Young Professionals to Know in Columbus: Class of 2015

Everyone has heard the saying, “It’s not always what you know, but who you know.” This is true in business, in life, and in Columbus. With this in mind, we have compiled our second annual list of young professionals who you should know. This year’s group ranges in age from 22 to 45 and represents a variety of wonderful people, ideas, and organizations. They are well respected in their fields and, much like you, are looking to make their mark.

Our vision for this year’s list is to tell the Columbus story through 12 specific themes that best represent Columbus’ population of young professionals, including: Food, Fashion, Music, Networking, Community, Education, Politics, Marketing, Multi-tasking, Athletics, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation. By focusing our interviews on the interests, industries, and inspirations of each of our featured young professionals, we gained a better understanding of the role that each play in the grand scheme of life in the Columbus region. We have also included their Twitter handle – if they have one – so you can directly connect with each one.

We are proud to present our Young Professionals to Know in Columbus for 2015:

Heather Aker, 29
Program Director of Behavioral Measurement Shared Resource Company, OSU Comprehensive Cancer Center

John Algie, 33
President & General Manager, Ohio Machine

Steve Baldzicki, 40
Owner & Founder of Big Fish Networking, Networking Leaders Alliance, & Monarch Title Services

Olivera Bratich, 34
Owner, Wholly Craft!

Elizabeth Brown, 30
Downtown Development Manager, City of Columbus

Hali Buck, 27
Student Involvement Coordinator in the Office of Student Life, The Ohio State University

Erin Corrigan, 35
Graphic Designer, JP Morgan Chase; Marketer, Event Organizer; President, Columbus Rotary

Nate DeMars, 31
Owner, Pursuit

Denis de Verteuil, 27
Vice President, Compton Construction

Johnny DiLoretto, 43
Director of Communications, Gateway Film Center

Matt Dopkiss, 29
CEO, Dynamit

Charles Erickson, 36
Freelance, Event Marketing & Consumer Engagement Specialist

Chad Paul Frye, 33
Associate Publisher, Director of Marketing and Business Development, Outlook Media; Publisher, Outlook, and High Street Neighborhoods

Currecia Gamble, 30
Executive Assistant, COWIC OhioMeansJobs

Tracey Gardner, 41
Creator & Founder, Tracey Gardner Method

Amanda Hamman, 27
Blogger, Girl About Columbus; Speech-Language Pathologist, RehabCare

Frankie Hejduk, 39
Brand Ambassador, Columbus Crew

Dan Hurst, 40
Executive Director, Community Computer Alliance

Kareem Jackson, 31
Co- Owner, Milk Bar Boutique

Níel M. Jurist, 41
Public Information Manager, City of Gahanna

Stacie Klein, 25
Atid Columbus Director, Jewish Federation of Columbus

Brady Konya, 40
Owner & Co-Founder, Middle West Spirits, Tavern Vinegar & Workshop Co

April Kulcsar, 32
Manager of Music, Art, & Entertainment, Brothers Drake Meadery

Andrew Lallathin, 33
Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Peak Property Group

Ryan Lang, 35
Co-Founder/Head Distiller, Middle West Spirits

Adam Lehman, 28 and Allison Lehman, 26
Owners, The Wonder Jam

Greg Lehman, 36
Co-Owner & Distiller, Watershed Distillery

Patrick Locy, 28
Director of Marketing, Gateway Film Center; Director of University Radio, Capital University

Liz Martin, 32
Executive Director, Columbus SOUP; Owner & Treat Baker, Jackpot Treats; Office Manager, Chaurshong Chen D.O., Inc.

Thomas McClure, 37
Founder & Executive Director, CMH Fashion Week

Sara Mitchell, 26
Communications & Engagement Manager, The Women’s Fund of Central Ohio

Reese Neader, 31
Founder & Chief Innovation Officer, Forge Columbus

Tina H. Nguyen, 28
Department of Education, City of Columbus Mayor’s Office

Chris Olsen, 35
Co-founder & Partner, Drive Capital

Alexis A. Perrone, 33
Lifestyle Manager, Edwards Urban

Hannah D. Powell, 33
Executive Director, KIPP Columbus

Varun Ramanujam, 23
Marketing & Communications Specialist, Columbus Metropolitan Library

Taylor Ray Orsbon, 24
Account Manager, Geben Communication

Dave Rigo, 35
Co-Owner, Watershed Distillery

Patrick Roehrenbeck, 45
Executive Director, Columbus Gay Men’s Chorus

Stephanie Rond, 40
Freelance Street Artist; Gallery Owner, S. Rond Creative; Arts Advocate

Nick Seguin, 29
Partner, Dynamit

Nicci Sprouse, 39
President & Co-founder, The Single Life

Jacob Taylor, 22
Owner & Director of Client Experience, CivitasNow

Geoff Towne, 36
Brewer & President, Zauber Brewing Company

Sheila Trautner, 34
President & Owner, Taste Hospitality

Bryce Ungerott, 33
Owner & Partner, Late Night Slice, Xcelerate Media, & Oddfellows Liquor Bar

Josh Weiker, 29
Creator, Director, & Writer, Columbus Avenue; Co-Creator & Host, Damn Girl Danceparty; Hip-Hop Buyer, Magnolia Thunderpussy; Server, Dirty Franks

Brooke Wojdynski, 24
Executive Director, Democratic Voices

Bethia Woolf, 39
Co-Owner, Columbus Food Adventures & Columbus Brew Adventures

Aiko Yonamine, 43
Instructional Design Specialist, OSU College of Medicine; Fellow Organizer, Pecha Kucha Columbus

Jason Yun, 36
Owner, Improvement Warrior Fitness, & Yun Strength & Fitness Systems LLC