Meet Our Board
Ben Shinabery,
President
Ben Shinabery moved to Columbus in 2004 to attend The Ohio State University. Shortly after graduating with a degree in education, Ben co-created We Amplify Voices (formerly The Dick and Jane Project). His work with WAV led him to The Arts and College Preparatory Academy, where he served as the Development Director until 2021. Ben currently works as a Project Manager for Olah Healthcare Technology.
Ben joined the board of The Friends of Metro Parks in March 2021 and was elected Board President in April 2022.
Aaron Lane,
Vice President
Aaron is an Industrial Design Engineer and Director of Marketing for Creative Mobile Interiors where he designs custom RVs, buses, vans, and trailers. Aaron grew up in Columbus and worked with/for the Outdoor Education Department of Columbus Recreation and Parks throughout high school and college. His love for the outdoors started as an adventurous child, grew through CRP, and has developed into this new opportunity that he is extremely excited for!
Jen McMullen,
Secretary
Jen is a life long Columbus resident. She and her two teen-aged kids live on the north side with their crazy dog, Rookie. Jen is an Electrical Designer and the IT Manager for a small engineering firm in Westerville. She enjoys hiking, backpacking, camping, rock climbing, and exploring Ohio history sites & craft breweries. She volunteers at Sharon Woods and other parks as needed. Her favorite park activities are the Winter Hikes, dog hikes, and helping with large programs.
Jesse Cantrell,
Treasurer
Jesse Cantrell believes that the Metro Parks serve an irreplaceable role in connecting people to nature and improving the quality of life for all members of the Columbus and Franklin County community. He lives in Bexley with his wife, two girls, and two dogs. They visit as many parks as often as they can. By day, Jesse is an attorney at Nationwide Insurance.
Joshua Hostetler
Joshua is an outdoor enthusiast who firmly believes in the mental, emotional and physical benefits received by immersing in nature. He is an avid hiker, backpacker, bikepacker and rock climber spending any chance he can get outside.
Joshua volunteers at HighBanks Metro Park as well as spends his days as a Technology Director for AECOM, a global Architecture and Engineering firm. When not enjoying the outdoors, Joshua adventures at home with his wife, two children, and two huskies. He is excited about being on the board to help spread the word about our wonderful Metro Parks, and help preserve them for generations to come.
Ali Iovino
Ali Iovino moved to Columbus in 2013 and fell in love with the Metro Parks through the Passport Program. A graduate of the University of Dayton with a double major of Entrepreneurship and Business Economics, she is currently the Global Bid & Project Manager at BCD Travel and an avid road-tripper who will use any excuse to hit the open road. In her spare time Ali can be found exploring the parks, volunteering, hanging out with other people's dogs, or visiting family on Long Island.
Kwesi Kambon
Kwesi grew up in Columbus and graduated from East High School in 1971. After receiving a degree in Communications from Northwestern University, he returned to Columbus to work for the Columbus City Schools. After retiring, he spent several years working with Vineyard Columbus.
As Kwesi grew older, he and his wife began to explore lifestyle medicine. They increased their fruit and vegetable intake and exercised regularly by hiking in various Metro Parks, ultimately reversing a major chronic condition and added years to his life.
Kwesi has a strong belief that being in nature can help one’s emotional and physical health. He and his wife volunteer at two Metro Parks. He is excited to serve on the Board because it will give him the opportunity to share with others how the Metro Parks can help them live longer, healthier lives.
Sally Sharrow
Sally Sharrow grew up in Cincinnati and moved to Columbus in 2016. She works as an urban planner focused on active transportation, and thinks having easy access to parks and nature is an essential part of a liveable city.
At the Metro Parks she loves reading in a hammock, trail and mountain biking, picnicking, and dabbling in paddleboarding and kayaking.
When she can't be outside she enjoys taking art classes and baking pies. Sally lives in the SoHud neighborhood with her husband and two cats.
Caleb Ray
Caleb Ray was born and raised in Ironton, Ohio, a small Appalachian river town, where he developed a love for the outdoors and giving back. He moved to Columbus in 2012 to study Communication at Capital University, further strengthening his commitment to community engagement.
Caleb is an experienced Knowledge Management professional who has worked with rapid-growth startups and Fortune 50 companies.
A resident of Short North, Caleb spends his free time enjoying live music, tending to his fire escape garden, and hiking his favorite Metro Parks trails.
Brittany Savko
Brittany was raised in Columbus and proudly works for her alma mater - The Ohio State University. She developed an affinity for the Metro Parks through the winter hike challenge, finding a meaningful way to connect with friends during the pandemic, improve her mental & physical health, and enjoy nature. Since then, Brittany’s love for the parks has grown and she’s excited to pay it forward as a board member - advocating and raising awareness for these important outdoor spaces. Brittany resides in the Northland area and enjoys traveling, public art, ice cream and cheering on the Buckeyes.
Amanda Engen
Amanda Engen has a background in education and STEM outreach, and she currently serves as the communications director for an association of materials scientists. She holds a Ph.D. in Communications from the University of Florida. Amanda lives in Dublin, Ohio with her husband and their Springer Spaniel named Lily. Their favorite Metro Park is Glacier Ridge, where they like to visit the dog park and play disc golf.
Nick Gilbert
Nick Gilbert (he/him) is a native of Westerville and moved back to Columbus in 2019 after moving for graduate school (M.Ed., University of Georgia).
In his professional work, Nick is a Learning and Development Specialist at Talkiatry. Prior to this role, Nick worked in higher education, notably serving as the Social Justice Engagement Specialist for the Multicultural Center at the Ohio State University. His professional passions include: adult education; program assessment; diversity, equity, & inclusion.
Outside of work, Nick is an avid hiker and camper. When not outdoors, he can be found watching movies, playing board games, or cooking.
Kathleen O’Dowd
Kathleen is a Consultant on the Learning & Development team at American Red Cross. She conducts strategic planning and operations to design, produce, and facilitate the Leadership Education and Development (LEAD) program.
Kathleen was Creative Director at a photo studio. Her camera is always at her side, as an international traveler, with adventures captured in: “Accidental Wanderlust: The Art, Adventures & Attitude of a Work Traveler” (www.kathleenodowd.com).
Education: M.A. Philosophy of Psychology; graduate Neuroscience minor (OSU). B.A. History of Philosophy; English / Psychology minors (Marquette). Kathleen grew up in Chicago and resides in Columbus, Ohio with partner Craig and fur babies ButterCup, ButterBean, and Jeff.
Melissa Meyer: Development Assistant
Melissa graduated from Ohio State University in 2014 with a degree in Environment and Natural Resources Policy. She has been working as the Development Assistant for Friends of Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks since 2016. She also works part time at her favorite coffee shop just north of OSU’s campus. Melissa lives in the Westgate neighborhood of Columbus with her husband and three cats. Her hobbies include learning about native plants and fungi, latte art, picking heavy things up and then putting them down, and befriending the neighborhood cats.
As the only paid employee of Friends of Metro Parks, she can always be found at Friends events!