Leadership Hour at Otterbein University

Presented by Ross Leadership Institute, these lectures bring together proven leaders who provide focused responses to critical leadership needs to help to coordinating and guiding an organization's overall leadership development efforts.

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Managing Up

Steve Robbins

Steve Robbins is a highly-regarded leadership educator and program director of executive-level leadership programs with over 25 years of extensive and progressive experience in adult education, human performance improvement, and leadership program management, design, development, and evaluation for leaders of corporate (for-profit), non-profit, federal government, and public service organizations. Steve is the President and CEO of Student-Leader Seminar (S-LS), a Service-Disabled, Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB),that delivers highly-engaging sessions built around the themes of leading with purpose, ethical decision-making, and the value of character.
Living in Venn: Leading from the Center

Nancy Nestor-Baker

Nancy Nestor-Baker’s career has focused on bringing people together to build communities, strengthen organizations, and work in partnership for the greater good. As Principal of Nestor-Baker Strategies, LLC, Nancy works with individuals and teams to strengthen leadership capacities; build effective collaborative relationships and partnerships; initiate critical discussions; and strengthen organizational engagement.
Alex R. Fischer

Columbus Partnership

Alex Fischer is President and CEO of the Columbus Partnership, a civic leadership organization formed in 2002 of Columbus, Ohio’s, top business leaders to improve the economic and cultural base of central Ohio. The Partnership is helping to lead the Columbus 2020 economic development effort, which is a collaboration of regional economic development organizations.
Leaving a Leadership Legacy

Carole Watkins

As chief human resources officer (CHRO) of Cardinal Health. Ms. Watkins reported directly to the Chairman and CEO. She started with the company in 1996 and assumed the CHRO role in 2005 after progressing through several promotions, and taking on leadership positions in Human Resources and other high level corporate functions.

As CHRO, Ms. Watkins had global and enterprise-wide leadership responsibility for all of HR, as well as Corporate Communications, Security, Real Estate, Facilities and Aviation.
Scott White - President and CEO of IGS

Scott White

Scott founded IGS in 1989 with his dad, Marv, and his sister, Cathy. Under his leadership, IGS has grown from a three-person startup natural gas company, to a company with hundreds of employees who proudly serve more than one million residential and commercial customers throughout the country. As a visionary leader, Scott is focused on making sure IGS does the right thing and serving as a role model in the business community as a proud member of the Conscious Capitalism movement. He makes sure to bring along each member of his team in every endeavor, ensuring they’re invested in the decisions made at IGS.
Todd Spinner, President of Olentangy Berlin High School

Todd Spinner

Since 1995, Todd has taught English at Dublin Scioto High School, was an Assistant Principal at Marion Harding High School, Delaware Hayes High School, served as the Principal at Westerville Central High School, and now serves as the first ever Principal of Olentangy Berlin High School.
My Leadership Journey

Tanny Crane

Tanny Crane is President and C.E.O. of Crane Group. Crane Group, a 70-year old, privately-held diversified portfolio company, is comprised of five operating businesses as well as an investment company that holds real estate, private equity investments, equities / bond portfolio, and hedge funds.
Leading Art'full'y

Stacie Boord

Stacie Boord’s work experience encompasses almost 30 years as an effective communication, sales, and arts administration professional as well as a performer and instructor for Shadowbox Live. This experience includes, but is not limited to project development and management, non-profit fundraising, media relations, corporate sales, education and personnel management. Stacie is responsible for project managing the company's artistic collaborations.
Leading in a Non-Profit Environment

John Comerford

John Comerford, Ph.D., has a proven record of commitment and advocacy for higher education and liberal arts colleges. He has served as president of Blackburn since 2013, where he has been at the center of a number of innovative programs designed to enhance student access and learning.

