Board
Emily Douglas, Age 26
Founder & Executive Director: 1993-Date
In 1993, at the age of eleven Emily Douglas founded Grandmas Gifts in memory of her grandmother Norma Ackison. The Douglas family lost Norma Ackison to breast and lung caner in 1991 after being diagnosed in 1989. She was only 60 years old. The lessons and stories her Grandmother shared reached Emily and after realizing that kids did not have the things she so often took for granted, she wanted to change the world... one child at a time.
To date, Emily has volunteered over 14,000 hours to make this organization what it is today. Emily holds many volunteer positions in Grandmas Gifts; director, secretary, event organizer, fundraiser, spokeswomen, and volunteer. Yet, she knows that without the assistance of other kids, the community, other organizations, and her parents, Grandmas Gifts success would not have been possible. For this she thanks everyone who has helped Grandmas Gifts in any way!
(2007 Braves Field Hockey Season, Left to Right: Brooke, Amy, Emily Douglas, & Ashley)
Emily says, I LOVE volunteering my time for this organization. I will work with this organization until I physically can no longer. I know that my Grandma above smiles at our accomplishments. Being older I enjoy the fact that this organization not only provides goods, service, education, and inspiration but recognizes veterans, creates breast cancer awareness, and shows young girls that they can and should be strong business women. I have grown-up in a family of entrepreneurs and strong women Im very lucky.
Emily graduated from Worthington Kilbourne High School in 2000 and Miami University in Oxford, Ohio in 2004 with her Bachelors in Political Science. While at Miami she was an active member of Kappa Delta sorority (Gamma Nu Chapter), Student Hall Council, and the Native American Student Association. After graduation Emily started graduate school at The Ohio State University Fisher College of Business. In 2007 Emily attained her Masters degree in Human Resources and is now working on her second Masters degree in Business Administration.
In addition to school Emily works as a consultant with an OSU professor on issues such as organizational development, compensation, and human resources strategy. She is also a graduate assistant for the Office of Minority Affairs at OSU, recruiting American Indian and Appalachian Students for professional and graduate school. While she values work and supporting her cultural heritage, she also loves sports! As the head field hockey coach at Olentangy High School she coaches, trains, and leads more than 60 middle and high school girls on a daily basis during the Fall. She also plays for Ohio States Club field hockey team.
While busy, Emily says that shes still a normal young adult. I frequently get asked if I have friends or a life outside of work, school, and volunteering. To them I laugh and say you bet! I enjoy hanging out with my friends, driving in my car while listening to loud music, eating sushi, snowboarding, going to the movie, painting or sculpting, playing field hockey, shopping, and going to OSU football games! The only things I tend to not find enough time for is sleeping and cleaning my bedroom!
Sarah Douglas, Age 23
Co-Vice President: 1999-Date
Sarah Douglas is currently in the pursuit of a Masters and Ph.D. in the field of British Early Modern and Modern military history at The Ohio State University. Sarah graduated from OSU in June 2007 with Honors in the Liberal Arts with Distinction in History.
In addition to her studies, Sarah served as an Office Assistant in her dorm, she is a member of the Phi Alpha Theta History Honors Society, she volunteers for the Honors Department on visitation days for prospective students, and tutors other students in history upon occasion. Outside of the University, Sarah regularly volunteers for the Athletic Training Staff at Worthington Kilbourne High School and is the head coach of the Olentangy Middle School Field Hockey Team.
In her spare time, Sarah loves to watch old movies, read, write realistic fiction, draw cartoons, and play video games. She also enjoys being with her family, watching sports with her friends, and doing absolutely nothing on the rare occasion that is possible.
Sarah has been involved with Grandmas Gifts since her older sister founded it in 1993. Upon growth of the organization Sarah became a co-Vice President with her twin brother Zachary Douglas in 1999. Emily, Zach and Sarah all serve as advisors for the Grandmas Gifts Donor advise fund at the Columbus Foundation.
Zach Douglas, Age 23
Co-Vice President: 1999-Date
Zachary Douglas is currently a fourth year student at The Ohio State University pursuing his Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial & Systems Engineering. He plans to graduate in June 2008 and then either pursue a Bachelor degree in Welding Engineering or a Masters in Business Administration.
