Sophia Fifner | Source | Lecturer at The Ohio State University

Sophia Fifner is a distinguished leader and the President and CEO of the Columbus Metropolitan Club (CMC), renowned for its role in stimulating community conversations and connecting diverse ideas. Her career was ignited under the mentorship of Senator George Voinovich in Washington, D.C., and she later excelled as the Director of Corporate Social Responsibility and Executive Director of the NiSource Charitable Foundation at NiSource. Here, she played a pivotal role in securing and managing over $100 million for social impact initiatives.

Sophia is a passionate advocate for gender equity and the support of survivors of sexual violence, actively contributing to the Women’s Fund of Central Ohio, Ohio Crime Victims Justice Center, Marsys’ Law for Ohio, Freedom a la Cart, and the Ohio Alliance to End Sexual Violence. Her commitment to these causes reflects her deep belief in the power of civic engagement to forge more inclusive and resilient communities.

In her advisory capacity, Sophia has guided S&P 500 CEOs and executives, enhancing their strategic communication across platforms such as MSNBC, Bloomberg, Forbes, Fast Company, and the Wall Street Journal. Her guidance is informed by her rich personal and professional background, including her heritage as the proud daughter of Jamaican immigrants, which instills a unique and influential perspective in her work.

Sophia’s areas of expertise include civic engagement, civic discourse, social capital, and community engagement, making her a dynamic force in fostering meaningful change and amplifying marginalized voices within society.