Executive Bios

Douglas F. Kridler

President & CEO

Douglas F. Kridler is the fifth president of The Columbus Foundation, a community foundation serving the central Ohio region since 1943. During 2006, the Foundation awarded $72.4 million in grants to 1,640 charitable organizations in such fields as education, health, social services, community development, urban affairs, and the arts. As of 12/31/06, the Foundation’s assets totaled $978 million and are held in 1,579 funds and 28 supporting/affiliated foundations.  Annual giving to the Foundation has averaged $70 million over the past five years; it is currently ranked 9th of America’s community foundations in asset size.

Kridler is also an Independent Director of Gartmore Mutual Funds, an international asset management firm based in Philadelphia with over $25 billion in assets under management in an array of over 70 U.S. mutual funds. He serves as chair of that board’s Valuation and Operations Committee.

Kridler’s current civic and volunteer activities include being on the Executive Committee of the Columbus Downtown Development Corporation, on the Board of First Community Church in Columbus, on the Core Leadership Council of the Greater Columbus Chamber of Commerce, and on the Steering Committee for CompeteColumbus, a leadership group creating a regional economic development strategy.
Kridler is also past chair of the Greater Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau, and in 1996, he spearheaded a campaign to raise support for a proposed downtown arena and soccer stadium, raising $57 million from the private sector in six months. 

Kridler’s professional volunteer activities include membership on the Public Policy Committee of the Independent Sector, on the advisory board of the Center for Effective Philanthropy, and on the Community Foundations Leadership Team of the Council on Foundations. He served as the chair of the 2004 Annual Meeting of the Larger Community Foundations. 

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To reach Doug, e-mail dkridler@columbusfoundation.org.

Raymond J. Biddiscombe, CPA

Vice President for Finance & Administration/CFO

Ray Biddiscombe is responsible for the overall management of the financial and administrative functions of the Foundation.

Prior to joining the Foundation, Ray was assistant controller for Cook United, Inc., and vice president/CFO for Boston Distributors, Inc.

Ray graduated from Iona College in New Rochelle, New York with a bachelor of business administration and received his masters of business administration from Xavier University.  He is a member of the Ohio Society of Certified Public Accountants.

To reach Ray, e-mail rbiddisc@columbusfoundation.org.

Lisa Schweitzer Courtice, Ph.D.

Vice President for Community Research and Grants Management

Dr. Courtice was appointed vice president for community research and grants management in August 2003. Her responsibilities are to oversee the development and implementation of grant policies, program priorities, and areas of strategic grantmaking. Under her leadership, the community grants management team plays a unique role in convening community discussions around areas of need, and participates in community initiatives and partnerships to address these needs.

Prior to joining the Foundation, Dr. Courtice held leadership positions at Columbus School for Girls, the Childhood League Center, Center for New Directions, Clinic for Child Study and Family Therapy in Akron, Ohio and The Washington Center for Academic Internships in Washington, DC. 

Her professional activities include the neighborhood vision council for the United Way of Central Ohio, the DonorEdge Learning Community, the Community Health Funders' Collaborative, and the Ohio Wesleyan University board of trustees.  

Dr. Courtice received her bachelor of arts degree from Syracuse University, her master of arts from West Virginia University, and her Ph.D. from the University of Akron.

To reach Lisa, e-mail lcourtic@columbusfoundation.org.

Philip T. (Terry) Schavone

Vice President for Donor Services and Development

Terry Schavone has been vice president for donor services and development at The Columbus Foundation since 1995. He serves as the chief development officer and is responsible for working with donors, their families, and professional advisors to help them achieve their charitable goals.

Terry has been engaged in the field of philanthropy for more than 30 years, and has led programs raising more than $1.9 billion in outright and planned gifts. Prior to joining the Foundation, Terry was director of development for the Archdiocese of Boston. He has also held positions in the development departments at The Catholic University of America, Gallaudet College, and the University of Maryland.

In 2006 the Association of Fundraising Professionals Central Ohio Chapter named Terry outstanding fundraising professional. He was also the Leave-A-Legacy Award recipient in 2004 from the Central Ohio Planned Giving Council. In addition, Terry is involved in the Columbus Estate Planning Council, National Committee on Planned Giving, and the Worthington Estate Planning Council. 

Terry received his bachelor of arts degree from University of Pittsburgh, masters of arts degree from Duquesne University, and has completed post graduate work at the Catholic University of America.

To reach Terry, e-mail tschavon@columbusfoundation.org.