Comerford is committed to providing access to affordable higher education while delivering excellence in academic, student life, and career preparation programs. Under his leadership, Blackburn College became one of just a handful of colleges in the country to meet the full financial need of all its incoming students, with a focus on providing a series of work experiences that will help students impress prospective employers after graduation. Blackburn is one of just a few colleges in the state of Illinois to show enrollment growth over the past five years.
Delivering Solutions

Sandy Doyle-Ahearn

As President of EMH&T, Sandy oversees the activities of more than 350 professionals and technical personnel, which she describes as solution-oriented partners for the firm’s valued clients. She joined EMH&T in 1997, and today she is responsible for leading the firm and focusing on corporate operations, client relationships, employee engagement and business development. Sandy is an active member of the consulting and philanthropic communities, serving in leadership positions in a number of organizations including the YWCA Columbus, Columbus Academy, the Nature Conservancy of Ohio, Childhood League, the Affordable Housing Alliance of Central Ohio, American Council of Engineering Companies (Ohio) and the Columbus Partnership. Sandy is the recipient of a number of recognitions including Business First’s 40 under Forty, the R Livingston Ireland Award, the Society of Wetland Scientists Presidents Service Award, Women’s Transportation Seminar Columbus Chapter Woman of the Year, the YWCA Columbus Board Member of the Year, Smart Business Progressive Woman and Most Admired CEO's by Columbus Business First.
End of an Era

Kathy Krendl

Dr. Krendl began her tenure as the 20th president of Otterbein University in 2009. She successfully led the completion of the largest fund-raising campaign in the institution’s history, exceeding the goal of $50 million. The capstone of her professional achievement, The Point, is a 61,000-square-foot collaborative innovation facility that houses business, industry, academics, and community partners. The project attracted nearly $3 million in public funding and another $3 million in private contributions. In addition, she established Otterbein’s Women’s Leadership Network, an initiative focused on student experiences, annual leadership conferences, and partnerships with women’s groups throughout the central Ohio region with the goal of advancing leadership opportunities for women.
Heather Whaling - President, Geben Communications

Heather Whaling

After launching the company from her dining room in 2009, Heather’s fresh, data-driven approach to best practices has helped Geben evolve into a highly respected, sought-after, award-winning PR firm with operations in Columbus, Chicago and Seattle. Heather prides herself on using Geben as a platform for doing good. She is a vocal advocate for issues impacting women and girls, especially paid parental leave. After rolling out a 10-week leave policy for new moms and new dads at Geben, her perspective on this issue has been featured in Forbes, Entrepreneur.com and a variety of local and national media outlets.
From Merchant to Manufacturer

Tara Marling Abraham

Tara Marling Abraham, Chairman and Co-CEO of Accel, Inc., is one of the nation’s leading experts in contract packaging. A strategist and experienced entrepreneur, Ms. Abraham advances innovation throughout the businesses she has established and grown, as well as professional and industry groups to which she dedicates time. Her combined expertise in finance, marketing, relationship management, supplier diversity, and mergers & acquisitions has made her a leader within the retail and consumer packaged goods industries.
I Don't Care What You Know

Douglas F. Kridler

Douglas F. Kridler is the fifth president of The Columbus Foundation, a community foundation serving the central Ohio region since 1943. In 2016, the Foundation awarded $205.8 million in grants to more than 3,300 charitable organizations in such fields as education, health, social services, community development, urban affairs, and the arts. As of 12/31/16, the Foundation’s assets totaled $2.01 billion.
Are You a Leader or a Manager or Both?

Craig Marshall

Craig Marshall is an assurance partner and Ernst & Young’s Columbus Office Managing Partner, a position he has held since spring 2008. He has more than 25 years of experience serving the manufacturing and service industries. Much of his experience involves SEC reporting and multinational and multi location manufacturers. He previously served as the Ohio Valley Risk Advisory Services Cluster Leader.
Congressman Pat Tiberi, Ohio 12th Congressional District

Pat Tiberi

Pat Tiberi is a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee that has jurisdiction over tax issues, Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, and trade agreements. He currently is the chairman of the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health where he is working to improve the quality, affordability, and accessibility of healthcare. He also serves on the Subcommittee on Tax Policy.
Leadership

TaKeysha L. Cheney

As Director of Community Engagement for Molina Healthcare of Ohio, Cheney leads the development of strategic partnerships, major events and sponsorships to retain and grow its membership.

