Douglas W. Scharre, MD, FAAN, specializes in cognitive disorders and dementias, including Alzheimer's disease. Dr. Scharre is the Director of the Division of Cognitive Neurology at The Ohio State University, where he heads the Memory Disorders Research Center and is a clinical researcher and dementia specialist with more than 30 years of experience. He has developed the SAGE cognitive assessment tool and conducted over 200 dementia-related clinical trials funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), foundations, and industry using cognitive enhancers and behavioral therapies, functional neuroimaging with MRI and PET, and screening tools for mild cognitive impairment.

Melissa G. Messina, Esq., MBA, is a dual graduate of Capital University, obtaining her bachelor’s and law degrees, respectively. She also obtained a master’s in business administration from Franklin University after law school while working full-time. Melissa has spent the better part of her career in public service administration. She started out as a manager of the Civil Division of the Franklin County Municipal Court Clerk’s office, then went on to work for two elected officials when she managed the Franklin County Treasurer’s office and the Franklin County Recorder’s office. In both offices, Melissa was in charge of daily operations and interactions with other county and city agencies as well as fostering relationships with external stakeholders. 

After a brief time in the private sector at a multi-state foreclosure litigation law firm, Melissa decided to return to public service and has been the Director of the Franklin County Guardianship Service Board since the fall of 2022. This role allows her to use her education as well as her connections and understanding of government and public assistance to lead an outstanding team with the mission of helping vulnerable members of the Franklin County community. 

Alyson B. Miller, Esq., is a Founding Partner of Miller Bahnson Letson and Co-Founder of Legal Alternatives, LLC. A Columbus native, she has nearly 22 years of experience practicing family law throughout Ohio. She earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Maryland School of Law in 2004, where she developed her passion for family law while clerking for the Family Division of the Baltimore City Circuit Court. Alyson represents clients in a wide range of domestic relations matters, including divorce, dissolution, custody and parentage disputes, adoptions, and prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, and she handles complex divorce litigation and alternative dispute resolution matters. She also serves as a registered Guardian Ad Litem, advocating for the best interests of children. Alyson is committed to resolving disputes efficiently and prioritizes settlement whenever possible to reduce the emotional and financial impact of litigation. She is an active member of the Ohio State Bar Association and Columbus Bar Association, where she serves as Subcommittee Chair of the Parenting Coordination Subcommittee. She has been recognized by Ohio Super Lawyers and featured in Columbus CEO magazine’s Top Lawyers issue for her professional excellence.

Eimear M. Bahnson, JD, is a Founding Partner at Miller Bahnson Letson. She received her Juris Doctor, cum laude, from Capital University Law School in 2009, and has worked in family law for more than 15 years. Eimear grew up in Upper Arlington and graduated from Upper Arlington High School. She earned a double major in finance and management from Villanova University and was the recipient of the 2006 Villanova University Student Leadership Award.

Eimear has been recognized professionally by the Columbus Bar Association, is the past Chair of the Family Law Committee, and is a former trustee for the Columbus Bar Foundation. She was named as one of Columbus Business First’s “People to Know in the Legal Community” in 2017 and was inducted into the 2018 class of “40 Under 40.” Eimear is a member of the Central Ohio Academy of Collaborative Divorce Professionals (COACDP), as well as the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC). Her charitable work has included volunteering with The Red Oak Family Foundation, CHOICES, and the SOAR Foundation. 

Robert A. Letson, JD, is a Partner at Miller Bahnson Letson. He graduated from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law in 2005 and earned a double major in mathematics and German from Colgate University in 2002. Rob has been practicing in central Ohio courts for two decades, first as a felony SVU prosecutor, then as a family law practitioner. He is recognized professionally by the Columbus Bar Association, where he serves on its Judicial Screening Committee evaluating candidates for local judicial offices.

Rob is a certified specialist in Family Relations Law by the Ohio State Bar Association and is a fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. He is a member of the Columbus, Delaware, and Ohio State Bar Associations as well as the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC). Rob has authored chapters on Ohio prenuptial agreements, litigating allegations of child abuse, and the use of expert testimony in court hearings. He has served as an expert witness regarding Ohio family law and criminal investigations, and is licensed to practice law in Ohio and in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio. 

Lisa M. Jolley, JD, CAP®, AEP®, Senior Director for Donor Services at The Columbus Foundation, serves as a resource for individuals who are interested in learning about charitable planning, facilitates family meetings around generational giving, and manages the Foundation’s Professional Council and other professional advisor activities. She received her bachelor’s in communications from Michigan State University and her Juris Doctor from the University of Detroit–Mercy. Lisa is licensed to practice law in Michigan and Ohio and is a member of the Columbus Bar Association. She is also a graduate of The American College of Financial Services with a certification as a Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy®. Lisa has completed the 21/64 Next Generation training and the Courageous Conversations on Race and Leadership. Lisa is a past president of the Advancement Network and of the Kiwanis Club of Columbus.

Hilary Stone, MBA, CAP®, Senior Advisor for Donor Services at The Columbus Foundation, primarily works with donors in partnership with their financial advisors and attorneys to develop and execute thoughtful philanthropic plans. She also manages a range of educational, networking, and outreach activities for the Foundation’s Donor Services team. Hilary is a graduate of Susquehanna University with a bachelor’s degree in communication and Otterbein University with a master’s degree in business administration. She earned the Chartered Advisor of Philanthropy® designation through The American College of Financial Services and has completed the 21/64 Next Generation training. Hilary is an active member of FPA of Central Ohio, Charitable Gift Planners of Central Ohio, Worthington Estate Planning Council, and the Advancement Network.

Karen L. Hendricks is a philanthropist, volunteer, and community leader. She began working with The Columbus Foundation on charitable giving strategy in 2017, establishing the Milton H. and Karen L. Hendricks Family Fund to carry on the philanthropic legacy of her late husband, Milton. A trailblazer in both engineering and business, Karen earned a degree in chemical engineering in 1971—one of very few women studying engineering at the time. She went on to have an accomplished career in the consumer products industry. Karen has served on the boards of multiple nonprofits, including The Ohio State University, the Association of Governing Boards of Colleges and Universities, The Immokalee Foundation, and the Greater Cincinnati American Red Cross. She has also served on the public corporate boards of AC Nielsen, Columbia Energy Group, and Ingredion, as well as serving on boards and committees for the Ohio Business Roundtable and various chambers of commerce.