Meet Lisa Duty | Leader of Changemakers & Advocate for Civic Health

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lisa Duty and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lisa, how does your business help the community?
We’ve created a movement with Leadership Ohio. When individuals join our organization, it accelerates their learning, amplifies their influence, and connects them with like-minded change-makers to make an even bigger impact. That’s why Leadership Ohio was founded in 1992 – to educate civic-minded citizens with a deeper understanding of Ohio – and to inspire them to a higher level of service.

We work imaginatively and relentlessly to cultivate civic engagement. Research and experience tell us that citizens engaged in their communities are vital to community health. Their engagement fosters trust in democratic institutions and legitimacy in public processes. The engagement we cultivate is correlated to strong educational systems, a competitive workforce, and a dynamic economy.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Leadership Ohio is the only non-partisan statewide leadership development program that connects diverse leaders from across Ohio to promote positive change. We cultivate experiences that elevate leaders’ knowledge, perspective, and connections from a community to a state-wide level. Success in our mission creates a unifying movement of diverse, connected leaders who make Ohio the best state to live and work.

As Executive Director of Leadership Ohio it’s my privilege to lead a network of distinguished changemakers who are on the leading edge of solutions for a future-driven Ohio. It has been an incredible journey. I assumed the role of Executive Director of a struggling Leadership Ohio in 2019, determined to make a lasting impact. As chief architect, I initiated a comprehensive turnaround strategy that revitalized the organization’s mission and operations. I couldn’t have accomplished this without a strong vision, and equally strong support from several board members and alumni, and I’m eternally grateful to them.

I’m currently at the helm of our organization’s growth and acceleration phase, and we continue to expand Leadership Ohio’s reach and impact in ways that see our program graduates occupy positions of influence in leading companies, government agencies, elected offices, and Ohio’s boardrooms.

My focus has been (and remains) on the betterment of Ohio’s democratic society, and with the support of our current board of trustees, we’ve seen our organization emerge as a leading advocate for Ohio’s civic health. In the past several years we have implemented innovative programs and partnerships aimed at promoting civic participation and encouraging civil and catalytic dialogue across a diversity of people and ideological perspectives. My reason for being is contributing to the vitality and resilience of Ohio’s democratic landscape – inspiring lasting, positive change throughout the state. I’m fortunate to be surrounded by leadership and alumni that share that charge.

It hasn’t been easy. In fact, the challenges around civil discourse have been all-consuming. We can’t really grapple with the challenges and opportunities of Ohio if we’re canceling one another, or simply cannot talk to each other across ideologies. It is no secret that we are living in highly polarized times. Individuals that become a part of Leadership Ohio now receive development in constructive dialogue where they learn to build civil discourse that encourages viewpoint diversity. We practice civil discourse every day of the program year. What makes our organization truly unique is that we believe that we don’t all have to be the same, to be a great state.

It took a combination of deep research, practice – trial and error – to forge a program that breaks through tribal mentalities and self-censorship of speech. We continuously strive for improvement. One of the most important aspects of this work has been becoming fearless in the encouragement of viewpoint diversity and the practice of open inquiry. We assert a kind of civility that sees others as human beings with dignity and worth, no matter their political worldview.

Our core program itself meets for 1.5 days per month for eight months each year. This year we’re visiting Newark, Canton/Akron area, Cincinnati, Dayton, Columbus, Sandusky, Southeast Ohio, and Marysville. Fellows will engage in sessions that cover topics such as agriculture, manufacturing, human trafficking, opioid addiction, fair chance hiring, and more. Most importantly, they will build impactful relationships with other leaders from around the state with goals for making lasting change throughout their careers.

