Meet Our Team

Mary has worked in the Lower Price Hill community since 2010 as an educator, organizer, and non-profit leader. In 2014, she helped found Community Matters. 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 investing in the strengths and assets within the community to build a thriving and equitable future. Mary holds a BA in International Affairs from Xavier University, with a focus on international economic development. In addition to her work at Community Matters, Mary currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Leadership Council for Nonprofits, the Human Services Council of Hamilton County, Cradle to Career Cincinnati, and the Ohio CDC Association.

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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.

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Patty holds a BS 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 art, public art, environmental, and local history organizations. At Community Matters, Patty also oversees the business development of the Washing Well laundromat. A native of western Pennsylvania, her personal interests include hiking, photography, bird-watching, and cooking.

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

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Tracy has worked in the non-profit sector for over 15 years and has a passion for community organizing. She loves working with residents and seeing strengths emerge in people, which in turn, strengthens the entire community. Tracy is a licensed social worker in the state of Ohio and has a BA in Social Work from Mount St. Joseph University. Her hobbies include hiking, spending time in nature, and reading.

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LaMonica has a Master’s Degree in Christian Counseling. LaMonica has worked in the non-profit sector for over 25 years, and in 2015, she received The Martin Luther King, Jr. “Keeping The Dream Alive” Award for her work in Greater Cincinnati communities. In 2016, WCPO featured a five-chapter story, “A Prayer for Winton Terrace,” about her life. In addition to her role at Community Matters, LaMonica is Senior Pastor of The Turning Pointe Outreach Ministries, and she has two adult children whom she loves dearly.

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Emily is a life-long resident of the Price Hill area, and she has been working in the community for nearly 6 years. Emily has studied to be a Medical Assistant, and she is also a Certified Home Health Worker. Emily is married and has 3 boys.

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With family ties in the Lower Price Hill neighborhood, Alicia is excited to work in the place she considers home. 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, The Artist Collective, and other community organizing work.

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Will Porter is an organizer and juvenile justice advocate. He leads the Empowering Community Justice Initiative, which supports youth and their families as they navigate the pretrial process of juvenile court in Hamilton County. He is staunchly committed to youth, community, and the ability of all people to thrive. In order to do so, he believes in dismantling oppressive systems and structures like the criminal justice system. He is a 1L at Chase College of Law at Northern Kentucky University in the part-time evening division. Will is a father of a 2-year-old and husband of 6 years to Tessa, a full-time mother and part-time baker.

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Several years ago, Raine decided to forgo her corporate job in the Paralegal and Criminal Justice field to pursue her passion and purpose to be of service to others. A graduate of Cincinnati Christian University with her BAS in Ministry, Raine believes that investing in people returns the greatest profit. Outside of work, she loves to spend time with her husband of 25 years and go shopping.

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Born in Evanston, Felicia has resided all over the city, including the neighborhoods of Clifton, Avondale, Over-the-Rhine, and Westwood.  She has lived in Lower Price Hill now for 6 years and enjoys being part of this community. Within the Washing Well, Felicia is excited to serve as a community leader. In her free time, Felicia has a passion for cooking, watching old movies and crime TV, and enjoying time with her two kids and seven grandchildren.

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A long-time resident of Lower Price Hill, Brandon is one of two community members who lead the daily operations of the Washing Well laundromat. Brandon is glad to be a part of the Washing Well team because it meets an important community need, is a space for him to connect with his neighbors, and invests in him as a leader.

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