2025 OPRA Leadership Summit

Ukeme Awakessien Jeter is the Mayor and Council President of the City of Upper Arlington and Assistant Dean for Global Perspectives at The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law. A former engineer, law firm partner, and award-winning author of IMMIGRIT, she speaks nationally on cultural intelligence and leadership.  Ukeme received a JD from Case Western Reserve University School of Law, an MBA from the University of Massachusetts – Lowell, and a BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Maine where she was a college athlete in track and field.

Steve Beecham is a speaker and author helping companies and individuals grow their businesses by leveraging professional and social connections more effectively.  Steve has interviewed hundreds of top salespeople and identified what he feels are the common elements of success.  He is featured in How to Win Friends and Influence People in the Digital Age, the modern adaptation of the bestselling personal growth book of all time by Dale Carnegie.

Kathryn Dobbs is the Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of the Columbus Blue Jackets.  Dobbs was promoted to the position in December 2018 after serving as the club’s Vice President of Community Development and Executive Director of the Columbus Blue Jackets Foundation for three years.  Prior to joining the Blue Jackets, Dobbs served as Vice President of Philanthropy for the YMCA of Central Ohio and before that, over 12 years as a senior-level executive with the YMCA in multiple locations around the United States.

Anthony Muñoz is one of Cincinnati’s true sports icons.  Considered by many as the greatest offensive lineman in NFL history, he’s an eleven-time NFL Pro Bowl selection and is the only Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee in Cincinnati Bengals history.  In 2002, Anthony established the Anthony Muñoz Foundation, a non-profit organization that engages the Tri-State region to impact area youth mentally, physically, and spiritually, raising more than $5,000,000 since its inception.

Toni Murphy is the newly appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Operating officer for Astound Broadband.  She has over 20 years of experience in the cable and telecommunications industry.  Before her current role, Toni held various leadership positions at Comcast, including CMO and SVP, as well as Sales and Marketing.  She has a BA in French and economics from Princeton University and is actively involved in non-profit work.  Besides her professional achievements, Toni is known for her talents as a jazz singer, poet, and passionate traveler.

Steve Stivers was born and raised in a small town in Southern Ohio.  He attended The Ohio State University, built a successful career at the Ohio Company and Bank One, and serves as a Brigadier General in the Ohio Army National Guard.  Steve served in the Ohio State Senate from January 2003 until December 2008 and in the United States House of Representatives from 2011 until 2021.  He is the current President of the Ohio Chamber of Commerce.

Bill Tschirhart is the Director of Kettering Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts.  He has worked in both the municipal and park district settings for more than 27 years.  He combines a business approach with public sector service, helping organizations achieve their financial goals.  Bill has presented at numerous state and national conferences, schools, and institutes on topics such as cost recovery, pricing, financial management, marketing, and alternative revenue.