In addition to his studies, Zach serves as an Officer in his fraternity Alpha Sigma Phi. He is also the Sergeant at Arms, Philanthropy Chair, and Social Chair in Alpha Sigma Phi as well as the Web Master for TEXNIKOI, an engineering honorary fraternity. Outside of the University, Zach works as the Customer Service Leader as well as the IT consultant for Mr. Mulch Inc. but is currently a co-op at Honda R&D Americas.
In his spare time, Zach plays soccer, hangs out with friends, plays video games, designs small computer programs, and goes to the movies. He also enjoys being with his family, going to sports events with friends, skiing, and traveling whenever possible.
Zach has been involved with Grandmas Gifts since his older sister founded it in 1993. Upon growth of the organization Zach became a Co-Vice President with his twin sister Sarah Douglas in 1999. Emily, Zach, and Sarah all serve as advisors for the Grandmas Gifts Donor Advise fund at the Columbus Foundation.
Morgan Webb, Age 25
Senior Strategist: 2006-Date
Morgan Webb is a recent graduate of The Ohio State University, receiving her Masters Degree in Labor and Human Resources. While at the Fisher College of Business she was involved in the Graduate Human Resources Association. Although Morgan is not sure what she wants to do when she grows up, she does plan on obtaining her Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification.
Morgan obtained her Bachelors of Science in Business Management from Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio in 2005. While attending Wright State, Morgan was active in trying to establish a colony of Delta Sigma Pi, a professional business fraternity. She also worked as a guide for the blind.
Morgan, who grew up in Appalachian Ohio, joined Grandmas Gifts as an advisor in September 2006 acting to help organize and volunteer for projects. Now, Morgan helps in forming all strategic initiatives for the organization including web-branding, project design, giving, and internal business functions.
Konstantin Berger, Age 24
Marketing Director: 2008-Date
Konstantin Berger (Koz as know by his friends) joined Grandmas Gifts to help with Video Production and Marketing. Apart from being a kid himself, Konstantin wants to give back to a country that took him in. He was born in Russia and moved to America when he was seven years old. He saw a lot of poverty growing up in Siberia and later in the Mid West which shaped his mind early on. Konstantin has a bachelors degree in Marketing and Logistics from the Ohio State University and an MBA from Fisher College of Business (OSU). He is interested in internet and technology marketing and will be pursuing a career in the IT consulting industry.
Konstantin became friends with Emily at the Fisher College of Business. He learned about the organization through volunteering with Emily. At this point he wanted to become more involved to give back.
His hobbies include video production, outdoorsy things, and watching documentaries on TV. Related goals include giving back to the community, finding better technologies for the environment and helping to solve the Middle East conflict.
Dhwanit Shah, Age 25
Web Designer: 2008- Date
Advisors:
Jerry Douglas 1993-Date
Jerry Douglas is the father of Emily, Sarah, and Zachary. Jerry has also been a great supporter of Grandmas Gifts and offers many new ideas concerning logistics and transportation. Jerry is very involved in the community outside of Grandmas Gifts and never misses an opportunity to give back to his roots. Jerry is the youngest son of Betty and Bill Douglas of Ironton, Ohio.
Terri Douglas 1993-Date
Terri Douglas is the mother of Emily, Sarah, and Zachary. Terri is currently the Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt at Emerson Network Power yet always finds time to volunteer and give her children new ideas about projects and how to assist Appalachia. Terri is the daughter of Norma and Odell Ackison of Ironton, Ohio.
Ashley Doyle, Age 19: 2006-Date
Ashley Doyle is currently a sophomore at Kent State University in Ohio. Ashley has been involved with Grandmas Gifts since 2006.
Peggy Green, Age 26: 2002-Date
Peggy Green is currently a speech and hearing teacher in Pennsylvania. Peggy and Emily met in college at Miami University. They were both part of the Gamma Nu chapter of Kappa Delta. Peggy always found time in college to organize projects, address envelopes, or volunteer. Peggy has been involved with the organization since 2003. Peggy currently lives in Pennsylvania and participates with Grandmas Gifts via telephone conference and the internet.
Stella-Monica Mpande, Age 25: 2008-Date
Stella-Monica Nalugwa Mpande is currently a second-year Masters of Labor and Human Resources graduate student in the Fisher College of Business at The Ohio State University and plans to graduate in December 2008. Born in Uganda and raised in La Côte d'Ivoire, Stella-Monica earned her Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communications from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, as well as a Masters of Arts in Global Marketing Communications and Advertising from Emerson College.
