After being involved in OWIG since 2005 and serving in leadership roles for the majority of that time, our esteemed former President, Jennifer Flatter, is stepping down. She is not gone, however, and is looking forward to continuing to be an active member of Steering Committee. Like it was for so many of us, OWIG was the first professional organization Jennifer joined post-college graduation while she was beginning her career on Cap Square as an Ohio Senate staffer.

Jennifer has always been a leader on Cap Square, but one of the most defining moments in her career was when she worked at the Ohio Department of Commerce as a Legislative Liaison. In that role, she was a lead staff person with the Ohio Foreclosure Prevention Task Force, which created Save the Dream Ohio, a premier program across the county for foreclosure prevention. In Jennifer’s words, “I was developing in my career, but I also really got to change the lives of Ohioans affected by the financial crisis as I was on the front line helping people stay in their homes.” It is amazing to note that we have a celebrity in our midst, as Jennifer got some air time on CSPAN during this time!

Her current job is with The Success Group, where she runs Impact Ohio. The position gives her “a unique opportunity to be involved in what’s happening at the Statehouse, but also stay close to issues important to Ohio’s communities.” The Impact Ohio Post-Election Conference began in 1984, but over the last few years, Jennifer has led the growth of Impact Ohio beyond that one event and into a larger, more encompassing entity with regional conferences around the state.

With her dedication to OWIG and mentorship of so many women who have been a part of our organization, Jennifer’s eagerness to empower others has always shined through. In fact, she is motivated professionally by having “the opportunity to use my energy and effort to mentor and empower others and improve organizations that I’m a part of.” This motivation is apparent in everything Jennifer does professionally: outside of OWIG and continuing with her passion for mentorship, Jennifer is also on the Advisory Committee of the Ohio Alliance of YMCA’s Youth & Government program and a Director of the Upper Arlington Civic Association. She is also one of two directors who run the Junior Director’s Program, which supports high school students through scholarships and by providing opportunities to develop leadership experience.

As a National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) Certified Personal Trainer, she misses her gym and favorite yoga studio during COVID, but she is definitely making her home garage work! Outside of work, you can find Jennifer at home in Upper Arlington with her husband, Bob, their retired racing greyhound, Jax, and the newest, most adorable addition to the family, their 6-month-old daughter, Kiera! We are so thankful for Jennifer’s leadership in OWIG over the past few years and will always appreciate her continued guidance.

Past OWIG Member Features

• Elise Geig, Equifax (2020)

• Jan Bans, AT&T (2020)

• Irene Lyons, Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (2020)

• Kristen Schweitzer, Bexley Recreation and Parks Department (2020)

• Taylor Phillips, Office of State Senator Nickie Antonio (2020)

• Jocelyn Liberatore, Toledo Chamber of Commerce (2019)

• Judge Terri Jamison, Franklin County Court of Common Pleas (2019)

• Bethany Sanders, Franklin County Auditor’s Office (2019)

• Brie Lushek, Governor’s Office of Children’s Initiatives (2019)

• Monica Cerrezuela, Central Ohio Transit Authority (2019)

• Melissa Wheeler, Westfield (2019)

• Mary Gray, Ohio Arts Council (2019)

• Helen Fite, Matriots PAC (2018)

• Alex Cofield, City of Columbus (2018)

• Kelly Carey, Carpenter Lipps & Leland, Attorneys At Law (2018)

• Shadia Jallaq, The Ohio State University (2018)

• Mandi Grandjean, Bricker & Eckler LLP (2018)

• Xenia Palus, Franklin County Clerk of Courts (2018)

• Asha Ahmed, Ohio House of Representatives (2018)

• Amanda Sines, Government Advantage Group (2018)

• Nikki Reiss, Carpenter Lipps & Leland LLP (2018)

• Diane Alecusan, Ohio Housing Finance Agency (2017)

• Emma Cardone, CBD Advisors (2017)

• Carolyn Mangas, Ohio Insurance Agents Association (2017)

• Meredith Alexander, Ohio Department of Insurance (2017)

• Venica Miller, Office of the Ohio Attorney General (2017)

Nominate an OWIG Featured Member

OWIG is always accepting nominations for women who should be highlighted in our Member Feature program. The Member Feature is intended to provide an opportunity for OWIG to celebrate members who are especially engaged in the work we are doing or have recently celebrated a professional accomplishment or milestone. Nominations will be accepted up until the 20th day of each month. We look forward to celebrating our fantastic members!