As we close the chapter on 2024 and look ahead to an exciting new year, we're taking a moment to reflect on the highlights that made the past year so remarkable and share our goals for 2025. From celebrating key accomplishments to embracing new challenges, 2024 was a year of growth and success for Philanthropy Ohio. As we set our sights on 2025, we're energized by the opportunities ahead and a renewed commitment to collaboration, advocacy, learning, convening and equity. Read our team's highlights from the past year and our plans for 2025!
Alyssa Donahey, Associate, Communications & Membership
Q: What was one highlight from 2024?
A: I was lucky enough to have many highlights to look back on in 2024. I started working with Philanthropy Ohio, traveled to China for the first time, experienced my first professional conference, made memories, visited family and started new beginnings all in one year. I'm grateful I've accomplished so much last year.
Q: What are you most looking forward to in 2025?
A: This new year is set to be the most progressive year in my career to date. I am thrilled to be honing my skills and working on exciting projects to celebrate the history of this organization. This year I'm looking forward to helping Philanthropy Ohio bring new opportunities and support meaningful change in our communities across Ohio!
Laura Smith, Vice President, Programs & Learning
Q: What was one highlight from 2024?
A: 2024 was a wonderful year with amazing travels near and far. From seeing monkeys in Costa Rica to viewing the eclipse in a favorite municipal park near Dayton, it was one full of memories with family and friends. Here at Philanthropy Ohio, it was great to be a part of launching our first cohort of Philanthropy Fundamentals, our new signature onboarding program for those newer to our field.
Q: What are you most looking forward to in 2025?
A: Looking ahead, it has been exciting to dive into conversation on Philanthropy Ohio's last 40 years and how we can energize the connections our members feel to this network as we look ahead to the next 40. I am excited about our team's thoughtful approach to programming for 2025 and how we can serve our members' evolving needs for today and the future.
Stacey Wilson, Director, Technology & CRM Administrator
Q: What was one highlight from 2024?
A: I enjoyed being part of the Blacks in Ohio Philanthropy peer group that was held several times last year. We were all able to gather together for dinner during the Philanthropy Forward '24 conference. This is a dynamic group of people who share a wealth of knowledge and encouragement.
Q: What are you most looking forward to in 2025?
A: I’m looking forward to the possibilities for Philanthropy Ohio as we gain new leadership. This is a remarkable group of people I work with, and I know we will only get stronger and continue to impact philanthropy in Ohio.
John Gest, Senior Director, Northern Ohio Member Engagement
Q: What was one highlight from 2024?
A: My highlight from our 2024 programming calendar was launching the four-session Philanthropy Fundamentals learning cohort series, which represented a new approach to providing a base-level understanding of the field and the complex dynamics at play as philanthropy works to become effective partners for change in our communities.
Q: What are you most looking forward to in 2025?
A: As we work towards implementing our 2025 work plan, I look forward to the connections that will be made through shared learning on topics of importance to the sector and our member's ability to foster a sense of connection to the philanthropic network through our convening. And, as the Philanthropy Forward annual conference returns to Cleveland, I am excited to assist our network and the broader civic sector in Northeast Oho in developing sessions that will highlight the power of the collective for positive community impact and change.
Jessica Howard, Vice President, Communications & Membership
Q: What was one highlight from 2024?
A: Professionally, 2024 was a big year for our team. I stepped into a new leadership role, and we brought Alyssa onto our team, strengthened our cross-functionality and streamlined our work. It marked a time of exciting growth and change, setting the stage for even greater accomplishments ahead. Additionally, we redesigned our Ohio Foundation Salary Report for members, and I'm really proud of how it turned out, as it's one of our most popular member resources. Personally, this past year, I took two big family trips. I went to Spain with my husband and parents and to Montana with my extended family. About 12 of us road-tripped from Bozeman to Glacier National Park and back.
Q: What are you most looking forward to in 2025?
A: Professionally, 2025 will be an exciting year. I look forward to celebrating Philanthropy Ohio's 40th anniversary and welcoming a new CEO to our team. Personally, there are many family updates in 2025. My sister is having her second baby, my sister-in-law is getting married, plus my other sister just got engaged. Lots to celebrate in 2025!
Emily Anderson, Director, Executive Operations
Q: What was one highlight from 2024?
A: A highlight of 2024 was the success of our Philanthropy Forward conference awards reception held in Cincinnati. The work our team put into making that event a success was outstanding.
Q: What are you most looking forward to in 2025?
A: I am looking forward to the next decade of Philanthropy Ohio and the work we plan to do in 2025 to meet those goals.
Adrienne Wells, Director, Public Policy
Q: What was one highlight from 2024?
A: In 2024, the policy work shifted with launching the policy tables, moving from initiatives and affinity groups. It was great to be able to connect members with one another, policymakers and stakeholder organizations in order to inform our work for the next year. In 2024, I learned about Japanese planners from Kokuyo and Hobonichi and experimented with ways to journal and organize tasks.
Q: What are you most looking forward to in 2025?
A: In 2025, I look forward to working with Philanthropy Ohio's new leadership to engage members in policy and advocacy work with a continued commitment to equity in this changing policy landscape. In 2025, I look forward to digging into digital task management apps like Todoist to organize and implement new routines and healthy self-care habits.
Claudia Herrold, Interim President & CEO
Q: What was one highlight from 2024?
A: The highlight of the year professionally was returning to Philanthropy Ohio as its Interim President & CEO, being honored to ask to serve in the role at an organization to which I had devoted my career, leading its policy and communications work. Personally, a week on the Outer Banks with all my adult children and their families allowed me to rest and reset, enjoying focused time with them and walks on the beach.
Q: What are you most looking forward to in 2025?
A: In 2025, I am looking forward to handing over the reins to a new leader at Philanthropy Ohio, with strong, resilient finances, staffing, culture and membership that will allow the organization to continue its laser focus on a just and vibrant Ohio through impactful philanthropy.
We’re grateful to be able to serve our community of members and continue to contribute to the betterment of our members and our mission as an organization. Thank you for a great year, and Happy New Year!
Alyssa Donahey
Associate, Communications & Membership
Philanthropy Ohio