Our Board

Kelly is a professor, author, and activist. She received her PhD in microbiology from the University of Louisville and pursued post-graduate studies at the University of Maryland and the Rijksuniversiteit Groningen in the Netherlands. In addition to teaching at Miami University for over two decades, she served as Campus Dean at Miami University Middletown and Interim Director of the Middletown Campus of Cincinnati State Technical and Community College. Her current research centers on college teaching approaches that can narrow the gap between under-resourced and fully-resourced learners. She is the author of two successful microbiology textbooks, one in its 7th and one in its 5th edition.

Kelly mentors returning citizens after their incarcerations and is a certified Hamilton County Jail Chaplain. In 2009 she founded the Community Building Institute of Middletown, which supports child development, education and career readiness initiatives to help break the cycle of generational poverty. The Institute currently channels +/- $1 million annually into families in Butler County. Kelly has three adult children and a dog, Doug.

Read More

Read Less

Tristan N. Vaught is a Co-founder of Transform Cincy, a Community Shares member charity, and formerly the Director of Education and Training at Living with Change. They are an activist, educator, and the Founding Director of the LGBTQ+ Center at IUPUI. Previous to this role, they held positions as the Interim Director and first Program Coordinator of the LGBTQ Center at the University of Cincinnati. They hold a Master’s degree in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies from University of Cincinnati with research centered on the effectiveness of LGBTQ+ ally trainings in higher education. They also graduated with Bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies from the University of Cincinnati. Tristan’s advocacy and education work focuses on intersecting identities and how they impact individuals’ lived experiences. They enjoy writing poetry and short stories, communing with nature, and considers themselves a bourbon snob.

Read More

Read Less

Jen Scott (she/her/hers) is a native Ohioan from Forest Park, Ohio. She attended Northwestern University earning a degree in Chemistry. After returning to Ohio, she embarked on a successful career in information technology and established her own consulting firm. In 2015, she began another path in life, that of a community organizer and grassroots activist. Through her volunteer roles, Jen learned how to use her personal passion to empower a community to make a real difference in the lives of others. She brought this passion to Equality Ohio, a member organization, when she joined the team in 2019 to establish and expand Equality Ohio’s work in the southwest Ohio region and now provides resources to all of Ohio as the Statewide Field Manager. Jen serves on the boards of American Atheists as Board Chair, as Director of Compliance and Parade Chair for Cincinnati Pride, and Vice President for the Kentucky Freethought Convention. She also runs Science on Tap Cincinnati, a science education program.

Jen joined the board of Community Shares in 2020 and is looking forward to furthering the mission of Community Shares to build social and economic equity and a healthy environment in Cincinnati and the surrounding region.

Read More

Read Less

A native of Cincinnatian, Shenda has over ten years of experience in banking. She has worked for various fortune five hundred companies such as Citibank, Bank of America, U.S Bank and currently First Financial Bank, where she is Community Outreach Officer. She is on the planning committee for WELD. Weld is an organization that develops and advances women’s leaders. It strives to increase the number of women serving in leadership in business and government in central Ohio. We build programs, events, and a community to support leadership development and business growth. Shenda is also currently sitting on the board for the Roselawn Business Alliance. Throughout the years she has obtained a wealth of financial knowledge. Specializing in retail banking and community relations. In her free time she loves spending time with her family and traveling the world. Her true passion is working in the inner city of Cincinnati to bring social change and improve the quality of life. She loves working with individual families and whole communities to empower them to identify their assets, needs, opportunities, rights and responsibilities.

David has spent his career gaining diverse experiences in many sectors. Currently, he is a Customer Project Manager at technology company Cisco. Previously, he lent his talents to P&G where he streamlined order management for Professional Oral Health customer support teams. He has earned degrees from both University of Cincinnati and the Union Institute and University.

When not engaging in professional endeavors, David enjoys spending time with his family, travelling, and he'll never say "no" to a game night. An Oakley native, he lives in College Hill with his two dogs and is passionate about the mission of Community Shares and the impact that we have in our community.

Read More

Read Less

Hello, my name is Sheena R. Brooks. I am the Director of Graduate Education at Northern Kentucky University. I hold a bachelors and masters degree from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. I enjoy working in higher education and helping students achieve their dreams of attending college. I am from Little Rock, Arkansas. Go HOGS! I have three adult children: one son and two daughters. I have four grandchildren: three grandsons and one granddaughter. My first grandson and I share the same birthday. I enjoy cooking, shopping, and spending time with my family.

Read More

Read Less

Read More

Read Less

Liz Clemons is a public safety and physical security leader. Currently, the Associate Director for the Office of Public Safety at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, Liz specializes in strategic planning, community engagement, and security innovation. In a previous role as a District Manager for Securitas, the world’s largest security solutions provider, Liz led a multi-million-dollar portfolio providing security and safety solutions for prominent clients throughout the Cincinnati Tri-State area. Other previous roles include managerial and supervisory positions at culturally important institutions. In 2023, she received a nomination and acceptance to the YWCA’s Rising Star Program.

