just Kiddin’ Around, providing a fun, lively children’s music experience for children and families.

Stephanie D. Kynard, Owner/Operator, Kynard's Child Development Center

Stephanie D. Kynard is the founder and CEO of Kynard’s Child Development Center LLC, a child development center that offers childcare to children ages 6 weeks through the age of 13 years old. Kynard’s Child Development Center is an organization committed to developing the minds of children, building their character, and strengthening families. Stephanie opened the facility in February of 2003 with the desire to offer the Toledo community a new and better choice for early childhood education and to provide families a quality environment and quality experiences for all children while their parents are working or going to school.

Stephanie has been recognized by the YWCA Child Care Resource and Referral Agency of Northwest Ohio as a provider for participating in the Step Up to Quality Program. Participating programs earn a 1 through 5-star rating by meeting Ohio’s quality program standards and

Kynard’s Child Development Center is currently rated as a 5star facility.

The facility is also a provider for HOPE Toledo. HOPE Toledo offers all 4-year-old children access to high quality preschool. This program offers sound curricula, small class sizes and family engagement. Kynard’s Child Development Center is also a provider for Ohio’s Early Childhood Education Grant. The purpose of this program is to maximize a child’s early educational experience before kindergarten. ECE provides high quality early learning services to eligible pre-school age children. Kynard’s is obligated to the children and families that we serve and will continue to provide high quality educational programming that will promote academic achievement.

Stephanie received her M.Ed. from Findlay University May of 2019, B.A. in Communications from Wilberforce University in 2001 and she received her Early Childhood Center Director Certificate from Owens State Community College in 2004.

Stephanie is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated. Mrs. Kynard is a member of the Worship Center Church. Stephanie is the wife of Clyde L. Kynard Jr. Clyde and Stephanie are both proud to HBCU alum. They have been married 23 years and together they have two children Carrington (20) and Christian (16).

Stephanie’s business motto is to “Develop minds, build character and strengthen families” and the Kynard family mission in life is to Love God, Love People and to always SERVE BOTH.

Michelle Bieber, Owner, Over the Rainbow Early Learning Center; President, Ohio Association of Child Care Providers

For the past 30 years, Michelle Bieber has been in the field of Early Childhood Education. Starting out in the early 90’s as a stay-away camp counselor to a YMCA before/after school program teacher her passion for early childhood has continued throughout the years arriving at business owner of Over the Rainbow Early Learning Centers.

Michelle Bieber earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Communication with a concentration of Education from the University of Toledo. When she is not busy working or volunteering, she is golfing, gardening and traveling. The thing she loves the most is spending time with her husband Adam and her son William. She is most proud of watching her son graduate from University of Cincinnati this May with a degree in Middle Childhood Education and following the passion of enriching children’s lives.

Throughout the years, Michelle has been community oriented by being a member of the Sylvania Chamber of Commerce since 2009, served as board member for 9 years and holding the role as President of the Chamber in 2018. Michelle has continued her efforts on volunteering by being a Soccer team manager for 7 years, helped with Parkinson Fundraisers for 3 years and Michelle and her family opened their home to host college Soccer players regionally and internationally during the summers and hosted an international exchange student for a year.

While staying busy in her community, Michelle has spent time volunteering and advocating for children and owners/operators in the State of Ohio. This is being accomplished by serving on the Childcare Advisory Council for 6 years, ground floor ECE Community Partner with City of Toledo Pre-Kindergarten in 2019 (currently Hope Toledo), and to round out the commitment, she has been an OACCP member since 2004, board member since member since 2013. As of today, Michelle is serving her 2nd term as President of OACCP.

Dr. Kristi Hannan, Associate Director of Early Childhood, Lucas County Family and Children First Council

Dr. Kristi Hannan is the Associate Director of Early Childhood at Lucas County Family Council in Toledo, Ohio. She has worked in the field of early childhood for 40 years, in roles that include teaching young children, university teaching, academic research, family policy, and program administration. For the past 22 years, she has led several publicly funded prenatal-to-three programs in Lucas County, including home visiting, early intervention, central intake and referral, and Early Head Start. Each of these programs provide two generational supports to ensure that both young children and their families thrive. Kristi also serves on a number of advisory groups and workgroups in Lucas County, including the Pathways Hub Advisory, Healthy Families America Advisory for the Lucas County Early Childhood Home Visiting programs, Owens Community College’s Education Advisory, the planning committee for the annual Early Childhood Forum, and the Interagency Transition Committee. Her professional work is driven by a mission to make a difference in the lives of infants and toddlers in our community and beyond, through partnerships with parents, professionals, community partners, and policymakers.

Dr. Veronica Motley, Superintendent, Sylvania Schools

Dr. Veronica Motley is originally from northeast Ohio. She attended the University of Akron, where she earned her Bachelor’s, Master’s and later her Doctorate in Educational Administration. She has served students and their families for 34 years.

Dr. Motley has served in four culturally and economically diverse school districts which has allowed her to hone her skills and expertise. She has also continued to educate and inspire future educational administrators by serving as an adjunct instructor for the University of Akron, Kent State University, University of the Bahamas, as well as earning the prestigious title of Professional Fellow for Ashland University. She has also presented for multiple local, State and national organizations.

Dr. Motley currently serves as the Superintendent of Sylvania Schools, a suburban district located outside of Toledo which consists of nearly 8,000 students, 1000 employees with an annual operating budget of $100M.

