Ohio Business Roundtable

The second half of the 2026 Ohio CEO Summit featured powerful conversations on what it means to lead with purpose and create lasting impact. Catherine Strauss of Ice Miller, Scott White of IGS Energy, and Lisa Ingram of White Castle System, Inc. joined Laura Cooke of Positive Foundry for a thoughtful discussion on employer strategies for mental health and the important role leaders play in building healthier, more resilient workplace cultures. Later, attendees heard from Jimmy Haslam of Haslam Sports Group in a dynamic conversation with Kirt Walker of Nationwide on the intersection of business, sports, leadership, and economic impact. The day concluded with closing remarks from Ravi Bellamkonda, who reflected on the importance of collaboration, innovation, and continued investment in Ohio’s future. Together, the conversations throughout the Summit served as a reminder that strong leadership starts with people — supporting them, building strong teams, and creating impact that lasts. Thank you to our speakers, sponsors, attendees, and host for making the 2026 Ohio CEO Summit a meaningful day of conversation, connection, and forward-thinking leadership.

It is not every day you have the opportunity to hear directly from the leader of a global company with deep Ohio roots, sharing the principles, decisions, and perspective behind leading at the highest level. Jon Moeller, Chairman, President and CEO of Procter & Gamble, joined John Barrett of Western & Southern Financial Group for a rare and powerful discussion on leadership, culture, innovation, and building lasting value at one of the most respected companies in the world.

A strong morning at the 2026 Ohio CEO Summit. We were proud to open today’s program with remarks from our President & CEO, Pat Tiberi, and President Ravi Bellamkonda of The Ohio State University. Throughout the morning, attendees heard thoughtful conversations on leadership, innovation, and Ohio’s future. During lunch, Bob Schottenstein of M/I Homes and Dr. K. Luan Phan of The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center joined Dr. John Warner for an important discussion on science, courage, and a first-of-its-kind approach to mental health. We also heard from leaders across economic development, higher education, innovation, health care, and finance on the opportunities shaping Ohio’s future. From J.P. Nauseef of JobsOhio discussing Ohio’s continued economic leadership, to Rodney Rogers of Bowling Green State University, Sarah Nash of Novagard, Mark Kvamme of The O.H.I.O. Fund, and Steve Steinour of Huntington Bank exploring the innovation economy, each conversation brought valuable perspective. We are grateful to all of today’s speakers for sharing their insights and helping make this morning’s conversations so meaningful.

The 2026 Ohio CEO Summit is officially underway at The Ohio State University. Today, leaders from across Ohio will come together for an afternoon of conversations focused on leadership, innovation, mental health, economic growth, and the future of our state. We are looking forward to a powerful day of dialogue at this year’s Summit: Blueprints for Bold Leadership.

For the past four years, the Ohio CEO Summit has brought together leaders, ideas, and conversations that matter to Ohio’s future. This Thursday, we return for our fifth year with Blueprints for Bold Leadership, a program focused on the leadership, innovation, and collaboration shaping what comes next. We can’t wait to create more great memories with our members, sponsors, speakers, and attendees.

We’re excited to welcome buckeye leader Dr. John Warner of The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center to the stage at this year’s Ohio CEO Summit! Dr. Warner will sit down with K. Luan Phan, MD (@OSUWexMed) and Bob Schottenstein (@mihomes) to discuss the State of Ohio Adversity and Resilience (SOAR) Study. This conversation will explore what it takes to make an audacious bet on science, the critical role of the private sector alongside academic medicine, and how bold partnerships can lead to breakthroughs that change lives. 🎟️ Be in the room on May 7. Last chance to register today. eventbrite.com/e/2026-ohio-ce… #OhioCEOSummit #MentalHealth

Mark Kvamme (The O.H.I.O. Fund) has helped position Ohio as a hub for high-growth companies. Sarah Nash (@NovagardS) is driving innovation within advanced manufacturing. Rodney Rogers (@bgsu) is preparing the next generation of talent to meet this moment. Moderated by Steve Steinour (@Huntington_Bank), They’ll share what innovation looks like in practice, how ideas turn into impact and how organizations stay ahead in a changing economy. 🎟️ Join us on May 7. Register today. eventbrite.com/e/2026-ohio-ce… #OhioCEOSummit #Innovation #Leadership #EconomicGrowth

🎉 Thank You to Our 2026 Reception Sponsors A special thank you to Encova Insurance, @BreadFinancial, @DanisBuilds , and @CVGairport for supporting the Ohio CEO Summit. Their leadership and partnership help make this event possible, and we’re grateful for their shared commitment to making business better for Ohio. 📍 Join us on May 7 at the OSU Covelli Center → grab your tickets today! eventbrite.com/e/2026-ohio-ce…

🧠 Employer Strategies for Mental Health The strongest organizations understand that performance starts with people. Join us for an honest conversation about how leading companies are rethinking workplace culture, prioritizing well-being, and creating environments where employees can truly thrive. Hear from Catherine Strauss (@IceMillerLLP), Scott White (@IGSEnergy), and Lisa Ingram (@WhiteCastle), with Laura Wilkins Cooke (@PositiveFoundry) moderating, as they share how they’re turning intention into action. From leadership mindset to workplace practices, this discussion will explore what it really takes to support mental health in today’s workforce. 🎟️ Register today | #OhioCEOSummit #WorkplaceWellbeing #Leadership eventbrite.com/e/2026-ohio-ce…

