Board of Directors
Beth Gifford, Founder
President & CEO
Bringing more than 20 years of proven expertise in the full range of human capital management and 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.
An expert in facilitating strategic planning, and the mechanics of organizational behavior, Beth is proven to be highly innovative in the application of multiple methods and tools designed to achieve desired and sustainable results. Beth 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, and earned her LEAN Six Sigma Black Belt from The Ohio State University.
Beth has taught at the University of Kentucky, and Ohio Dominican University. She is currently a member of 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, Beth is expertly equipped to lead 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.
President & CEO
Bringing more than 20 years of proven expertise in the full range of human capital management and 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.
An expert in facilitating strategic planning, and the mechanics of organizational behavior, Beth is proven to be highly innovative in the application of multiple methods and tools designed to achieve desired and sustainable results. Beth 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, and earned her LEAN Six Sigma Black Belt from The Ohio State University.
Beth has taught at the University of Kentucky, and Ohio Dominican University. She is currently a member of 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, Beth is expertly equipped to lead 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, Board Chair
Tom Feusse is Chief Executive Officer and co-owner of Wallick Communities. In that role, he concentrates on: defining the firm’s strategy, supporting the leadership team, focusing the organization on being customer service centric, and developing growth opportunities. He joined the company in 2005.
Before joining Wallick, he spent 15 years with The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company where he served in a variety of leadership positions. There he managed the company’s largest business with $1 billion in revenue, as well as overseeing 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 alumni 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.
Active in his profession and community, Tom serves on the Advisory Boards of Kellogg Garden Supply, Inc., and Huntington University. He was formerly the President of the Ohio Housing Council. He regularly volunteers in service projects, including helping to build homes for impoverished families in Mexico.
A resident of Dublin, Tom spends time with his family, his church and works on his tennis game, when not at the office.
Tom Feusse is Chief Executive Officer and co-owner of Wallick Communities. In that role, he concentrates on: defining the firm’s strategy, supporting the leadership team, focusing the organization on being customer service centric, and developing growth opportunities. He joined the company in 2005.
Before joining Wallick, he spent 15 years with The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company where he served in a variety of leadership positions. There he managed the company’s largest business with $1 billion in revenue, as well as overseeing 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 alumni 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.
Active in his profession and community, Tom serves on the Advisory Boards of Kellogg Garden Supply, Inc., and Huntington University. He was formerly the President of the Ohio Housing Council. He regularly volunteers in service projects, including helping to build homes for impoverished families in Mexico.
A resident of Dublin, Tom spends time with his family, his church and works on his tennis game, when not at the office.
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Tam Bharakhda, Director
Tam Bharakhda is the Vice President of Advertising and Marketing at Wallick Communities. IN this role Tam leads the advertising and marketing groups including the creation of communication strategies for both the companies affordable housing and senior living sectors. She brings a wealth of experience in managing the business and consumer marketing strategies for companies such as Fitch, Ohio Housing Finance Agency, Ologie, Alliance Data and Nationwide. She also brings signficiatn experience in marketing and branding in the non-profit space, as a Board Member and volunteer. Tam came is a graduate of the University of Greenwich in London, U.K., with degrees in Marketing and French. She enjoys travelling the globe in search of fantastic culinary experiences, and flavors from around the world. She is also an active hiker, gardener, tennis player and skier. |
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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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Shawn Dorsey, Director
Shawn Dorsey is Vice President in Community Development Lending at Huntington Bank. In this role, Shawn is a commercial lender focused on financing affordable housing and workforce housing real estate development. Professional experience includes financial analysis, portfolio management, and risk management roles within commercial real estate, mezzanine finance and wholesale automotive finance. Shawn joined Huntington in 2011 and has 10 years of commercial banking experience.
Shawn earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance from Miami University and a Master’s Degree in Accounting from DeVry Keller Graduate School of Management. As a resident of Grandview, Shawn enjoys spending time with his wife, son and dog in addition to being an active parishioner at Grandview Christian Assembly.
Shawn Dorsey is Vice President in Community Development Lending at Huntington Bank. In this role, Shawn is a commercial lender focused on financing affordable housing and workforce housing real estate development. Professional experience includes financial analysis, portfolio management, and risk management roles within commercial real estate, mezzanine finance and wholesale automotive finance. Shawn joined Huntington in 2011 and has 10 years of commercial banking experience.
Shawn earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance from Miami University and a Master’s Degree in Accounting from DeVry Keller Graduate School of Management. As a resident of Grandview, Shawn enjoys spending time with his wife, son and dog in addition to being an active parishioner at Grandview Christian Assembly.
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.