Stella-Monica aspires to use her international professional expertise and personal experiences to work in, and create various global organizations that improve socio-economic conditions in developing countries, amongst other goals.
Stella-Monicas affiliation with Grandmas Gifts was a natural result of her relationships with Emily. Both co-workers as Graduate Administrative Associates at OSUs Office of Minority Affairs, MLHR graduate students from the Business School, and Green Belts of Lean Six Sigma, the two friends also share a desire for organizing results-driven opportunities to make a positive difference in their communities. Consequently, Stella-Monicas informal contributions to the organization quickly led to an official advisor position on Grandmas.
When not writing TV scripts or plays, Stella-Monica enjoys working out, swimming, dancing, baking, hanging out with friends and celebrating lifes most random moments.
Courtney Doyle, Age 14, 2008-Date
Katie Winegarner, Age 17: 2007-Date
Katie Winegarner is currently a Senior at Olentangy High School in Lewis Center, Ohio. She started playing field hockey her sophomore year and became a Junior Varsity Captain in both her sophomore and junior school years at Olentangy. Katie is a part of the Olentangy Service Club. She enjoys creating projects and lending a helping hand to people in need. Her favorite Olentangy Service Club project is the yearly Trick-or-Treat for cans food drive in which they collect cans from the community and take them to People in Need of Delaware county where they distribute them to people in the community. Katie is also a part of the school newspaper. She has been on the staff for four years and became the feature editor this year. Katie is also very active in her churches youth group. She has been a mentor and youth group leader for three years. When Katie is not volunteering or doing her school work she enjoys reading, dancing to country music, spending time with her family and friends and hanging out with her youth group. When she graduates from OHS in 2009, Katie plans to get her bachelors in nursing. She would like to travel to third world countries and do more volunteer work as well as help people that would not get the medical care otherwise.
(Left to Right: Katie W & Tera P)
Tera Parrella, Age 16: 2007-Date
Tera Parrella is currently a Senior at Olentangy High School in Lewis Center, Ohio. She started field hockey as sophomore at Olentangy became a Junior Varsity captain and currently plays for the Varsity team. She was recently named a Varsity Captain for the 2008 season. Tera is also very active in the Olentangy Service Club, she joined the schools largest club her freshman year. Sophomore year, Tera became one of seven officers, the corresponding and publicity secretary. For the 2007-2008 school year she was selected as President. This past spring Tera was a project manager for My Special Place; a volunteer event that worked with the Tony R. Wells Foundation, the Epilepsy Foundation, Easter Seals, and Adventure for Wish Kids to build and decorated three play houses for deserving, disabled children. Tera is also involved in her schools freshman mentoring program, BKOM, and is the nominated female for Youth Leadership Delaware County. When Tera is not playing field hockey or volunteering in the community, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, watching movies, and listening to music. When she graduates from OHS in 2009, Tera aspires to attend pharmacy school. Tera has been involved with Grandmas Gifts since 2006, she is dedicated to a lifelong leadership and making a difference were proud to have her as a youth advisor!
Kelsey McIntire, Age 13 2005-Date
Kelsey McIntire is a middle school student at Columbus Academy in Gahanna, Ohio. Kelsey has been involved with Grandma's Gifts since July of 2005. Kelsey has raised several hundred dollars with raffles, bake sales, and organizing a church fund-raiser. In addition to helping with Grandma's Gifts she enjoys ballet and piano. Kelsey is very excited about helping with trick-or-teeth and future projects. She hopes to get more involved with Grandma's Gifts throughout middle school and high school.
Erin Maher, Age 19: 2007-Date
Erin Maher is currently a sophomore Speech Pathology and Audiology major at Miami University, in Oxford, Ohio, with aspirations to pursue her Doctorate of Audiology in the future. Erin volunteers weekly through Adopt-A-School at Hamilton High School in Hamilton, Ohio, where she tutors sophomore through senior English as a Second Language (ESL) students. At Miami, Erin works as a Resident Hall Assistant and also as a page designer for the university newspaper, The Miami Student. Erin is a member of the Miami University Choraliers and the Alpha Omicron Pi sorority. In her free time, Erin enjoys hanging out with friends, listening to music, running, kayaking, reading Jodi Picoult novels, and new experiences.
Jess Fehling, Age 18 2006-Date
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Past Advisors:
Stan White 2006-2007
Ashley Lamp 2005-2007
Justin Sexton 2002-2005