Welcome to the 2025 WE:LEAD Annual Women's Business Forum!

The WE:LEAD program, led by the Grove City Area Chamber of Commerce, is a premier initiative dedicated to empowering women at every stage of their careers. Our mission is to inspire, equip, and support women to lead, educate, and mentor others.

Now in its 13th year, the Forum has become a cherished event in Central Ohio. With a dynamic lineup of speakers, an engaging Q&A session featuring panelists from all generations, and an unforgettable keynote address, you, along with your friends, family, and colleagues, will have the opportunity to network, learn, and be inspired to reach your fullest potential. We look forward to seeing you on March 12th!

Presenters

Barb Smoot

Keynote Speaker

Barb Smoot is the President & CEO of Women for Economic and Leadership Development (WELD), the organization that develops and advances women’s leadership to strengthen the economic prosperity of the communities it serves. As WELD’s first president, Barb is the driving force behind WELD’s rapid growth. She serves as primary community liaison, overseeing fundraising, collaborative partnerships and development and implementation of WELD’s new strategic initiatives, including WELD’s national expansion.

Barb has a long track record of board and commission service in diverse roles and industries. She serves on the board of the Ohio Bar Liability Insurance Company and chairs the Advisory Board of Western Governors University Ohio, a region with over 5,000 enrolled students and a university with over 400,000 graduates. She is a past board member and past Audit Finance & Risk Committee Chair of National Church Residences, the country’s largest not-for-profit provider of affordable senior housing and a national leader in supportive services with a footprint in over 310 communities and 25 states.

As a past commissioner on the Columbus Women’s Commission, Barb chaired the Gender Equity in the Workplace Committee, spearheading the development of the community strategy to build awareness of the gender and racial pay gaps and measures to help eliminate them. Barb has also served on the Westerville Board of Zoning Appeals, the St. Joseph Montessori School Board and the Nationwide Federal Credit Union, an organization with $500 million in assets.
Barb is a proven, versatile leader with prior executive roles in the insurance industry where she honed extensive experience in strategic planning, profit and loss center management, line responsibilities, product management and business development. As Vice President of Business Development for Nationwide Financial’s In-Retirement Division, Barb, a past Fellow in the Society of Actuaries, led the development and implementation of IRA rollover strategies to retain customer assets from Nationwide’s nearly $100 billion Retirement Plans business segment and to attract new customers to the company.

Previous roles also include serving as business development head for Income Products and product manager for the company’s individual life insurance line of business, a profit center that generated over $80 million in pre-tax operating earnings and over $175 million in first-year premiums.
In 2023, Barb was the commencement speaker for Otterbein University’s graduate school and received an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters, In 2022, she was awarded the Doctor of Humane Letters honoris causa from Ohio Dominican University and served as their commencement speaker. Barb received the 2022 Nuestra Familia Award from the Ohio Latino Affairs Commission for her impact in Ohio’s Latino community.
She is a 2021 Otterbein University Honorary Alumna and a 2020 YWCA Columbus Woman of Achievement honoree. Barb was recognized as one of Columbus Business First’s 2024 Power 125 and 2019-2021 Power 100 and selected as Columbus CEO 2017 CEO of the Year for Small Nonprofits. Barb is a graduate of Amherst College with a Bachelor of Arts in Physics.

Shawn Ireland

Presenter

Shawn Ireland has been heard and seen for almost 40 years on morning radio and morning television in Central Ohio. Included among her many stops-The WNCI Morning Zoo, Sunny 95, and Good Day Columbus on ABC6/FOX28. These days Shawn has transitioned to her other loves…supporting seniors and nonprofits.
Shawn is the owner and operator of The Shawn Ireland Agency- a boutique multi-media marketing company creating storytelling digital assets for nonprofits and small businesses. In addition, she currently serves as the Marketing Director, for FirstLight Home Care of Central Ohio, where she created and hosts a weekly Youtube and audio podcast series called “Navigating Senior Care”-a resource for families trying to sort through the complexities of senior care.

