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John P. Brody Honored with Pillar Award for Community Service

The Medical Mutual Pillar Award for Community Service, presented by Smart Business, has announced the class of 2023.

John Brody of Kegler Brown has been selected as an honoree among the publication’s Nonprofit Board Executives of the Year category for his work with Directions for Youth & Families (DFYF).

Brody, a litigator and director at Kegler Brown, has served as a Directions for Youth & Families (DFYF) board member for more than eight years, holding several positions during his service. DFYF is a resiliency-oriented, trauma-informed agency whose mission is to build and inspire hope and healing for youth, families, and communities. The agency has been serving the most vulnerable in Central Ohio since 1899 when its predecessor, Crittenton Family Services, opened a home for unwed mothers. DFYF continues to serve those who are most in need and is an affiliate member of National Crittenton.

In 2019, Brody became board chair and developed five ad hoc committees so that the board could assist in addressing challenges the agency was facing. When COVID hit, he agreed to extend his term for a third year to provide stability during a time of rapid change and unprecedented stay-at-home orders.

As chair, Brody helped guide the agency through a capital campaign and was one of eight individuals who served on the Capital Campaign Leadership Team for a new Crittenton Community Center. Additionally, he served on the Building Committee for the project. His expertise as a lawyer has been invaluable as DFYF made its way through contracts, agreements, permits, easements, and other construction and design concerns.

The Pillar Award for Community Service honors businesses of all types and sizes, and individuals who make outstanding contributions to their communities. Its purpose is to encourage a charitable environment, recognize creative efforts that make a difference, and demonstrate the ties between the for-profit and nonprofit worlds.

Since 1998, The Pillar Award has embraced a broad definition of community service. It consists of charitable giving, volunteerism, pro bono work, or other forms of giving back. Service may be limited to a single organization or cause or spread across numerous organizations and causes. Each nominee is judged based on impact relative to its size rather than overall size of contribution or effort. The Pillar Award for Community Service is currently recognized in the cities of Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati.

The honorees will be recognized for their achievements at an awards ceremony on Wednesday, January 18, from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at The Ohio Statehouse.

Congratulations to John for this well-deserved honor. View the full list of honorees.

 
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