CRP Staff
Executive DirectorLynnette Cook, Ph.D.614.737.2932 lcook@researchpartners.org | ||
| Lynnette Cook, Ph.D. is the Executive Director of Community Research Partners. Dr. Cook's previous experiences were pivotal in the Board's selection of her in May 2013 as the next Executive Director at CRP. She has experience synthesizing and presenting data to diverse audiences, establishing strong partnerships with nonprofit and governmental organizations, and is very familiar with the Central Ohio area. Dr. Cook most recently served as a Deputy Director at the Ohio Department of Health, and was previously an Assistant Vice President, Accountability for the United Way of Central Ohio. | ||
Director of Research and Data ServicesYvonne Olivares, Ph.D.614.737.2934 yolivares@researchpartners.org | ||
| Yvonne Olivares manages CRP's staff and a diverse portfolio of community-focused research projects and services. Prior to joining CRP she worked as a Research Scientist, Associate Research Methodologist and Lead Methodological Research Analyst for the Nielsen Company where she was responsible for managing multiple, simultaneous domestic and international research projects. She holds a Doctorate in Sociology from The Ohio State University where she taught Community Sociology, Urban Sociology and Social Theory. Yvonne also worked as a Research Associate for the Center for Community Research in Development while completing her B.A. and M.A. at Baylor University. | ||
![]() | Director of OperationsJeffrey D. Fortkamp614.737.2930 jfortkamp@researchpartners.org | |
| As CRP's Director of Operations, Jeffrey Fortkamp helps to maintain the health of the organization through development and implementation of sound internal administrative systems and functions. Prior to joining CRP, Jeffrey worked for the Ohio Legal Assistance Foundation, the City of Columbus' Department of Development, and several other non-profit and public sector employers. He holds a law degree from Capital University, Masters in Public Administration from The Ohio State University, and Bachelor of Arts degree with a dual major in Business and Psychology from Wittenberg University. | ||
![]() | Associate Director of Research ServicesClare T. Pettis, Ph.D.614.737.2948 cpettis@researchpartners.org | |
| Clare Pettis works with the Director of Research and Data Service to manage CRP's portfolio of applied research and evaluation projects. Clare undertakes data collection, analysis, and reporting for community data, research, and evaluation projects. Prior to joining CRP she worked with National Church Residences as a grant writer and previously served as a Research Project Manager for the Nevada Center for Ethics & Health Policy. She holds a Doctorate in Interdisciplinary Social Psychology from the University of Nevada, Reno where she worked as a Research Assistant and a Teaching Assistant. Clare also worked as a Research Assistant for the Department of Psychology, Addiction Studies, and Social Work at Minot State University while completing her B.A. in Sociology and Psychology | ||
![]() | Associate Director of Data ServicesAaron Schill, AICP614.737.2965 aschill@researchpartners.org | |
| Aaron Schill works with the Director of Research and Data Services to manage data collection, analysis, mapping, and reporting for CRP's portfolio of community data projects. He also maintains CRP's internal and publicly available data resources. A member of the American Institute of Certified Planners, Aaron previously served as Assistant Development Director/City Planner for the City of Newark, Ohio and as a Planner with Stantec Consulting Services. He holds a Master's Degree in City and Regional Planning and a Bachelor's Degree in Sociology, both from The Ohio State University. | ||
![]() | Senior Research AssociateDevin Keithley614.737.2961 dkeithley@researchpartners.org | |
| Devin Keithley undertakes data collection, analysis, and reporting for community data. Prior to joining CRP, Devin interned with the Franklin County Economic Development and Planning Department. Previously he worked as a graphic designer and cartographer for NAVTEQ and The World Bank in Washington, DC. Devin holds a Master's Degree in City and Regional Planning from The Ohio State University, a Master's Degree in Geography from The George Washington University, and a Bachelor's Degree in Geography from Bucknell University. | ||
Information Systems CoordinatorKarissa K. Hanson-Morris614.737.2963 khanson-morris@researchpartners.org | ||
| Karissa Hanson-Morris is responsible for maintaining and updating CRP's project management systems, managing IT systems, maintaining CRP websites, and publishing electronic communications. Prior to joining CRP, she was Research Assistant and Data Coordinator at Synthesis, Inc. where she was responsible for data collection and support for projects related to planning and evaluation technologies for behavioral health and other human services. | ||
![]() | Research AssociateMax Laird614.737.2958 mlaird@researchpartners.org | |
| Max Laird undertakes data collection, analysis, and reporting for community data, research, and evaluation projects. Max received his Master's Degree in International Affairs, Communication and Development Studies from Ohio University and also holds a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science from there. His professional background includes experience at the Scripps Survey Research Center at Ohio University, the Agricultural Cooperative Development International (ACDI/VOCA) in Washington, D.C., and at the National Assembly for Wales in the UK. | ||
![]() | Research AssociateTaylor Beale614.737.2946 tbeale@researchpartners.org | |
| Taylor Beale undertakes data collection, analysis, mapping and reporting for community data and research projects. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Geography (Geographic Information Science) from The Ohio State University and also holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History from there. Taylor returned to CRP, where he formerly served as a GIS intern, after working as a GIS Technician for Dominion East Ohio Gas Company. | ||
![]() | Research AssociateZachary Crafton614.737.2940 zcrafton@researchpartners.org | |
| Zachary Crafton undertakes data collection, analysis, and reporting for community data. Prior to joining CRP, Zachary worked as a Test Coordinator for the Housing Research and Advocacy Center in Cleveland, Ohio, and previously served as the Research Director at Greater Ohio Policy Center. Zachary holds a Master's Degree in Geography from the University of Toronto, and a Bachelor's Degree in Geography from Ohio University. | ||
Cheryl Hay
Administrator
Business and Industry Department
Columbus State Community College
Michelle Heritage
Executive Director
Community Shelter Board
Erik Janas
Deputy
County Administrator for Regional Collaboration
Franklin County Commissioners
Bill LaFayette, Ph.D.
Owner
Regionomics
*Bill LaFayette is currently on leave from the CRP Board of Directors
while he serves as the CRP Interim Executive Director
Michelle Mills
Council Member
City of Columbus
Andrew Roberts
President
YMCA of Central Ohio
W. Randy Smith
Vice Provost for Academic Programs
The Ohio State University
Ben Tryon
Director, Space & Assortment Planning
Victoria's Secret
Michelle Vander Stouw
Principal
OnPointe
William Webster
Deputy Director
Columbus Department of Development
Carla Williams-Scott
Assistant Director
Franklin County Department of Job and Family Services
Charles R. Wise
Professor and Director
The John Glenn School of Public Affairs
The Ohio State University