Insider Innovations: Navigating Today, Shaping Tomorrow
On July 30, 2025, during the annual ICAA conference, OFIC hosted its Insider Innovations Day in Dublin, Ohio—a full day of ideas, connections, and inspiration. It was wonderful to see so many familiar faces, along with a wave of first-time attendees bringing fresh energy to the room.
The day began with Embracing the “Not–Knowing”: Living in Our Contemporary World of Uncertainty by Janette McDonald, Ph.D., a keynote that offered timely insight on adapting to life’s constant changes. Next, the Jobs Ohio Regional Speaker Panel: Economic Development—A Look Ahead for Ohio, moderated by Lindy Hall of Jobs Ohio, featured Jocelin Dean (Dayton Development Coalition), Julie Szeltner & Natasha Cresap (Team NEO), and David White (One Columbus).
Following a lunch sponsored by OFIC, attendees joined the First Destination Survey Roundtable with Bethani Burkhart (Tiffin University), and Intern Connect: An Internship Program for Today’s Students presented by The HRKyle Team. OFIC’s own Melanie Garrabrant then shared exciting updates—along with some fun door prizes. The day concluded with Practical Pathways: Bridging Education and Industry through UC’s Virtual Internships Partnership presented by Kelli Anderson (University of Cincinnati), recorded for on-demand viewing.
Thank you to everyone who joined us and made the day such a success. We’re already looking forward to the next Insider Innovations event in January.