Who We Are

 

OUR MISSION

We are dedicated to helping young people discover the self-esteem, self-reliance, and empathy necessary to become future leaders that are driving forces of positive change.

Preparing students for life-career success by reducing the number of students that fall off after graduation and are instead on a viable career path (military, workforce, or post-secondary education).

Our Current Outcomes

Total Number of Students Served from June 2022-May 2023: 1,124

Career Quest students had statistically significant gains (p<0.001) in career readiness according to a pre/post-survey

CareerQuest Seniors with a Clear Career Path: 94.7%

·Evidence-Based Social-Emotional Development: 96% of students had a +1 growth in SEL Skills

How We Started: Riley’s Story

During my first year as an educator, one of my students attempted suicide while at school. This shocking wake-up call helped me grow to realize that young people might be prepared academically, but they were not equipped to select a viable career pathway, communicate their ideas, or deal with the challenges, as one of my seniors put it plainly, of “being a human.”

At the time, I thought the solution would be to become a psychology research coordinator to understand underlying factors to create future change. However, after working as a researcher, I realized how much research already existed but was not being translated to directly impact young people’s lives.

So, I left the lab and stepped back into the classroom. I wasn’t sure how I was going to do it yet, but I was married to the idea of partnering with schools and nonprofits to develop and deliver innovative initiatives that prepared young people for life. 

Since taking the courageous plunge, I have felt grateful for all the passionate educators, community leaders, and young people I’ve met along the way. The students in our programs bring so much joy and enthusiasm each day. They are indeed the future of the workforce and the future of our local communities. 

 

Timeline and History

  • Founded in 2018 by Executive Director Riley O’Grady.

  • Piloted several life-career programs with Simon Kenton High School, Butler Technology, and YMCA of Greater Cincinnati.

  • Formed an alliance with the United Way of Warren County and Warren County Community Services to implement the High School Workforce Initiative.

  • Served 543 unique students in the Greater Dayton and Greater Cincinnati area.

  • In 2022, LEAD partnered with 12 schools, nine company partners, and six community partner organizations.

 

Staff

Riley O’Grady, MA
Founder & Executive Director

An educator and entrepreneur at heart recognized for impassioned approaches, colorful ideas, and a mission to transform the workforce of tomorrow.

  • Riley has a background as an AP Psychology and Health/PE teacher, social psychology researcher, professional career coach, and leadership/communication skills corporate trainer skilled at designing and delivering career education, life skills, and workforce programs. Her youth programs help young people develop self-efficacy—a belief in their own capacity to succeed—by providing opportunities to learn and practice these skills in safe, real-life settings. Riley has developed and delivered career and life-skills educational programs for YMCA of Greater Cincinnati, Cincinnati State Technical and Community College, United Way of Warren County, and various other schools and nonprofit organizations in Ohio and Northern Kentucky.

    Outside of work, Riley enjoys teaching scuba certification classes primarily to university students and teens. Riley also enjoys adrenaline-filled adventures such as diving with sharks at the Newport Aquarium, flying, skydiving, and traveling. As her sisters say, Riley is free-spirited—which explains her love of not wearing shoes, driving to be her own boss, and believing that with a bit of courage, it’s possible for people to create almost anything they want in life.

 

Edna Gibbs, MEd
Career Advisor & Future Leaders Instructor

A true student champion with a mission to help young people navigate their futures and evolve on their journeys with 15 years of experience working in college & career-readiness education.

  • Edna is fervently passionate about inspiring, equipping, and empowering young people to be their greatest version! Edna has a Master of Education and a Bachelor’s in Business Administration. She has worked for over 30 years in administrative leadership and educational positions at Key Bank, PNC Bank, Cincinnati Public Schools, Mt. Healthy High School, and Cincinnati State, to name a few. She also has experience as an Upward Bound/TRIO instructor, coach, and career specialist. Edna excels at connecting with students and fostering enthusiasm and synergy in groups. She is exceptionally skilled at empowering young people to believe in their own abilities and expand their potential.

    Edna is a native Cincinnatian and has two children, Amber and Quincy. Growing up, she was a scholar-athlete and a member of the National Honor Society. She played on the Dayton Flyers Women’s Division 1 Volleyball Team for three years while studying at the University of Dayton. Edna has stayed active in volleyball as a high school coach since 2009. In addition, she enjoys volunteering for Girls on the Run, daily journaling, writing poems, creating jewelry, reading, and traveling. Edna is a truly driven and courageous individual who has completed two marathons and also owns her own business called Diamond Life Network.

 

Kurtis Keller
Career Advisor (Kings, Norwood & Franklin)

A student advocate impassioned by education with a desire to foster student success—both in the classroom and beyond. Kurtis has a Bachelors in Psychology & Organizational Leadership and will complete his Master’s at UC in Spring 2024.

 

Paige Visagie
Little Miami High School Career Advisor

An education advocate with a love for helping people find their passion. She has over four years of college and career advising experience and is currently completing an MBA at NKU and will graduate in Fall 2024.

John Faucett
Mason High School Career Advisor

An Engineering Officer in the Army Reserves with experience in teen after-school programming. John received his bachelor's from Xavier University and is completing the educational requirements to become an airline pilot.

Karin Maney, MBA
Grant Writer

An experienced nonprofit consultant and grant writer with over 25 years of experience. She received her MBA from Southern New Hampshire University and has spent the last 11 years as the Executive Director of the Community Building Institute Middletown.

Trevor McMullen
Career Avenues (Norwood)

An accomplished and versatile educator championing a world of boundless opportunities through lifelong learning.

Nick Rakis
High School Workforce Initiative Coordinator

A dedicated community member with a passion for career development. Nick holds a bachelor's degree in business management and brings valuable experience as a former career coach and student at Xavier University.

Isaac McKinney
College Intern

A driven and entrepreneurial young person who graduated in 2021. Isaac previously participated and assisted in the Future Leaders program at Mt. Healthy High School for several years through his Upward Bound program.

Board Members

  • James Biro, Board President

    Supply Chain VP who excels at building winning organizations bound together by clear and common strategic intent and inherent empowerment.

  • Dr. Erica Page, Board Secretary

    Industrial/Organizational Psychologist with program evaluation expertise and a passion for helping Cincinnati youth.

  • Autumn Cooper, Board Treasurer

    Financial services professional passionate about K-12 financial literacy education who is eager to grow new relationships every day. Autumn graduated with her bachelor’s in Marketing and is currently getting her MBA from the Ohio State University.

  • Carlin Stamm, Board Member

    Retired executive with over 30 years of senior and executive-level corporate management experience dedicated to supporting innovative organizations.

  • Shannon Howell, Board Member

    Assistant Branch Manager at Peoples Bank passionate about advocating for youth and preparing students to succeed after graduation.

  • Tabitha Ward, Board Member

    Chief Operations Officer with over 15 years of business and human resources experience who finds joy and purpose in leading others to discover their true talents and abilities.

  • Jim Manning, Board Member

    Relationship building engineer and general manager with over 47 years of experience, passionate about implementing high-quality youth mentoring programs for the last 12 years.

  • Hank Bias, Advisory Board Member

    Educator and coach for 30+ years and mentee of Coach John Wooden. Hank is a subject matter expert in leadership and working with teens.

  • Dr. Dennis O’Grady, Advisory Board Member

    Dayton area Clinical Psychologist, author, executive coach, and developer of the TALK2ME Communication System. Dr. O’Grady is a communication, mood, and change subject matter expert.

  • Dr. Steve Martin, Advisory Board Member

    EQ subject matter and educational program development expert with a passion for helping people develop their potential.