Beth Gifford, Founder & Co-Chair
Bringing more than 20 years of proven expertise leading operations and human resources in the manufacturing and software sectors, Beth is an expert in developing highly effective organizations, Beth Gifford has delivered proven results in privately held as well as Fortune 500 companies, with responsibility for locations throughout the United States, Canada, Central America, Europe, and Asia.
Beth is the CEO of The Human Resources Development Group, which began in 2015 with a mission to help companies optimize people, processes and profits. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from Mount Vernon Nazarene University, a Master's in Business Administration from Franklin University, is a certified Change Management Practitioner, earned the LEAN Six Sigma Black Belt from The Ohio State University. and holds a Certificate in Non-Profit Executive Leadership from the Harvard Business School.
Beth has taught at the University of Kentucky and Ohio Dominican University. She is currently a regular instructional speaker at The Ohio State University, and faculty at Cedarville University where she has been involved in MBA course development and is an Adjunct Professor in the School of Business Administration.
It is this vast experience as a business executive and employer that differentiates Beth's work to impact poverty through job readiness training and strong employer partnerships. Born out of the heritage of her parent's years of service on the south side of Columbus, Beth leads from a heart for people living in poverty and a unique business perspective, For these reasons Beth founded Columbus Works, Inc., right here in her own home town. Beth is involved in ministry with her husband, Pastor at Crossroads Community Church, and enjoys kayaking, quilting, and preparing for her next 5K.
Bringing more than 20 years of proven expertise leading operations and human resources in the manufacturing and software sectors, Beth is an expert in developing highly effective organizations, Beth Gifford has delivered proven results in privately held as well as Fortune 500 companies, with responsibility for locations throughout the United States, Canada, Central America, Europe, and Asia.
Beth is the CEO of The Human Resources Development Group, which began in 2015 with a mission to help companies optimize people, processes and profits. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from Mount Vernon Nazarene University, a Master's in Business Administration from Franklin University, is a certified Change Management Practitioner, earned the LEAN Six Sigma Black Belt from The Ohio State University. and holds a Certificate in Non-Profit Executive Leadership from the Harvard Business School.
Beth has taught at the University of Kentucky and Ohio Dominican University. She is currently a regular instructional speaker at The Ohio State University, and faculty at Cedarville University where she has been involved in MBA course development and is an Adjunct Professor in the School of Business Administration.
It is this vast experience as a business executive and employer that differentiates Beth's work to impact poverty through job readiness training and strong employer partnerships. Born out of the heritage of her parent's years of service on the south side of Columbus, Beth leads from a heart for people living in poverty and a unique business perspective, For these reasons Beth founded Columbus Works, Inc., right here in her own home town. Beth is involved in ministry with her husband, Pastor at Crossroads Community Church, and enjoys kayaking, quilting, and preparing for her next 5K.
Tom Feusse, Co-Chair
Tom Feusse is Chairman and co-owner of Wallick Communities. In that role, he oversees the firm’s Advisory Board, participates in its Investment Committee and, together with Wallick’s other owners and its CEO, formulates the organization’s guiding values and mission. He joined the company in 2005.
Active in his profession and community, Tom serves as Chairman of the Board of Columbus Works, is a member of the Board of Trustees of Huntington University, and a member of the Advisory Boards of Kellogg Garden Supply and Franklinton Rising.
Before joining Wallick, he spent 15 years with The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company, where he served in various leadership positions. There, he managed the company’s most prominent business with $1 billion in revenue and oversaw their Growing Media business, with 25 production facilities and 1,000 associates. Tom was the Corporate Controller of Hyponex Corporation, and he began his career in public accounting at Ernst & Young and PricewaterhouseCoopers.
As a life-long learner, he earned a bachelor’s degree from Central Michigan University, a master’s degree from Otterbein College, an abbreviated executive MBA from the Kellogg Graduate School at Northwestern University and is an alum of the executive real estate program at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design. He has served on the faculty of Ohio Wesleyan University and is a Certified Public Accountant.
A resident of Dublin, he spends time with his family, his church, volunteering, traveling, and on his tennis and golf games when not working.
Tom Feusse is Chairman and co-owner of Wallick Communities. In that role, he oversees the firm’s Advisory Board, participates in its Investment Committee and, together with Wallick’s other owners and its CEO, formulates the organization’s guiding values and mission. He joined the company in 2005.
Active in his profession and community, Tom serves as Chairman of the Board of Columbus Works, is a member of the Board of Trustees of Huntington University, and a member of the Advisory Boards of Kellogg Garden Supply and Franklinton Rising.
