Staff Members

Mary has worked in Lower Price Hill since 2010 as an educator, organizer, and nonprofit leader. She helped found Community Matters in 2014 and has been instrumental in bringing a strengths-based approach to our work. In addition to her leadership of Community Matters, Mary has served on numerous local boards and committees to advocate for continued strengths-based investment throughout the region. Mary earned a bachelor’s degree from Xavier University.

513-244-2214 ext. 208
mary@cmcincy.org

Emily’s passion for our neighbors and neighborhood is matched by her commitment to transparency, which makes her one of the strongest financial professionals in the nonprofit sector. She joined the organization in 2008 and has been part of the leadership team through the creation of Community Matters and the merger with Education Matters. Emily holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from Cumberland College.

513-244-2214 ext. 207
emily@cmcincy.org

Patty has worked for art, environmental, and local history organizations, and she has served a variety of roles since joining the staff of Community Matters. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Berea College and a master’s in nonprofit management from Walden University. That well-rounded experience gives her a unique perspective in her current role leading fundraising and marketing, as well as business development of the Washing Well.

513-244-2214 ext. 211
patty@cmcincy.org

Jenna is passionate about empowering community members to create change through relationships and shared strengths. A graduate of Xavier University, she is also a licensed social worker in 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.

513-244-2214 ext. 209
jenna@cmcincy.org

Erica joined the staff in 2010 as a tutor, then helped the Education Forward program pivot instruction to the revised GED exam, and now she leads the instructional team as program manager. If she is not making students laugh, she is busy emphasizing the importance of pursuing education at any stage in life. Motivated by her students, Erica earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Cincinnati in 2022 and is pursuing a Master of Education through Kent State University.

513-244-2214 ext. 205
erica@cmcincy.org

Scott served on the board of Community Matters for 9 years before joining the advancement team in 2023. He has more than 25 years of writing and communications experience across a variety of roles, from covering the World Series as a newspaper reporter to writing grants and telling success stories for local nonprofits.

513-244-2214 ext. 204
scott@cmcincy.org

Tracy has worked in the nonprofit sector for more than a dozen 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. She earned a bachelor’s degree in social work from Mount St. Joseph University, and she is a licensed social worker in Ohio.

513-244-2214 ext. 202
tracy@cmcincy.org

LaMonica has worked in the nonprofit sector for more than 25 years, and she has been recognized by her peers across the community multiple times, including receiving the Dr. Martin Luther King “Keep the Dream Alive” Award in for her work in Winton Terrace. She earned a master’s degree in Christian counseling, and she serves as Senior Pastor of The Turning Pointe Outreach Ministries in addition to her role at Community Matters.

513-244-2214 ext. 214
lamonica@cmcincy.org

Sarah earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from the University of Cincinnati, but her true passion is teaching. She is inspired daily to help build the confidence of each adult learner who walks through the door. Her goals are to make students feel comfortable learning with Community Matters and to show them that they can pass the GED test.

513-244-2214 ext. 203
sarah@cmcincy.org

An accomplished artist and gardener, Hannah joined the Education Forward staff as an AmeriCorps volunteer and found a passion for teaching math. She enjoys getting to know her students, and she is driven by a belief that every student can succeed if given the opportunity. Hannah earned a bachelor’s degree in painting from Eastern Kentucky.

513-244-2214 ext. 215
hannah@cmcincy.org

Aisha started working in Lower Price Hill as an instructor in 2012 while earning her bachelor’s degree from Xavier University. In 2024, she attended a private cohort through Google Careers and earned certification in Project Management from the company. She also served on our Board for 5 years before rejoining the Education Forward team in 2026. Community Matters has always been a wonderful place to grow and naturally feels like a second home to her! She is excited to go on the journey with students in passing the GED exam, while encouraging them to achieve their goals.

513-244-2214 ext. 203
aisha@cmcincy.org

Lissette earned her high school equivalency through our Education Forward program, and she first joined our staff as an AmeriCorps service member tutoring across our adult education programs. Upon completion of her service year, Lissette joined our team as a permanent instructor. In her free time, Lissette is an avid and creative writer.

513-244-2214 ext. 203
lissette@cmcincy.org

Kimmi and her family have engaged with nearly every program at Community Matters, from earning her high school equivalency to becoming a homeowner and community leader to joining the staff. Her commitment to personal growth and community development has inspired neighbors and co-workers. Kimmi earned an associate’s degree in early childhood education from Cincinnati State and a bachelor’s degree in organizational leadership from Northern Kentucky University.

513-244-2214 ext. 216
kimmi@cmcincy.org

The longest-tenured employee at Community Matters, Patty provides a welcoming smile for Education Forward students and a patient, caring approach for their children, which allows our students to make the most of their instructional time. Patty earned her high school equivalency at the former Lower Price Hill Community School and later earned an Associate’s Degree in Child Development through Cincinnati State.

513-244-2214 ext. 206
patty.h@cmcincy.org

With family ties in Lower Price Hill, Alicia is excited to work in the place she considers home. While studying art and social justice at Bellarmine University and working for multiple nonprofits as an AmeriCorps volunteer, she developed a passion for fostering empathetic community relationships. She is an accomplished artist and gardener, and she employs her unique array of skills through the LPH Community Gardens, the Artist Collective, and other community organizing work.

alicia@cmcincy.org

Before joining Community Matters, Austin worked in community-centered development with Redeveloping Rural Regions in Bowling Green, Ohio, and the City of Cincinnati’s Department of Community and Economic Development, where he served as Lower Price Hill’s Neighborhood Development Officer. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in international studies from Bowling Green State University and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Cincinnati. Outside of work, Austin enjoys cooking, history, canoeing, video games, traveling, and time with his fiancée, Danielle, and their dog, Noodle.

513-244-2214 ext. 210
austin@cmcincy.org

Felicia’s work ethic and enthusiasm have helped transform the Washing Well from a neighborhood laundromat to a community hub, where neighbors share stories and learn about new opportunities while washing their clothes. Felicia lived in various Cincinnati neighborhoods before settling in Lower Price Hill, and she quickly became a community leader. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, watching old movies and crime shows, and spending time with her children and grandchildren.

513-244-4151
felicia@cmcincy.org

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.

513-244-4151
brandon@cmcincy.org