As a seasoned educator, Veronica has devoted her career to public education and the sense of pride, legacy and tradition it creates for community and future generations. Dr. Motley enjoys spending time with her beau Johnny and her furbaby Cricket the Cavapoo.

Angela M. Mingo, MCRP, Vice President, Development and Corporate Affairs

Angela Mingo is responsible for developing and managing strategic partnerships with external

organizations.

Angela directs the community engagement efforts of the hospital and works closely with

neighborhood and civic organizations. She has been instrumental in the implementation of the

Healthy Neighborhoods, Healthy Families initiative, a five prong approach to neighborhood

revitalization efforts on the city’s Southside, led by Nationwide Children’s Hospital.

Angela served as community affairs director with Columbus City Council from 2000-2007.

There, she worked with community leaders and local elected officials to support the clean

indoor air ordinance and citywide affordable housing initiatives.

Angela is a former mayoral appointed commissioner with the City of Columbus Community

Relations Commission and served on the commission’s executive board. She serves as a

gubernatorial appointment to the Ohio Lottery Commission. Angela serves on the boards of the

Parsons Avenue Redevelopment Corporation, Leadership Columbus, and Ohio Capital

Corporation for Housing. She is a member of the Fifth Third Community Advisory Forum and

the Columbus Office of Minority Health Advisory Committee. Angela is a graduate of the

Leadership Columbus 2012 Class and former participant in the Big Brother, Big Sisters

mentoring program.

Angela earned Bachelor’s Degrees in Portuguese and international relations as well as her

master’s of city and regional planning degree from The Ohio State University. Angela’s honors

include Columbus Business First Health Care Heroes Award, Greater Columbus Community

Helping Hands Community Relations Ambassador Award, and recognition in Who’s Who in

Black Columbus.

A native of Canton, Ohio, Angela is married and is the proud mother of two lovely daughters.

Dr. Tashlai Burney, Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction, Rise and Shine Academy

Dr. Tashlai pursued and obtained her Bachelors and Masters degrees in Education from The University of Toledo. Dr. Tashlai also earned her Educational Specialist degree from Bowling Green State University in addition to earning her Doctoral Degree in Educational Leadership Studies. Dr. Tashlai has worked in education for 15 years. She strives to cultivate a culture of learning and aiding in the development of young leaders in our communities. She is the wife of Dr. Calvin Burney Jr.

Dr. Mary Kay Irwin, Senior Director, School-Based, Nationwide Children's Hospital

Dr. Mary Kay Irwin is the Senior Director of School Health Services at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and an Adjunct Faculty member in the Department of Pediatrics at The Ohio State University. Dr. Irwin is responsible for leading and assuring the development, implementation, and evaluation of school health services delivered by the hospital. Dr. Irwin’s research and expertise focuses on the intersection between health and education inclusive of interventions to eliminate health status as a barrier to learning for children and adolescents experiencing chronicity and for those experiencing health inequities. With a focus on population health management, Dr. Irwin is also engaged in local, state and national collaboratives designed to shape interventions, policies, funding and research to ensure better healthcare outcomes for communities. Specifically in the early childhood space, Dr. Irwin serves as the Board Chair for Action for Children, is an active member of the Advisory Council for FutureReady 5 and she leads the implementation of a countywide project designed to improve kindergarten readiness for children living in Franklin County.

Rebecca Good, MPA, CHW, Pathways HUB Manager

Rebecca Good, MPA, CHW is the current manager of the Northwest Ohio Pathways HUB. She received her Master of Public Administration from Bowling Green State University and is a certified community health worker through the Ohio Board of Nursing. Rebecca began serving the Toledo area in 2020 as a community health worker and utilizes her lived experiences as a CHW and of her clients to spark important conversations about infant and maternal health and advocate for those in need. Rebecca oversees several initiatives within the HUB including supportive funds to address social determinants of health among pregnant women and children.

Dr. April Hille, RN, MSN, DNP, Maternal Child Health Supervisor, Toledo-Lucas County Health Department

April Hille RN, MSN, DNP serves as the Maternal and Child Health Supervisor at the Toledo-Lucas County Health Department. Her commitment to maternal and child public health developed from her experience implementing an evidence-based nurse home visitation program in Miami, Florida, and has been shaped by a diverse nursing career across the country. The birth of her own child highlighted the importance of a strong family support system, leading her back to Ohio with her son. Working with a dedicated team, she strives to improve local maternal and infant outcomes, focusing on system-level improvements and effective community programs.

Cherie Sexton, BS, MSN, APRN, PMHS, NCHS, Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Nationwide Children’s Hospital - Toledo

Cherie Sexton, CPNP, is a board-certified pediatric nurse practitioner at Nationwide Children’s Hospital - Toledo Oregon City Schools Primary Care Center, a school-based health center in Oregon, Ohio. She also serves as district pediatric nurse practitioner for Oregon City Schools and is part of the clinical faculty at The Ohio State University (OSU). Cherie earned her undergraduate degree from OSU and received her master’s degree from The University of Toledo. She is passionate about mentoring the next generation of advanced nursing students and was recently named Preceptor of the Year for her time and dedication to The Ohio State University College of Nursing’s Family Nurse Practitioner Program, after previously being named Preceptor of the Year for the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Program.

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