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Ohio Day at the Capitol
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21
Ohio Day at the Capitol
In partnership with the American Federation for Children, The Policy Circle is hosting a full-day event in Columbus, Ohio, that will be full of learning, connection, and engagement.
In 2024, The Policy Circle launched its signature Day at the Capitol experience in strategic states across the U.S. In May 2023, The Policy Circle successfully introduced our Day at the Capitol model in Austin, TX. These multi-faceted experiences will launch The Policy Circle’s new All-State Appointments Project and serve as an impactful programming platform showcasing experts, policymakers, and thought leaders
DATE & SCHEDULE
Thursday, November 21, 2024
8:30 AM – 9:30 AM
Coffee with Policymakers
Location: Ohio Statehouse
9:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Private Tour of the Ohio Statehouse
Location: Ohio Statehouse
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
A Lunch Conversation on Educational Freedom in Ohio with The American Federation for Children
Location: Ohio Statehouse
Featured Speakers:
- Walter Blanks, Jr., American Federation for Children
- Sharla Elton, Heritage Christian School
- Traci Woodard, Ohio Parent Advocate
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Afternoon Panel Conversations
Location: Ohio Statehouse
Panel Topics:
- Faith & Civic Life: How Faith-Based Organizations Help Solve Societal Challenges, featuring:
- Ruth Edmonds, Center for Christian Virtue
- Rabbi Eric “Yitz” Frank, School Choice Ohio & Agudath Israel
- Brian Hickey, Catholic Conference of Ohio
- The Process of Securing Appointments & Making an Impact Locally, featuring:
- Kim Borchers, The Policy Circle
- Haylee Dunahay, Office of Governor Mike DeWine
4:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Evening Reception at the Ohio Governor’s Residence
Location: Ohio Governor’s Residence
LOCATIONS
Ohio Statehouse
1 Capitol Sq, Columbus, OH 43215
Ohio Governor’s Residence
358 N Parkview Ave, Columbus, OH 43209
SPEAKERS
Haylee Dunahay
Director of Boards and Commissions
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine
Haylee Dunahay serves as Director of Boards and Commissions for Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. Dunahay previously served on both DeWine-Husted Inaugural Committees as Political Director for the DeWine-Husted 2022 campaign and Field Director for the DeWine-Husted 2018 campaign. Dunahay was also Director of Coalitions in the Governor’s Office during his first term. Dunahay began her career in public service through an internship with the Office of Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted in 2017.
Ruth Edmonds
Christian Engagement Ambassador
Center for Christian Virtue
Ruth Edmonds is the Christian Engagement Ambassador at Center for Christian Virtue (CCV).
Ruth brings her value as a Christian conservative leader, public policy activist, and sought-after voice by clergy, lay ministers, the faith community, and national media (Newsmax, America First with Sebastian Gorka, and Tucker Carlson) to CCV to educate, equip, exhort, and engage the Christian community in being the salt and light that influences change in culture.
In addition to engaging pastors and congregations on issues impacting culture, such as Critical Race Theory (CRT) and school choice, Ruth gives voice to the call and advances the message of Christian engagement in speaking opportunities throughout the state and nation.
Ruth is a licensed and ordained minister serving on the ministry leadership team at her home church, Columbus Christian Center. She serves on the Board of Trustees for J. Jireh Development Corporation, a faith-based inner-city ministry to benefit youth and homeless men. Ruth also serves on the Upper Arlington steering committee of LifeWise Academy, a Release Time for Religious Instruction program for students in the local public school district.
A proud patriot and defender of the U.S. Constitution, Ruth’s principles, character, ethics, and integrity are grounded in a biblical worldview. She lives in Upper Arlington, Ohio, with her husband, George.
Sharla Elton
Superintendent
Heritage Christian School
Sharla Elton graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration/Finance in 2002, and obtained her MBA in 2005, both from The University of Akron. In 2013, Mrs. Elton earned the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) designation for knowledge and competence in Management Accounting. In 2022, Mrs. Elton was Certified in Strategy and Competitive Analysis (CSCA.)
Upon graduating in 2002, Mrs. Elton served as the Fiscal Specialist for the Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services Board, now part of the Mental Health and Recovery Services Board of Stark County (StarkMHAR). Part of her role included processing federal, state, and local monies for Stark County rehabilitation and prevention agencies.
In 2004, Mrs. Elton moved to Aultman Hospital, where she served as a Financial Analyst until 2007. From then until 2011, she was the Coordinator for The Aultman Foundation. In that position, Mrs. Elton focused on grant writing, community initiatives, and facilitating grant programs. After spearheading several team and strategic initiatives, Mrs. Elton became the Health Vision 2020 Director for Aultman Hospital in 2011. She held responsibility for community health initiatives as well as the PrimeTime Senior Program, Community Relations and HealthTalk series, WOW (Working on Wellness) Van and Spiritual Care departments. At Aultman, Mrs. Elton was part of the Exploring Leaders program and earned a Golden Apple employee achievement award.
In 2012, Mrs. Elton joined the Heritage Christian School Board of Education. As an adjunct professor for sixteen years at Stark State College then Malone University, her passion for the community, education, and faith aligned well with the school’s mission. In 2015, Mrs. Elton accepted the Superintendent position at Heritage Christian School, where she is blessed to continue to serve today.
Mrs. Elton lives in Stark County with her husband. She is involved in community volunteerism as Treasurer of the StarkMHAR Board of Directors and enjoys spending time with her many nieces and nephews.