We do this work by uniquely blending experiences and dialogue with influential leaders, dreamers, movers and shakers, often with an eye toward disrupting outdated mindsets and challenging the status quo. In any given year, our Fellows may spend the day behind the walls of a women’s prison exploring the issue of restored citizenship with residents, Warden, and staff. Next, our Fellows may grapple with our nation’s fractured civic discourse – with the Ohio Secretary of State – exploring “How might we regain our ability to engage in respectful and civil conversations as a bedrock of democracy?” Later, Fellows may be immersed in a homeless drop-in center, unpacking issues of affordable housing and humanity alongside city residents who are experiencing homelessness. From artificial intelligence to human trafficking to business innovations in the Appalachian foothills, the list of touchpoints and experiences is unique and powerful. No other journey puts you at the same table as an Ohio Supreme Court Justice and a seven-time mission commander/U.S. Air Force Colonel in the same way it brings you face-to-face, for instance, with a formerly incarcerated citizen now advocating for fair chance hiring, or a survivor of human trafficking speaking to needed changes in Ohio law. At Leadership Ohio we don’t just need our leaders to understand something intellectually, we need them to feel something.

The benefits of participating are numerous. You won’t find a more rewarding opportunity to explore your leadership in our fast-changing world. We’re helping people discover new inspiration to shape how they will impact the future. It’s an honor to convene 35 Leadership Ohio Fellows each year. This year the Class of 2024 Fellows represent 11 metropolitan and nonmetropolitan statistical areas and a range of cities like Ada, Mansfield, Mount Vernon, Bellefontaine, Cleveland, Dayton, and Columbus. The Fellows come from many different sectors, including Energy, Transportation, Education, Economic Development, the Arts, and more. Thirty-four percent of the Fellows are minorities – African American, Hispanic and Native American, and 43% identify on the Conservative spectrum, and 57% on the Liberal spectrum. I highly encourage your readers to learn more about Leadership Ohio and consider applying for a Fellowship at leadershipohio.org. Or reach out to me personally. It’s a very competitive process, but we’re always seeking entrepreneurs, creatives, and other individuals with passion, purpose, and ambition.

Outside of Leadership Ohio, I’m the Founder of Innovation Partners America, a national education and nonprofit consultancy that enables organizations to create new outcomes through collaboration and the incubation of new ideas. In this capacity I’ve helped launch game-changing nonprofits like Imagine Worldwide, counseled global start-ups like Teach the World Foundation, and consulted with organizations like the Center for Innovation in Brazilian Education, Omidyar Network, and Lemann Foundation. In 2022 I took on a role as Executive Vice President of career-tech start-up Core Learning Exchange.

Prior to Innovation Partners, I was a Founding Partner at The Learning Accelerator, Senior Director of Innovation and chief lobbyist at KnowledgeWorks, and an adjunct faculty member at The Ohio State University (OSU) College of Education and Human Ecology. I’ve also served as a Civic Education Consultant with the Mershon Center for International Security Studies in Poland, Ukraine, and South Africa; as a Delegate to World Congresses on Citizenship in both Jordan and Argentina, and as a Delegate to the World Innovation Summit on Education in Qatar. All of these experiences serve me well in my role at Leadership Ohio.

Currently, I’m a member of the National Civic League and Heterodox Academy. I also serve on the board of directors for the Ohio Victim Witness Association (OVWA) where I focus on public policy in the area of sex trafficking. This past May, I was honored to be appointed by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine to serve on the Ohio Commission on Service and Volunteerism.

I encourage everyone to find a way to make a difference, big or small, by sharing their time or talent. Volunteering is a great way to strengthen the democratic fabric of Ohio, build your network of phenomenal people, and make the world a better place. There has been a serious decline in social interconnectedness for decades, and many people are lonely or isolated. In fact, an “epidemic of isolation and loneliness” was declared by the Surgeon General in the U.S. in 2023. When we’re lonely it impacts how we show up in life and in the public square. Cultural and social associations – volunteerism – is critical and part of the salve when people feel isolated, cynical, or just feel like “dropping out.” The ways in which we are connected to each other really makes a difference for what we can accomplish together. It’s okay to start small, just join in and volunteer!

My path, probably like your own, has not always been a straight one, and I’ve failed many times along the way. I’ve miscalculated, played the wrong hand, failed to take up enough space, etc. But what’s been important amidst successes and failures is to relentlessly conjure a grand, almost unbelievable – well sometimes just plain unbelievable – vision for what lies next. The key to positive action then is not in actions themselves, but in who you think you are, and how you think about the world around you.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Since I lead Leadership Ohio, I’m compelled to share some cities/regions outside of Columbus (since most are familiar with my amazing home city) that everyone should visit at least once!

