Meet our speakers and workshop session leaders. They represent an all-star lineup of industry thought leaders, CFIS practitioners, and SSG management.
Siva Kakuturi is the founder and president of Sivic Solutions Group. He has more than 25 years of software development and implementation experience including with web-based technologies. With responsibility for multiple active development and operations projects at any one time, Mr. Kakuturi has a wide range of experience and expertise and resides in upstate New York. Siva holds a Master of Science degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a Bachelors’ degree in Mechanical Engineering
Eric D. Seguin is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Solix, Inc. Eric was closely involved in Solix’ acquisition and integration of Sivic Solutions Group, LLC, and is responsible for the overall management of all operating units, client relationships, and service delivery. He has more than 30 years of regulatory, financial, operational, and corporate development experience. In addition to his experience at Solix, Eric served for 4 years as the Chief of Economic Policy at the Oklahoma Corporation Commission. Before that, he was Director of State Programs at the National Exchange Carrier Association. Eric also served in the 50th Armored Division of the N.J. Army National Guard and was honorably discharged as a First Lieutenant in 1996. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Rutgers University, a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from St. Leo University, and an MBA in Finance from The College of William & Mary. He has also completed Executive Education at the Harvard Business School.
Sabrina Jamison is the Bureau Chief for the Bureau of County Finance and Technical Assistance (BCFTA). She has been with ODJFS since 2005 and has worked within BCFTA for approximately 12 years. Sabrina’s BCFTA experience includes serving as the Section Chief of the Policy and Analysis Section and has experience as a Fiscal Supervisor providing technical assistance to county agencies. Sabrina received her Master of Public Administration Degree from Southwest Texas State University and her Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Texas at Austin.is the Bureau Chief for County Finance and Technical Assistance (BCFTA) at the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. She has been instrumental in the development and implementation of all CFIS modules
Matt Damschroder was appointed interim director of the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) by Gov. Mike DeWine in March 2021 and was named permanent director in July 2021. No stranger to the important work at ODJFS, Matt and his wife have been foster parents and have two adopted children. He understands how adoption and foster care can change a child's life – and the lives of the adoptive and foster parents! At ODJFS, Matt has inspired innovation and transformational change to improve services to customers and support employees. With the help of talented, passionate employees throughout the agency, ODJFS has: • Implemented a new system for employers to pay and track unemployment taxes. • Added tools to safeguard our technology systems and benefits programs against fraudsters. • Implemented new policies and programs to help unemployed Ohioans return to work faster. • Incentivized employers to sponsor apprenticeships by covering training and tool costs. • Modified our benefits self-service portal to simplify user experiences. • Simplified application and renewal forms to apply for nutrition benefits. • Expanded machine-learning tools to automate business processes. • Modernized shared services with county offices to give them greater flexibility in delivering their services. • Created a program for employees to share innovations and suggestions to improve services and processes. • Made it easier for the public to engage with ODJFS by moving to a new user-friendly website at jfs.ohio.gov. • Led the agency through the COVID-19 pandemic when extraordinary numbers of Ohioans needed benefits, bad actors were scamming the system, employees had to be shifted to remote operations, and federal and state policies were changed frequently. Prior to joining ODJFS, Matt served as director of the Ohio Department of Administrative Services (DAS) since January 2019. While at DAS, he brought a focus of customer service to the agency. Under his direction, there was a renewed effort to provide innovative and secure technology through the Office of Information Technology and its InnovateOhio Platform. He also focused on customer-centric improvements to the State's procurement functions and helped further Gov. DeWine's efforts to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion in State government, including making the State of Ohio a model employer for individuals with disabilities. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Matt led DAS efforts to utilize information technology and data to help health officials make informed decisions and communicate with the public while using DAS procurement and logistics expertise to secure and distribute more than 140 million pieces of personal protective equipment. Prior to joining DAS, Matt served in the office of then-Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted. There, he first served as Secretary Husted's State Elections Director from 2011 to 2014, then as the Assistant Secretary of State and Chief of Staff. A native of Columbus, Matt holds an M.A. in Public Policy and Management from the John Glenn College of Public Affairs and a B.S. in Business Administration from the Max M. Fisher College of Business, both at The Ohio State University.
