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