The Featured Articles

Claudine Bennett

Dayton Metro Library

Claudine is the External Relations Manager for the Dayton Metro Library. Prior to that, she was the Marketing/Communications Manager for 23 years for the City of Kettering Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Department. She holds a BA in Communications from Wright State University and an MPA from the University of Dayton. Claudine brings 31+ years of communications experience with daily work in marketing, public relations, brand management, crisis communication, and strategic communications.

Kandise Bobo

Sincalir Community College

Kandise Bobo, an accomplished leader in business education and community engagement, serves as the Executive Director of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program at Sinclair Community College. Armed with an MBA and years of experience in both academia and the business world, Kandise provides small business owners with the resources and support they need to succeed. She also teaches business classes at Sinclair and the Dayton Correctional Institute, where she is dedicated to helping students of diverse backgrounds gain practical business knowledge. Kandise is also actively involved in various community initiatives, including her position as a board member of the Dayton Foodbank. Through her leadership and advocacy, she strives to address food insecurity and promote equitable access to nutritious food for all members of the community.

Demarus Crawford-White

NPower Ohio

Demarus Crawford-White is the Executive Director of NPower Ohio, bringing over 20 years of experience in education, with a focus on non-traditional age student populations. Deeply aware of the burden of student loan debt, she has consistently sought creative solutions to help students navigate and avoid its consequences. Crawford-White has a long history of community involvement in Dayton, volunteering with several organizations that align with her commitment to improving the community by empowering others. She is a 2024 Leadership Ohio fellow, a 2019 Leadership Dayton graduate, and an active member of the Dayton Metro Library Foundation board, WYSO Community Action Board, and the Downtown Dayton Residents Association. At NPower Ohio, she is passionate about helping young people, retired military members, and their spouses transition into well-paying careers without educational debt. She and her husband Michael, residents of Dayton, are proud grandparents of five amazing grandchildren.

Dr. Carmela Daniels

Department of Veteran Affairs

Dr. Carmela Daniels is a dedicated social work educator and practitioner with over 20 years of experience serving diverse populations. She is a leader in the field, known for her expertise in anti-oppressive practice and her commitment to racial equity within social work and homeless programs. Dr. Daniels is also a sought-after speaker, offering presentations and workshops that blend humanity with purpose in leadership roles. She is a social work educator who has taught social work at the Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral levels and is passionate about mentoring the next generation of social workers. Currently, Dr. Daniels is spearheading initiatives within the Department of Veteran Affairs to address racial equity, focusing on transforming homeless programs into equitable and just systems. Her work is a testament to her lifelong dedication to social justice, community support, and empowering marginalized voices. She has received numerous awards and recognition for her service to communities in need.

Jocelin Dean

Dayton Development Coalition

Jocelin Dean serves as the Associate Talent Manager for the Dayton Development Coalition. In this role she works to support the workforce and talent needs of our long-standing local businesses and crafting recommendations to attract new businesses to the Dayton Region. Jocelin is a native Ohioan, growing up in Columbiana County before receiving her Bachelor’s in Communication from Wittenberg and settling in Dayton with her husband Nick and two children,  Sophia and Miles. She’s involved in several community organizations including the Junior League of Dayton, Ohio Cooperative Education Association, Levitt Pavilion (joining their board in November) Engineer’s Club, Dayton Area Logistics Association, and Board Development Committee for Girl Scouts of Western Ohio. Additionally, she was recognized by the Dayton Business Journal as a 40 Under 40 recipient in 2019 and is a 2022 graduate of Leadership Dayton.

Amanda DeLotelle

Miami Valley Meals

Amanda DeLotelle is the Executive Director and Co-Founder of Miami Valley Meals, where she leads a team in transforming donated food into nutritious meals for those facing food insecurity. Under her leadership, MVM is set to donate over 1 million meals by its 5th anniversary in 2025 and has earned accolades including the BBB Torch Award. Amanda holds a BA in Telecommunications and an MA in Digital Storytelling from Ball State University. Her career includes a successful tenure at the Victoria Theatre Association, where she advanced to General Manager of the Food and Beverage Department, refining her leadership and management skills. Deeply committed to her community, Amanda graduated from the 2023 City of Dayton Neighborhood Leadership Institute and is active in initiatives like the Montgomery County Food Equity Coalition. Amanda’s supportive family and team inspire her, and she is passionate about cultural engagement, travel, and making Dayton brighter for all.