With a dedication to serving the Cincinnati community, Liz is a member of multiple safety and cultural committees. She works with the Uptown Safety Consortium, the Cincinnati Cultural Property Protection Roundtable, Culture First Cincinnati Chapter, and the BIPOC Affinity Group at the Cincinnati Zoo. She spent over half a decade volunteering with the US Navy’s youth leadership program, the US Naval Sea Cadet Corps in roles such as Executive Officer and Command Chaplain. Liz also served the community for over six years with the United States Air Force Auxiliary, ending her volunteer experience serving as the Commander of the OH-GLR-156 Squadron in Warren County. Her dedication to service and security comes from her service in the United States Navy.

When not engaged in professional endeavors, Liz enjoys spending time with her fiancée and their rescue cats, traveling to Europe to visit with family and experience different cultures, growing her bourbon collection, and reading any book on European history. A Cincinnati native, she lives in the truly vibrant Avondale community and is passionate about the Community Shares Mission.

Read More

Read Less

Danielle Craig Hemphill currently serves as the Vice President of Communications and Education for Planned Parenthood Southwest Ohio Region. She has been a member of the Planned Parenthood team since January 2014 and manages a team of talented folks who work to increase access to sexual and reproductive health care and education through comprehensive sex education, strategic communications, media relations, marketing, events, and community outreach. Danielle has more than 23 years of experience in communications, public relations and marketing. Prior to working with Planned Parenthood, she spent the first part of her career working in the corporate, for-profit world. Danielle has a BA from Purdue University in Professional Writing and Publishing and an MBA from Thomas More University.

Read More

Read Less

Shauntel Dobbins is the founder of Financially U, a Financial Resource Network that provides tools and resources relative to money management, credit building, asset building and savings strategies. She is also the author of “Prospering Thoughts: God’s Thoughts about Prosperity”. Shauntel is often called a “Financial Therapist” for the ability to provide a nonjudgmental atmosphere, inspiring individuals to have prosperous thoughts, which will lead to prosperous results. In addition, teaching individuals how our behaviors relative to money lead to success or failure. “We are building relationships and partnering with individuals to assist them to establish and maintain healthy relationships with money.”

Read More

Read Less

Claire has spent most of her career with the YMCA at both the local and national level. While she is an expert in youth development, her many years in the non-profit world has also made her a skilled fundraiser for Over-the-Rhine Community Housing, one of our charity members. She is an experienced world traveler with avid interest in other cultures, passionate conservationist, seamstress, youth development and social justice advocate. She embraces the positive opportunities that change creates.

Read More

Read Less

Kersha Deibel , MPH, MSW is a Senior Advisor to the President and CEO of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America. Previousy, she served as the President & CEO of Planned Parenthood Southwest Ohio Region, a Community Shares of Greater Cincinnati founding charity member. Prior to joining the southwest Ohio team, Kersha spent over eight years leading and organizing with Planned Parenthood Federation of America and Planned Parenthood Action Fund in Washington, DC. There, she led the team to run winning electoral campaigns that centered the lived experience of BIPOC communities, LGBTQIA+ individuals, young people, and patient advocates at the local, state, and federal levels. She’s served, in the past, as the President of the DC Abortion Fund. Currently, she serves on the Board of Directors for the National Abortion Federation. Kersha’s reproductive health and rights foundation was built while working in a Planned Parenthood St. Louis health center as a Patient Educator, where she interviewed patients and provided counseling of health care options.

No stranger to southwest Ohio, Deibel attended the University of Cincinnati and became a Planned Parenthood patient for the first time in the Planned Parenthood health center where she now works to provide, protect, and expand care for the 20,000 patients that walk through the doors. Her experience is enhanced by her Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Cincinnati and a Master of Public Health and Master of Social Work from Washington University in St. Louis, MO.

Kersha enjoys skiing, curvy girl yoga, and traveling the world to indulge in excellent food with her wife, Latoya.

Read More

Read Less

Donnie received his call at the age of 14 to minister. He studied at Temple Bible College while in high school and after high school attended The Call program at Cincinnati Christian University.

He was licensed to preach in 2000 as a Youth Minister at New Unity Baptist Church and then Youth Pastor at Calvary Missionary Baptist Church and Youth Minister at Union Baptist Church. He achieved his Certificate of Ordination in 2010, becoming pastor of First Baptist Church of Hazelwood in Cincinnati the following year. In 2019, he accepted the call as honored Elect Senior Pastor at New Life Missionary Baptist Church West College Hill (Steel Sub) Cincinnati, Ohio. Donnie is the founder of New Life Foundation and is a member of Collective Empowerment Cincinnati. He is also a member of the NAACP Cincinnati, Baptist Minister’s Conference Ohio and National Baptist Convention.