Jon Hoeneck is the Executive Director of the Ohio Job and Family Service Directors’ Association (OJFSDA.) The association represents Ohio’s 88 counties on public assistance matters including cash assistance, Medicaid, child support, child protective services, food assistance and workforce programs. OJFSDA also provides legislative support to the membership and assists counties in the operations of social service programs.
Sydnee Pottebaum is a Budget and Policy Analyst with Federal Funds Information for States (FFIS), a national organization that examines the fiscal impact of the federal budget and federal policy decisions on state budgets and programs. At FFIS, Sydnee covers nutrition, education, housing, labor, and several other policy areas. Earlier in her career, Sydnee served as staff for the Virginia Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee. Sydnee holds a Master of Public Policy from the University of Virginia and a BA from the University of South Dakota.
Kara Wente is the Director of Department of Children and Youth. Kara Wente has spent her career advocating for children. In August 2023, Governor Mike DeWine nominated her to be the director of the Department of Children and Youth. She has served as the Director of the Governor’s Children’s Initiative since January 2023 and was previously the Chief Operating Officer for Future Ready Columbus. With more than 20 years in dedicated state service, Wente has extensive experience in serving the most vulnerable children and families in Ohio. She used data as an accountability tool for systemic change during her time as the Assistant Director of Health and Human Services at the Ohio Department of Job & Family Services and led several large-scale system and policy changes as Deputy Director at the Office of Family Assistance. Wente holds a Master’s in Education and Allied Professions from the University of Dayton and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from The Ohio State University.
Jeff Van Deusen is the Assistant Director of Department of Children and Youth. Jeff has over 25 years of experience leading, driving, and implementing policy, operational, cultural, and programmatic change across public and non-profit agencies whose mission is to provide services and supports to children and families. Currently, Jeff serves as the Assistant Director for the Ohio Department of Children and Youth (DCY) where he works collaboratively with the agency Director to oversee key child programs and initiatives across Ohio, including early care and education, early intervention, maternal and infant vitality, early childhood mental health, and children services. Prior to this role, Jeff spent 17 years at the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) where he served in various leadership roles, most recently as the Deputy Director of the Office of Families and Children directing the daily operation of Ohio’s children services system. Jeff was responsible for setting the strategic vision for the office, as well as leading the agency’s execution and delivery of mission critical services and Governor Mike DeWine’s children services advisory council recommendations. Jeff also served as Bureau Chief within ODJFS, overseeing Ohio’s child care licensing and Step Up To Quality programs. As a recognized leader in various children and family systems, Jeff is passionate about collaborating with stakeholders and using data to drive systemic change. Jeff holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Mount Vernon Nazarene University and a master’s degree in political science/public administration from Ohio University.
Mary Wachtel, MSW is the Director of Public Policy for the Public Children Services Association of Ohio (PCSAO). In that role Mary is responsible for managing PCSAO’s membership-driven public policy agenda. Prior to joining PCSAO in August 2014, Mary led policy, legislative, and advocacy initiatives for several statewide organizations including Health Policy Institute of Ohio, Voices for Ohio’s Children, and Children’s Defense Fund-Ohio. A native of Ohio, Mary holds a bachelor's degree in social work from the University of Akron and a Master of Social Work degree from The Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis. She also holds a certificate in theological studies from The School of Theology at Sewanee (Episcopal).
Suresh Muppala is the Vice President of Application Development & Business Services of Sivic Solutions Group. He has over 35 years of experience in systems development, implementation and management as well as 23 years of expertise in government services. His expansive career includes development of systems for State & local government agencies, Retail Banking, Depository, SCADA systems and implementation of ERP systems. He has provided technical oversight and management services for numerous application development projects, including CFIS for Sivic Solutions Group. Suresh holds a Master of Science degree and a Post Graduate Diploma in Computer Applications.