Jessica Galloway

Visionary Home Solutions

Donnica Hawes-Saunders

The Averity Group

Donnica Hawes-Saunders is the Founder and CEO of The Averity Group, a full-service, solution-oriented public affairs firm that helps organizations transform their reputation at the intersection of communications, social impact, and public policy. In 2023, The Averity Group was named one of the top reputation management agencies in the U.S. by Design Rush. Donnica has been awarded the Yahoo Finance EMpower 100 Global Future Leaders & Top 20 Highest Achieving Changemakers for her strategy, execution, and advocacy in diversity, equity, and inclusion and the PRISM International Diversity Impact Award for creating and institutionalizing HBCU programming in global organizations. Donnica holds a J. D. from the University of Dayton School of Law, and received a B.A., magna cum laude, in Sociology and Anthropology from Spelman College.

Catherine Hernandez-Hogan

Wright State University

Catherine Hernandez Hogan, Senior Director for Latino Affairs and Community Engagement at Wright State University, has dedicated her career to supporting college students globally through recruitment, admissions, programming and inclusive excellence. During her tenure leading Latino Affairs, she increased the total Latino student population by about 30% from 2022 to 2024 and achieved a historic 16% increase in Latino student retention from 2023 to 2024. She was honored statewide with a 2023 Distinguished Hispanic Ohioan Award from the Ohio Commission on Hispanic/Latino Affairs and regionally as a recipient of the 2024 Leaders in Diversity Awards by the Dayton Business Journal. Catherine serves on the board of the El Puente Learning Center and tirelessly advocates for Latino students, emphasizing that they belong on campus, that they matter, that they have what it takes to succeed, and that by getting their degree, they can impact their families for generations.

Jessica Holderman

Dayton VA Medical Center

Jessica Holderman is a licensed independent social worker currently serving in a healthcare administration role as the Executive Assistant to the Medical Center Director at the Dayton VA Medical Center. She received her Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Cincinnati and her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology, with a minor in Social Work, from Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. She is a member of the American College for Healthcare Executives (ACHE) and the National Association of Social Workers (NASW). Jessica participated in and completed the year long VISN 10 Leadership Development Institute (LDI) in 2017 and the MidCon Administrative Officers Academy in 2021. She currently resides in Beavercreek, Ohio with her husband, Jordan, and her two children, Jack, and Juliet. Outside of work, she enjoys spending her time with her family, being involved and volunteering for her children’s extra-curricular activities and singing with her church praise and worship team.

Beth Hutter

MVH/GS Foundations

Beth Hutter’s career has included a wide range of experience, but her true love is non-profit fundraising. For the past 20 years Beth has focused on fundraising within the Dayton community. Currently serving as Vice President at both the Good Samaritan Foundation and the Miami Valley Hospital Foundation, she is deeply involved in all aspects of fundraising, including major gifts, planned giving, endowment development, and donor stewardship. Her expertise spans campaigns, grants, annual giving, and non-profit finance and operations management. Providing resources for the medical staff, volunteers, patients, and families every day brings meaning to her life, alongside her family. She has also served on various non-profit boards, further enhancing her commitment to community impact. Outside of work, Beth has been happily married to her husband Kurt for 38 years and takes great pride in their three daughters and son-in-law. She cherishes her border collie, Ace, and sweet cat, Zucca

Teresa Macalolooy

Macalogic

Teresa Macalolooy is the founder and CEO of Macalogic, an Economically Disadvantaged Woman Owned Small Business (EDWOSB). Macalogic supports its federal clients in four domains: Software Development; Program Support; Enterprise Architecture; and Compliance. Macalogic IT consulting includes full system and network support for commercial clients. Ms. Macalolooy serves as a mentor to professionals interested in expanding their government careers. Macalogic is a people-centered company with a strong culture of value-added support to the community and our clients. Before starting Macalogic, Ms. Macalolooy spent nearly 30 years serving in a variety of technical, program management, business development, and leadership roles for large, small, and mid-size companies. Ms. Macalolooy earned a bachelor’s degree from Wright State University in 2001, graduating Suma Cum Laude. She is a lifetime member of AFCEA, where she currently serves as the Executive VP and Chair of the Wright Innovative Technology Summit (WITS) conference.