Cheney has received the Business First of Columbus 40 Under Forty Award; the Smart Business Magazine Breakthrough Business Leader Award; the Women Presidents’ Organization Women Empowering Women Award; the National Council of Negro Women Columbus Chapter Community Leadership Award; and was recognized by Women for Economic & Leadership Development (WELD) as a Woman You Should Know honoree.
Leading with Purpose

Thomas M. Feeney

Tom Feeney became president and CEO of Safelite Group on July 1, 2008 and immediately introduced a new vision for Safelite supported by two core principles: “People First, Customer Delight,” which have since evolved to “People Powered, Customer Driven.” As a result, the company has doubled with plans to continue growth through a new “Nationally Powered, Locally Driven” approach.
Leading From All Levels

Guy Worley

Since January 2007, Mr. Worley has served as President/Chief Executive Officer of Columbus Downtown Development Corporation (CDDC) and Capitol South Community Urban Redevelopment Corporation. In this role, Mr. Worley is focused on the redevelopment and revitalization of Downtown Columbus, Ohio. Some of his city-changing projects include the renovation of the Lazarus Building into 700,000 square feet of office space, the redevelopment of the former City Center Mall site now known as Columbus Commons, the creation of the Scioto Mile, Columbus’ riverfront park, and the restoration of the Scioto River.
Michelle Galligan, CEO & Founder of ViaVero

Michelle Galligan

A passionate advocate of community service, Michelle launched the Columbus chapter of Bad Girl Ventures, a non-profit organization focused on funding woman-owned startups in the Greater Ohio region, serves on the Small Business Council for the Columbus Chamber, is the former board President of Court Appointed Special Advocates of Franklin County and volunteers for numerous community organizations. She currently serves on the Otterbein University Women’s Leadership Network Advisory Council.
ABC's of Leadership

Dan Good

J. Daniel Good, Ph.D. (Dan Good) is the Superintendent of Columbus City Schools, Ohio’s largest school district, serving more than 52,000 students located in 110 schools. He was appointed to the position by the Columbus Board of Education in 2013 and has led the District to impressive academic gains in early education, grade-level literacy, and post-secondary opportunities for graduates.
The Absence of Lack and the Relevance of Relationship

Tracy Maxwell Heard

Tracy Maxwell Heard, a former Democratic Leader of the Ohio House of Representatives is the President of Millennium Solutions, Inc., a public policy, business and non-profit development firm with a specialization in social enterprise development.
Hands, Head, Hearts

David P. Blom

David Blom has been instrumental in the development and growth of the OhioHealth system. He has served as President of OhioHealth’s central Ohio hospitals – Grant Medical Center, Riverside Methodist Hospital and Doctors Hospital – while also serving as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of OhioHealth. He was named President and CEO of OhioHealth in March 2002. He has a track record of achievement with a solid understanding of complex issues facing healthcare delivery. He has expertise in leading strategic initiatives, managing and developing human capital, improving profitability, and improving quality of care and customer experience.
It's Not About You

Thomas Alton Hill

Al is currently Head of METTLER TOLEDO North America where he and his team are responsible for all sales, marketing, customer support, and filed service operations in the US and Canada. He joined METTLER TOLEDO in 2000 as the General Manger of the US Industrial Division Market Organization
Increasing Engagement through Servant Leadership

Elaine Roberts

On January 1, 2003, the Columbus Regional Airport Authority was created to oversee the operations of Port Columbus International, Rickenbacker International, and Bolton Field Airports and Roberts was named President & CEO. She was named Executive Director of the Columbus Airport Authority, CRAA's predecessor, December 18, 2000, and prior to that was Executive Director for six years of the Rhode Island Airport Corporation which operates T. F. Green (Providence) Airport and five other state-owned airports. Roberts began her airport management career with the Indianapolis Airport Authority in 1983 where she served for 12 years.