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Helen Jones-Kelley oversees efforts to provide treatment amid supportive services to residents and their families who are facing mental health and substance use challenges. Throughout her career she has advocated on behalf of children, families, and individuals who needed their voice in places where they felt unheard or helpless. During the pandemic, she led the coordination of resources and service provider collaboration to ensure programs and treatment for people dealing with isolation and trauma. Her engagement with resolving equity for marginalized people is evidenced in the many community boards where she has been engaged.
Retired CEO and President of the United Way of Greater Dayton
Tom Maultsby believes in bettering communities connecting people and opportunities. For the first two years of the pandemic, Tom armed community leaders stakeholders with the most current information about COVID-19 from the leadership at Dayton-Montgomery County Public Health, and local and federal government. The retired CEO and President of the United Way of Greater Dayton, works exclusively through his consulting practice, Group One Development. Tom has trained hundreds of participants in a range of disciplines, including positive leadership, diversity, emotional intelligence, team building, and strategic planning.
KTownsend Consulting offers expertise in leadership development and 21st century diversity. Dr. Karen works with corporate, government and non-profit clients and individuals who are committed to advancing their leadership skills. Dr. Karen has a long-standing commitment to the Urban League movement. She was a program assistant at the Columbus Urban League and ultimately served as a board member for the Dayton Urban League. Dr. Karen is the founder of Sister to Sister—an annual women’s conference hosted in Dayton. This year, the conference will celebrate its 30th anniversary—making the conference one of the longest-running women’s events in the country.
As System Director of Community & Government Relations and Site Communications for Premier Health, Sharon was on the frontline to inform the Dayton community on COVID protocols, testing and treatments. Beginning her career in broadcast television, Sharon has received numerous accolades for her work, including the Regional Communicator of the Year Award by the International Communications Training Institute, multiple National “Communicator” and “Telly” Awards and much more. She has been an intricate part of the Urban League movement in Dayton having served and chaired the local board, as well as the Dayton Urban League Gala, earning her recognition as Central Region Volunteer of the Year from the National Urban League.
The Pillars' legacy lives on because these icons are devoted to empowering their community. Honor a Pillar today!
2016
Willie Walker
John Moore, Sr.
2017
Margaret Peters
Jenell Ross
2018
RoNita Hawes Saunders
Willis "Bing" Davis
2019
Daryl & Vanessa Ward
Dr. & Mrs. Charles S. Brown
2022
Stacy Thompson Speare-Hardy
Cathy Ponitz
Lucious Plant
LFL Insurance, Leronda Jackson, Owner
2023
Helen Jones Kelley
J. Tom Maultsby
Sharon White
KTownsend Consulting, Dr. Karen Townsend, Owner
Cincinnati Office
3458 Reading Rd.
Cincinnati, OH 45229
(513) 281-9955
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907 W. 5th St. 2nd floor
Dayton, OH 45402
(937) 226-1513
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