Every Child Succeeds

Board Members

Every Child Succeeds is regional program designed to ensure an optimal start for children.

Every Child Succeeds receives guidance and support from a talented board whose members include:

James M. Jones, Chairperson
Retired Executive, Procter & Gamble
James M. Anderson, Vice Chair
President and CEO, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
Robert C. Reifsnyder, Vice Chair
President, United Way of Greater Cincinnati
Gwen L. Robinson, Vice Chair
President/CEO, Cincinnati-Hamilton County Community Action Agency
Michael Kremzar, First Vice Chair
Retired Executive, Procter & Gamble
Dan Gahl, Secretary
Retired Executive, UC Physicians
Yvonne L. Washington, Treasurer
Executive Vice President and COO, United Way of Greater Cincinnati
Judith B. Van Ginkel, Ph.D.
President and COO, Every Child Succeeds

Success Story: Ronna

Ronna smiles when asked how Every Child Succeeds has made a difference in her life. "I would have been completely lost without it!" she says, as her two-year-old son, Jayden, chases a bouncing rubber ball across the room. "When I got pregnant, I was only 15. I wanted to take
responsibility for Jayden, and I wanted to be a good mother. But I had no idea how to go about it."

Every Child Succeeds matched Ronna with Jenny Berndsen, a home visitor employed by Family Services, which contracts with Every Child Succeeds to provide home visits. Jenny has been meeting with Ronna weekly since Ronna was eight months pregnant, sharing information with her about baby care, helping her create a positive home environment for learning and emotional
growth, and encouraging her to finish high school.

"No one in my family was there for me, so I really felt alone at first," explains Ronna, who now lives with Jayden in an apartment. "Jenny has taught me about the importance of reading to Jayden and about which games are good for his development and even how to get Jayden evaluated for his speech delays. She has helped me become a good mother and be more confident in myself."

In June, Ronna will graduate from North College Hill High School, where she recently made honor roll. She plans to attend Cincinnati State and
eventually become a social worker to help children who have experienced abuse and neglect.

Kathy Aker, R.N.
Manager, Every Child Succeds
Thomas F. Boat, MD
Executive Associate Dean, UC College of Medicine
Walter T. Bowers, II, MD
Suzanne Burke
CEO, Council on Aging of Southwestern Ohio
Cathy Caldemeyer
Owner, Arte' Nouvelle
David Clark
Senior Vice President, Federated Department Stores
Mary Ellen Cody
Community Volunteer
Ruby Crawford-Hemphill
Assistant Chief Nursing Officer, University Hospital
Verline Dotson
Director, Head Start, Cincinnati-Hamilton County Community Action Agency
Denise Govan
Manager, Every Child Succeeds
Dan Gahl
COO, UC Physicians
Carrie Hayden
Community Volunteer
Bradley Jackson, MD
Pedatrician, Premier Pediatrics
Noble Maseru, PhD
Health Commissioner, Cincinnati Health Department
Jill McGruder
President and CEO, IFS Financial Services
Ernest L. Perry, Jr.
Senior Program Officer, Knowledge Works Foundation
Roger Schorr
Retired Executive, Convergys Corporation
Digi Schueler
Vivian Schwab
Real Estate Agent, Sibcy Cline
Jim Spurlino
President, Spurlino Materials
Rev. Clarence Wallace
Pastor, Carmel Presbyterian Church
John J. Young
President and CEO, Freestore/Foodbank

Ad Hoc Board Members

Carol Aquino
Vice President, United Way of Greater Cincinnati
Thomas DeWitt, MD
Medical Director, ECS, Professor of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center