• The Advisory Board

    At the heart of the fund is a group of Westerville North High School 2005 graduates, their spouses, and friends who are committed to impacting their communities for the better. ​

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    Britney Murray

    Finance Committee

    Expertise I bring to the fund: As a financial reporting manager for a large corporation, I thrive on organization, deadlines, and working with numbers, which I am putting to use as a Finance Committee member. As a former board member of another non-profit organization, I understand what works (and what doesn’t) in the world of smaller non-profits.

    Why this fund is important to me: Along with the other advisors in this fund, I grew up in a privileged environment with incredible family, friend, and community support. This has not gone unnoticed or unappreciated. It’s our turn to give back now, and it feels so special to be doing it with my lifelong friends.

    Causes I care about: I am passionate about women’s rights and financial literacy.

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    Chris Hazzard

    Finance Committee

    Words I live by: The harder choice is usually the right one.
    Why this fund is important to me: This fund is an opportunity for me to help create meaningful change at the community level alongside a group of friends I care deeply about. As a screenwriter, I'm interested in how stories shape our understanding of the world, and the fund is a chance to create a story of hope by showing what can be accomplished when people decide to work together. It's my hope that the fund can not only give generously to nonprofits that make real differences in people's lives, but also promote those organizations by sharing their stories throughout our network.
    Causes I care about: I'm passionate about working with children and trying to make the world a better place for them. As a foster parent, I've seen firsthand the way that our society so often puts children's needs second, so I like to focus my efforts towards causes that help children and families, and support kids sharing their voice. For over 7 years, I've volunteered with Young Storytellers, a foundation that works within public schools to empower students by showing them that their story matters.

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    Colin Studebaker

    Advisor

    Where I find inspiration: My two boys are a big part of my life and I love how simple things make them happy. My youngest gets so much joy pulling books off of shelves, while my oldest loves to make “peanut butter and jelly pasta” in his play kitchen. Their joyful outlook on the world inspires me every day.

    Words I live by: There’s always room for dessert.

    Why this fund is important to me: The ability to, as a group, help people by providing opportunities they may not otherwise have had. With all hope, these opportunities will encourage the recipients to discover their full potential.

    My definition of success: If you are doing what you want and it makes you happy, then to me, you have found success.

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    Donny Murray

    The Columbus Foundation Liaison

    Expertise I bring to the fund: I’m a CPA and risk management professional by trade and a passionate activist in my spare time.

    My passion projects: I’m passionate about soccer, the environment, and giving back. I helped lead the grassroots effort to Save The Crew in Columbus, served as Board Treasurer of Green Columbus for over 6 years and currently serve on the Advisory Board, I co-lead the Columbus Chapter of Citizens’ Climate Lobby, volunteered for Sierra Club, and am a member of the NAACP.

    Where I find inspiration: Nature and my fellow travelers on the pale blue dot are where I find inspiration. I’ve had the good fortune of being around and learning from many wonderful people throughout life and am always rejuvenated and inspired when in nature thinking about how small we are in the grand cosmos.

    Why this fund is important to me: Getting outside of my bubble of childhood, I realized how fortunate I was to have great parents, friends, financial stability, and a supportive community around me. These have all given me an unfair advantage and this fund is a step toward giving back to make things a little more equitable on our planet.

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    Jake Reamsnyder

    Finance Committee

    Words I live by: “The best way to predict your future is to create it.” ― Abraham Lincoln

    My passion projects: I work in healthcare, and I see that the current US health system is ridiculously hard to navigate and costs can be devastating. I advocate for healthcare reform and financial literacy.

    My definition of success: Make yourself, your community, or your world a little bit better every day.

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    Joanna Studebaker

    Director of Communications

    Expertise I bring to the fund: As a seasoned television executive in Los Angeles, I bring to the fund creativity, strong communication skills, and type-A organization.

    Why this fund is important to me: All my life, I have seen my parents dedicate time and resources to those in need – this has stuck with me. I am thrilled to join forces with people I've known for over 20 years to combine our skills and passions to do some good in the world.

