Kathryne Gardette is a Positive Broker: artistic – logistic – civic. Few that know Kathryne are surprised she’s a Myers-Briggs ENFP, that no matter the Strengths Finder version connector is her #1 strength or that her leading Fascinate Archetype is the Ringleader. Born in July, she is a reflection of the #1 trait of the Cancers sign, loyalty. For over thirty years, she’s worked for the same hospitality company (Prestige AV & Creative Services) performed in the same band (Drums for Peace) and has advocated for one neighborhood (#WeAreWalnutHills). She has been recognized by her peers with the Spirit of Cincinnati USA Awards 2013 Pinnacle Award for Outstanding Service, received third place for her original hooked rug design “Symbol of Knowledge by the Cincinnati Horticultural Society, is a 2014 Cincinnati Enquirer Woman of the Year and the Meeting Professionals International (MPI) Potomac Chapter 2019-2020 Distinguished Leader Award. The first recognition she received for giving back to her beloved #WeAreWalnutHills was the Vida Carson Award in 1998. As a member of the board for Work Resource Center she assisted in guiding the organizations merger with Easter Seals and the founding of their social enterprise Building Value. Kathryne loved her nine years of service to the Walnut Hills Redevelopment Foundation. Kathryne has served on the board of the Walnut Hills Area Council (WHAC) during three different decades, currently the President. A life-long learner, goal achiever, Kathryne sat for her CMP (Certified Meeting Professional) the first year the test went computerized, is a CTA (Certified Tourism Ambassador) and helped develop the CTA program for Cincinnati. At fifty-four Kathryne returned to school earning a Master’s of Science in Positive Organizational Development and Change from Case-Western Reserve University.

Doug Hinger is a graduate of Miami University and has been in the Design and Building industry for over 40 years. He’s currently President of Traditions Building Group and an Architect and Planner with D-HAS. His experience includes a private architectural practice as well as working for private and public building companies throughout the eastern United States focusing on strategic marketing, land acquisition, product design, construction operations and corporate management. Recent projects include The Wicks at The Vintage Club, The City Series: Station Court City Homes, The Village at Rivers Pointe, Charter Hill, Linden Hill, The Retreat at Summit Park, and the new City Series – a collection of high-quality infill housing in historic Cincinnati neighborhoods. He’s designed and built many other new home communities and buildings throughout the region and is a member of the Urban Land Institute, American Institute of Architects and the National Association of Homebuilders.

Jake Dietrich is Vice President of Acquisitions & Development for Onyx+East. At Onyx+East, Jake leads land acquisition and development throughout the Ohio market. Over his career, Jake has led the development of more than 3000 units valued at more than $600M of mixed-use, multi-family, and for-sale residential real estate throughout the Midwest. Jake graduated cum laude from Ball State University with a bachelor’s degree in urban planning and development and a minor in real estate development. He also graduated with his law degree from Indiana University's McKinney School of Law. Professionally, Jake is an active member of ULI's Commercial & Retail Product Council (Platinum Flight) and the ULI Columbus District Council, serving on the Programs Committee. Jake serves on the Advisory Board for Ball State University's Department of Urban Planning, where he is frequently a guest lecturer. In 2021, Jake was named the Ball State University College of Architecture and Planning's Graduate of the Last Decade. Personally, Jake is married with two children. Jake is an active member of his church, where he serves as Chair for the School Committee.

Katherine Keough-Jurs has worked for the City of Cincinnati since September, 2000. She was Project Manager for Plan Cincinnati, the City of Cincinnati’s first comprehensive plan in over 30 years, and winner of the American Planning Association's (APA) 2014 Daniel Burnham Award for a Comprehensive Plan, APA Ohio’s 2013 Ohio Planning Award for Comprehensive Planning in a Large Jurisdiction, and the 2013 Frank F. Ferris Award for Planning in Hamilton County, Ohio. She holds a Master of Community Planning from the University of Cincinnati and a BA in Political Science from Miami University. She has been certified by the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) since 2001. Katherine is a member of the Board of the Ohio Chapter of the APA and is also the Director of the Cincinnati Section of APA Ohio. Katherine became Interim Director of the Department of City Planning beginning January 1, 2018 and was appointed Director officially on February 7, 2018.

Liz Blume has worked as a professional planner in Southwest Ohio for almost 35 years. She is excited to be launching a new consulting firm; Blume Community Partners! She will be working with communities and organizations in southwest Ohio and beyond on issues of comprehensive planning, housing, community development, transportation, and sustainability. Liz has also worked as the Director of Planning in both Dayton and Cincinnati, and for the last 20 years as the Director of the Community Building Institute, a partnership between the United Way and Xavier University. She loved the experience at Xavier of co-directing a Master's Program in Urban Sustainability and Resilience. She learned tons from her students. Liz currently serves on the national Preserving of Affordable Housing POAH Board as well as the Seasongood Board, where she is currently the vice president in Cincinnati.