OWBF Recognizes Leadership Institute Members and Award Recipient Michelle Roe at Reception

The Ohio Women’s Bar Foundation brought together over 100 guests to its Leading the Way Reception on September 14, 2017. The reception recognized the graduates of the 2016-17 Leadership Institute, welcomed the incoming Leadership Institute class and honored the OWBF Leading the Way Award Recipient Michelle Roe, Vice President and General Counsel of Thirty-One Gifts and Past President of the Ohio Women’s Bar Association.

The Ohio Women’s Bar Foundation presents the Leading the Way Award to outstanding women lawyers who demonstrate exemplary leadership in the legal profession and their communities and commitment to the promotion and enhancement of women in the legal community by inspiring and mentoring other women to raise their performance to the same high standard.

We look to celebrate women who have not just reached great heights in their own careers, but have also reached back and helped those behind them succeed in reaching their goals.

Michelle truly exemplifies the spirit of the Leading the Way Award through her exemplary career, service to her community and her immense support of women lawyers and leaders throughout the State. 

The success of this event would not be possible without our sponsors, which include: 

Presenting Sponsor - Faruki+ ;Gold Sponsors - Bricker & Eckler LLP, Carpenter Lipps & Leland, Cincinnati Etiquette and Leadership Institute, GBQ Partners, Ice Miller, Nationwide, Reminger Co. LPA, Taft Stettinius & Hollister, The Gnoesis Group, Thompson Hine, Vorys Sater Seymour and Pease ; Silver Sponsors - Seely, Savidge, Ebert & Gourash Co. LPA ;Individual Sponsor - Magistrate Judge Stephanie Bowman, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio. 

OWBA and OWBF Annual Meeting and Conference hosted on May 11-12, 2017 in Columbus

The Ohio Women’s Bar Association and the Ohio Women’s Bar Foundation brought together hundreds of women and men in the legal profession on May 11-12 for their Annual Meeting and Conference. The 2017 Annual Conference featured remarks from Nisource Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer Carrie Hightman as the events Kickoff Speaker, hosted a variety of enriching CLE sessions, a reception honoring women in government and the Annual Meeting Luncheon. During the luncheon, new board members for OWBA and OWBF were inducted, the Leadership Institute graduates were recognized, and awards were distributed to both deserving individuals and organizations. The highlight of the Luncheon was the Keynote Address given by the Executive Vice President and General Counsel of Starbucks, Lucy Helm, who spoke to the audience with empowering words about her professional journey and advocacy for women in the law. We would like to share our sincere congratulations and regards to our 2017-18 OWBA and OWBF Board of Trustee members -

OWBA Board of Trustees: President Lisa Kathumbi, President-Elect Tara Aschenbrand, Vice President Judge Mary DeGenaro, Treasurer Lisa Whittaker, Secretary Sherri Dahl, Immediate Past President Marilyn McClure-Demers, District 1 Trustee Beth Naylor, District 2 Trustee Erin Rhinehart, District 3 Trustee Nancy Sabol, District 4 Trustee Judge Marie Hoover, District 5 Trustee Carolyn Davis, District 6 Trustee Marguerite Zinz, District 7 Trustee Judge Michelle Miller, District 8 Trustee Theresa Rakocy, District 9 Trustee Judge Katrina Cook, District 10 Trustee Catherine Strauss, District 11 Trustee Mary Jane Trapp, District 12 Trustee Melissa Schuett, At-Large Trustee Karen Adinolfi, At-Large Trustee Judge Noceeba Southern, At-Large Trustee Sue Wetzel, At-Large Trustee Meghan Hill, At-Large Trustee Kate Wexler, OWBA/OWBF Board Liaison Vanessa Nichols.

OWBF Board of Trustees: President Stephanie Chmiel, Vice President Leslie Wargo, Treasurer Yukiko (Kiko) Yee, Secretary Kimberly Eversole Jones, Immediate Past President Sommer Sheely, Leadership Institute Trustee Cheri Budzynski, Leadership Institute Trustee Amy Ikerd, At-Large Trustee Amy Ahn-Roll, At-Large Trustee Pramila Kamath, At-Large Trustee Elizabeth (Libby) Shaffer, At-Large Trustee Angela (Angie) Paul Whitfield, At-Large Trustee Katherine Wolfe, OWBA/OWBF Board Liaison Vanessa Nichols.