We’re honored to welcome Beth Hammack of the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, to the Ohio CEO Summit. Beth brings a unique vantage point. Leading one of the Federal Reserve’s regional banks while staying closely connected to the businesses and communities that power our economy, her perspective sits at the intersection of national policy and real-world impact. In conversation with Mark Hatcher (@BakerHostetler ), she’ll share insights from her leadership journey. 🎟️ Join us on May 7. Register today. eventbrite.com/e/2026-ohio-ce…

The future of higher education is being shaped right now and it will play a defining role in Ohio’s economic trajectory. We’re proud to welcome Ravi Bellamkonda, President of The Ohio State University, as a featured speaker at this year’s Summit. As he begins his presidency, President Bellamkonda brings a forward-looking perspective on how a leading public university can drive innovation, develop talent, and create meaningful impact across the state and beyond. His remarks will offer insight into how education, research, and industry can better align to meet the demands of a rapidly changing world. 🎟️ Join us on May 7. Register today. eventbrite.com/e/2026-ohio-ce… #OhioCEOSummit #HigherEd #Leadership #Innovation

Thank you to one of our Premier Sponsors, @caresource, for their support of the 2026 Ohio CEO Summit! CareSource is a national leader in managed care, dedicated to improving health outcomes and making high-quality care accessible to communities across Ohio and beyond. Their commitment to innovation, partnership, and service continues to make a meaningful impact on the individuals and families they serve. We appreciate their leadership and the role they play in advancing healthier communities and a stronger Ohio. Join us on May 7 ⬇️ eventbrite.com/e/2026-ohio-ce… #OhioCEOSummit #BlueprintsForBoldLeadership

We’re excited to announce that @Pres_Rogers of @bgsu will be joining us as a featured speaker at the 2026 Ohio CEO Summit on May 7th. As part of the panel, President Rogers brings a unique perspective on how higher education fuels growth and opportunity. Under his leadership, BGSU opened the Kuhlin Hub, designed to connect students with real-world, industry-driven experiences and strengthen the talent pipeline supporting Ohio’s evolving economy. Have you reserved your ticket yet? Get it today using the link below ⬇️ lnkd.in/en8rAUMk #OhioCEOSummit #BlueprintsForBoldLeadership

We’re excited to welcome Scott White of @IGSEnergy, to the stage at the Ohio CEO Summit on May 7! Scott will join a panel discussion on mental health and employer best practices, a must-hear conversation for any business leader focused on workforce well-being. Don’t miss this important discussion—get your tickets today through the link below. ⬇️ ⬇️ eventbrite.com/e/2026-ohio-ce…

Last week, Nick Rhodes testified before the Ohio Senate Education Committee in support of SB 328, highlighting the bill’s role in expanding meaningful career exploration for students and strengthening how Ohio connects education to workforce outcomes. Too many students move through school without a clear understanding of the career pathways available to them or the skills needed to succeed after graduation. SB 328 helps address that by introducing earlier career exploration opportunities and personalized academic and career plans for students. It also includes the Education & Workforce Return on Investment (ROI) Initiative which will use data to determine which education and workforce programs produce the best outcomes and should be scaled. By strengthening the bridge between education and the workforce pipeline, the bill helps ensure more students graduate with direction, purpose, and a clearer path to in-demand careers.

Ohio is emerging as a global leader in aerospace and defense industries, anchored by Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, NASA Glenn, the Air Force Research Laboratory, and a growing private-sector network. The Ohio House recently passed House Bill 292, establishing the Ohio Defense & Space Commission. This important step strengthens Ohio’s ability to compete for federal defense dollars, private investment, and next-generation innovation. We thank Representative Ty Mathews, joint sponsor Representative @NickSSantucci, and Senator Bill Reineke for their leadership in including aerospace in this legislation, supporting low-Earth orbit commercialization, commercial space stations, and microgravity manufacturing. OBRT was proud to testify in support of both the original and amended bills and looks forward to engaging the Senate as it advances Senate Bill 362.

In Pat Tiberi's words, “energy is the defining economic issue of this decade.” We are proud to announce that the second edition of the OBRT Energy Competitiveness Study is here, this time with a focus on natural gas and nuclear power. It's a strategic roadmap to strengthen reliability, accelerate infrastructure, and secure Ohio’s long-term economic advantage. Building on our inaugural 2025 study, where 5 of 6 recommendations were enacted through HB 15 and SB 103, this edition outlines 4 targeted recommendations to ensure Ohio can maximize our energy advantage. The states that can deliver reliable, affordable, and abundant energy will define the next era of growth. Ohio has the assets—now is the moment to act. Thank you to the 39 OBRT member companies who contributed their time, insights and data that went into this report. You can read it at the link below. ohiobrt.com/post/obrt-rele…