An introduction for our 2020-2022 Board Leaders

Your Cincinnati board of fun-loving designers have recently elected new leadership! “What does that mean!?” “I know it’s an election year, but when were the AIGA primaries?” “Which party are they aligned with?” You might have some of these questions rattling around in that creative noggin, but let me explain a little bit about our board structure.

AIGA Cincinnati is a team of volunteers with a mission: “Help local creatives reach their full potential, because we believe the growth of one is the success of all.” We are a chapter affiliation of AIGA, the professional organization for design, serving the nation by advancing design as a professional craft, strategic advantage, and vital cultural force. At the community level, there are over 70 chapters across the country that are affiliated with the national organization, but all are independently organized.

To drive the strategy of that mission, we elect new leaders every two years from among our ranks.

John Fontaine & Ruzanna Rozman

AIGA Cincinnati is proud to recognize John Fontaine & Ruzanna Rozman as our 2020-2022 Co-Presidents. This is the third term of Co-Presidents for our board. John and Ruzanna follow in the footsteps of previous Co-presidents Autumn Cayabyab & Haley Moore (2016-2018) and Kathryn Sturm & Kristen Pericleous (2018 – 2020). The structure of our vice presidency also follows suit, and AIGA Cincinnati is equally proud to recognize our 2020-2022 Co-Vice Presidents, Nicola Cimino and Ashton Spann. In addition to our executive team, 4 board members and 3 board explorers, a total of 11 board members, are dedicated to driving our efforts forward.

Ashton Spann & Nicola Cimino

When I consider the impact our previous presidents have had, it’s difficult not to relate their transition away from the AIGA Cincinnati board to that of America’s first president, George Washington. It might also be due to streaming Hamilton one too many times, I will never be satisfied. When Washington was retiring from his office he wrote, “I am influenced by no diminution of zeal for your future interest, no deficiency of grateful respect for your past kindness, but am supported by a full conviction that the step is compatible with both.”

Every leader we’ve had on the AIGA Cincinnati board has made a huge impact on how we continue to improve as a board and as a resource for the community. We know how difficult it can be for our leaders to leave this organization in the care of someone else, especially after dedicating a significant amount of time and effort to 4+ years serving the Cincinnati creative community. We are grateful for their innovative ideas, thoughtful leadership, and excellent execution and we carry those learnings forward to the next generation of leaders.

We recognize 2020 has not been an easy year for anyone. Our hope is to continue to adapt and thrive in our current climate and focus on delivering events and programming for the Cincinnati creative community in a way that helps others grow and be successful. To learn more about the people on our board take a look at our bios. If you are interested in a role with AIGA, we are always looking for volunteers. We focus on positioning individuals where they are most passionate, so if you don’t see an open role that fits you, talk to us about your ideas and we might be able to support your ambition. As our presidents will tell you, the experience, connections, and impact you can create within a role with AIGA are invaluable.