Newark, Ohio: Situated in east-central Ohio 35 miles east of Columbus, Newark is located in Licking County. It features a revitalized downtown area, a thriving arts community (check out the Midland Theatre), and numerous recreational opportunities. Importantly, Newark is home to one of Ohio’s Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks that just made the prestigious World Heritage list, which recognizes the earth’s most significant cultural and natural attractions (think Roman Coliseum and Great Wall of China). Stay the night at Cherry Valley Hotel, a unique property and the only hotel in the United States with its own certified arboretum.

Akron & Canton, Ohio: Akron and Canton, located in northeast Ohio, have 1.2 million people in its combined MSAs. If you haven’t visited recently, both are must-sees. In Akron, see the Akron Civic Theatre, and visit The Lebron James Family Foundation’s House Three Thirty. Don’t miss Akron’s Soap Box Derby, and make time for dinner at DeJuan’s. In Canton check out the Pro Football Hall of Fame and Gervasi Vineyard.

Dayton, Ohio: Dayton is one of the most exciting cities in the state. It’s home to the International Peace Museum, the Dayton Arcade and the lively Levitt Pavilion. Dayton’s rich aviation history lends itself to many cultural attractions such as the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, the world’s largest military aviation museum. Check out the National Aviation Heritage Area for more choices, and book an open cockpit plane ride for two on “Sunny” at the WACO Air Museum nearby.

Southeast, Ohio: Southeast Ohio, a rural region of the state, is home to numerous small towns with a strong sense of community and a deep connection to the land. Communities are nestled within the rolling hills of Appalachia, and the region is home to numerous forests, wildlife areas, and state parks (don’t miss John Glenn Astronomy Park, and Hocking Hills). “Little Cities of Black Diamonds” present an arresting view of the historic coal mining towns of the Appalachia region and offers gems such as the Tecumseh Theater (Shawnee), Black Diamond Tavern (Shawnee, OH), and Stuarts Opera House and Historic Town Square (Nelsonville). Dirty Girl Coffee (Glouster, OH) is the best, and Rhapsody Restaurant (Nelsonville, OH) is a must for an incredible meal.

Bellefontaine, Ohio: Bellefontaine, located in Logan County, is a small city with a big heart. Downtown Bellefontaine’s redevelopment, championed by civic actors like Small Nation, the Chamber of Commerce, and Richwood Bank has turned it into a best-in-state destination featuring award-winning restaurants (Six Hundred Downtown for pizza, Flying Pepper Cantina for mexican) and numerous shops, including antiques. Wander downtown for a great afternoon, have cocktails at The Syndicate, and check in at America’s Shortest Street and the World’s Oldest Concrete Street.

Sandusky, Ohio: Located on the shores of Lake Erie, Sandusky is a community with a rich maritime history and a strong tourism industry contributing nearly $2 billion in economic activity to the region annually. Cedar Point, one of the world’s largest amusement parks, is amazing – as is Kelleys Island. Sandusky’s Jackson Street Pier is an energetic waterfront public space with dynamic programming not to be missed. The city also offers an Underground Railroad Historic Walking Tour (Sandusky was a major terminal in the Underground Railroad) which is one-of-a-kind.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
The love and support of my parents and six siblings (all now deceased except one brother) are the foundation for any belief I’ve ever had in myself. I strongly identify as an Appalachian, first-generation college goer, seventh of seven children from the southend of Columbus, with a mother and father with eighth and sixth grade educations respectively. I know that their love and example made possible for me the opportunity to bring to light visions of life that were not accessible in past generations.

I owe a great debt to my doctoral advisors, Merry Merryfield and Steve Miller, for helping me to develop my scholarship, and to many leaders that modeled important qualities for me over the years of my career: Dan Hoffman (humility), Steve Dackin (vision), Scott Ellis (excellence), Todd Kleismit (connection), Nan Baker (fearlessness), and now Shon Christy (abundance). I owe a particular debt to my fourth grade teacher, Gayle Hiser (confidence), who made me feel seen and encouraged me to bring my ideas to life at a young age. On a personal note I’m beholden to my best friends, Regina and Mary, and my husband Jason, for his amazing support.

Website: https://www.leadershipohio.org

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisaduty/

Twitter: https://x.com/LisaDuty1