Columbus Metropolitan Club

Optimal Health Series Central Ohio is growing rapidly, and the region’s four major hospital systems are following suit. Each of Columbus’ “Big Four” systems – OhioHealth, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Mount Carmel Health System, and Nationwide Children’s Hospital – are expanding rapidly, constructing new facilities and scrambling to hire legions of qualified healthcare professionals. With the region’s population expected to grow by 30% in the next 25 years, that may translate into 730,000 new residents – all of whom will require access to healthcare. Can Central Ohio’s biggest healthcare players keep pace with demand? This forum features an extraordinary panel featuring the CEOs of all four of the region’s major hospital systems for an in-depth exploration of the present and future of healthcare in Central Ohio. Featuring panelists: Dr. Stephen Markovich, President and Chief Executive Officer, OhioHealth Timothy Robinson, Chief Executive Officer, Nationwide Children’s Hospital Dr. John Warner, Chief Executive Officer, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and Executive Vice President, The Ohio State University Tauana McDonald, President and Chief Executive Officer, Mount Carmel Health System The host is Greg Moody, Director of Professional Development and the State of Ohio Leadership Institute, John Glenn College of Public Affairs, The Ohio State University. The presenting sponsors of CMC’s long-running Optimal Health Series are The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, OhioHealth, and Nationwide Children's Hospital. This forum is also sponsored by AstraZeneca, Cardinal Health, Fifth Third Bank, The Healthcare Career Collaborative of Central Ohio Powered by Aspyr, Mount Carmel Health System, and CK Construction. The presenting sponsor of the CMC livestream is The Center for Human Kindness at the Columbus Foundation. CMC’s livestream partner is The Columbus Dispatch. This forum is also supported by Vue Columbus. 

What was America’s most popular housing market in 2024, according to Realtor.com? Look no further than Columbus, Ohio. Homes for sale in Central Ohio were racking up far more online views than the national average, indicating off-the-charts levels of interest in available properties in the region.  If it’s been a few years since you sold a home in Central Ohio, you might be in for a shock the next time you plant a “for sale” sign in your yard, now that new rules have completely reshaped realtor commissions. If you’re on the buying side, you’ll need to be just as prepared for a housing market that’s undergone profound changes since before the pandemic, with demand outpacing new construction and out-of-state “institutional” buyers with deep pockets outbidding families and snapping up investment properties.  Ths week, we navigate the new realities of buying and selling in Central Ohio’s red-hot housing market. Featuring: Josh Barkan, Division Vice President, M/I Homes of Central Ohio Jon Melchi, Executive Director, Building Industry Association of Central Ohio Buffie Patterson, President Elect, Columbus REALTORS® Board of Directors The host is Bonnie Meibers, Commercial Real Estate Reporter, Columbus Business First. This forum is sponsored by The Robert Weiler Company. The presenting sponsor of the CMC livestream is The Center for Human Kindness at the Columbus Foundation. CMC's livestream partner is The Columbus Dispatch. This forum is also supported by Vue Columbus.

Ohio’s system of higher education is reinventing itself for a new era in the state’s history. Will schools be ready?  Among the challenges, the number of U.S. high school graduates is expected to peak next year at about 3.5 million students before dropping 15% in the next four years, according to the Chronicle of Higher Education, with profound implications for institutions of higher education.  Additionally, the needs of key Ohio employers are always accelerating, creating growing pressure on schools to produce workers ready to enter an ever-evolving workforce, especially in technology and healthcare-related professions. Schools are also creating new ways to ensure students stay housed, fed, and that childcare resources are available to keep students with families enrolled and moving toward graduation.  A college education remains a life-changing asset for graduates, with Axios reporting recent grads in 2023 ages 22-27 earned $24,000 more annually than their peers holding just a high school degree. With the help from our expert panelists, we explore how Ohio’s higher education institutions are innovating to adapt to a changing educational and workforce landscape. Featuring panelists: Dr. John Comerford, President of Otterbein University Dr. David Harrison, President of Columbus State Community College Dr. Morakinyo A.O. Kuti, President of Central State University Dr. James Orr, Vice Provost for Strategic Enrollment Management at The Ohio State University The host is Sheridan Hendrix, Higher Education Reporter for The Columbus Dispatch. This forum is sponsored by Columbus State Community College, Grange Insurance, The Ohio State University, and Otterbein University. The presenting sponsor of the CMC livestream is The Center for Human Kindness at the Columbus Foundation. CMC’s livestream partner is The Columbus Dispatch. This forum is also supported by The Ellis.

