Annual State of Nonprofits
The Columbus Metropolitan Club
Central Ohio’s vast range of nonprofits care for children, families, animals, the environment, and just about everything in between. Our region’s nonprofit organizations – both large and small – are doing work that’s more important than ever, yet some are facing an uncertain future amid potential funding cuts and anxiety among the communities they serve. With a panel of passionate nonprofit leaders, we unpack the state of Central Ohio nonprofits at one of CMC’s most popular forums of the year. Featuring: Julie Fletcher, Director of Community Impact, Crane Group Joe Gottron,...
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The New Franklin County Health Map
The Columbus Metropolitan Club
Franklin County’s new 2025 Health Map is here, offering an updated look at the region’s biggest health challenges—and signs of progress. What do the latest numbers tell us about healthcare access, infant mortality, adverse childhood experiences, and more? Featuring: Joe Mazzola, Franklin County Health Commissioner Dr. Mysheika W. Roberts, Health Commissioner, Columbus Public Health Dr. Andrew Thomas, Chief Clinical Officer, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center The host is Tracy Townsend, Medical Correspondent and Anchor, 10TV News This Morning. The presenting sponsors of...
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High-Tech Careers Mean High-Stakes Education
The Columbus Metropolitan Club
Central Ohio’s economic future is high-tech—but is our education system ready? With new semiconductor plants, clean energy facilities, and advanced logistics hubs rising across the region, the workforce of tomorrow will need advanced skills today. This week, the Columbus Metropolitan Club welcomes a panel of business and education leaders for a candid discussion on what it will take to prepare Ohio students for careers in STEM, AI, and other fast-evolving industries. Featuring: Geena Gamble, Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist, Worthington Enterprises Lisa Gray, President, Ohio Excels...
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Unraveling Recovery: How Cutting Medicaid Threatens Ohioans in Crisis
The Columbus Metropolitan Club
Optimal Health Series Is Ohio headed for a crisis in health coverage, especially for mental health and addiction services? More than a decade ago, Ohio’s Medicaid expansion was a game changer, extending coverage to over 700,000 Ohioans and providing a lifeline to thousands of Ohioans in need of mental health and addiction treatment services. Expansion worked: uninsured rates dropped, medical debt decreased, health improved, and emergency room visits went down. In just four years, 630,000 Ohioans received treatment for mental illness or substance use disorder, a victory in the fight against...
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Tariff Tightrope: Ohio’s Balancing Act with Canada
The Columbus Metropolitan Club
Canada isn’t just a neighbor—it’s Ohio’s number one international trading partner. In this week’s Columbus Metropolitan Club forum, we explore what recent U.S.-Canada trade tensions could mean for jobs, industries, and the economic future of Central Ohio. Featuring: Colin Bird, Consul General of Canada in Detroit Allison Russo, Ohio State Representative, District 7, and Statehouse Minority Leader Bala Sathyanarayanan, Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, Greif The host is Dan Eaton, Senior Reporter, Columbus Business First. This forum was sponsored...
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Taxed & Confused: Making Sense of Rising Property Taxes in Ohio
The Columbus Metropolitan Club
Why are your property taxes going up — and where is that money actually going? This week’s CMC forum tackles the property tax questions on everyone’s mind, with experts who understand the system inside and out. From home values to school funding, to mills and assessments, our panel helps make sense of it all. Featuring: Michael D. Cole, President, Columbus City School Board Greg Lawson, Research Fellow, The Buckeye Institute And Michael Stinziano, Franklin County Auditor The host is Anna Staver, State Government and Politics Reporter for Cleveland.com and The Cleveland Plain Dealer. This...
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Who Gets to Move Up? Rethinking Economic Mobility in Central Ohio
The Columbus Metropolitan Club
Central Ohio is prospering, but economic mobility remains out of reach for many families. This forum explores the stark racial and economic disparities in the Columbus region and asks what new policies and community actions are needed to ensure shared prosperity. Featuring: Lourdes Barroso de Padilla, Columbus City Councilmember Keith Jones, President & CEO, Oakwood Management Duwain Pinder, Partner, Ohio - Columbus, McKinsey & Company Dr. Jason Reece, Associate Professor, City and Regional Planning, Knowlton School of Architecture, The Ohio State University The host is Mataryun...
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Bioscience Breakthroughs Are Saving Lives in Central Ohio
The Columbus Metropolitan Club
Bioscience breakthroughs are transforming lives in Central Ohio. From cutting-edge gene therapies to world-first medical devices, the region’s life sciences sector is booming—and saving lives. This week’s Columbus Metropolitan Club forum brings together scientific leaders and business innovators to explore how research, investment, and clinical development are coming together to power the next generation of healthcare innovation. Featuring: Dr. Frank Agbogbo, Vice President of Process Development, Forge Biologics Dr. Erandi De Silva, Investment Partner, Drive...
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Advancing Together: Meet the Columbus Partnership’s New Leader
The Columbus Metropolitan Club
Jane Scott Legacy in Civic Engagement Forum Celebrating Community Leaders If “The Columbus Way” were a river, its source might just be The Columbus Partnership. In this one-on-one conversation, the Partnership's new President and CEO Jason Hall shares his vision for the influential coalition of regional CEOs. As Columbus grows, so does the importance of collaborative leadership—and Hall's next steps could help shape the future of Central Ohio’s economy, equity, and civic identity. Featuring: Jason Hall, President and CEO, The Columbus Partnership The host is Sophia Fifner, President...
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Why the Federal Reserve Matters to You
The Columbus Metropolitan Club
What does the Federal Reserve actually do—and why should it matter to Central Ohioans? Beth Hammack, the new president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, sits down with CMC to explain her role, how the Fed operates, and how it impacts your paycheck, your mortgage, and our regional economy. Featuring: Beth Hammack, President and CEO, Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland. The host is award-winning news anchor Clay Gordon. This forum was sponsored by Homeport. The presenting sponsor of the CMC livestream was The Center for Human Kindness at the Columbus Foundation. CMC’s...
info_outlineLooming federal budget cuts could mean significant reductions in safety-net services for Central Ohio’s most vulnerable populations, including immigrants and refugees. How will these changes affect our communities, and how are local nonprofit leaders responding? Our expert panel explores what’s at stake and what steps can be taken to mitigate the impact.
Featuring:
Dr. Seleshi Asfaw, President & CEO, Tewahedo Social Services
Elizabeth Brown, President & CEO, YWCA Columbus
Michael Corey, Executive Director, Human Service Chamber of Franklin County
Shannon Hardin, President, Columbus City Council
The host is Dr. Lisa Courtice, President and CEO, The United Way of Central Ohio.
This forum was sponsored by Installed Building Products, Mollard Consulting, Nationwide, and The United Way of Central Ohio.
The presenting sponsor of the CMC livestream was The Center for Human Kindness at the Columbus Foundation. CMC’s livestream partner was The Columbus Dispatch.
This forum was also supported by The Ellis.
This forum was recorded before a live audience at The Ellis in Columbus’ historic Italian Village on February 12, 2025.