The heart of Columbus Gives Back is our leadership team. We strive to create a welcoming, engaging, and fun experience for you at every event – something that sets CGB apart from other volunteer opportunities. (And we’re all volunteering our time, too.)
Read more about our team below. Sign up for an upcoming volunteer event.
Are you interested in becoming an event leader? Click here to fill out our online application.
Board
Diana Yates
President; Director of Marketing
Columbus Gives Back
Alfred Yates
Director of Engagement
Columbus Gives Back
Richard Sanders
Director of Media & Communications
Columbus Gives Back
Taylor Putnam-Majarian
Director of Team Initiatives & Special Events
Columbus Gives Back
Andy Durczynski
Director of Finance & Development
Columbus Gives Back
Caleb Miller
Chief Information Officer
Columbus Gives BackEvent Leaders
Chidi Aninweze
Event Leader
Columbus Gives Back
Stephanie Barnes
Event Leader
Columbus Gives Back
Bennett Coltman
Event Leader
Columbus Gives Back
Jon Conaway
Event Leader
Columbus Gives Back
Jordann Dillard
Event Leader
Columbus Gives Back
Okon Ekpenyong
Event Leader
Columbus Gives Back
Stephen Fenderson
Event Leader
Columbus Gives Back
Isabel Fernandez
Event Leader
Columbus Gives Back
Mathias Helbach
Event Leader
Columbus Gives Back
Jamaal Henry
Event Leader
Columbus Gives Back
Doug Hermanson
Event Leader
Columbus Gives Back
Mackenzie Jones
Event Leader
Columbus Gives Back
Michael King
Event Leader
Columbus Gives Back
Matt LeDonne
Event Leader
Columbus Gives Back
Tom Middleton
Event Leader
Columbus Gives Back
Evan Miller
Event Leader
Columbus Gives Back
Brittany Peterson
Event Leader
Columbus Gives Back
David Ratcliff
Event Leader
Columbus Gives Back
Jamie Sirockman
Event Leader
Columbus Gives Back
Anna Zelmer
Event Leader
Columbus Gives BackHow it All Began
Columbus Gives Back is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, providing about 30-40 social volunteer events per month throughout central Ohio. We’re proud to partner with over 150 local organizations.
In 2009, Juilana Pernick Hardymon made a New Years Resolution to start volunteering again. When realizing how difficult this process could be, she dreamed of a volunteer organization with more ease and flexibility.
Read more
And so, Columbus Gives Back was born.
Juliana posted the very first event on Craigslist to make dinner for the Unverferth House. To her surprise, ten volunteers showed up, had a great time, and went to their first social twist at Hamptons on King.
As CGB grew, so did the model.
In December 2011, Joe Geissler stepped in as the new president and helped create the first true executive board. He also greatly increased the number of events provided per month.
In July 2014, Caroline Chao took charge and continued CGB’s mission while constantly recruiting new volunteers. Amanda Shafer became president in March of 2017, expanding the executive board to 7 members and helping us to become an official 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Caleb Miller led us throughout 2019, which is also the year CGB celebrated ten years this March. Diana Yates stepped up to the President plate in January of 2020.
In 2018, we led our 1,000th event. In 2020, we will hit 2,000, and are volunteering with more of our community than ever before.
And we’re just getting started. 💙#cbusgivesback
