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Central Ohio Builds BIG! Apr 02, 2025

Show notes

BIG things are happening in Central Ohio! With top leaders, we dig into some of the BIGGEST construction and development projects happening right now in our region, including the new $2B Columbus Airport terminal, the $200M reimagining of the Ohio Expo Center & State Fair, defense contractor Anduril's just-announced state-of-the-art plant, and the highway and transportation systems that will tie it all together. We explore where big ideas come from, and the partnerships and workforce that's essential to turn big dreams into tomorrow's Central Ohio reality.

Featuring:

Pamela Boratyn, Director, The Ohio Department of Transportation

Connor Brogan, Arsenal-1 Project Leader, Anduril

Matt Kunz, Vice President and Columbus General Manager, Turner Construction

And Joseph Nardone, President & CEO, The Columbus Regional Airport Authority

The host is Angela An, News Anchor, WBNS 10TV. This forum was sponsored by Barton Malow, The Columbus Regional Airport Authority, HNTB, Public Sector Consulting, and Turner Construction. 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. It was also supported by The Ellis. This forum was recorded before a live audience at The Ellis in Columbus' historic Italian Village on April 2, 2025.

A Conversation with Ohio Governor Mike DeWine Mar 26, 2025

Show notes

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine's new proposed $218 billion two-year state budget promises to completely fund the state's public education system, to deliver a tax credit for parents with minimum-wage jobs, and provides higher funding for children's services, including childcare, literacy, and vision programs. With the Governor's proposal in hand, Ohio lawmakers now have until July 1, 2025 to shape the budget and return it to the Governor's desk. CMC welcomes Ohio Governor Mike DeWine for an in-depth conversation on his proposed budget and his priorities for the state.

Featuring:

Governor Mike DeWine, State of Ohio

The host is Jo Ingles, Journalist & Producer, Statehouse News Bureau.

This forum was sponsored by The United Way of Central Ohio, The Ohio Farm Bureau, The Columbus Chamber of Commerce, Public Sector Consulting, Ian Alexander Photography, HNTB, and Smoot Construction.

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 March 26, 2025.

All Amped Up: Can Ohio Meet Its Future Energy Needs? Mar 19, 2025

Show notes

Ohio's energy demand is set to skyrocket with the rise of data centers, electric vehicles, and the shutdown of aging power plants. Can the state's power generation keep pace, or will electricity shortages hinder Ohio's growth? Major tech companies are establishing data centers in central Ohio, consuming a growing portion of the state's power supply to support consumers and power-intensive technologies like AI. Additionally, the retirement of some fossil-fuel power plants and the unpredictability of renewable sources like wind and solar add further pressure to Ohio's energy system. With industry leaders and experts, we explore the real "power play" essential for the state's economic growth.

Featuring:

Ryan Augsburger, President, The Ohio Manufacturers' Association

Kenny McDonald, President & CEO, One Columbus

Janine Migden-Ostrander, Pace University Law School E nergy & Climate Center, and Former Ohio Consumers' Counsel

Todd Snitchler, President & CEO, Electric Power Supply Association

The host is Bryant Petway, Construction Executive, ArchKey Solutions

This forum was sponsored by The Columbus Region. 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 March 19, 2025.

State of the Performing Arts Mar 12, 2025

Show notes

Columbus is more than lucky: the city is home to a vast array of performing arts organizations that bring vibrancy, expression, and wonder to Ohio's state capital through theater, dance, ballet, live music performances, and more. Artists, venues, and companies abound, plus scores of associated programs that seek to inspire young people to learn about themselves by exploring the world of performing arts.

While audiences are filling events, funding remains a challenge, with uncertainties around public funding that are driving arts organizations to build innovative partnerships with each other and supporters.

With Central Ohio's rising population, demand for the performing arts is expected to grow, and new venues to handle the growth are in the works: CAPA is raising $14 million to renovate an historic church on Third Street in downtown into a new multipurpose arts venue, while the Columbus Symphony last year unveiled plans for a breathtaking new 200,000-square-foot venue that would be the city's first purpose-built concert hall, and Shadowbox's Up Front Performance Space is also now newly-renovated.

With representatives from key venues and organizations, we take stock of the state of performing arts in Columbus with industry leaders for a look behind the curtains.

Featuring:

Daniel Walshaw, Chief Operating Officer, Columbus Symphony

Chad Whittington, President and CEO, The Columbus Association for the Performing Arts

Stacie Boord, CEO, Shadowbox Live

Regina Ann Campbell, CEO, King Arts Complex

The host is Jami Goldstein, Chief Creative Officer, The Greater Columbus Arts Council (GCAC).

This forum was sponsored by The Carol A. McGuire Legacy in Civic Engagement Fund and The Greater Columbus Arts Council.

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 March 12, 2025.

Women's Wealth is Central Ohio's Growth Mar 05, 2025

Show notes

In partnership with The Women's Fund of Central Ohio, this CMC forum unveils the latest research featuring new data on the critical resources that women in Central Ohio need – and often lack – to build wealth. Women face distinct hurdles in accumulating personal wealth, and the implications are huge: according to the Federal Reserve, closing gender and racial wealth gaps could have expanded Ohio's GDP by a staggering $67 billion from 2005 to 2019. Despite women's substantial contribution to Central Ohio's economy, disaggregated research has been lacking—until now. With a panel of passionate leaders, we discuss these fresh findings and shed light on how women in Central Ohio can overcome barriers to wealth creation.