The Atlantic Magazine recently awarded the US economy “superstar status” – calling it the “Taylor Swift” of global economies – for its robust sustained performance. Closer to home, Central Ohio’s economy also seems to be roaring along, with the region leading the state in growth. What’s in store for Central Ohio’s economy and our region in 2025? Hear what the year ahead looks like for Central Ohio’s economy from a panel of leading experts at CMC’s first program of 2025 and one of the year’s most popular CMC forums. Featuring: Dr. Joyce Chen, Professor of Economics, Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies, The Ohio State University Kathy Bostjancic, Senior Vice President and Chief Economist, Nationwide Mutual Dr. Bill LaFayette, Owner, Regionomics The host is Benjamin Lanka, Business Editor, The Columbus Dispatch. This forum is sponsored by The Columbus Region, Frost Brown Todd, Ian Alexander Photography, PNC, and Smoot Construction. The presenting sponsor of the CMC livestream is The Center for Human Kindness at the Columbus Foundation. CMC's livestream partner is The Columbus Dispatch. This forum is also supported by Vue Columbus.

Can downtown retail make a comeback in Columbus? City leaders and downtown developers don’t doubt it for a second. Recent efforts are delivering results, including Columbus’ Ground Floor Growth Initiative, a new program gaining steam that’s aimed at helping small, minority- and women-owned businesses find street-level retail space in downtown Columbus. With a panel of downtown leaders and advocates, we’ll unpack the Ground Floor Growth initiative and other new efforts to re-energize downtown as we explore what’s coming next for retail in the heart of Columbus. Join us for lunch, an in-depth panel conversation with top leaders, and the presentation of the 2024 Harrison Smith Award as the Downtown Commission announces the winner of the 2024 “Smithy” for excellence in downtown development. Featuring panelists: Nicholas J. Bankston, Columbus City Council Amy Taylor, President, Downtown Columbus, Inc. Jim Merkel, CEO and Co-Founder, Rockbridge The moderator is Jessica Ralston, Anchor, Good Day Columbus, ABC6/FOX28. This forum is sponsored by The Harrison Smith Legacy in Civic Engagement Fund, Downtown Columbus, Inc., The Edwards Companies, and Rockbridge. The presenting sponsor of the CMC livestream is The Center for Human Kindness at the Columbus Foundation. CMC's livestream partner is The Columbus Dispatch. This forum is also supported by The Ellis.

Ohio’s labor market remains incredibly tight, but Central Ohio organizations that are building strong cultures of belonging are attracting top talent from diverse backgrounds. Leading employers know from experience that cultivating a strong and authentic sense of belonging among employees can revolutionize recruitment, engagement, retention, productivity, and ROI, even with remote workers. With a panel of passionate leaders, we’ll explore the meaning and value of creating a culture of belonging in the contemporary workplace, and how it’s helping key Central Ohio employees and employers to stay at the top of their games. Featuring: Daniel Juday, Founder + Facilitator, Space Creator LLC Dr. Tina Pierce, Chief of Strategy and Belonging, The Ohio State University Alumni Association Jennifer Robinson, Chief Human Resources Officer and Deputy Director, Ohio Department of Veterans Services The moderator is Margaret Finley, Head of DEI and Corporate Affairs, ADS, and President, Board of Directors, Central Ohio Diversity Consortium. This forum is sponsored by Advanced Drainage Systems, with additional support from Aspyr and The Central Ohio Workforce Development Network. The presenting sponsor of the CMC livestream is The Center for Human Kindness at the Columbus Foundation. CMC's livestream partner is The Columbus Dispatch.

