A CEO and a volunteer board of directors lead KidsOhio.org. The board consists of civic and community leaders from Ohio.

Mark Real, President and CEO

Attorney Mark Real leads the day-to-day operations of KidsOhio.org. Mr. Real is known for his nonpartisan, researched-based, results-oriented approach to problem solving. He has chaired Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman’s Education Advisory Committee, headed Governor George Voinovich’s Head Start Task Force, and was a member of Governor Bob Taft’s Commission on Student Success and of Governor Celeste’s Commission to Reduce Teenage Pregnancy. Mark Real is a frequent speaker before civic and community organizations.

Abigail Wexner, Board Chair

Mrs. Wexner chairs the board of KidsOhio.org and is an advocate for women’s and children’s issues in Central Ohio. Mrs. Wexner is the founder and chair of the Columbus Coalition Against Family Violence and the Center for Child & Family Advocacy at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, both in Columbus. Mrs. Wexner chairs the board of Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus and is the Vice Chair of the KIPP:Central Ohio Board.  Additionally, she is a trustee of the United States Equestrian Team Foundation, the Wexner Center for the Arts and is the past chair of the governing committee of The Columbus Foundation.

KidsOhio.org Board Members

Chad Jester, Vice President for Corporate Public Involvement, Nationwide

Linda Kass, Community Leader
Past President and member, Bexley School Board.
Founder of the Columbus Montessori Center.
Has honored 15 Champions of Children, supporting accessible, quality child care since 1993.

Jeff Lyttle, Vice President, Corporate Responsibility, Chase

Frederick L. Ransier, Esq., Partner, Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP
Former Member, Columbus City Council.
Founding Chair of the Columbus Works employment training program.
Past Chair, Board of Trustees, Central State University.

Ilana Horowitz Ratner, Attorney
Owner, Integrated Visions, a planning and coaching consulting business.
Board Member, Center for Families and Children, Cleveland.
Co-creator, Emmy-Award winning Television series on children in Northeast Ohio, produced by WKYC-TV3 Cleveland.

Elizabeth Ruppert, M.D., Pediatrician
Past President of the Ohio Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Past Chair, United Way of Greater Toledo.

Barbara Trueman, Businesswoman, Retired Educator
Past Board Member, Children’s Hospital, the Columbus Zoo, and Recreation Unlimited.
Member, Governing Board, The Columbus Foundation.