Workforce Advisory Council

Tanny Crane, President & CEO
Crane Group

Tanny Crane is president and CEO of Crane Group Co. She has also served on the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, as well as the board of Wendy's International and State Savings Bank. Crane is widely recognized for her and her company’s philanthropy throughout Central Ohio.

Crane Group is a family-owned portfolio company composed of businesses primarily serving the manufacturing and services markets, as well as managing investments in private equity firms and real estate and bond portfolios. It helps partners and communities thrive by providing strategic leadership, flexible capital, and a collaborative spirit. The company is creating a future where businesses succeed by running thoughtfully and equitably while uplifting others.

Don DePerro, President & CEO
Columbus Chamber of Commerce

Don DePerro, president and CEO of the Columbus Chamber, previously served as president and publisher of Columbus Business First where he enjoyed a newspaper career that spanned over 30 years. He has been named the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Media Advocate of the Year for the state of Florida and has received six American City Eagle Awards for Excellence – the highest honor awarded to American City associates – as both an editor and publisher. In addition to his professional accomplishments, Don remains heavily involved in countless community initiatives.

Columbus Chamber of Commerce has a simple, yet bold mission: to help the Columbus region grow and thrive. We act as the voice of the business community through distinct pillars of strategic business solutions, connections, government relations and talent, and workforce.

Donald Dennis, Learning & Development Director
Huntington Bank

Donald Dennis leads, develops and implements diversity, equity and inclusion strategies, programs, policies, and metrics that successfully engage, develop, retain and attract a diverse workforce. He joined Huntington in 2018 from Nationwide Financial Services, following stints with Chase, Victoria's Secret Stores, and BISYS Fund Services. Dennis serves on the Boards of Directors of The Mid-Ohio Food Bank and Columbus Community Kitchen, LLC.

Huntington is a full-service banking provider primarily operating across an eleven-state banking franchise of Ohio, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. Huntington's “Welcome” philosophy centers around deep relationship-building capabilities to best meet each customer’s specific needs. Huntington serves customers through a banking network of over 1,000 full-service branches, including 11 Private Client Group offices, and over 1,600 ATM locations.

Michelle Grieshop, Division Lead of Human Capital
Honda

Michelle is a national human resources director specializing in strategy development for health care, wellbeing, retirement, retirement investments, talent acquisition and development. She has experience in matrix organization, evolving best practices for total rewards strategies, and leadership development. She also has had success in delivering multimillion-dollar projects on time and below allotted budget through effective strategic planning and ability to prioritize. She brings a proven ability to communicate and influence throughout all levels of an organization.

Honda was the first Japanese automaker to produce products in America, beginning with motorcycles in 1979, followed by the start of automobile production in Marysville on Nov. 1, 1982. The company’s 12 plants in the U.S. employ more than 22,000 workers.

Tim Harman, Director, Customized Talent Acquisition & Training
The Workforce Innovation Center

Tim is a workforce expert with over 15 years of human resource and diversity, equity and inclusion experience. Tim has a successful track record of implementing talent acquisition, college recruiting and diversity, equity and inclusion strategies with multiple Fortune 500 companies. Currently, Tim is a Senior Consultant with the Workforce Innovation Center with a focus on improving individual, organization and community success in training and retaining great leaders. Tim has been an active leader with the Central Ohio Diversity Consortium, is a current member of the Columbus Region Workforce Advisory Council and Advisory Board for FESTA non-profit.

The Workforce Innovation Center Our goal is to serve the organizations who are actively seeking to further learning and development through inclusive behaviors and initiatives which generate a measurable return on investment to their stakeholders and community.

Jenni Kovach, Chief People Officer
IGS

When Jenni joined the IGS family of companies, the organization had 180 employees located at one office in Dublin, Ohio. There has since been tremendous growth, supported by Jenni’s philosophy that a strong correlation between culture and brand creates positive employee engagement and exceptional customer experiences. When she's not in the office, she’s a committed board member of The EHE Foundation, responsible for fundraising efforts to support rare cancer research.

IGS Energy is redefining what it means to be an energy company. IGS is leading a transition to a more sustainable energy future for a healthier planet. 

Jeff Lyttle, Executive Director
JP Morgan Chase

Jeff Lyttle leads JPMorgan Chase’s relationships with the colleges and universities that provide top talent to the firm in Ohio, and supports programs that enable professional growth and mobility among the more than 20,000 employees who work in the state. Jeff joined JPMorgan Chase predecessor Bank One Corporation in 1996. He currently serves as a trustee and past chair of the Columbus Metropolitan Libraries Foundation, as a commissioner on the Columbus Music Commission, and as a member of the Office of Workforce Strategy advisory board at Columbus State Community College.

