Meet Our Team

The Team Behind it All

We are who we are today because of our team members. Our team is comprised of diversity practitioners from corporations and organizations throughout Central Ohio. Each of our team members moves CODC forward in helping us achieve our vision of collectively advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion by collaboration and knowledge transfer across organizations throughout Central Ohio. 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS & OFFICERS

Sherrice Sledge-Thomas

Sherrice Sledge-Thomas

President

Get to know Sherrice

Sherrice Sledge-Thomas is the VP of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access (DEIA) at the Columbus Chamber where she’s focused on equipping Chamber members to take their DEIA practices to the next level.

Prior to joining the Chamber, she was with NiSource, one of the largest fully-regulated utility companies in the United States. Sherrice served as the Director of Change Management, leading the design and execution of innovative stakeholder engagement strategies with a keen focus on data analytics. She also led the Professional Development Committee for LEAD, the company’s African-American employee resource group. Sherrice spent 19 years at Nationwide, a Fortune 100 company, holding both leadership and individual contributor roles in Organization Effectiveness, Talent Management, and Leadership Development. She also served as the Vice President and Professional Development Chair for AWARE, the African-American women’s associate resource group.

As a first-generation college graduate, Sherrice holds a Master of Business Administration with a focus in Organizational Leadership and Management from Franklin University and a Bachelor of Arts degree with a focus in Women’s Studies from The Ohio State University. She’s also published two books, The Balance Finder and Hot Like Fire.

Sherrice resides in Groveport with her husband Frederick and twin sons, David and Joseph AKA The Wonder Twins. Her eldest son has a family of his own, making Sherrice the proud grandmother of five. Ironically, two of her grandchildren are twins. In her free time, Sherrice cooks with her family, creates herbal medicine, participates in Peloton fitness classes, and practices yoga.

Margaret Finley

Margaret Finley

Vice President

Get to know Margaret

Margaret D. Finley, CPEC, CDP is the Director, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer at Advanced Drainage Systems. Ms. Finley brings to her role more than fifteen years of experience collaborating with clients to help them understand their diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) business needs and implementing strategies to advance their DE&I journey.
Her background in learning and development, organizational development, and human capital development enables her to establish strong value-added partnerships with clients. Her work
primarily focuses on talent optimization strategies that include diversity, inclusion, engagement, and performance management training and consulting. Ms. Finley has worked in the non-profit
sector and corporate America. During her time at both JPMorgan Chase and Nationwide, she helped lead diversity and inclusion initiatives and their respective affinity groups, where she received awards and recognition for advancing diversity and inclusion. Ms. Finley is a certified
personal and executive coach, the founder of a non-profit MoveHERForward, and Principal of HERWay Forward Coaching and Consulting. She is a graduate of Leadership Columbus and United Way of Central Ohio Project Diversity. She also received the honor of being selected as
one of twelve women “WELDing The Way” by Women For Economic and Leadership
Development. Ms. Finley holds a Bachelor of Science degree in global management and communications from Wilberforce University. She also holds certifications in Emotional Intelligence from EBPSYCH, DISC Personalysis and Certified Diversity Professional from National Diversity Council – DiversityFIRST Certification Program.

Ralonda Hampton

Ralonda Hampton

Board Member

Get to know Ralonda

Ralonda Hampton serves as the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC’s), Diversity, Inclusion and Engagement Officer. In this position, Hampton is part of MORPC’s Communications & Engagement team and responsible for the agency’s diversity & inclusion programs and initiatives.

Hampton also develops, conducts and reviews MORPC’s outreach strategies to ensure compliance with branding, public involvement and diversity policies. She works on the agency’s diversity plan and assist with implementing public relations strategies that reflect MORPC’s commitment to diversity & inclusion.

Ralonda first began her career in public service at The Ohio Treasurer of State. As a Program Manager in the Economic Development Department, Ralonda served on an intimate team responsible for managing the Treasury’s $800 million portfolio.

Prior to joining MORPC, Hampton served as a Legislative Aide at Columbus City Council.  Hampton worked on the Diversity and Inclusion, Small and Minority Business, Economic Development, Housing and Recreation and Parks Committees.

Hampton has more than 13 years of experience in the public and private sectors spanning in human resources, diversity, inclusion, economic development and community engagement. Her background includes facilitating critical conversations and solving complex issues while interacting with constituents, elected officials, business leaders and community organizations.

Ralonda holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, from Kentucky State University. She resides in Columbus with her husband Kenny and two children, Kennedy and KJ.

Adrian Sullivan

Adrian Sullivan

President Emeritus

Get to know Adrian

Adrian Sullivan is the Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for Worthington Industries, a leading global manufacturing company. His key responsibilities include the education and expansion of diversity, equity and inclusion best practices throughout Worthington Industries and its joint ventures.

