GOVERNING BOARD

 

The Governing Board is responsible for establishing policies and standards for the administration, maintenance and future development of the Washington Gladden Social Justice Park and its affiliated programs. The Board appoints staff members (paid and unpaid) to develop, operate, and maintain the park, and its affiliated programs; oversees finances (operating budget, capital budget, fundraising, grants); approves policies related to park purpose, communications, programs, events; develops policies related to security and insurance; and in all actions, honors the legacy of Rev. Dr. Washington Gladden for whom the park is named.  

 

Governing Board Members

Allen Baker, Principal of Baker Designs Ltd.

Yvette McGee Brown – Partner, Jones Day

Dr. Melanie Corn, President, Columbus College of Art and Design

Michael Curtin, former Vice-Chairman of Dispatch Printing Co.  

Dr. Chris Gelpi, Chair of Peace Studies, Mershon Center, The Ohio State University

Caitlin Graham – Sr. Vice President of Operations & Patient Care, AndHealth

Barbara Nicholson, PhD – Dir. Emeritus, MLK, Jr. Performing & Cultural Arts Complex

Barbara Poppe – Founder and Principal of Barbara Poppe and Associates 

Alejandro Rodriguez, Associate Vice President, Nationwide Insurance  

 

 

STAFF

 

Tom Worley – Park Director

Malini Gnanatheeban – Treasurer

Steve Sterrett – Program Coordinator

Margo Geppert – Webmaster

Ben Guess – Social Media Coordinator

 

Please contact staff members via email:  info@socialjusticepark.org

 

 

PARK FUND TRUSTEES

 

The Trustees oversee the investment and administration of the Washington Gladden Social Justice Park Fund of the Columbus Foundation. Disbursements may be made for qualifying expenses to a qualifying organization (a not-for-profit organization that maintains its tax-exempt status and administers the park and its programs).  The Board is responsible for determining if a proposed expense meets the described purpose of the fund or the restricted purpose of a designated gift.  The fund includes a designated endowment component. The Board of Trustees will appoint necessary staff members for the administration of the fund.  

 

Trustees

Rabbi Harold Berman, Rabbi Emeritus of Congregation Tifereth Israel  

Monsignor John Cody, Adjutant Judicial Vicar, Roman Catholic Diocese of Columbus  

The Honorable Guy Cole, Chief U.S. Circuit Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals   

Michael Curtin, former Vice-Chairman of Dispatch Printing Co.  

Archie Griffin, former President and CEO of the OSU Alumni Association   

Imran Malik, Director of the Noor Islamic Cultural Center  

Barbara Poppe, Founder and Principal of Barbara Poppe and Associates          

Alejandro Rodriguez, Associate Vice President, Nationwide Insurance  

Tracy Ross, Dir. of Neighborhood Ministries, Broad St. Presbyterian Church      

Dr. Lynn Wallich, community leader

Anne Jeffrey Wright, community leader       

The Rev. Dr. Timothy Ahrens, Sr. Minister of First Congregational Church, UCC  

 

COMMITTEES

 

Communications Committee - oversees the park website, social media, publicity, and marketing.

Construction and Maintenance Committee – oversees the park design, construction projects, groundskeeping, and equipment.

Finance Committee – oversees financial accounts and reports; grants; fundraising; and gift recognition.

Administration – overseas park use requests and policies; staffing; and volunteers.

Program Development – overseas events, speakers, dialogue sessions, public art projects, art solicitations, exhibits, tours, and workshops.