Women of Achievement

Executive Director, Lincoln Theatre
President & Artistic Director of Thiossane West African Dance Institute
Practitioner of Dance, Music and Culture at The Ohio State University Department of Dance
Suzan Bradford Kounta serves as the face of the renowned Lincoln Theatre. Its first African American female executive director, Suzan has been responsible for the overall operations while uplifting its vision and maintaining its mission since 2009.

As the president of Thiossane Institute, which is celebrating its 25th year, and artistic director of its West African Dance performing company, Suzan is loyal to the mission of presenting and preserving traditional dance, music, and culture and perpetuating its significance to future generations, while promoting physical and mental wellness. 

Suzan has been an adjunct faculty member of The Ohio State University Department of dance for nearly ten years and is often requested to speak and share her intellect, experience and journey at conferences, universities, and other community engagements. 

Executive Director, Ohio Women’s Alliance & Ohio Women’s Action Fund
Rhiannon Carnes is the founder and executive director of Ohio Women’s Alliance (OWA) & Ohio Women’s Action Fund, a statewide reproductive justice organization building power across Ohio.

Ohio Women’s Alliance was the only Black-led founding organization of Ohioans United for Reproductive Rights—the coalition that led the campaign to pass Ohio’s Reproductive Freedom Amendment in November 2023. As a member of the Executive Committee, Rhiannon advocated to ensure that Black communities were prioritized in the amendment language and in the campaign’s voter education and GOTV strategies. 

Prior to building OWA & OWA Action Fund, Rhiannon co-founded and led Ohio’s Women’s March. Her accomplishments have been celebrated in Elle, The Nation, Harper’s BAZAAR, and Cosmopolitan. She was also named a Reproductive Justice Hero and a 2022 Jane Bagley Lehman Award winner by the Tides’ Foundation.

President, Columbus College of Art & Design
At Columbus College of Art and Design, Dr. Melanie Corn focuses on the importance of the creative economy and the key role the college plays in the success of its graduates – and the region as a whole.

A trusted leader with 20+ years of experience, Dr. Corn has a strong record of building equity and inclusion into institutional culture and a passion for fostering partnerships that focus on education, workforce, and creativity.

Dr. Corn serves on multiple regional and national boards and has received a number of accolades for her leadership. She holds degrees from Stanford University, UC Santa Barbara, and University of Pennsylvania.

President, EMH&T
Sandy Doyle-Ahern, MEn, is president of civil engineering and survey firm EMH&T. With a deep passion for addressing social disparities, Sandy actively works to combat homelessness and racial inequality, and promotes housing, transportation and workforce access for all.

Sandy’s tireless advocacy includes past board service with the Affordable Housing Trust, Rise Together Innovation Institute, and YWCA Columbus; and current service with Downtown Columbus, Inc., Columbus Metropolitan Library, Columbus State Community College, OhioHealth, the Columbus Partnership and Columbus Blue Jackets Foundation.

CEO, I Know I Can
Katina Fullen, CEO of I Know I Can, has dedicated her career to ensuring equitable access to postsecondary education and training for all youth. She led the $5 million College Advising Expansion with Columbus City Schools, placing advisors in every high school. Since 2018, Katina has expanded services and programming to South-Western, Whitehall, and Reynoldsburg City Schools. Annually, because of Katina’s dedication and foresight, over 20,000 youth are supported in achieving milestones to graduate high school prepared for college and career success.

In the community, Katina and I Know I Can serve as a key partner for The Columbus Promise, providing over 2,000 youth with access to tuition-free education. Katina is also active in national efforts to promote postsecondary education through her engagement with the National College Attainment Network.

CEO, Jewish Family Services
Karen Mozenter joined Jewish Family Services after a varied career in law, education, and philanthropy. As CEO, she has led efforts to drive innovation, diversify funding streams, and promote collaboration. Karen takes immense pride in working alongside Jewish Family Service’s diverse staff and board to advance its 116-year legacy of welcoming the stranger, championing justice, and repairing the world.

Karen serves on the boards of the Human Service Chamber of Franklin County and the Jefferson Avenue Center and the steering committee of the Franklin County Digital Equity Coalition. She is a longtime member and past officer of Temple Israel and sings and volunteers with the Harmony Project.