We are Hope Ignites Cincinnati
Hope Ignites Cincinnati helps motivated high school students rise above disadvantaged backgrounds. Our goal is to graduate young people who are physically, emotionally, and academically prepared for post-secondary education and productive life, breaking barriers so they can become community-minded leaders.
Hope Ignites firmly believes that young people have the power to overcome adversity, realize their potential, and help transform our world. They create these successes when we remove obstacles, support and believe in them, and provide environments and opportunities that build on their strengths.
Hope Ignites Cincinnati is a proud member of the Hope Ignites Network. Our Network Headquarters, located in St. Louis, Missouri, connects, provides leadership to, and offers signature college-preparatory programming to affiliates across the nation and Mexico and Guatemala. Each affiliate is independently incorporated, governed by its own board of directors, and responsible for its own fundraising. Affiliation and services agreements link the Network to ensure mission and brand fidelity, quality operations, maximum functional capacity, and consistency in training, programmatic standards, and best practices.
OUR MISSION
To nurture and guide motivated young people in need to become well-educated, career-ready men and women for others.
OUR DNA
These are the fundamental and distinctive characteristics of our organization.
Academic Focus
We believe in the transformative power of education to develop lifelong learners.
Service and Community Engagement
We believe in the Jesuit-inspired, values-centered hallmark of building “persons for others.”
Family-like Settings to Create a Sense of Belonging
We believe youth derive their energy and sustenance from exposure to nurturing environments.
Long-Term and Comprehensive Commitment
We believe an enduring relationship with youth holds the most promise for attaining positive outcomes.
Faith-Based Values
We believe that a loving God cares about the life of every individual and we manifest this belief.
Voluntary Participant Commitment
We believe in the motivational power of self-selection into the Hope Ignites program.
LOCAL IMPACT
Since 1983, Hope Ignites Cincinnati has been helping scholars rise up from disadvantaged backgrounds and strive for more. We serve youth who want to go to college and create successful futures for themselves. Our scholars have joined our program to receive support on their journey to college and beyond. They seek the academic resources, extracurricular opportunities, and mentor relationships we provide.
We currently serve 75+ 4th grade through collegian scholars from throughout the Greater Cincinnati area.
We have great numbers to represent our success and we often hit 100%. But that’s not where the story ends. There isn’t a number that is large enough to represent the character, ambition, courage and integrity of our young men and women.
See how Hope Ignites is prioritizing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
LEADERSHIP
The Hope Ignites Cincinnati Board of Directors and staff leadership collaborate to ensure mission fidelity, financial stewardship and transparency. This team of professionals is committed to continuous learning, effective programming and improvement through impact evaluation and innovation.
Karl Thomsen
Executive Director
Ming Cardwell
Program Director
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Steven Arnold
Chair
Ernst & Young
David W. Conway
Nominating Chair
Intellex
Graham Mercurio
Development Chair
The RCF Group
Carl Adkins
Finance Chair
Sentinel Private Wealth Group of Wells Fargo Advisors*
Keri Mueller
Strategic Planning Chair
The James J and Joan A Gardner Family Foundation
Chris Brennan
MAI Capital Management
Julie Bristow
Wyler Family Foundation
Michael J. Burke, Jr.
United Audit Systems, Inc.
Dan Gibson
Fort Washington Investment Advisors
Michelle Jones
Social Media Influencer, @Hey,Michelle
Chris Vollmer, Jr.
CBRE Group
Aaron Haslam
The Haslam Company LLC
Greg Scruggs
Alumnus, BHGH National Board of Directors
H. James Williams, Ph.D.
President, Mount St. Joseph University
Kristin Ostby
President & CEO, Hope Ignites
*Wells Fargo Advisors is a trade name used by Wells Fargo Clearing Services LLC, Member SIPC, a registered broker-dealer and non-bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company.