I was born in DeKalb Illinois, then moved to Wickliffe Ohio, grew up in Streetsboro Ohio, and moved when I was a junior in high school to Ashland. Graduated from Ashland High School, Ashland University with a Bachelor’s in Social Work and from Regis University with a Master’s in Nonprofit Management. I started my career as a licensed social worker in the child welfare field specifically working in foster care, adoption and then for a very long time as the Chief Operating Officer and then Chief Program Officer at Providence House, a Crisis Nursery in Cleveland that works with families actively living in crisis situations placing their children at higher risk for abuse and neglect. Moved back to Ashland from Cleveland where I lived for 18 years in 2016 and became the Executive Director of United Way of Ashland County in January 2017.

I have 3 children, two girls and a boy and they are the lights and loves of my life. They are from oldest to youngest only 4 years apart, and we are in the thick of teenage to preteen stage. The beach (any beach) is our favorite place to go as a family.

I love putting our donor dollars into action to create meaningful and sustainable change for Ashland County. I also love watching the Partner Agencies that we fund work together to create strong foundations for families in need. They really are the heart and soul of what we do, and they work so hard to get clients the support that they need.

Both, and we have two of each, just to make our household a little crazier than it already is. Dash, Lolli, Luna, and Rex.

If I were a superhero, my superpower would be teleportation. So many uses, and so helpful!

I can’t tell you all that, it is the most embarrassing thing ever. Ask me in person and I will tell you and then we can laugh together. It is that good.

Jessica is excited to be a part of our team! 

Laura is excited to join our team!