JPMorgan Chase is a leading global financial services firm with assets of $2.6 trillion and operations worldwide. Its rich history spans over 200 years. Locally, JPMorgan Chase partners with Columbus State on the Columbus Promise and upskilling programs at its Polaris Corporate Center. Lead Columbus Executive Corrine Burger serves on the Columbus State board of trustees.

Sarah O'Reilly, HR Director
Andelyn BioSciences

Sarah O’Reilly is the Senior Director of Human Resources for Andelyn Biosciences, with over 17 years in the manufacturing industry. Prior to her role at Andelyn, she worked at Honda of America Manufacturing. Sarah currently serves on the Workforce Advisory Council for Central Ohio that partners with local businesses and educational institutes to bridge existing talent gaps between employer needs and workforce skillsets.

Andelyn Biosciences is a gene therapy CDMO that supports companies developing curative gene therapies for rare and prevalent diseases. With 20-plus years of experience manufacturing viral vectors, Andelyn’s scientific expertise for development and characterization of gene therapies has led to GMP material being produced for over 75 worldwide clinical trials and more than 400 cGMP clinical batches.

Rocky Parker, Senior External Affairs Officer
Nationwide

Rocky Parker is the Senior External Affairs Officer for Nationwide. In this role, Parker creates and drives critical workforce development efforts for Nationwide. Parker previously served as Nationwide’s Senior Vice President, Talent Acquisition, and was responsible for the company’s acquisition of talent from C-suite executives to first year interns and directing the organization’s leadership rotation programs, relocation, university relations and outplacement efforts.

Nationwide, a Fortune 100 company based in Columbus, is one of the largest and strongest diversified insurance and financial services organizations in the United States. Nationwide is rated A+ by both A.M. Best and Standard & Poor’s. Nationwide employs more than 12,000 workers in Central Ohio and more than 24,000 in total.

Tom Poole, Talent Acquisition Director
OSU Wexner Medical Center

Poole is a data-driven recruiting executive with over 20 years of professional experience in executive search, corporate recruiting, recruiting process outsourcing, and contingent staffing. He has demonstrated success in implementing innovative recruiting processes, mentoring staff, and delivering measurable results that surpass corporate goals for both personal and team performance.

The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in Columbus is nationally ranked in 9 adult specialties and rated high performing in 3 adult specialties and 15 procedures and conditions. It is a general medical and surgical facility as well as a teaching hospital.

Damon Porter, VP, Chief HR Officer
Grange Insurance

Damon J. Porter joined Grange Insurance in May 2018, and serves as Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer. A strong advocate of supporting the plight of others, Porter has served in leadership roles on numerous nonprofit boards including the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture in Charlotte, NC; the Housing and Neighborhood Development Service (HANDS) in Erie, PA; and the Youth Leadership Institute, also in Erie, PA. He currently serves on the Board of Trustees for the Mid- Ohio Food Collective in Columbus which is one of the largest foodbank organizations in the country.

Grange Insurance provides peace of mind and protection during life's unexpected events. For generations, Grange Insurance and the independent agents who represent the company have empowered people to live their best lives. Grange is headquartered in Columbus, and employs nearly 900 people locally.

Mindy Sandford, Senior Advisor, Workforce Development, Partnerships and Programs
OhioHealth

Mindy Sanford is a motivated operations and business development executive with 20-plus years of progressive experience in the healthcare industry. She leverages expertise in health care management  and partners with academic institutions to build a solid pipeline of future healthcare workers.

OhioHealth is a nationally recognized, not-for-profit, charitable, healthcare outreach of the United Methodist Church. We are a family of 35,000 associates, physicians and volunteers, and a network of 14 hospitals, 200+ ambulatory sites, hospice, home health, medical equipment and other health services spanning 47 Ohio counties.

Ashlyn Schneider, Senior Manager of Recruiting
Worthington Industries

Ashlyn Schneider joined Worthington Industries in 2013 and is currently the Senior Manager of Talent Acquisition. Schneider and team have worked to identify new pipelines of talent through building strong partnerships with school districts, career-tech schools, and colleges. She has stood up recruitment and onboarding experiences for high school students, veterans, and interns. She is passionate about bringing awareness to modern manufacturing and showcasing the innovative career paths it has to offer.

Worthington Industries is a leading global industrial manufacturing company delivering innovative solutions to customers that span many industries including transportation, construction, industrial, agriculture, retail and energy. Headquartered in Columbus and founded in 1955, Worthington Industries partnered with Columbus State in building the Modern Manufacturing Work-Study program.

Emily Toney, Local Market Executive
Bank of America

As Market Executive for Columbus at Bank of America, Toney works closely in partnership with the Market President and leadership team to help connect businesses, families and individuals to the banking and investment teams that will help improve their financial lives. Toney brings her 15-plus years of leadership in the Columbus nonprofit community as an events and development professional. She currently serves on the boards of Gladden Community House and Creative Ohio. She is a graduate of the 2016 Leadership Columbus program and the 2022 Elevate Columbus class.