    Causes I care about: I’m passionate about education, literacy, and the environment.

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    Joel Ehninger

    Advisor

    My passion projects: As a television producer, I’m always striving to tell stories that change the world for the better. How can my work not just entertain, but also enlighten and educate? I’m currently working with a nationally recognized civil rights attorney to use his life’s work as inspiration for a scripted television series.

    Why this fund is important to me: After being laser-focused on my career for most of my adult life, I recently realized how little I was giving back to the community that supported me for so long. That realization also came with a new understanding of how crucial community-level organizations are to building a well-functioning society. I’m excited to make up for lost time and help make a real difference through the fund.

    My definition of success: Happiness, but never at the expense of others or society as a whole. If you’re truly happy and you’re spreading that happiness in the world, that feels like success to me.

    Causes I care about: LGBTQ+ youth support initiatives, education (especially among marginalized communities), social justice reform.

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    Laura Hazzard

    Media and Press Relations

    Expertise I bring to the fund: My expertise is in marketing, consumer research, and event production. Additionally, I serve the Los Angeles community as a foster parent.

    Words I live by: In the waves of change, we find our direction.

    Why this fund is important to me: As a young adult, I became a caregiver to my father with cancer. I saw firsthand the importance of community support that offered an empathetic ear, food, or even help with yard work. I also received a free room at the Edmond J. Safra Lodge at NIH, where I lived while my father was receiving treatment. Without this support, I do not believe I would have gotten through that challenging time as successfully as I did. I am forever grateful for the help I received, and now it is my turn to pay it forward.

    Causes I care about: As a foster parent, I understand the unique complexities of the child welfare system. Because of this, I am passionate about causes that support the unhoused, survivors of domestic & sexual abuse, and children in and aging out of the system.

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    Matt Becker

    CFO

    Words I live by: “Change will not come if we wait for some other person, or if we wait for some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.” – Barack Obama

    Why this fund is important to me: This fund provides an opportunity for members to commit to regular giving using pooled resources to have an outsized impact, all while building a sustainable giving structure.

    Causes I care about: Public education and racial injustice.

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    Megan Reamsnyder

    Master of Ceremonies

    Where I find inspiration: I’m inspired most by traveling, nature and seeing the world through my children’s eyes.

    My Passion Projects: I’m passionate about building community and engagement. I’m an active PTA member and love volunteering in the schools and around town. As a member of the 2020 Charter Review Commission for the City of Westerville, as well as taking part in the Citizen’s Police Academy, I’ve been able to learn more about how our city functions and feel strongly about continuing to stay engaged.

    My Definition of Success: Success to me is being content in life, but never complacent.

    Why this fund is important to me: I’ve always enjoyed the privileges of a supportive family and the resources to chase my goals. I believe the strongest communities are built when we share our privilege and resources with those in need.

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    Meredith Casto

    Creative Council

    Where I find inspiration: I am inspired by my students, my faith, my husband and family, art, music, and social justice.

    Why this fund is important to me: It's an opportunity to give back alongside people I have known for over a decade. There's no way for one person to fix all the wrongs of the world, but everyone can do something, and I see it as a moral responsibility.

    My definition of success: I define success as accepting who you are on the inside - acknowledging all of the great and messy parts - and allowing that to push you toward empathy and advocacy for others.

    Causes I care about: Racial justice, gender equality, education, LGBTQ+ rights, and developmental disabilities awareness and advocacy.

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    Samantha Becker

    Advisor

    Words I live by: Life is too short to “be normal.” Love and be loved for exactly who you are.

    Why this fund is important to me: My parents and grandparents taught me from a young age to be grateful for what you have and always find time/resources to give to others. I have been very lucky to be surrounded by a supportive group of family and friends my entire life, and I can’t imagine where I’d be without them. Hoping this fund can give some hope and help to others in our communities who may not have that same type of support system.

    Causes I care about: I’m passionate about feeding the hungry, education, and financial literacy.