In her spare time, Shawn can be seen around town emceeing for many causes and speaking to groups on her experiences in media and life.
The not-working Shawn, is the mother of two grown children, her daughter Cydney, who is engaged and lives in Philadelphia, and her son, Graham, who is married and lives in L.A.
Shawn is also a dog Mom to two rescue dogs-Bella Donna, and Stevie Nips. And yes, you guessed it by their names, Shawn loves Fleetwood Mac!

Kristina Stuecher

Presenter

Kristina Stuecher is the executive leader serving as Vice President Operations for the OhioHealth Women’s Center. Kristina was named to lead the largest investment in OhioHealth’s history; a dedicated and comprehensive hospital and medical office building for women’s and reproductive health on the Riverside Methodist Hospital campus opening in early 2027. In this role, Kristina serves as the operational executive to deliver on the promise of quality care that is a coordinated, seamless, and personalized for all.

Kristina has been with OhioHealth for 10 years, serving in executive roles within the OhioHealth Physician Group across Surgery, Women's Health, and Primary Care Service Lines.

When Kristina is not spending time with her daughter and husband, you can find her enjoying the Columbus vibrant performing arts scene or supporting the Franklin County community through service, where she serves on the Board for Freedom a la Cart and Community Shelter Board.

Amanda McCullouch

Presenter

Amanda McCullouch, SHRM-SCP, serves as Vice President and Regional Chief Human Resources Officer at Mount Carmel Health System. In her role, she strategically supports the senior leaders and over 8,000 colleagues across 4 (soon to be 5) acute care hospitals, Mount Carmel’s Health Plan (MediGold), the Mount Carmel College of Nursing, Mount Carmel Medical Group, and various other ambulatory and joint venture facilities. Amanda has been with Mount Carmel for 18-years; and has more than 20-years of Human Resources experience.

She prides herself on maintaining a positive, can-do attitude; and enjoys being a servant leader. She has successfully managed professional growth within her career while balancing motherhood. Amanda’s philosophy on work-life balance is to give 110% at work and at home while setting boundaries to ensure both receive the attention deserved and needed. Amanda graduated from Bowling Green State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Interpersonal Communications.

She achieved her Society for Human Resources Management Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) certification in May 2021. Amanda is a Board member for Diley Ridge Medical Center, the Grove City Area Chamber of Commerce, the COSI Community Board. She also serves as an advisory board member for the Human Capital Institute and Franklin University Human Resources Management. She has also served as a member of the Executive Leadership Team for the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women movement. Amanda resides in Grove City, Ohio with her husband (James), 12-year-old identical twin boys (Asher and Cayden), the family’s St. Bernard (Zeke), and grumpy cat (Lexie). In the little free time she has, Amanda enjoys working out, watching her boys play basketball, reading, and spending time outdoors with her family.

Panelists

Alex Varney

Panelist

Alex Varney is a proud Grove City native and alumna of Grove City High School and The Ohio State University, and is the VP of Operations for Pinnacle Pets, a premier family-owned pet resort. In addition to running her business, Alex is a sought-after consultant and speaker in the pet care industry, sharing her expertise nationwide.
Passionate about the growth and vitality of her hometown, Alex actively contributes to numerous community organizations and initiatives, including Grove City Rotary, the Grove City Area Young Professionals, the Chamber of Commerce, the Career Development Program Advisory Board for SWCS, and Project Life. She is dedicated to empowering local professionals and students alike, believing that a thriving community is built on collaboration and opportunity.

Alex has called Grove City home for nearly 20 years and has no plans to leave this vibrant, welcoming community. In her spare time, she loves writing, playing video games, and spoiling her own pets. A passionate supporter of small businesses, Alex enjoys traveling across Ohio to explore hidden gems like cozy coffee shops, local eateries, glassblowing studios, and unique gaming spots, always on the hunt for her next great find.

Trish Zelenak

Panelist

Trish Zelenak is a long time Grove City resident and Chamber member. She and her husband of thirty years, Paul Zelenak, have two daughters Peyton (a sophomore at the University of Kentucky) and Morgan (a Senior at Grove City High School).