Beverly Martin

VA Center

Dr. Beverly Duffey Martin is a motivational speaker, accomplished musician, song writer, singer, author and pastor. She has been featured on television programs, including TBN, which she has hosted on numerous occasions. She authored an array of plays, poetry and has three albums to her credit. Dr. Bev’s international ministry has earned her numerous awards and recognitions, including being selected to participate in the Business & Professional Women’s Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C.; was keynote speaker for Dept. of Defense (Defense, Finance & Accounting Service); and much more. Dr. Bev fulfilled most of her undergrad academia at Cal State University, completing her last year at Central State University, receiving a B.S. Degree in Education with a Music minor. She earned two master degrees: from IAU in Pastoral Counseling, and the University of Dayton Social Agency Counseling. Dr. Bev received a PhD in Counseling from IAU.  She received a Doctor of Ministry degree from the United Theological Seminary, specializing in Administration of Urban Ministry and Church Development.

Kirsten Mendoza

University of Dayton

Kirsten Mendoza is Associate Professor of English and the Associate Director of the Human Rights Studies Program at the University of Dayton. She received her B.A. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2012. A year later she graduated with a Masters in English from Loyola University Chicago. In 2018, she completed her Ph.D. at Vanderbilt University. Her research, which focuses on sixteenth and seventeenth century drama and literature, has been supported with grants from the Huntington Library, the Folger Shakespeare Library, and the American Council of Learned Societies. She has been teaching at the University of Dayton since August 2018. As a professor who educates future high school teachers, she is particularly committed to inspiring her students to understand the work they do in the classroom as a form of empowerment that engages with difficult social justice issues as they strive to create a world that is historically informed, compassionate, and just

Kathryn Mullen

Thomas B. Fordham Foundation

Kathryn Mullen has been with the Thomas B. Fordham Foundation since 2005. As Vice President for Sponsorship and Dayton Initiatives, she oversees the Fordham Foundation’s charter school sponsorship operation, comprised of a portfolio of ten public charter schools in sixteen buildings serving approximately 6,500 Ohio students. Her sponsorship duties include managing the charter school application and contract process, school evaluations, providing customized assistance to schools, managing charter renewals and non-renewals, facilitating school closures, negotiating contracts, consulting, researching policy solutions and sharing information on sponsorship best practices. Kathryn serves on the board of the National Association of Charter School Authorizers (NACSA) and is a regular presenter at NACSA’s annual conference. In Dayton, Kathryn leads the Fordham Foundation’s efforts to work with education, civic, community, and business leaders to strengthen educational opportunities for Dayton area children. Kathryn holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Dayton, and a J.D. from Marquette University Law School.

Meghann Naveau

Brigid’s Path

Meghann Naveau is married to the cute guy she started loving in 2006 and mom to two confident kids. She is a proven marketing and communication practitioner who has worked with nonprofits and businesses across numerous industries to build brands, tell stories, and plan well. Meghann is a graduate of the University of Dayton (Communication) and an avid runner and reader. She is an active lay Marianist and collaborates on numerous faith-related projects that help people better love their neighbors.

Jessica Olsen

Greater Dayton RTA

Jessica Olson is the Director of Communications and Training for the Greater Dayton RTA, recently recognized with a national American Public Transportation Association AdWheel award for the agency’s “Proudly Serving Project” which highlights communities RTA serves through individually designed fixed-route buses. She also received the APTA AdWheel Grand Prize award in 2024 for RTA’s “Caring for Our Community” campaign highlighting good works by employees. She serves as Director of Marketing the Heart of Centerville Washington Twp., a small business association, where she’s assisted in the promotion and execution of large-scale events. She also serves on the marketing committee for the Americana Festival. Olson co-owns JJ’s Boutique, located in Front Street Art Galleries in Dayton, in which she creates artwork utilizing wood windows and dried flowers. She’s a graduate of Wright State University and resides in Centerville with her husband and four children.

