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The Forum Archive

Distinguished Speakers

Leah Evans
Adam Troy headshot

Moderator

Adam Troy

CEO, TROY Enterprises

Director, COCDF

A multi-dimensional social entrepreneur, Adam Troy is noted as a transformational leader with broad based experience in the areas of community revitalization and commercial real estate development. To those arenas and beyond he brings a unique blend of expertise to align government and private sector interest with that of community residents and non-profit organizations toward the improvement of resident well-being and overall quality of life.

 

Adams expertise with mixed-use projects in underserved urban markets and his continued commitment to community has positioned him as one of our nations most experienced leaders with projects involving multiple partnerships among corporations, government, faith-based organizations and community groups. His completed project track record demonstrates a proven ability to work in unison with staff, volunteers, and board of directors.

 

Skillful in interacting with stakeholders, community groups and government officials at varying levels, he is recognized for his ability to gain consensus.

Leah Evans headshot

Leah Evans

President & CEO

Homeport

Leah F. Evans is the President and CEO of Homeport, a NeighborWorks America ​affiliate and leading housing developer serving the Central Ohio region. Leah ​has 25 years of experience in economic and community development having ​worked for the Ohio Department of Development and the City of Gahanna ​prior to her time at Homeport. She understands how to work with diverse ​partners and maximize resources to deliver positive community impacts. In her ​role, Leah leads a team of talented team of cross-sector professionals to ​develop and operate 2,800 apartments and homes and support and serve ​more than 7,000 residents.

Under her leadership, Homeport has launched two programs representing almost $6 million in ​homebuyer assistance, is breaking ground on Homeport's first development in Delaware County, the ​fastest growing county in Ohio, and has increased the onsite programs and services at all of Homeport ​communities across Central Ohio. Previously she served as the Senior Vice President, Real Estate ​Development, driving the largest development pipeline in the organizations history representing over ​$70 million of investment that provided housing for over 600 new residents.

 

Leah currently serves on several boards and commissions including NeighborWorks Capital ​Corporation, the Affordable Housing Alliance of Central Ohio, and the Columbus Womens ​Commission. Leah holds a Master of City and Regional Planning from The Ohio State University, is a ​graduate of the NeighborWorks Harvard Achieving Excellence Program, is trained in PMP Project ​Management and is a certified Economic Development Finance Professional. She is committed to ​building and sustaining strong and inclusive communities where everyone can succeed.

Ken Gold

Chief Growth Officer

Skilken/Gold

Ken Gold headshot

Recognized as an innovative leader in business and real estate ​development, Ken Gold took Skilken Gold to national prominence as its ​CEO. Now in the newly created position of Chief Growth Officer, he uses ​his superpower as a visionary to continue to drive growth and broaden opportunities through partnerships and collaboration.

 

In addition to more than 40 years as a premier developer, Ken was an ​adjunct professor of graduate courses in real estate finance and ​development at The Ohio State University Fisher College of Business ​and served as the Director for Real Estate Education and Research.

Nick Jones headshot

Nick Jones

VP Community Wellness

Nationwide Children's

Nick Jones is the Vice President of Community Wellness at Nationwide Childrens Hospital, one of the countrys largest non-profit, pediatric health care and research networks and a U.S. News & World Report Honor Roll hospital. While last year, Nationwide Childrens had more than 1.7 million patient visits who came from all 50 states and 45 countries, their focus is on what can be done to keep kids well in our own community. Nationwide's Healthy Neighborhoods Healthy Families program is one of the leading models for the way a childrens hospital can help improve those outcomes.

He works closely with community partners and stakeholders and uses Nationwide Children
s influence and resources to ensure the best possible results for those they serve. Through affordable housing, educational resources, workforce training, economic development, increasing access to health care and development of enrichment programs, Nationwide works to meet the needs of residents of the South Side and Linden neighborhoods in Columbus.

"None of this could happen without our partners, including civic associations and area commissions, the City of Columbus, donors, employees and the neighborhoods themselves. I am fortunate to collaborate with many diverse people who understand the role a childrens hospital can play in making communities healthier. Our focus has been local, but there are many opportunities for us to have regional and national dialogues. I look forward to continuing to effect change."

Boyce Safford, III. headshot

Boyce Safford, III.

Executive Director

Columbus Next Generation

Boyce Safford III currently serves as Executive Director of Columbus Next Generation Corporation a city sponsored non-profit whose primary objective is to identify and synthesize real estate development prospects and transform them in to opportunities to attract private sector developers.

 

Prior to this assignment Safford served as the Director of the Department of Development for the City of Columbus from 2007 to 2013. Safford joined the city in 2001 and served as Deputy Chief of Staff to Mayor Michael B Coleman. As Deputy, he advised the mayor on strategic planning for neighborhood economic development and urban development issues.

Safford served as Vice President of the Land Acquisition and Planning Division for the Columbus Urban Growth Corporation, a private non-profit real estate development corporation, created to promote commercial and industrial development, investment and job creation in neighborhoods. He managed and coordinated more than $100 million for Urban growth through land assemblage, strategic planning, private and public financing, and community relations on commercial, residential and industrial projects.

 

Safford also served as Vice President of Government and Media Relations for Bank One in Cleveland, Ohio. He was responsible for the banks legislative agenda with local, state and federal offices in five county market areas using key contact programs.

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Mr. Safford is a graduate from Morehouse College in Atlanta, GA with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration, with a major in Finance.

Adam Troy
Ken Gold
Nick Jones
Boyce Safford III
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