Stephanie Hightower

8th President and CEO (and first female President and CEO)

of the Columbus Urban League (CUL), Columbus’ oldest and most successful urban family advocate. Since taking the helm in 2011, Ms. Hightower has transformed the organization into a more relevant and effective force in helping individuals and families overcome poverty and achieve self-sufficiency-- today’s civil rights struggle -- by offering a holistic set of initiatives focused on economic transformation, foundational education and family stabilization to touch and transform the lives of more than 7,000 people a year.  A true champion, Ms. Hightower’s

professional portfolio includes a wealth of experiences in athletics and public service.  Formerly vice president of institutional advancement for the Columbus College of Art & Design, Hightower exceeded eight-digit development and fundraising goals for capital improvements and endowment growth. She served as president of the Columbus

school board from 2001 until 2005, a $1.3 billion enterprise.  Hightower is among the greatest student athletes in the history of Ohio State as a world record holder, 1980 Olympian and an NCAA and Big 10 champion in the hurdles. She has been equally world-class in her sport since retiring and currently holds a position on the International Associate of Athletics Federation (IAAF).  About the Columbus Urban League:

The Columbus Urban League (CUL) stands as Central Ohio’s oldest and most successful family advocate. Fighting for equity and justice for nearly a century, the organization has emerged as a respected, relevant and effective force in overcoming poverty. Its coaches and experts, who come from and uniquely understand the urban community, rely on a holistic array of best practice initiatives focused on economic transformation, foundational education and family stabilization to touch and transform the lives of more than 7,000 people a year. Under the leadership of its first female CEO and president, Ms. Stephanie Hightower, the Columbus Urban League is now ranked among the top 5% of all 88 urban league affiliates across the country.