Our Team

Mary has worked in the Lower Price Hill community since 2010 as an educator, organizer, and non-profit leader.  In 2014 she co-founded Community Matters alongside the leadership of Education Matters, where she previously served as Vice President.  As a community organizer, she believes in the power and potential of the Lower Price Hill community. Mary leads Community Matters with a focus on innovative social entrepreneurship rooted in community. Mary holds a BA in International Affairs, with a focus on international economic development, from Xavier University. In addition to her work at Community Matters, Mary currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Sedamsville Community Development Corporation.

e: mary@cmcincy.org

Emily worked in the nonprofit sector for 6 years before joining the team at Education Matters in 2008. She is driven by a strong passion for people and community. Her belief in complete transparency in the non-profit sector makes her one of the strongest professionals in non-profit finance. On a daily basis, Emily manages our accounting and finances. She holds a BS in Communications from Cumberland College.

e: emily@cmcincy.org

Patty holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Berea College and a Master of Public Administration in Nonprofit Management and Leadership from Walden University. It was while living in Berea that her passion for empowering communities through service began. Her previous nonprofit experience includes program and project management, event planning, grant writing, and marketing, public relations, and graphic design for art, public art, environmental, and local history organizations. A native of western Pennsylvania, her personal interests include hiking, photography, bird-watching, and cooking.

e: patty@cmcincy.org

Jenna holds a Bachelor of Social Work from Xavier University and a Master of Science in Social Work from the University of Tennessee. She is a licensed social worker in the state of Ohio. Her previous direct service experience includes providing emergency assistance to immigrants and case management for men and women experiencing homelessness. Her indirect work experience includes program design, implementation, and evaluation. Jenna is passionate about empowering community members to create change through relationships and shared strengths. Jenna is originally from middle Tennessee, and she enjoys crocheting and camping in her free time.

e: jenna@cmcincy.org

A lifelong resident of Cincinnati, Stella graduated from Miami University (Ohio) with a dual degree in Psychology and Family Studies. In 2013, she joined our sister organization, Education Matters, as an AmeriCorps member in the College Bridge Program. Her heart was won over by the people and places of Lower Price Hill, and she became committed to being a part of the community. This foundation of serving others with dignity and respect made Stella an important teammate at Education Matters, and now, Community Matters. Her experience has allowed her to strengthen her planning skills and foster her “get-it-done” attitude, which she now uses to coordinate events in The Sanctuary and oversee the operations of the Saint Michael’s Campus.

e: stella@cmcincy.org

Nora moved to Cincinnati four years ago from Phoenix, AZ where she earned her BA in Global Health from Arizona State University. Nora’s first year in Cincinnati was spent working with Freestore Foodbank as a community organizer and AmeriCorps VISTA. From there, she went on to work in Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital conducting home visits with at-risk families enrolled in a co-parenting program. Now she strives to be a source of hope and help for the residents of Lower Price Hill.

e: nora@cmcincy.org

As a resident of LPH for 3 years, Alicia is excited to be working in the place she calls home. Getting to see how our work directly impacts individuals and families inspired her to join our team. After studying art and social justice at Bellarmine University, Alicia spent two years as an AmeriCorps volunteer, serving at Community Shares and Price Hill Will. During this time she developed a passion for fostering empathetic community relationships, which she continues to employ through the LPH Community Gardens and LPH Artist Collective.

e: alicia@cmcincy.org

Katelynn only stands 59 inches from the ground and maintains a great perspective on life because she’s always looking up. She was born and raised in Lexington, Kentucky where she graduated from Tates Creek High School, and pursued college as a first generation student. She holds two Bachelor of Science degrees in Dietetics and Family Science from the University of Kentucky; where she also became a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.

She serves as an AmeriCorps Anti-Hunger and Opportunity Corps – VISTA at Community Matters. She also enjoys the challenge of fixing problems and seeking opportunities for constant improvements.

e: katelynn@cmcincy.org

Karin is a recent graduate of Mount St. Joseph University with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Psychology. She worked in the Lower Price Hill community at Santa Maria as a Youth Worker in the summers of 2014 and 2015 and developed a love for the community. Karin loves people and enjoys helping others in any way she can. Non-profit work is very important and meaningful to her. As an AmeriCorps member, her focus at Community Matters is researching employment opportunities and training.

e: karin@cmcincy.org

A recent graduate of the University of Cincinnati, Taylor holds a degree in Neuroscience and Economics. She is spending a year in service as a member of the Americorps VISTA program with Community Matters. When she is not working hard in Lower Price Hill, Taylor is the volunteer coordinator at The Hive: Center for Art, Action and Contemplation. Her personal interests include playing board games, reading, camping, cooking and US Masters swimming.

e: volunteer@cmcincy.org

Carlos is a Cincinnati native and has spent over four years doing community service in the Greater Cincinnati area. He holds a BA in Theatre and is currently seeking his MA in Communication from Northern Kentucky University. He is happy to have Community Matters as his service site and believes his service year here will be a great opportunity to give back to a city he loves.

e: carlos@cmcincy.org