Alicia Allen holds a master’s degree in political science and brings more than 31 years of experience in the delivery of human services. She currently serves as a Human Services Administrator with the Ohio Department of Children and Youth in the Fiscal Operations Division. With 27 years of specialized experience in Title IV-E, she has contributed to the development and implementation of Ohio Administrative Code rules and guided the Title IV-E cost reporting and rate-setting process. She spent over nine years supporting financial operations within Ohio SACWIS. In addition, she spent seven years overseeing Ohio’s child welfare budget, strengthening the state’s fiscal stewardship and support of child welfare initiatives.
Mark Anderson is the County Finance Information System (CFIS) Fiscal Project Manager in the Bureau of County Finance and Technical Assistance (BCFTA). He works with the Office of Workforce Development (OWD) on all Comprehensive Case Management & Employment Program (CCMEP) fiscal matters and manages the fiscal side of CCMEP. He provides training and technical assistance for the Client Level Tracking (CLT) which includes WIOA based services, supports the Ohio Means Jobs (OMJ) modules, kiosks, and the OMJ MOU process in CFIS. Mark conducts training and technical assistance for CFIS Ledger Functions and any other CFIS assistance county or state staff may need. Mark also manages the CFIS enhancements process and the disaster recovery testing process. Mark has a Bachelor of Arts in Business Accounting from Franklin University and an MBA from Ashland University.
Tasia Blackwell is a Senior Financial Analyst for the Bureau of County Finance and Technical Assistance (BCFTA). She is the newest addition to the team and has been with BCFTA since August of 2024. In her current role she is training so she can create a strong partnership with county agencies by providing technical assistance and ensuring they have the tools needed to perform necessary tasks. She comes to us with over 10 years of finance experience obtained in both the private and public sector, a Master of Business Administration with a focus area in financial management, a Bachelor of Science with a focus area in applied (office) management and a certified administrative assistant with multiple office and internet computing core certifications.
Terri Burns was appointed director of the Summit County Executive’s Department of Job and Family Services in February 2018 after serving as the agency’s chief financial officer for four years. Summit County DJFS is a standalone agency with over 350 employees. For nine years prior to joining Summit County, Terri oversaw the fiscal operations for the Portage County Department of Job and Family Services, a quadruple combined agency. Terri is a CPA with an MS in Accounting and an MBA from Kent State University and chairs the Ohio Job and Family Services Directors’ Association (OJFSDA) Fiscal Committee.
Elisha Cangelosi has dedicated 28 years to serving Ohio’s children and families, beginning her career in 1998 as a student in community mental health in Columbus. That early experience sparked a lasting commitment to supporting children and families facing mental health and behavioral challenges. She spent more than 15 years in clinical social work, gaining broad experience in aging services, quality assurance, project management, service coordination, and teaching as a community instructor for The Ohio State University College of Social Work. In 2013, Ms. Cangelosi joined Franklin County Children Services as Associate Director of Provider Services, overseeing purchased provider services, system-level partnerships, medical services for children in custody, and leading the agency’s work on Medicaid Managed Care redesign. She later served as Director of Provider Services and Clinical Supports and as an Executive member before entering state service as the Deputy Director of OhioRISE at the Ohio Department of Medicaid. In late 2021, she became Executive Director of Ohio Family and Children First. By late 2023, she also assumed leadership of the Bureau of Children and Young Adult Supports and children services placement crisis work at the Ohio Department of Children and Youth (DCY), where she now serves as the Services and Supports Administrator. Ms. Cangelosi holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Master of Social Work from The Ohio State University, along with her LISW-S. Born and raised in Jefferson County, she has made Franklin County her home for the past 29 years.
