TyKiah Wright – Visionary of the Year
Founder, WrightChoiceTyKiah Wright has a vision for breaking down the barriers that make transitioning from college to career difficult for minorities, individuals with disabilities, and members of other under-served groups. She founded “WrightChoice” to offer internships and customized training to prepare students for the workforce. TyKiah is launching a new resource publication called: DiversAbility Ohio, which will feature the leadership and accomplishments of professionals with disabilities in Ohio’s workforce and serve as a catalyst for employers to create more opportunities for workforce inclusion based on proven examples. TyKiah has a wide range of personal and professional interests. She was the first cheerleader in Columbus to be in a wheelchair and enjoys sharing her life story with young children through motivational speaking.
Meredith Joy – People's Choice Award
Executive Director, Yay Bikes!Meredith Joy is a bicycling advocate who has a vision for a healthier and more sustainable community that favors and provides access to bicycles and other non-motorized vehicles. She is the executive director of Yay Bikes! – which she launched in 2009 – and is a certified cycling instructor who implements a cyclist safety outreach program for the Ohio Department of Transportation and Public Safety. Meredith serves on several bicycle advocacy committees, including “Columbus Share the Road” and the Franklin County Physical Activity Plan Roundtable. She lived without a car for over three years, but limited public transit options in Columbus recently led her embrace a “car-lite” lifestyle.
Jackie Dorman
Founder & President, Jane TVJackie Dorman, the co-founder and president of Jane Media Group, has a vision for transforming media messages about women and their relationships through “Jane.tv” – a new women's television network slated to launch nationally later this year with an aim to inspire, encourage and champion women. As the former general manager of Columbus-based Guardian Television Network (GTN), Jackie saw the need for a new generation of media that reflects the heart of a real feminist movement. She’s a frequent conference speaker and is the author of Whose Kids Are These And Why Are They Calling Me Mom?, a book that takes a light-hearted look at the issues facing the blended family.
Matt Crumpton
President, Music Loves OhioMatt Crumpton is an attorney and an accomplished musician who has a vision for engaging and exciting underprivileged youngsters in music. He is the founder and president of “Music Loves Ohio,” a non-profit organization which provides unique and fun opportunities for kids to learn, perform and record music. Matt is also an owner of two Athens, Ohio-based restaurants: D.P. Dough and Union Street Diner. He has written and published two books: The Ohio Self-Defense Law Guide for Gun Owners and Making It: How to Go From Wanting A Career as A Musician to Having One, and regularly performs with “The Winnie Cooper Project,” which was recently voted the “Second Best Cover Band in Columbus” by readers of 614 magazine.
Adam Brouillette
Co-Founder, Wonderland ColumbusAdam Brouillette, co-founder and executive director of Wonderland Columbus, is an accomplished artist, designer and entrepreneur who has a vision for creating an eclectic retail and office space that integrates and features local art, music and performance. Wonderland Columbus is an emerging non-profit organization that aims to catalyze the full cultural and economic potential of Columbus’ creative community by bringing together an unprecedented mix of artist studios, galleries, retail shops, a recording studio, business offices, a performance space, a physical fitness center, restaurants and nightclubs to form a virtual one-stop-shop of creative endeavors and entertainment.
Tonia Irion
Co-Founder, E-CycleTonia Irion is the co-founder of e-Cycle, which was ranked the 5th fastest-growing environmental services company in the United States in 2011 by Inc. magazine. She had a vision for combining her passion for technology, environmental protection and charitable giving and incorporated these interests into a wireless buyback and recycling company with the potential to substantially reduce harmful e-waste. A veteran of the technology industry, Tonia spent the better part of 10 years working with Hewlett-Packard, beginning in sales and moving eventually into marketing where she expanded her expertise before running her own marketing/consulting agency.
They’re inspired to do something
in a
radically different way and they go for it – big time!
They take risks and often get battered and bruised.
But nothing stops them, because they’re people on a mission.
Visionaries come from all walks of life.
They may be tucked away in a quiet research lab or
in the glaring spotlight of politics or sports.
Some are entrepreneurs running their own businesses,
while others can be found within major corporations.
It’s not where they work or what they do that
makes their stories so compelling. It’s that elusive “vision thing.”
They have an uncanny ability
to see
possibilities that the average person can’t even imagine.
Congratulations to all the Visionaries!
