Nicole joined GAR Foundation as Program Officer in late September 2024. In this role, she advances the Foundation’s strategic priorities by assessing and reviewing grant inquiries, while collaborating with grantees and community organizations to explore opportunities for funding and partnerships in GAR’s focus areas. Nicole also represents the Foundation on various committees, at convenings, and in public forums.
Before joining GAR, Nicole spent over five years at United Way of Summit & Medina (UWSM), where she launched Ohio’s first BankOn program and held multiple roles, including Director of Financial Empowerment. She also spent nearly two years as a Business Analyst at FirstEnergy.
Nicole holds a bachelor’s degree in Communications from Hiram College and is currently pursuing her MBA at Miami University.
In her free time, Nicole enjoys exploring Northeast Ohio's metroparks, tackling home DIY projects, attending live concerts, and practicing yoga. She serves on the board of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Summit, Medina, and Stark Counties and is a graduate of Leadership Akron’s Diversity on Board program. Nicole is the proud mother of an adult daughter who teaches in California.
Believe it or not: During Covid, Nicole taught herself woodworking and built several small items including a coffee table.