BreakOut Speakers

Ready to dive in? Find the color of your track, check out your breakout, and get to know your trainers.  Our speakers aren’t just experts, they’re innovators, motivators, and leaders who will challenge the way you think and inspire you to take action. Don’t just attend, experience their stories, strategies, and energy that will spark your own breakthrough moments.

Designing for Equity (Morning)

Track: Every Resident Every Day

Isabela Gould has served as Executive Director of the Neighborhood Design Center since 2015, inspired by its mission of “design as a right, not a privilege.” With more than 20 years of professional and academic experience, she has taught at The Ohio State University and worked to empower communities through collaborative design. Originally from Romania, she holds architecture degrees from Bucharest and the University of Cincinnati.

Glennon Sweeney is Director of Community Programs and Outreach at the Neighborhood Design Center, where she leads engagement, partnerships, and research collaborations. She spent more than a decade at The Ohio State University’s Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity, working statewide to address structural inequality. A Columbus native, Glennon’s expertise spans land use, development policy, and metropolitan segregation, with research published in leading journals.

Aging Forward: Building Inclusive and Respectful Communication in Health and Human Services

Laurice Cohens is Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Director of the Franklin County Office on Aging. A Columbus native, she provides financial leadership and oversees operations while advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives. Twice recognized as FCOA’s “Employee of the Year,” Laurice holds a bachelor’s degree in business from Ohio Christian University and is pursuing a master’s in Organizational Leadership. She and her husband, DeMario, enjoy raising their daughter, Mikiyah.

Tamara Hartley is Deputy Director of Communications and Outreach at the Franklin County Office on Aging, leading efforts to inform, engage, and connect with the community. With more than 20 years of experience in communications, she has developed campaigns and strategies for Fortune 100 companies and high-profile clients. An Ohio native and Howard University alumna, Tamara also holds master’s degrees in marketing and communications. She is mother of four and grandmother of four.

Partnering with Nonprofits to Strengthen Communities

Curtis Brown is the Community Partnerships Administrator for the Franklin County Board of Commissioners, where he oversees grantmaking and compliance for contracts that support equity, health, and resident well-being. With over a decade of experience in leadership, strategy, and program design, he builds initiatives that expand opportunity and strengthen institutions. Curtis is also pursuing his doctorate at Jackson State University, researching the success of first-generation African American LGBTQ+ students at HBCUs.

Michael Corey has served as Executive Director of the Human Service Chamber of Franklin County since 2017, growing its membership to more than 215 nonprofits. An attorney, he holds degrees from Duke University and The Ohio State University, including a J.D. from Moritz College of Law. Michael has extensive experience in law, policy, and advocacy, and has been recognized with the George Voinovich Humanitarian Award and named to Columbus Business First’s Power 100.

Procurement: Contracting with Intention (Morning)

Track: Economic Engagement

Megan Perry-Balonier, Director of Purchasing for Franklin County, Ohio, is an experienced leader in procurement practice and educational engagement. She serves as a member of the National Association of Counties EDGE Procurement Advisory Committee and is active in the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing and its local chapter, CO-OPP.

Small Business Growth through Corporate Partnership

Track: Economic Engagement

Ana Assis is the Founder and CEO of TYS Now, where she leverages more than 27 years of banking and finance expertise to empower entrepreneurs, strengthen communities, and expand equitable access to capital.

Originally from the Dominican Republic, Ana lived in New York and Boston before settling in Ohio in 2004. Her journey across these cities shaped a deep appreciation for culture, connection, and community. Fluent in Spanish and Portuguese, she uses her background and language skills to build trust, bridge cultural gaps, and foster inclusive growth across diverse networks.

Small Business Growth through Corporate Partnership

Track: Economic Engagement

We're pleased to welcome Tasha Wilson-Wood to Imagine Forward where she'll present with Ana Assis. Tasha brings a variety of experience at the corporate level where she has focused on building relationships and intentional connections to drive the strongest results for all involved.

Equity Gap in Entrepreneurship (Morning)

Track: Economic Engagement

Kulay Mah-Brown is a passionate business advisor and educator with extensive experience supporting entrepreneurs across various industries, including construction. As the Client Service Program Manager at ECDI, Kulay works directly with small business owners to help them launch, grow, and sustain their ventures.

Equity Gap in Entrepreneurship (Morning)

Track: Economic Engagement

Boris Chudnovsky is Lending Manager for ECDI’s Central Ohio and Columbus Market and Program Manager for the Ohio Refugee Microenterprise Program. Since joining ECDI in 2022, he has closed over 100 loans annually, including 147 in 2024–2025. A former business owner with extensive lending experience, Boris holds a degree from The Ohio State University. Born in Ukraine, he immigrated to Columbus at 14 and speaks four languages.

Equity Gap in Entrepreneurship (Morning)

Track: Economic Engagement

We're pleased to welcome Allen McConnell as an adidtional presenter for this session along with Kulay and Boris. As the Director of Lending with Freedom Equity, Allen will bring firsthand expertise and experience.

Procurement: Contracting with Intention (Morning)

Track: Economic Engagement

Traci entered public service as an Ohio legislature intern. She later joined the Guardianship Service Board in a foundational role, managing the paralegal and operations departments. As AD of Purchasing Operations, Traci is focused on modernization efforts across procurement, mail, and print services. Her strategic approach delivers value by leveraging technology, elevating efficiency, and prioritizing people. Outside of work, Traci invests her time cultivating her faith, fitness, and family. Also presenting at Procurement: Contracting with Intention are: Lauren Graessle, Amy Wendling, and Cyndi Freeman.

Creating Pathways for Untapped Talent Powered by HRACO (Morning)

Track: Workforce Development

Pending approval for:

13.25 SHRM Certification Credits!

13.25 General HRCI Credits!

The use of this official seal confirms that this Activity has met HR Certification Institute’s® (HRCI®) criteria for recertification credit pre-approval.

HRACO is recognized by SHRM to offer Professional Development Credits (PDCs) for SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP® recertification activities.

Laura Repasky serves as the Director of Human Resources for the Franklin County Board of Commissioners. In this role, Laura leads all HR functions and services for 1,600 employees across 14 agencies, manages a self-insured benefits and wellness program serving more than 12,000 individuals, and directs the County’s risk

management efforts.  Prior to her current role, Laura served for over a decade with the Franklin County Department of Job and Family Services, most recently as Chief Operating Officer. A licensed attorney, Laura has held legal and leadership positions in the Ohio Supreme Court, the Franklin County Probate Court, and the Franklin County Court of Common

Please, General Division.

Creating Pathways for Untapped Talent Powered by HRACO (Morning)

Track: Workforce Development

Pending approval for:

13.25 SHRM Certification Credits!

13.25 General HRCI Credits!

The use of this official seal confirms that this Activity has met HR Certification Institute’s® (HRCI®) criteria for recertification credit pre-approval.

HRACO is recognized by SHRM to offer Professional Development Credits (PDCs) for SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP® recertification activities.

Mental Health Learning Lab: Supporting Minority Communities Through Trauma and Change: Culturally Responsive Strategies That Work

Chelsea C. Elliott is a nationally recognized emotional intelligence educator, speaker, and founder of Sōmōcom Lab®. She partners with organizations such as the YWCA, City of Columbus, and Columbus City Schools to deliver research-based training that fosters emotional wellness. Holding degrees in Psychology and Macro Social Work, Chelsea is also certified in Emotional Intelligence Coaching. Her work has been featured on The Today Show, Parents Magazine, and Good Housekeeping.