Before joining Wallick, he spent 15 years with The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company, where he served in various leadership positions. There, he managed the company’s most prominent business with $1 billion in revenue and oversaw their Growing Media business, with 25 production facilities and 1,000 associates. Tom was the Corporate Controller of Hyponex Corporation, and he began his career in public accounting at Ernst & Young and PricewaterhouseCoopers.
As a life-long learner, he earned a bachelor’s degree from Central Michigan University, a master’s degree from Otterbein College, an abbreviated executive MBA from the Kellogg Graduate School at Northwestern University and is an alum of the executive real estate program at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design. He has served on the faculty of Ohio Wesleyan University and is a Certified Public Accountant.
A resident of Dublin, he spends time with his family, his church, volunteering, traveling, and on his tennis and golf games when not working.
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Angela Bretz, Director
Angela is the vice president and chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer. In this role she establishes and oversees the development, implementation and operation of all corporate diversity, equity and inclusion work, including strategic programs, procedures and policies to maintain a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion and strong external diversity partnerships and brand. Angela is the company diversity, equity and inclusion strategic business partner, providing thought leadership and consulting. A career Nationwider, Angela has demonstrated strong leadership, a deep background in strategic planning, project management and claims with extensive knowledge of P&C operations. Angela has been an active participant and strong proponent of our diversity, equity and inclusion efforts over the years. Angela is also active in the community and currently serves on the Advisory Committee for the United Way of Delaware County – Women’s Leadership Network, the City of Columbus Recovery and Resiliency Advisory Committee and the Columbus Partnership – Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Council. Angela has a bachelor’s degree in organizational leadership and an MBA, both from Franklin University. |
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Patrick Higgins, Director
Patrick Higgins is a Staff Attorney at the Legal Aid Society of Columbus where he is part of the Housing and Public Benefits Teams. He represents tenants in housing cases and employees in wage theft and unemployment compensation cases. Patrick is licensed to practice in Ohio and the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio.
Patrick received his B.A. from New York University’s Global Liberal Studies Program, where his concentration was Politics, Rights, and Development. Patrick also minored in Spanish Language. After graduation, he received his J.D. from the University of Cincinnati College of Law, where he was an Arthur Russell Morgan Fellow in Human Rights, a position within the Urban Morgan Institute for Human Rights. Following law school, Patrick was an Ohio Legal Assistance Foundation Justice for All Fellow at the Ohio Poverty Law Center where he focused on removing barriers to employment.
Patrick enjoys spending time with family and friends, camping, and cheering on the Columbus Crew SC.
Patrick Higgins is a Staff Attorney at the Legal Aid Society of Columbus where he is part of the Housing and Public Benefits Teams. He represents tenants in housing cases and employees in wage theft and unemployment compensation cases. Patrick is licensed to practice in Ohio and the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio.
Patrick received his B.A. from New York University’s Global Liberal Studies Program, where his concentration was Politics, Rights, and Development. Patrick also minored in Spanish Language. After graduation, he received his J.D. from the University of Cincinnati College of Law, where he was an Arthur Russell Morgan Fellow in Human Rights, a position within the Urban Morgan Institute for Human Rights. Following law school, Patrick was an Ohio Legal Assistance Foundation Justice for All Fellow at the Ohio Poverty Law Center where he focused on removing barriers to employment.
Patrick enjoys spending time with family and friends, camping, and cheering on the Columbus Crew SC.
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Sarah Knudsen, Director Sarah Knudsen is a Vice President and Senior Relationship Manager covering Central Ohio for Global Commercial Banking – Middle Market. Based in Columbus, Sarah focuses on business development in general industries with companies between $50 million to $2 billion in annual revenue. In this role Sarah leads a dedicated relationship team to deliver strategic financial guidance and solutions that include; senior credit facilities, treasury management, capital markets, equipment financing as well as various derivative products. Prior to joining Bank of America, Sarah spent time as part of the team at National City Bank (now PNC) in Cleveland, Ohio, then moved to Houston as a Relationship Manager in the Foreign Multinational Division at JPMorgan Chase, then with HSBC as a Large Corporate Banker. Sarah as been active in the Bank of America’s expansion in the central Ohio market. Sarah proudly represents Bank of America in Columbus, volunteering for organizations such as Dress for Success, Mid-Ohio Food Bank, A Kid Again, Habitat for Humanity, and most recently with Columbus Works. When she isn't working or engaged in volnteer activities. Sarah enjoys spending time with family, running and traveling. She is also fluent in Spanish. Sarah earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Hood College, Frederick, MD. |
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