Latisha Chastang serves as the Section Chief for the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) and Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Section at the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. In this role, she oversees client services, quality assurance, operations, community services programming, and home energy assistance initiatives across the state. Before joining the State of Ohio, Latisha was the Director of Emergency Assistance at IMPACT Community Action, serving Columbus and Franklin County. She managed a $75 million budget and led a team of 45 employees. Her journey in community action began in 2005, when she accepted a temporary position as a Community Intake Specialist; an opportunity that sparked her long-standing commitment to public service. Latisha holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and Human Resources from Franklin University and a Master’s Degree in Nonprofit Management and Leadership from Capella University. She is also a Certified ROMA Implementer and a Board Governance Consultant through BoardSource®. Beyond her professional work, Latisha remains actively engaged in her community. She serves on the Board of Health for Franklin County Public Health and is a member-at-large with the National Association of Local Boards of Health. Latisha is the wife of Dr. Carl Chastang, celebrating 25 years together, and the proud mother of two adult children, Cameron and Danielle, along with two beloved dogs, Dashie and Chloe.
Jeremy Conkle is a is a Program Administrator 3 with ODJFS and brings over 17 years of Workforce Development experience. He leads daily operations of the ARIES Help Desk within the Ohio Workforce Development Production Support Unit. Jeremey’s career began as a Disabled Veterans Outreach Program Specialist at Franklin County OhioMeansJobs and includes roles such as Veterans Program Manager, Vet90 Liaison, and Veterans Program Assistant Bureau Chief. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration with concentrations in Finance and Marketing from Elon University.
Leighann Cook is an Audit Manager at the Ohio Department of Job & Family Services (ODJFS), working in the County Monitoring division of the Bureau of Monitoring & Consulting Services. Leighann has been with ODJFS for 19 years. For the past 14 years she has been the Audit Manager for the BMCS monitoring team which performs monitoring reviews of the county family service agencies primarily in central and southeast Ohio. Leighann received a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting and a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics from Capital University.
Jeremy Cordes is an ODJFS Program Administrator 1 with over 16 years of Workforce Development experience. He currently works in OWD’s Production Support Unit, overseeing the manager-led ARIES System and OhioMeansJobs.com Helpdesk teams. He began his career in Lorain County in 2010 as a Workforce Development Specialist supporting WIA/WIOA Adult and Dislocated Workers, and in 2016 became the CCMEP Program Manager leading services for youth and young adults in Lorain County. In 2023, Jeremy joined ODJFS’s Employment & Business Services pillar as a Program Delivery Supervisor, managing Employment Service staff who delivered Wagner–Peyser labor exchange services at OhioMeansJobs Cuyahoga County. He holds a B.B.A. in Management (Kent State), an MBA in Leadership & Organizational Change (Tiffin), and a Leadership Certificate for Public and Nonprofit Professionals (Ohio State).
Joe Culleris a Section Chief (External Audit Manager 2) in the Office of Fiscal and Monitoring Services. He is over the Workforce Monitoring and Consulting Services Section and works with both the Fiscal and Program Monitoring units. Joe has over 16 years of experience with the state in management, auditing and monitoring of Workforce programs. Joe obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from Wilmington College and his Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Ohio Dominican University.
Tiffany Day has been a dedicated member of the CCMEP team for more than four years, bringing both passion and purpose to her work in Ohio’s Workforce Development system. Her journey began in Philadelphia, where she worked within the American Job Center Network supporting adults, including individuals receiving TANF, dislocated workers, and Adult WIOA participants, many of whom were navigating the unemployment system. This experience gave her a strong foundation in workforce services, career readiness, and barrier reduction strategies. After relocating to Ohio, Tiffany continued her commitment to workforce development by supporting staff across the northeast region who facilitate CCMEP services for youth. In her role, she provides ongoing guidance, technical assistance, and practical support to county partners as they work to deliver effective, youth centered programming across the state. Tiffany’s educational achievements reflect her dedication to growth and service. She holds an associate degree in Behavioral Health and Human Services, a bachelor’s degree in Social Work, and a master’s degree in Leadership with a concentration in Sustainable Communities. She also maintains three professional certifications, including one as a Career Coach, enhancing her ability to support both staff and participants with informed, skill-based insight. Guided by her mantra, “Be the change you want to see,” Tiffany approaches her work with empathy, integrity, and a deep commitment to empowering young people and strengthening community support systems throughout Ohio.