Bank of America is one of the world’s leading financial institutions, serving approximately 68 million consumer and small business clients. In Columbus, it has extended $90 million in loans to small businesses, $1.4 billion in commercial loans, and donated 51,000 employee volunteer hours. It also supports local causes such as YWCA and Dress for Success Columbus. 

David White, Regional Talent Manager
One Columbus

In his role as Managing Director, Talent at One Columbus, David White leads a team that focuses on creating solutions and connecting businesses to the workforce ecosystem in the Columbus Region. Consulting with regional companies regarding their talent needs, they facilitate connections and dialogue among various private, public, state, and nonprofit resources. For companies seeking to expand operations or introduce a new operation in the region, his team works on customized proposals to meet talent needs now and in the future.

One Columbus is the economic development organization for the 11-county Columbus region. Working with local and state partners, the team serves as a business location resource for companies across Central Ohio and around the world. Since 2010, the One Columbus team has helped more than 650 domestic and international companies achieve their growth goals by locating in the Columbus Region, resulting in over $34 billion capital invested and more than 68,000 new jobs created.

Walt Williamson, Director, Talent Acquisition
Intel

Walt Williamson joined Intel in August 2022 as the Director of Talent Acquisition for Intel Ohio. He has since expanded his role to lead the US College and US Intern Experience team for Intel Corporation. He has spent most of his career in HR, primarily in Talent Acquisition. As a life-long Ohioan, he’s proud to support the growth and leading-edge technology in Ohio.

Intel is creating world-changing technology that enriches the lives of every person on Earth. For more than 50 years, its work has driven forward innovation, leading to modern advances in fields like AI, analytics, and cloud-to-edge technology. Throughout these advances, Intel remains firmly focused on valuing the amazing employees that make it happen. Intel has 120,000 employees globally and more than 150 here in Ohio. Intel plans to grow to 3,000 Ohio workers in the upcoming years.

Felicia Wilson, VP of Marketing & Community Workforce Programs
Dawson

Felicia Wilson joined Dawson in 2012 and is the Vice President of Marketing and Community Workforce Programs. Felicia is responsible for launching Dawson’s Community Workforce Programs in 2015 to aid in building a strong pipeline of talent for the Columbus region. Wilson volunteers with many community organizations, including the Ronald McDonald House, Dream Center Columbus, and Big Brothers Big Sisters Project Mentor.

Dawson is a workforce solutions company offering job placements, HR Management Solutions, and Community Workforce Programs. What started in 1946 as a service to help soldiers find jobs as they returned home from WWII has turned into a leader in workforce solutions. Dawson engages with the Workforce Advisory Council to help create a strong talent pipeline for the Columbus region by bridging the gap between education and workforce needs.

Brad Hyslop, Director of Client Relations
Innosource

Bio coming soon.

InnoSource was founded in 1999. The company immediately found success in partnering with Fortune 500 companies and other high-quality, mid-size firms to support all complex human resources functions and talent needs. Innosource hires 3,500+ associates annually – 50 percent of whom work in Ohio.

Noel Klay, Director, Global Talent Acquisition
Cardinal Health

Noel has over 25 years of Talent Acquisition experience including 18 years with Cardinal Health. Currently, Noel is leading a direct/indirect global team of over 40 and is responsible for the Pharmaceutical, Specialty Solutions, and NPHS divisions. In addition to day-to-day recruitment, Noel has led Talent Acquisition teams at Cardinal Health through business transformations and several large-scale acquisitions, including the Cordis business from Johnson & Johnson, the Covidien business from Medtronic, and Global Shared Services (GSD) build out in India. Lastly, Noel was a Founder’s Award winner at Cardinal Health in 2023.

For those tasked with navigating the complexities of healthcare, Cardinal Health brings scaled solutions that help our customers thrive in a changing world.

Wendy Acton , HR Site Head 
Amgen

Wendy Acton is honored to be the HR Site Head for Amgen’s new advanced product assembly and packaging plant currently under construction in New Albany. Her primary responsibilities include creating and executing the site’s overall workforce plan and talent strategy, building relationships and collaborations with external organizations, and partnering with the site leadership to define and implement a site vision, while creating a culture of diversity, inclusion and belonging. Acton joined Amgen in 2006.

Amgen is one of the world’s leading biotechnology companies. Amgen is a values-based company, deeply rooted in science and innovation to transform new ideas and discoveries into medicines for patients with serious illnesses. A worldwide leader in biologics manufacturing, Amgen has an outstanding track record of reliably delivering high-quality medicines to patients who need them.