Create Columbus Commission - Young Professionals Impacting Economic Development

In April of 2007, Rebecca Ryan of Next Generation Consulting recommended a work plan for Columbus that highlighted three strategies related to the young professionals demographic: "convince the convincibles; connect young professionals to each other and to the City through a young professional network; and build a City that's a Talent Magnet for Young Professionals." Under the latter strategy, she recommended that Mayor Coleman appoint a Young Professionals Commission that could also assist the Columbus Downtown Development Corporation as they build many of the exciting assets that young professionals want in Downtown Columbus."

The Young Professional Commission, now referred to as the Create Columbus Commission, was formed on May 24, 2007 by Mayor Michael B. Coleman, City of Columbus, Columbus City Council Member Kevin L. Boyce, City of Columbus, and Ty D. Marsh, president and CEO, Columbus Chamber.

View the 2009-2010 Create Columbus Commission Annual Report.

The 24 individuals that currently serve on the Commission are (* denotes new Commission members installed on May 27, 2010):

• Lourdes Barroso de Padillia, Executive Director, City Year Columbus
• Robert Bickis, Jr., Real Estate Consultant/Broker, reSource Real Estate
• Amy Bishop, Advertising Manager, Dispatch Printing Co.
• Kacey Brankamp (Co-Chair), Retail Recruiter, Capital Crossroads Special Improvement District
• *Benjamin Buckner, Enrollment Counselor, University of Phoenix
• Kate Christobek, Student at the Moritz College of Law, The Ohio State University
• Travis Dent, Alternative Energy Resource Coordinator, American Electric Power
• Nicole L. Farrell (Co-Chair), Director of Development, Office of External Relations, Fisher College of Business at The Ohio State University
• *Paul Haggard, Community Affairs and Diversity Director, Sterling Commerce, Inc.
• *Shannon Hardin, Policy Advisor, City of Columbus, Office of Mayor Michael B. Coleman
• Dawon Hawkins, Sr. Instructional Designer, EXPRESS
• Leigh Householder, Digital Brand Strategist, GSW Worldwide/Pink Tank
• Kareem Jackson, Co-owner, Milk Bar
• *Steve Michalovich, Communications Specialist, Nationwide Insurance
• Yakima Nelson, Special Advisor, State of Ohio, Treasurer’s Office
• *Elisia Newsom, Recruiting Coordinator, Abercrombie & Fitch
• Ken Paul, Legislative Analyst, Columbus City Council
• Greg Schultz, State Director, Organizing for America
• *Nick Seguin, Principal, dynamIt and Principal, weBuild
• Dan Sharpe, Online Media Manager, The Columbus Foundation
• Oyango A. Snell, Attorney, Oyango A. Snell Law Firm LLC
• Mike Valo, Investment Officer, Huntington
• Josue Vicente, Executive Director, Ohio Hispanic Coalition
• TyKiah Wright, Executive Director, WrightChoice, Inc.

For more information on the Create Columbus Commission and its initiatives, please contact Robbie Banks or become a fan of the group's Facebook page.