Dennis Drew is a member of BCFTA Operations for 9 years, a father of two and an avid gamer. With a degree in Corporate Finance, and over 20 years in various financial fields, he is willing and able to help in most areas.
Matthew Farschman is a Business Process Analyst in the ODJFS Bureau of County Finance and Technical Assistance (BCFTA) working with the County Finance Information System (CFIS). Matt is working with the CFIS Project Manager, Mark Anderson on the fiscal operations of the CFIS system to support all 88 Ohio counties. Matt has a bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University in Art & Technology, is a Certified Fiscal Professional through The Ohio Fiscal Academy, and received a certification for the Software Development program from The Tech Academy (Portland, OR).
Jason Frisbee has been the Contracts & Fiscal Supervisor for the Office of Child Support (OCS) since January 2025. Prior to his current role, Jason worked in the Policy Unit at OCS, where he was instrumental in developing rules for waiving service of process, reviewing the child support guidelines, and implementing caretaker redirection policies. Jason has worked for Ohio’s child support program for over eleven years, starting at Franklin County CSEA. Jason is also currently attending law school part-time at the University of Dayton School of Law and is expected to graduate in May.
Lisa Gallagher-Hall is a Human Service Program Administrator 3 in the Office of Fiscal and Monitoring Services. She manages the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and the Comprehensive Case Management and Employment Program (CCMEP) Program monitoring unit. She has over 19 years in various roles within federal, state, and local government. Lisa has been employed by the State of Ohio for over 17 years. She obtained her Master of Science in Criminal Justice with a Concentration in Forensic Psychology along with her Master of Business Administration with a dual concentration in Marketing and Human Resources from Tiffin University.
Brian Gartland has spent more than 22 years at ODJFS working in tech and process improvement. He graduated from Youngstown State University with a degree in Computer Information Systems and minors in Business Management and Psychology. He’s also earned several certifications, including MCTS, CNA, and ITIL Foundation. He spent 16 years as an Infrastructure Specialist, known for breaking down complex technical topics into clear, easy-to-follow documentation. For the past seven years, he’s been a Business Process Analyst on the User Experience team, helping counties adopt new technology and creating useful training materials, videos, and guides. His hard work and leadership have earned him two “Walk the Talk” awards and a Circle of Excellence award.
Talia Givens-Gore is the Section Chief of the Home Weatherization Assistance Program (HWAP) and the Electric Partnership Program (EPP), where she helps lead statewide efforts to improve energy efficiency and provide utility assistance for households that need it most. She oversees program operations, policy development, compliance, and partnerships with local agencies, utility companies, and state and federal partners to make sure services are delivered effectively and fairly. Talia comes from a real estate and housing background, which gives her a practical understanding of how homes function and what families face when dealing with energy and housing challenges. Her experience in property management and residential housing helps her connect energy efficiency goals with real world housing needs. Throughout her career, she has focused on supporting housing stability by bringing together energy efficiency, utility affordability, and long term property sustainability. She’s known for being collaborative, detail oriented, and committed to improving outcomes for households through strong program management and thoughtful planning. Outside of work, Talia is a wife of 15 years, a mom, and a proud dog mom. She enjoys traveling, DIY projects, and sneaking in the occasional cat nap whenever she can. Her approach to both life and work reflects her belief that safe, efficient homes strengthen families, communities, and long term well being.
Susan Gordan is a Senior Financial Analyst for the Bureau of County Finance and Technical Assistance (BCFTA). She is the newest addition to the Team and has been with BDFTA since April of 2026. In her current role she is training so she can create a strong partnership with county agencies by providing technical assistance and ensuring they have the tools needed to perform necessary tasks. She comes to us with over 25 years of finance experience obtained in the county sector working for public hospitals and the private sector. She has a BS in Business Administration/Management Information Systems.
