Leadership Columbus

Save the date! 🎉

Leadership Columbus’ Best Party Ever returns October 1, 2026. Join us for an unforgettable evening celebrating leadership, community, and impact across central Ohio.

Tickets are on sale now: https://leadershipcolumbus.org/best-party-ever-2026/

The latest Changemakers Alumni Newsletter is live!

Inside this month’s edition:
• Photos from the SP ’23 Reunion
• Alumni Hub updates
• Upcoming events and opportunities
• A recap of Community Trusteeship Day

Read the latest and stay connected with the Leadership Columbus alumni community.

🔗https://app.dvforms.net/api/dv/dw025e

Join us in congratulating Níel Jurist (SP '21) on being selected as a 2027 Women WELDing the Way Calendar Honoree by Women for Economic and Leadership Development - Columbus!

Each year, WELD recognizes twelve outstanding women across Central Ohio for their leadership, community impact, and commitment to advancing opportunities for other women. Honorees are recognized for leading within their organizations, investing in their communities, supporting women-owned businesses, and championing the growth and development of future women leaders.

Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition!

Community Trusteeship Day wouldn’t be possible without community leaders willing to share their journeys with our Signature Program participants. Thank you to these leaders for taking the time to inspire and invest in the Class of 2026.

Leadership Columbus alumni were earlier this month at the HerStory Makers event hosted by The Columbus Urban League, celebrating women who are redefining leadership, innovation, and entrepreneurship across Central Ohio.

The event honored women at every stage of their careers while supporting CUL programs like IncubateHER and AccelerateHER, which equip Black women entrepreneurs with the tools, access to capital, and networks needed to thrive.

The evening highlighted the Columbus Urban League’s vision for a region where everyone is supported, empowered to reach their full potential, and able to contribute to the greater good.

Community Trusteeship Day has come and gone for SP '26. This day challenges our participants to reflect on their vision for personal community impact after the conclusion of their Signature Program experience.

To inspire that reflection, participants engaged with an incredible group of Central Ohio community leaders through meaningful conversations about leadership, service, and civic impact (listed below).

A highlight of the day was a fireside chat with Mayor Andrew J. Ginther (SP ’04), who shared insight on effective public service and giving back to the community. Participants also joined a workshop led by Jen Bowden (SP ’16) exploring Conscious Capitalism Columbus and decision-making grounded in higher purpose, stakeholder orientation, leadership, and culture.

Thank you to AndHealth for hosting and to Bank of America for generously sponsoring the day. It’s hard to believe the Class of 2026 will come together one final time for Closing Retreat and Graduation in June.

Thank you for dedicating time to meet with our participants yesterday:
Christie Angel (SP '95)
Robbie Banks (SP '07)
Charly Bauer (SP '17)
Jennifer Bowden (SP '16)
Elizabeth Brown
Kelly Clifford Riehl (SP '18 and Board Member)
Michael Corey
Melanie Corn
Josh Corna (SP '02)
Lisa Courtice
David Doyle
Sandy Doyle-Ahern
Sophia Fifner
Matthew Goldstein
Kelley Griesmer
Lauren Hagan
David Harrison
Josh Harrison (SP '16)
Francie Henry
LC Johnson
Shelly Lewis (SP '13 and Board Member)
Angela Mingo (SP '12)
Jonathan Moody (SP '13)
Betsy Pandora (SP '15)
Dan Sharpe (SP '15)
Ralph Smithers (Board Member)
Emily Toney (SP '16)
Michael Wible

Cheers to 3 years!

SP ’23 reunited last night to reconnect, share stories, and celebrate how far they’ve come since their Leadership Columbus experience.

Plot Twist: Alumni Book Exchange
by Leadership Columbus
Your Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Last night, Leadership Columbus alumni got together for Plot Twist: Alumni Book Exchange! Alumni arrived with wrapped favorites ranging from well-loved classics to fresh-off-the-shelf page turners, each paired with a personal note sharing why the story deserved another chapter with someone new.

Between the book swaps and literary debate, alumni were busy writing new connections, judging books by their covers (just a little), and adding several titles to their ever-growing “to be read” stacks.

Miss the fun? Don’t worry, this story isn’t over yet. Check out the book exchange reading list for your next recommendation.

Friday morning, the Leadership Columbus alumni community showed out to support Jennifer Lehe (SP ’19) at this month’s CreativeMornings Columbus gathering!

Jennifer invited the audience into a playful, participatory experience, leading a group performance of Simon & Garfunkel’s “I Am a Rock” and encouraging all of us to reflect on the role creativity, curiosity, and play can have in our everyday lives.

CreativeMornings Columbus brings people together each third Friday of the month for breakfast, connection, and inspiring conversations, and this month’s event was a beautiful reminder that creativity is often best experienced in community.