Featuring:

Keena Smith, CEO, The Women's Center for Economic Opportunity

Shannon Isom, President and CEO, Community Shelter Board

Lisa Gray, Founding President, Ohio Excels

And Alex Dorman, Research Fellow, The Center for Community Solutions

The host is Courtney Falato, Vice President and Program Officer, Global Philanthropy, JPMorgan Chase & Co.

This forum was sponsored by The Mary Lazarus Legacy in Civic Engagement Fund and JPMorgan Chase & Co. 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 Women's Fund of Central Ohio and Vue Columbus.

This forum was recorded before a live audience at Vue Columbus in Columbus' historic Brewery District on March 5, 2025.

Click here to read the subject of this forum, The Women's Fund of Central Ohio's recent research report, "Making Women Wealthy and Free."

The Power of Two Chambers Feb 26, 2025

Show notes

The Columbus Chamber of Commerce and The Ohio Chamber of Commerce both help drive Ohio's economy. How do they collaborate to support businesses, and where do they see opportunities for growth in Central Ohio? This conversation explores the biggest challenges facing Ohio's business climate and the initiatives and partnerships needed to ensure a strong future for the region's employers, workers, and the broader economy.

Featuring:

Derrick Clay, President & CEO, The Columbus Chamber of Commerce

Steve Stivers, President & CEO, The Ohio Chamber of Commerce

The host is award-winning news anchor Clay Gordon.

This forum was sponsored by The Columbus Chamber of Commerce and Huntington Bank. 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 26, 2025.

Insights From Congresswoman Joyce Beatty Feb 19, 2025

Show notes

This CMC forum features a 1:1 conversation with U.S Congresswoman Joyce Beatty, representing Ohio's Third Congressional District since 2013. We'll cover Congresswoman Beatty's legislative priorities and unpack current events in Washington for an in-depth look at the state of federal politics and U.S. democracy.

Featuring:

Congresswoman Joyce Beatty, Third Ohio Congressional District, United States House of Representatives

The host is Karen Kasler, Bureau Chief, Statehouse News Bureau.

This forum was sponsored by The Robert Weiler Company. 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 19, 2025.

When Safety Nets Shrink Feb 12, 2025

Show notes

Looming 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.

The Caregiver Crisis Feb 05, 2025

Show notes

In Partnership with WOSU Public Media

While there's growing focus on seniors and the care they need, far less attention is being paid to the family members who provide that care. According to AARP, in 2010, there were more than seven potential family caregivers for every person over 80; by 2030, that ratio will drop to 4:1, and by 2050, it will be less than 3:1.

In Ohio alone, people caring for older relatives provide 1.4 billion hours of care each year—that's $21 billion in unpaid labor. Younger family members, often juggling their own lives, are the ones dispensing medications, preparing meals, driving loved ones to appointments, and sorting out the financial and legal matters of aging parents.

Expanding Medicare to cover in-home care, giving tax credits for caregivers, and setting up a national paid family leave program could all help, but more solutions are needed. In partnership with WOSU Public Media's "Inside Caregiving" initiative, CMC welcomes a panel of leaders and advocates to explore how we'll care for the caregivers that older Central Ohioans will depend on.

Featuring:

Jennifer Carlson, State Director, AARP Ohio

Katie White, Director, Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging

Dr. Kathy D. Wright, Associate Professor and Senior Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs, The Ohio State University College of Nursing

Chanda Wingo, Director, Franklin County Office on Aging

The moderartor is Anthony Padgett, General Manager, WOSU Public Media.

The presenting sponsor of the CMC livestream was The Center for Human Kindness at the Columbus Foundation. Our 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 5, 2025.

Ohio Higher Education Innovates for a New Era Jan 29, 2025

Show notes

Ohio's system of higher education is reinventing itself for a new era in the state's history. Will schools be ready?

Among the challenges, the number of U.S. high school graduates is expected to peak next year at about 3.5 million students before dropping 15% in the next four years, according to the Chronicle of Higher Education, with profound implications for institutions of higher education.

Additionally, the needs of key Ohio employers are always accelerating, creating growing pressure on schools to produce workers ready to enter an ever-evolving workforce, especially in technology and healthcare-related professions.

Schools are also creating new ways to ensure students stay housed, fed, and that childcare resources are available to keep students with families enrolled and moving toward graduation.

A college education remains a life-changing asset for graduates, with Axios reporting recent grads in 2023 ages 22-27 earned $24,000 more annually than their peers holding just a high school degree. With the help from our expert panelists, we explore how Ohio's higher education institutions are innovating to adapt to a changing educational and workforce landscape.

Featuring panelists:

Dr. John Comerford, President of Otterbein University Dr. David Harrison, President of Columbus State Community College Dr. Morakinyo A.O. Kuti, President of Central State University Dr. James Orr, Vice Provost for Strategic Enrollment Management at The Ohio State University

The host is Sheridan Hendrix, Higher Education Reporter for The Columbus Dispatch.

This forum was sponsored by Columbus State Community College, Grange Insurance, The Ohio State University, and Otterbein University. 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. It was also supported by The Ellis.

This forum was recorded before a live audience at The Ellis in Columbus' historic Italian Village on January 29, 2025.

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