Patti Gorman is a graduate of Davis & Elkins College where she earned a bachelor’s degree majoring in accounting and management. She currently serves ODJFS as a project manager within BCFTA. Among various projects, she co-facilitates ODJFS’s Fiscal Leadership Program. She also works with internal bureaus, program offices and county agencies in areas of fiscal compliance and reporting. Prior to her employment with ODJFS, Patti worked at Franklin County DJFS both as an RMS Coordinator and Internal Auditor. Throughout her career she has worked in public accounting, for-profit, not-for-profit, and governmental agencies. Through her experience she has developed knowledge in a variety of fiscal areas including grants management and analysis. Patti is a graduate of OBM’s Ohio Fiscal Academy; certified in both LEAN and Change Management Processes; and is active in service-based community organizations.
Julie Gossard has dedicated her career to Auglaize County Job and Family Services since 1995, bringing over 30 years of experience across multiple departments within the agency. She began her career in fiscal operations in October 2006 as an Account Clerk and later advanced to Fiscal Supervisor and Business Administrator before being appointed Director in July 2020. Julie was part of the inaugural OJFSDA Fiscal Certification Program in 2017. In 2026, she expanded her leadership role as Shared Director for both Auglaize County JFS and Hardin County JFS. Julie is actively involved with the Northwest Ohio Directors Association, where she currently serves as President and Treasurer. Additionally, she assumed the role of Co-Chair of the OJFSDA Fiscal Committee in July 2025.
Kelly Hickle-Lentz is the current Operations Administrator for Wood County Job and Family Services, she has held this positive for over nine years. This position oversees and manages several agency wide functions including Fiscal, IT, and Custodial services. Prior to assuming this position she worked in Children’s Services for almost twenty years in a variety of roles including 18 years as a supervisor. Kelly is also currently an OCWTP professional trainer, training Supervisor CORE as well as other supervisor and caseworker related training topics. Kelly has been a member/founding member of several state-wide, regional and local committees and task forces as it relates to Job and Family Services work.
Harmony Humphrey is an External Audit Manager in the Office of Fiscal and Monitoring Services. She manages the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and Comprehensive Case Management and Employment Program (CCMEP) fiscal monitoring unit. Harmony has over 18 years of experience in various roles within government and private. Harmony obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and Finance and her Master’s Degree in Business Administration, with a concentration in Project Management from Wright State University.
Richard Johnson, Jr (Rick) has been with ODJFS, Office of Fiscal & Monitoring Services-Bureau of County Finance & Technical Assistance for 16 years and is currently the Title XX Program Coordinator for the State of Ohio. Born and raised in Youngstown, Ohio, he holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice w/corrections & emphasis in Psychology from Tiffin University and was also a member of the Tiffin University basketball team. Rick has been a frequent presenter at conferences and training events covering Title XX of the Social Block Grant and continues to work with our internal and external professionals to ensure The State of Ohio’s Title XX reporting and delivery of social services impacts service outcomes.
Tamara Miller-Keefe is a Policy Developer for the ODJFS APS Unit. She has been in public service for the last 37 years with the majority of those years spent as a high school teacher, adjunct professor at Ohio University and University of Rio Grande, an administrator for the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, Social Services Supervisor for Hocking County JFS, and the Ohio Department of Job & Family Services serving as a subject matter expert in Elder Fatality Review, Guardianship, and training. She was also an auxiliary Deputy Sheriff in Perry County. She holds degrees in Accounting, Business Administration, and Public Administration.
Brenden Kelly graduated from Columbus State with a degree in cybersecurity and joined ODJFS in July 2022. Before that, he spent 10 years at the Guitammer Company as the lead cinema technician, overseeing installations worldwide and providing technical support to both industry professionals and consumers. He began at ODJFS in the IT Vendor Management Office and is now part of the County Operations User Experience (UX) Team, helping counties leverage available technologies—especially around local security coordinator responsibilities. He simplifies complex topics like access provisioning through trainings, one on one support, and by maintaining guides on the UX Portal.
Matthew Kurtz has worked in the JFS world since 1992. Originally hired as the Chief Financial Officer in Knox County he served there as CFO and Technology Officer until 2009 when he was promoted to Director of the triple combined agency. Matt joined Lorain County JFS as their Assistant Director in March of 2022 and is heavily involved in the financial operation of that metro county.