Trish is a Senior Sales Liaison for National Church Residences where she helps advance better living for Senior Citizens. She represents three of National Church Residences Assisted Living communities in Central Ohio including Lincoln Village on the westside, Stygler Commons in Gahanna, and Chimes Terrace in Johnstown.

As an Army veteran of ten years Trish developed early on a strong sense of discipline, duty, and responsibility thanks to the many female military leaders who helped to guide her in her early adult years.

In her thirties, as she was juggling a career and parenthood, Trish was mentored by legends in the Senior Living Sector, Deborah Taylor and Jody Beckley. These women set high career expectations yet also provided a sense of understanding that family comes first. It is this balance along with the lessons from her mom to realize your limitless potential, drive hard toward your goals, be kind in every situation, and stay true to yourself that Trish lives by and passes on to other women she has the privilege of leading and mentoring.

Marjorie Brant

Panelist

Marjorie Brant brings a breadth and depth of experience that few can bring to the table. Her impressive career spans the fields of law, teaching of legal studies, emergency preparedness and management, and legal matters of the natural gas industry. She holds master’s degrees in both English and Library Science, and earned her Juris Doctor from The Ohio State University.

Her early career was spent with what was formerly the Columbia Gas Company where she held various legal positions. In the early 2000s, Marjorie began to transition her career toward teaching and emergency management as she earned her graduate certificate in Emergency Management. She has taught emergency management courses and has been key in implementing emergency management practices, including being a member of a committee that developed infrastructure security protocols post-9/11.

Her expertise is also utilized by local Red Cross organizations ensuring communities are prepared. She is a member of the Red Cross Administration Team in which her chapter serves a three-county area.
In 2009, Marjorie established her own solo practice law office here in Grove City. In a part time capacity, she focuses on family law, estate planning, and commercial transactions. Her teaching credentials include work with Jacksonville State University (Alabama), Tiffin University, and Harrison College. Additionally, Marjorie has three bar admissions and two professional publications.

Mary Titus

Panelist

Mary Titus is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor with the Counseling Source. She is a retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel who served 24-years with two combat deployments to Iraq.

Mary earned a Bronze Star and Airborne wings among many medals of her honorable service. Her military service contributed to her earning her 2nd master’s degree from the University of Dayton in Mental Health Counseling to help our Heroes struggling with PTSD.

Mary grew up in Maryland where she excelled in track and field and Cross Country, earning All-State Honors. She attended Frostburg State University and entered the ROTC program where she earned her Army Officer Commission and a Bachelor’s Degree in Education.
Mary earned her first Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Ashland University in 2001. She worked at the Delaware Area Career Center as an English teacher and as their Director until 2014.
Mary is married to Larry Titus. Mary and Larry own two businesses together, Air Quality Solutions that is a HVAC contracting business and Hero Havens for property development and support of Veterans. They both serve their community through Rotary, where Mary is President of the Rotary Club of Grove City.
The Titus Family resides in Grove City, Ohio and have four adult children, two grandchildren, and four parrots. In her free time, she enjoys Lake Erie living, island biking, and Buckeye & Browns football.

Kaziah Conrad

Panelist

Kaziah M. Conrad has been the Member Services and Marketing Specialist for the Chamber for the past three years. An accomplished gymnast and classically trained violinist, Kaziah has traveled the world performing and continues to play locally whenever she can. In her free time, she enjoys reading, savoring a warm bowl of soup, jet skiing, and her newest hobby—skydiving.

A graduate of Cedarville University, she and her husband, along with their beloved pets—Moose, a Golden Retriever, and Norman, a cat—are proud to call Grove City home. They enjoy exploring the Historic Town Center on beautiful evenings and shopping at the Farmers’ Market on Saturday mornings. At work, Kaziah is passionate about connecting with Chamber members, graphic design, and helping businesses maximize their membership benefits.

Welcome to the 2025 WE:LEAD Annual Women's Business Forum!

Presenters

Barb Smoot

Shawn Ireland

Kristina Stuecher

Amanda McCullouch

Panelists

Alex Varney

Trish Zelenak

Marjorie Brant

Mary Titus

Kaziah Conrad

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