Rabbi Eric "Yitz" Frank
President
School Choice Ohio
Rabbi Eric “Yitz” Frank serves as President of School Choice Ohio and as the executive director of Agudath Israel of Ohio since 2013. In that capacity he is engaged in multiple projects to educate community organizations about various governmental programming, funding opportunities, and serves as a liaison to the Ohio Department of Education on behalf of Jewish day schools. Rabbi Frank was previously appointed by the Ohio Senate to serve on the NonPublic School Graduation Requirements Advisory Committee and is a member of Governor DeWine’s School Safety Working Group.
An expert in education policy and nonpublic schools, Rabbi Frank also serves as the President of the Ohio Council for American Private Education. He is a volunteer lay leader serving on the community relations committee of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland and President of Congregation Zichron Chaim, located in Beachwood. Rabbi Frank also does government relations and policy work at the federal level related to the National School Lunch Program, ESEA, IDEA, and other related issues.
As President of School Choice Ohio and its related entities, Rabbi Frank is proud to serve as the tip of the spear along with the dedicated team and grassroot activists to expand school options and empower families throughout Ohio. He firmly believes that School Choice is not only the civil rights issue of our time, but crucial to the success of our economy and Ohio.
Brian Hickey
Executive Director
Catholic Conference of Ohio
Brian Hickey serves as the Executive Director of the Catholic Conference of Ohio, representing all the Ohio Bishops on public policy and government relations matters. Before moving to Ohio, he was a teacher and coach at a Palestinian Christian high school in the West Bank. He also lived in the Horn of Africa, serving migrant and refugee youth with Caritas Djibouti. Brian holds a Master’s Degree in Global Affairs from the University of Notre Dame and lives in NE Columbus with his family.
Traci Woodard
Parent Advocate
Ohio
Traci Woodard, a devoted wife and mother of six, has over 15 years of experience as a
Parent Advocate. Her passion for supporting and empowering families shines through in
her work, where she leverages both personal and professional experience to assist
others in navigating the challenges of parenting in education. Renowned for her
dedication to advocacy, Traci offers guidance and serves as a powerful voice for
parents within her community. In recognition of her efforts, she was selected by a team
of peers and community leaders from across the USA to receive the 2024 Lori Cooney
Memorial Lifetime Achievement Award.
FACILITATORS
Walter Blanks, Jr.
Spokesperson
American Federation for Children
Walter Blanks Jr. is a spokesperson for AFC and a private school choice program beneficiary. From a young age, Walter recognized that many children are still stuck in underperforming schools and wanted to do something about it. Before joining AFC full-time, Walter was chosen for the first cohort of the American Federation for Children Future Leaders Fellowship, a year-long advocacy and professional development program for graduates of private school choice programs.
Before moving to Washington, D.C. to join the national team, Walter championed educational freedom and shared his story across the country serving as a 2018 50CAN National Voices Fellow, an advocacy fellowship that aims to find, connect and support young leaders in education.
At AFC, Walter has a key leadership role with both the Voices for Choice and Future Leaders Fellowship programs. These flagship programs of the National Communications team elevate the voices of students, parents, and educators who have benefitted from school choice programs across America. Walter also serves as a spokesperson for AFC and frequently appears in local and national print and news media. A gifted and in-demand speaker, Walter travels across the country sharing his story and advocating for expanding educational opportunities to more children and families.
Walter received his bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Media Production from Mount Vernon Nazarene University in Mount Vernon, Ohio.
Kim Borchers
Associate Director of Civic Engagement
The Policy Circle
Kim currently serves as National Committeewoman for the great state of Kansas and is the President and owner of Bird Dog Recruitment and Consulting LLC. Kim’s firm focuses primarily on placement of senior talent at the highest levels of state and federal government along with management development. Prior to opening her firm, Kim was the Executive Director of Leadership Development at a national think, the Foundation for Government Accountability, where she created and launched the organization’s Talent Bank Project. Kim has spent 20 years in the grassroots movement starting as a young mom fighting pornography in her public library. She has served in a myriad of roles in the republican party starting as a precinct committeewoman and most recently as Deputy Chief of Staff for Kansas Governor Sam Brownback’s administration. During Brownback’s tenure, she also served as his Director of Appointments for Boards and Commissions and the Director of Personnel for then Governor- Elect Brownback’s transition team. Upon graduation from the University of Kansas with a degree in Human Biology, Kim’s early career began in the healthcare industry working for TAP Pharmaceuticals. She also worked part-time in the radio business and was afforded the opportunity to create and host a local radio talk show program known as “News You Need to Know” on KMAJ 1440 AM.
Kim’s work on the national level has led her to be recognized by the national conservative Independent Women’s Forum(IWF) in their Champion Women’s Series and as a featured speaker for the Policy Circle’s 2018 Circle Leadership Summit in Chicago. She is also a mentor and coach for women in politics for Michigan’s Republican Women’s League of our Own.
Currently, Kim serves as, a Director for Kansas Delta Dental, a board member for the Eisenhower in Public Service Series, a board member for Cair Paravel Latin School, a volunteer for Topeka Civic Theatre and as an advisor for an anti-sex trafficking task force Freedom Now-USA and JAG-K. Kim and her husband of 25 years, Dr.Tim, reside in Topeka. Kim and Tim have a newly married daughter and son-in-law, Hannah and Garry, a daughter who is in her 2nd year at Liberty University in VA, and her 15-year-old son, Jude.
Randan Steinhauser
Senior Advisor
The Policy Circle
Randan Steinhauser is the Director of Marketing and Events for The Policy Circle. Randan has worked in more than 30 states on strategic communications and issue advocacy campaigns to advance meaningful public policy changes. She previously worked in Washington, D.C. on Capitol Hill and for former U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos during her time at The American Federation for Children. She has served as a national advisor to many of the country’s leading education reform advocacy groups. She lives in Austin, Texas with her husband Brendan and their five children.
REGISTRATION
THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS
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