Bobbie Lorenz is the SNAP TANF Eligibility Policy Manager with the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.I have 20 years of experience in public assistance programs.Outside of work, my favorite role is being “Mimi” and I enjoy spending time with my grandchildren.
Melissa Many is a Human Services Developer with the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services in the Office of Family Assistance. Melissa recently joined the Adult Protective Services Program, bringing more than 13 years of experience in the Child Support and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs. Over the past 8 years, she has specialized in policy writing, contributing to program development and implementation across the agency. Melissa earned a bachelor's degree in Sociology from The Ohio State University.
Stacie L. Massey is Deputy Director of Grants and Financial Reporting at the Ohio Office of Budget and Management. Stacie has over twenty-five years of public sector experience in previous roles at the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System, Ohio Auditor of State, Ohio Department of Public Safety, and Ohio Emergency Management Agency. In her current role within the state’s budget office, Stacie oversees the Financial Reporting team which is responsible for the State’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report and the Ohio Grants Partnership which serves as a resource to the Ohio grants community. She was the recipient of the National Grants Management Association’s 2021 Public Sector Impact Award and is currently an officer on their Board of Directors. Stacie has a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from The Ohio State University and a Master of Business Administration from Ashland University. She is a Certified Government Financial Manager and a Certified Grants Management Specialist.
Karen Murnane has been with the State since 2004. She spent nearly 12 years with DODD as the Developmental Center Budget Analyst, as well as the Co-Administrator of their Random Moment Sample system. In 2016, Karen transitioned to JFS to take on the role of JFS RMS Administrator, a newly created position to oversee and Administrate the JFS RMS system. In this role, Karen provides nearly all RMS training, both on-line and in person, as well as recorded trainings, manuals, analysis and outreach.
Denise Olson is a graduate of Bowling Green State University. She began her career with the Sandusky County Department of Job and Family Services and moved to the state office in 1993. Denise has been a Quality Control Reviewer, a Deputy Account Manager, the section chief over Program Policy Services, and is currently a Project Manager. One of the projects Denise oversees is the pilot Benefit Bridge program. Denise resides in the greater Toledo area with her husband Mark and her two college children. Go Bucks and Musketeers!
Dawnielle Pierce is a dynamic people person with over 20 years of experience in leadership training and executive coaching. She is known for using humor and storytelling to educate people on leadership principles. Many have seen Dawnielle’s work by attending a session in the State’s Lead Ohio program. The program was designed, developed and delivered by Dawnielle and was the first statewide leadership program to be required for all new supervisors and managers in the State of Ohio. She now works as a Training and Relationship Manager for Job and Family Services.
Beth Anne Schorr is currently Program Services Bureau Chief for the ODJFS Office of Child Support where she oversees Policy, Interstate Central Registry, Training, Compliance, Fiscal, Contracts, and the customer call center. Prior to joining the ODJFS in November 2021, Beth Anne began her career in child support at the Warren County Child Support Enforcement Agency in 1995 as an Assistant Prosecuting attorney and served as agency director for 13 years. While at the Warren County CSEA, Beth Anne led her team to use innovative processes and technology to achieve consistent high performance and customer-focused child support service provision. Beth Anne championed intra-county collaboration and service provision as chair of Warren County Criminal Justice Board, as well as through targeted joint initiatives with county JFS, Children’s Services, and OhioMeansJobs. Beth Anne has partnered with the Office of Child Support since 2011 through its Strategic Workgroup initiative and has contributed as a county subject matter expert for adoption of UIFSA 2008, and with the Administrative Rules Workgroup since its inception. Beth Anne graduated from Miami University with a BPh in Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus in Children and Public Policy and obtained her JD at the University of Dayton School of Law. She was admitted to the Ohio bar in 1994.
Tara Shook is a Licensed Social Worker with more than 27 years of experience in children services. She has served in key roles for the state of Ohio, including Licensing Specialist, ICPC Deputy Compact Administrator, Adoption Policy Developer, Substitute Care Policy Section Chief, and Trainer. In 2026, she joined the Ohio Commission on Fatherhood, where she focuses on the Ohio Putative Father Registry, strengthening father engagement and promoting father inclusive practices and policies. Her earlier work at Franklin County Children Services included direct service as an ongoing caseworker, adoption assessor, and trainer.
