Conference Presenters
Day 2 Presenters
Dontavius Jarrells
Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, Rep. Dontavius Jarrells earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a minor in Economics from Hiram College in 2010.
After graduating, Dontavius embarked on a journey in public service as an Ohio Legislative Service Commission Fellow during the 129th General Assembly. His impactful contributions included drafting legislation, conducting legal and fiscal research, and actively participating in committee meetings. His commitment to effecting positive change extended to his roles at the Ohio Association of County Behavioral Health Authorities (OACBHA) and Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS), where he championed Medicaid expansion and health equity initiatives, fostering community engagement across diverse populations to address health disparities.
In 2020, Dontavius emerged victorious as the State Representative for House District 25, all while continuing his work at the Franklin County Treasurer’s Office. His inaugural term showcased remarkable bipartisan accomplishments, such as eliminating discriminatory covenants, erasing derogatory language from the legal code, and directing $150 million towards lead prevention efforts, drawing from his personal experience as a lead poison survivor.
Following redistricting, Rep. Jarrells is in his second term as Representative for House District 1, advocating for bipartisan policies like the Paystub Protection Act, ensuring employee access to pay statements, and the Foster-to-College Scholarship Act, a testament to his dedication to foster youth. His unwavering commitment extends to raising the minimum wage to $15.00 and championing the replacement of lead water lines, underlining his unyielding dedication to Ohio’s children and families.
Dan Gichevski
Dan is the Executive Director of Stark County Family Council. As leader in community planning, the Stark County Family Council promotes a system of care that protects and enhances the well-being of children and families by building community capacity, coordinating systems and services, and engaging and empowering families.
Dan has worked in the non-profit/government field since 2005, when he began his career as a program manager for men and women returning to their community from incarceration. In 2008, he became employed with Stark Metropolitan Housing Authority as the Section 8 Supervisor. As he continued in subsidized housing, Dan was appointed as the Executive Director of Harrison Metropolitan Housing Authority in 2012. He continued to serve in that capacity until beginning at Stark County Family Council in 2017.
Dan earned a Masters of Arts in Non-Profit Administration from John Carroll University where he also completed his undergraduate studies, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with a Criminology Concentration. Additionally, Dan is a graduate of the Spotlight Stark County program.
Sylvia Friel
Sylvia has served as the Coordinator for the Licking County Children and Families First Council (CFFC) since 2014 and brings more than 35 years of experience in the human services field. Her leadership spans coalition building, cross‑system collaboration, project implementation, budget oversight, and grant development, and she is deeply committed to ensuring strong family and partner engagement in decision‑making. Her background in counseling psychology and behavioral health, combined with years of community impact work, gives her a unique lens on what it takes to strengthen families and the systems that serve them. Sylvia holds a Master of Science in Education (Counseling Psychology) from the University of Kentucky and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from The Ohio State University.
Sharon Tahajod
Sharon has been the administrator for Medina County Family First Council since 2022. The position became full-time in 2023 when doing the finances for Council were added to the position. She was a Council family representative for about 18 years before that, after her first child was born with significant medical conditions. The experience serving as a family representative has been enormously helpful in the administrator role.
Her degree and experience before having children were in a science field and she lives in Medina County with her husband and two young adult children. Being involved in MC Family First Council and meeting human service professionals, other Council administrators, and especially families has been a privilege.
Steve Ullom
Steve is a licensed social worker with 30 plus years of experience working in a broad range of social service settings in Columbiana County. Over the years he has worked in management and direct service capacities, serving youth and their families in both public and private agencies. His direct experience includes: community mental health, vocational rehabilitation, juvenile corrections, sheltered employment, transitional case management and residential treatment. In 1997 he had the privilege of serving as the first full-time Coordinator of the Columbiana County FCFC. After being away from the Council for a number of years, in 2019 he had the opportunity to come full circle by returning to serve again as Coordinator.
Steve’s undergraduate degree is in Psychology, and he has an MBA from Malone University (Go Pioneers!). He lives in Columbiana with his wife Karen and a very spoiled Shih Tzu named Dunkin, who graciously allows them to live in his house. They also have two grown human children and a gaggle of grand puppies.
Veronica Brady
Veronica Brady is the Executive Director of the Franklin County Family & Children First Council and current President of the Ohio FCFC Coordinators Association. Veronica started her 'professional' career as a parent advocate for her youngest son, while completing her adult degree in Human Services Management. She then began a career at the Union County Board of DD where she worked as an SSA for over eleven years. She then moved to Logan County where she worked as a Family Advocate and Parent Project coordinator. It was there that she discovered her love of training, and she facilitated multiple programs in parenting, mentoring young people, and facilitating Youth Mental Health First Aid. She then took a position as the Executive Director of Logan County FCFC, where she worked for 3 more years and then moved on to Franklin County FCFC Executive Director. Her broad experience in this work in medium, small, and large counties gives her a unique perspective on various aspects of service delivery for families and the distinct differences in communities.
Veronica has served as the OFCFCCA President for almost two years and enjoys the advocacy aspect of her position tremendously. She is a passionate advocate for families and youth voice, and with over 29 years of expertise, both personally and professionally, she embraces the idea that she still has a lot to learn.
Veronica enjoys spending time with family, listening to true-crime podcasts, creating CANVA projects, crocheting, and buying, but not necessarily fully using, planner supplies. She has been married to her husband for 34 years and has two adult sons and a daughter-in-law she adores.
Laileona Sydnor
Laileona Sydnor grew up in Columbus, Ohio, where she continues to live today. After graduating early from West High School, she attended Columbus State Community College and The Ohio State University.
Following seven years of empowering teens and young adults navigating mental health challenges through Youth MOVE alongside John Dellick, Laileona founded LMG Motivation, LLC. Through LMG, she shares her personal story of adversity, resilience, and perseverance, inspiring others to overcome barriers through advocacy, education, and motivational speaking.
Laileona has presented at schools, YMCAs, Nationwide Children's Hospital, and many other organizations. Most recently, she participated in the YMCA's Entrepreneurship Week, encouraging aspiring young leaders to pursue their goals with confidence and determination.
When she's not speaking or advocating, Laileona enjoys spending time with her girlfriend, Alexis.