Read More

Read Less

La'Shawnta Lewis is currently the Executive Director for Parents for Public Schools of Greater Cincinnati. She has spent her career gaining diverse experiences in many sectors. She has spent the past five years learning the world of non-profits, educating and advocating for equality in public schools. La'Shawnta is also a real-estate advisor and investor.

Prior to leading Parents for Public Schools of Greater Cincinnati, La'Shawnta spent several years as a software developer for a home builders company based out of Florida. La'Shawnta is also the Marketing Co Chair for the Greater Cincinnati Realtist Association, where she spends time organizing and marketing events. La'Shawnta previously owned her own home health care company where she focused on the needs of geriatric and special needs clients.

In her spare time La'Shawnta loves to spend time with her 2 beautiful children and travel the world. Her true passions are helping others, education and children. She wants to make sure everyone from preschool through adolescence has an equal right to adequate education, resources and mental health.

Read More

Read Less

Tara J. Mosley holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Wilberforce University and an MBA from Indiana Wesleyan University. With a long-standing career in the consumer goods industry, she currently works as Director of Customer Development for The Mars Agency. Previous organizations have included The Wine Group, where she led insights and data analytics as a Category Insights Manager and The Kroger Company where she led merchandising for the Small Format division, focused on launching new store formats & partnerships nationwide. Additionally, she has held strategic planning, trade, and brand marketing roles at United Pet Group (a Spectrum Brands Company) and Procter & Gamble. Tara has prided herself on using her understanding of consumer behaviors, syndicated data, and brand awareness to create effective marketing and merchandising plans to benefit some of the nation’s top brands and retailers.

When not working, Tara is very involved in her community and had worked with several organizations in the Cincinnati, Ohio region. She’s currently involved with the Junior League of Cincinnati, serving as the immediate past president and board member. She also volunteers with Dress for Success Cincinnati and is a member of NextUp (formerly Network of Executive Women).

Read More

Read Less

Rich is a Human Capital Strategist and HR innovator. Currently a senior advisor with Patina Solutions, Rich retired from P&G in 2018 after 32 years with the company. As the Chief HR Officer for various business units and global functions, Rich consistently delivered and disrupted key organizational and business strategies to drive value. This includes areas such as Talent Development, Organizational Design and Restructuring, M&A, Disruption of HR information systems and tools, Culture change and agility (including being a champion for diversity and inclusion), and significant investment in building HR capability with his peers and emerging HR leaders.

He earned his BA from DePaw University, has volunteered with United Way of Greater Cincinnati, served as a sponsor for the P&G People With Disabilities, and been elected to the board of the Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati.

Read More

Read Less

Tom Schultz is a Technical Project Officer with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of State and Community Energy Programs. Previously, he was the Data and Program Manager for the Cincinnati 2030 District, an Initiative of Community Shares member organization Green Umbrella. A proud Cincinnati native, Tom returned to Cincinnati serendipitously in 2019 for a graduate fellowship with the City of Cincinnati Office of Environment and Sustainability after completing a Masters of Public Affairs from Indiana University, where he concentrated in Sustainability, Sustainable Development, and Social Entrepreneurship. In his current role, Tom works to analyze data and support programs to support creating a healthy and sustainable built environment for all a job he feels aligns perfectly with the mission of Community Shares.

Read More

Read Less

Dr. Tobias is an academic family physician with expertise in health policy, population health, health care workforce diversity and health equity. Most recently, she served as Interim Chair of the University of Cincinnati Department of Family and Community Medicine from 2018-2020. Dr. Tobias was a 2009-2010 RWJ Health Policy Fellow in the Immediate Office of the Secretary at the US Department of Health and Human Services. Previously she was the Director of Medical Education in the UC Department of Family and Community Medicine with awards in teaching, mentoring and clinical excellence, including the Silver Apple Award, Dean’s Teaching Award for Excellence and the Leonard R. Tow Humanism in Medicine Award.

Dr. Tobias recently completed a decade of service as Medical Director of the Health Collaborative. She provided leadership and support to physicians and practices as part of federal demonstration projects with a focus on improving primary care access, decreasing health disparities and improving population health. Most recently she supported the Health Collaborative’s Emergency COVID19 Regional Response Equitable Strategies Work Group and Hamilton County’s COVID-19 Testing, Test and Protect - Community Core and Field and Systems Operations teams.

Dr. Tobias is a graduate of Cornell University and the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. She completed her residency training and was Chief Resident in Family Medicine, University Hospital, University of Cincinnati.

Dr. Tobias has practiced family medicine for over 25 years including over a decade at Lincoln Heights Health Center, HealthCare Connection and the Good Samaritan Free Clinic.

Read More

Read Less