Rachel Steele is a Financial Analyst Supervisor for ODJFS Bureau of County Finance and Technical Assistance (BCFTA). Rachel began her ODJFS career as a Regional Fiscal Supervisor for the BCFTA in the spring of 2018. In her roles with the organization, she strives to provide customer service driven assistance and training. Rachel has a passion for helping others and believes that even if the subject matter is difficult, learning should be fun.
Colleen Tucker has been in social services for more than 25 years. She started her career working with women in an inpatient alcohol and drug treatment setting. This role provided Colleen’s first experience regarding trauma and its impact on development. This experience was the catalyst for her career working with and for children and families, especially those who have experienced trauma. Since that time, Colleen has worked as a children services caseworker and community support worker, as a Business Analyst helping stand up Ohio’s Statewide Automated Child Welfare Information System (OhioSACWIS), as Bureau Chief of Foster Care Licensing and Enforcement and as a Project Manager leading the development and implementation of multiple local and state child and family programs, including Ohio’s extended foster care program, Bridges. Since 2021, Colleen has been with Ohio Family and Children First (OFCF). In all of these roles, she has had the opportunity to collaborate with internal and external partners to improve outcomes for families and children throughout Ohio. Colleen has a Bachelor’s of Specialized Studies in Child and Adolescent Behaviors from Ohio University and she received a Master of Business Administration from Ohio Dominican University. Colleen grew up in Hamilton County but has called Delaware County her home since 2008.
Susan Willeke is an accomplished government relations professional with more than 34 years’ experience in public affairs, communication, and public speaking. Susan joined the Ohio Ethics Commission in 2005 as the Training and Communications Manager where she oversees and conducts educational and communication outreach. In that position, Susan presents approximately 200 speeches annually, develops information strategies regarding agency programs, and represents the Ethics Commission to Ohio citizens, the media, and the Ohio legislature.
Patricia “Trish” Wilson works at the Ohio Department of Children and Youth as the Title IV-E Unit Section Chief. Prior to coming to the state, she has had a long career in child protection, working in several county agencies from caseworker to director. Her experience includes project management, quality assurance and continuous quality improvement programs. She is a licensed social worker and graduate of Ohio University with a Bachelor of Arts in social work. Trish will soon be celebrating her 40 years of retirement in October.
Yanzhi Wu is a Business Process Analyst at the ODJFS county operations User Experience (UX) Team and has over 10 years of experience in IT, data analytics, and business operations. She holds an MBA along with credentials in data analytics, Professional Scrum Master (PSM I), Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt, and ITIL4. She is passionate about using data and technology to understand business needs, develop practical solutions, simplify processes, and improve operational efficiency.
Neil Yingling III joined the CCMEP Team in March 2026 after 13 years with Erie County Job and Family Services. During his tenure at Erie County JFS, he gained extensive experience across all OFA and OWD programs, serving in multiple roles that supported both workforce development and program integrity. Prior to joining the CCMEP team, Neil most recently served as the Workforce Development and Fraud Control Administrator, where he led program operations, strategic initiatives, and compliance efforts. He is also a past president of the Ohio Council on Welfare Fraud and former Regional Director for the United Council on Welfare Fraud, contributing leadership and expertise to fraud prevention efforts. In his current role with the CCMEP Team, Neil brings a commitment to collaboration, quality service delivery, and improving outcomes for youth and young adults across Ohio.
Eric Zhang has been the Assistant Deputy Director for 11 years at Office of Fiscal and Monitoring Services at ODJFS. He previously spent 6 years as audit manager and senior IT auditor at Department of Budget and Management and 4 years as Risk Advisory Service Manager at Ernst and Young, LLC. Before that he spent 13 years with various banks, manufacturer, utility company, and Air Traffic Controls. Eric is keen on leveraging data analytics for problem solving and process improvements.