Molly Ryan Kowaleski, PR & engagement manager

Christina Fuduric, director of business excellence at the Ohio Society of CPAs, recently was selected to participate in Leadership Columbus, along with two members of OSCPA, Katie Hurley, CPA, and Crystal Threet, CPA.

“I am excited because even though I’ve been in Columbus for 17 years now, and I very much identify with the city, I think there’s going to be an opportunity to learn and discover a lot more,” Fuduric said.

The Leadership Columbus program, which has been around since 1974, focuses on developing, connecting and inspiring diverse leaders who will then serve as catalysts to build a stronger, more vibrant community.

Threet, an accountant at Ernst & Young, said she’s looking forward to meeting and connecting with people and getting more involved.

“I’ve recently relocated to Columbus from Toledo, and I’m excited to learn more about the various aspects of the city and how it operates,” she said. “I’m looking to get involved in the Columbus area and this will help to provide me some insight on the areas that I can be part of.”

Hurley, a senior manager for the National Professional Services Group at PwC, also said she’s looking forward to getting more involved and learning more about Columbus.

“I have lived in Columbus most of my life and during that time, I have been involved in various community organizations such as The Unverferth House. But, there is a lot that I don't know about Columbus and the challenges and opportunities that we face,” said Hurley. “I am excited to learn and to discover ways that I can have a greater impact in the Columbus community.”

Fuduric, Threet and Hurley are in good company. According to Columbus Business First, the class of 2019 includes 65 participants from Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams, The Columbus Foundation, United Way of Central Ohio, the Columbus Blue Jackets, CoverMyMeds, Corna Kokosing Construction, the ACLU, the Columbus Mayor’s Office, Nationwide Children's Hospital and many more.

“I’m extremely proud of Christina, Katie and Crystal and know they will represent the CPA profession and OSCPA well in this year’s Leadership Columbus class,” said Scott Wiley, CAE, president and CEO of OSCPA and himself a member of the class of 2017. “Christina will be the FOURTH team member from OSCPA to go through this prestigious program in the last 10 years and we are excited to see what she will bring back to the Society.”

The class will convene in September for a two-day retreat and then meet monthly for nine “program days” focusing on “significant challenges to the Central Ohio region.” These challenges could include education, health and human services, the economy, justice system or social service issues.

“I feel like I’m at a point in my career where not only am I ready, but I also have the ability to give back in a large way, thanks to the support of my employer” Fuduric said. “I’ve been fortunate to have many great mentors and I always wanted to pay them back somehow, but I’ve come to realize that was never the expectation. The better thing I can do is pay it forward, in a sense, and Leadership Columbus provides me that opportunity.”

The program is “designed to give participants the tools they need to become active and influential leaders in the community.”

“I’m definitely looking forward to building relationships with like-minded people,” Fuduric said, “and, with their partnership, making a positive impact in our community.”