How can we turn empty storefronts into thriving retail destinations? This dynamic panel brings together local leaders to discuss actionable solutions and bold ideas to shape the future of retail in downtown Columbus: ✨ Speakers: Nicholas J. Bankston | Council Member, Columbus City Council Amy Taylor | President, Downtown Columbus, Inc. Jim Merkel | CEO & Co-Founder, Rockbridge Moderator: Jessica Ralston | Anchor, Good Day Columbus, ABC6/FOX28 📅 Date: December 18, 2024 📍 Location: The Ellis, 777 N. 4th Street, Columbus, OH 💻 Virtual Option: Available ➡️ Be part of the change—register today! https://lnkd.in/gYMh6v8X

How can creating spaces of belonging transform your workplace? Join us for a panel discussion that dives into the strategies and stories shaping the future of work. Gain actionable insights from leaders at the forefront of inclusion and belonging: ✨ Speakers: Daniel Juday, M.Ed, C.D.P. | Founder + Facilitator, Space Creator LLC Dr. Tina D. Pierce | Chief of Strategy and Belonging, OSU Alumni Association Jennifer Robinson | Chief HR Officer & Deputy Director, Ohio Dept. of Veterans Services Moderator: Margaret D. Finley, CPEC, CDP | Head of DEI, ADS & President, Central Ohio Diversity Consortium 📅 Date: Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024 📍 Location: The Ellis, 777 N. 4th St., Columbus, OH ➡️ Seats are limited. Reserve yours now! https://lnkd.in/gmSpkvMj

In 2023, Columbus saw nearly 24,000 eviction filings, marking a 12,000-case increase from the previous year. Early 2024 data shows this trend worsening, with evictions reaching a 20-year high in Franklin County. Across Ohio, landlords initiated almost 108,000 eviction cases in 2023 — the highest since 2015. A major driver behind the surge is sluggish wage growth, which isn’t keeping pace with skyrocketing rents. The “housing wage” — what a worker needs to earn per hour to afford a two-bedroom apartment — rose 9% since last year. To afford such a home, full-time workers need an hourly wage of at least $20.81. In Columbus, however, this figure climbs even higher to $25.04 per hour. With a panel of regional leaders, CMC unpacks why evictions are climbing, the impact on communities when families lose their homes, and the strategies that advocates are leveraging to ensure more Central Ohio families stay housed. Featuring: Kate McGarvey, Executive Director, Legal Aid of Southeast and Central Ohio Shayla D. Favor, Columbus City Council Member and Franklin County Prosecutor-Elect Gene Edwards, Director of Legal Research and Magistrate, Franklin County Municipal Court, The moderator is Danae King, Underserved Communities Reporter, The Columbus Dispatch. This forum was sponsored by The Community Shelter Board with support from The Columbus Dispatch. The presenting sponsor of the CMC livestream is The Center for Human Kindness at the Columbus Foundation. CMC's livestream partner is The Columbus Dispatch.

Belonging Is Redefining the Modern Workplace – Join Us on December 11! In a challenging labor market, top Central Ohio employers are redefining the modern workplace by fostering cultures where all employees feel they belong. With belonging as a cornerstone, organizations are seeing gains in engagement, retention, productivity, and ROI—even for remote teams. This Columbus Metropolitan Club forum will feature insights from leaders who are driving this transformation by expanding the definition of diversity to be fully inclusive. 📅 Date: Wednesday, December 11, 2024 📍 Location: The Ellis, 777 North 4th Street, Columbus, OH ⏰ Lunch: 11:30 AM | Forum: 12:00 PM 🎥 Livestream available Featured Panelists: Daniel Juday, Founder & Facilitator, Space Creator LLC Dr. Tina Pierce, Chief of Strategy and Belonging, The Ohio State University Alumni Association Jennifer Robinson, Chief HR Officer & Deputy Director, Ohio Department of Veterans Services Moderator: Margaret Finley, Head of DEI, ADS; President, Central Ohio Diversity Consortium Whether you’re in HR, a business leader, or an advocate for DEI, this conversation will provide actionable insights to strengthen your organization’s culture. 🔗 Register today: https://lnkd.in/gmSpkvMj