Adrian works in concert with business segments on strategic programs and systems related to attracting, retaining and promoting a diverse workforce, while establishing an inclusive work environment in support of Worthington Industries’ corporate philosophy, values and practices. Adrian is also focused on creating a path forward for Business Resource Groups in multiple regions and locations for the organization. Adrian volunteers his time by serving as President of the Central Ohio Diversity Consortium and through his ministry with his local congregation. In addition to diversity and inclusion work, Adrian has a background in Affirmative Action Compliance and EEOC Governance, as well as Supplier Diversity.

Lenore Winfrey

Lenore Winfrey

Board Member

Get to know Lenore

Lenore is co-founder and chair of the Diversity & Inclusion Committee for the Ohio School Boards Association (OSBA). As Chair, she is committed to building a workplace environment in which everyone feels valued, respected and included, and is treated with dignity. She is also a member of OSBA’s Diversity and Equity Committee where the goal is to increase the public’s understanding of poverty and its impact on student learning, reducing the achievement gap and increase our members understanding about the barriers in education.

Prior to joining OSBA in 2003, Winfrey directed the Speakers Bureau for the American Heart Association and she has held other political, management and diversity roles within the Franklin County government.

Ankit Shah

Ankit Shah

Board Member

Get to know Ankit

Ankit has more than ten years of experience in the DE&I, talent management, career management field within higher education, healthcare, and K-12 settings. He had the privilege of assisting underserved as well as underrepresented populations in his entire professional journey, specifically in the lens of P-20. Now, due to his diverse educational and professional journey, he can use all his experiences to work with the multi-generational professionals to assist with their diverse talent management needs across organizations and industries.

Ankit currently serves as a Vice President of Programming for Human Resources Association of Central Ohio (HRACO). Additionally, he serves on the Board of Directors for Central Ohio Diversity Consortium. He also serves on Workforce Development Committee and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Access Committee at the Columbus Chamber of Commerce. In the past, Ankit served as a Diversity & Inclusion Special Interest Group leader for Central Ohio Association of Talent Development (COATD) and currently serves as a member of the committee. He recently graduated from emerging leadership program which he was nominated by leadership through Columbus Chamber of Commerce.

Ankit also have had the opportunity to present at variety of professional associations and organizations. Please see below all his achievements in the presentation area.

“Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Importance of Belonging in the Workplace”, New Directions, 2022

“Understanding Generational Diversity in Today’s Workplace: Creating Synergies Through Effective Communication”, National Diversity Council, 2022

“The Great Resignation: Employees Voice”, OCDA, 2021

“Continuous Career Disruptions Across Industries: Confidently Committed to Changing Racial Equality, Gender Equity, and Need to Create an Inclusive Workforce”, OCDA, 2021

“Creating Synergies Across the Multigenerational Workforce”, Ohio Diversity Council, 2021

Ankit holds a BS in Early Childhood Education from University of Toledo and a MEd in Higher Education Administration with specialization in Student Affairs from North Carolina State University. He recently graduated with his second master’s degree, MA in Workforce Development & Education with specialization in Adult Education & Human Resources Development from The Ohio State University.

Lisa Dent

Lisa Dent

Board Member

Get to know Lisa
Kourtni Hatton

Kourtni Hatton

Board Member

Get to know Kourtni

Kourtni Hatton is a native of the Cleveland area who has lived, worked, and served in Central Ohio since 2010. She is a champion for workplace equity and is known to leverage her relationships to help bridge the gap between employers and their staff to drive organizational results. Dedicated to being an advocate in the workplace, boardroom and community for underrepresented people, her ability to coach employees and leaders through change has led to positive outcomes to strengthen the organizations and community.

Kourtni is the Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer and Vice President of Community Engagement at United Way of Central Ohio (UWCO). In her role, she is responsible for amplifying the organization’s diversity, equity and inclusion and workplace culture efforts. She directs funded partner board diversity strategies, leads external and internal DEI committees and oversees the Project Diversity Pride Leadership board development program. Kourtni also leads the effort for community engagement focused on an increased commitment in strengthening UWCO’s relationships with community partners, especially those lead by and/or primarily serving people of color and diverse populations.

Committed to engaging and learning from her Columbus community, to date, Ms. Hatton has nearly 15 years of community service and advocacy experience. Kourtni is a member of Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and in 2018 received her SHRM certification. She is passionate about reinvesting in central Ohio, demonstrated through completion of UWCO’s Project Diversity board development program, as an African American Leadership Academy Fellow and through community involvement as a volunteer and mentor through programs at Godman Guild, City Year and SHRM. Locally, Kourtni has previously served on the Hilliard/Ray Patch YMCA Advisory Board and as the secretary on the Board of Trustees for Bridgeway Academy. She currently serves on the Talent Advisory Council and the Culture Transformation Task Force for United Way Worldwide and as a board member for the Eldon & Elsie Ward Family YMCA.

In 2022, Kourtni was recognized as one of Columbus Business First’s 40 Under 40 Honorees and as one of Columbus Urban League’s 2022 Herstory Movers & Shakers. Kourtni enjoys traveling, podcasts, hosting gatherings and spending time with family and friends.