Ashley Prichard

Waibel Energy Systems

Ashley Prichard, HR Director, just celebrated her 20-year anniversary at Waibel Energy Systems, Inc. She has held many roles with the company, including administrative, graphic design, and marketing. In her current role, she is passionate about improving the employee experience, creating growth opportunities, and workforce development. She advocates giving back to the communities in which we work and spearheaded a volunteer time off policy that gives associates paid time off to volunteer and support causes that are important to them. She is a member of the 40 under 40 class of 2023. Ashley lives in Springboro, has been married to her husband Zac for 15 years, and has three children: Stella, Savy, and Brooks.

Samantha Redden

Appliance Gallery

Samantha Redden is the Marketing and Community Relations Manager for the Appliance Gallery, podcast host, fitness professional, type 1 diabetes (T1D) advocate, and current Mrs. Ohio American titleholder. Samantha was diagnosed with T1D at the age of nine and has used her own diagnosis to raise awareness and support for others living with the disease. She was named the 2019 Diabetes Female Fitness Influencer of the Year by Myabetic and currently serves on the Southwest Ohio board of directors for Breakthrough T1D. As a fitness professional, Samantha remains committed to health and wellness advocacy. She also hosts “The Samantha Show,” streamed in over 37 countries, where she shares insights on confidence and personal development. Samantha won the title of Mrs. Ohio American in June of 2024 and recently competed at the national Mrs. American pageant in Las Vegas, NV.

Carolyn Rice

Montgomery County Board of Commissioners

Carolyn Rice has served as County Commissioner since January 2019 and as County Treasurer from 2007-2018.  Carolyn worked in the private sector for 17 years before entering public service. As Commissioner, Carolyn has focused on issues including early childhood development, homeless solutions, work-based learning, addiction prevention, criminal justice, mental health, sustainability, and resiliency. Carolyn serves as Chair of the Land Bank and on numerous boards including Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce and the County’s Homeless Solutions Policy Board.  She is active with the County Commission Association of Ohio, the National Association of Counties, Rotary Club of Dayton, Dayton Council on World Affairs, and the Dayton Sister City Committee. Carolyn has been recognized by the Ohio Land Bank Association, YWCA of Dayton, NCCJ, Dayton Business Journal, and the Dayton International Peace Museum.  Carolyn graduated from Miami University of Ohio and Wright State University and is married with grown children.

Kellie Schneider

The Foodbank, Inc.

Dr. Kellie Schneider is a scholar and educator with a background in Industrial Engineering. Kellie is the Chief Knowledge Officer at The Foodbank Inc. where she and a team of other magical unicorns work to eliminate hunger and its root causes. Kellie supports the critical infrastructure of The Foodbank including compliance & reporting, warehouse operations, professional development, strategic initiatives, and continuous improvement. While delighted to be recognized, Kellie believes the women we should be watching are the ones she supports, mentors, and works along side of every day.

Denise Swick

Swick Real Estate Group

Denise Swick is a respected real estate leader with over 35 years of experience in the Dayton area and a track record of selling more than 3,500 homes. As the Owner of the Swick Real Estate Group, she expertly helps homeowners through every step of the buying and selling process. In addition, she is the Founder and CEO of Downsize Allies, providing full-service downsizing management to assist clients with transitions to smaller homes or new living situations. Denise’s career is built on a foundation of honesty, integrity, and a commitment to achieving the best possible results for her clients.

Tywauna Wilson

CompuNet Clinical Laboratories

Tywauna Wilson, MBA, MLS (ASCP)^CM is an accomplished medical laboratory leader, author of “Some Leaders Wear Lab Coats,” and host of the “eLABorate Topics” podcast. With two decades of progressive medical laboratory and healthcare leadership experience,  she  leverages her clinical expertise to mentor and coach emerging and new leaders. Ms. Wilson is viewed as a leadership innovator in the medical laboratory community and has received several accolades in the past year including: 2023 American Society For Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Mentorship and the 2023 Diversity MBA Media Top 100 Under 500 Emerging Leaders awards. Mrs. Wilson currently holds the position of System Technical Director of Chemistry at CompuNet Clinical Laboratories, here in Dayton, Ohio. In this role, she leverages her clinical expertise to provide strategic planning, standardization, implementation, and collaboration across ten laboratory sites. Tywauna is committed to guiding the next generation of confident, competent laboratory leaders.