Victoria L. Gresh, Executive Director
Victoria Gresh currently serves as the executive director of The Ohio Academy of Nursing Homes, Inc. She serves as the chief executive/financial officer of the Academy and as board liaison, and oversees the daily operations and staff of the association. Victoria coordinates all long-term strategies with the Board of Directors, and directs staff on all association programming, financial operations, advertising, membership recruitment and committee participation. A registered lobbyist, Victoria serves as a liaison between the long-term care profession, state government and regulatory agencies, and the public to promote and maintain the general welfare of Ohio’s frail and elderly citizens.
Victoria was previously employed as director of operations by the Builders Exchange of Central Ohio, a local trade association serving the commercial construction industry. She was responsible for all of the association's human resources practices and procedures, including staff recruitment and retention, and effectively managed six departments within the association. Prior to being promoted to director of operations, she was the director of Expo & Workforce Development, where she managed the Central Ohio Construction Expo, Ohio’s largest commercial construction trade show and conference.
Before joining the Exchange, Victoria was associate director/lobbyist for the Ohio Association of School Business Officials (OASBO), a statewide professional association representing the interests of the state's school district treasurers and business managers. She managed the association's day-to-day operations, publications, and annual conference, and worked closely with other education associations on the DeRolph school funding issue. She was president of the organization's political action committee (PAC) and helped develop the first formalized legislative beliefs statement for the association. She also testified before the legislature on various education issues.
Victoria began her career as a legislative aide in the Ohio House of Representatives and Ohio Senate, where she wrote legislative testimony, coordinated fundraisers, and worked with special interest groups in crafting legislation. She was the staff aide for the House Children & Youth Committee, and coordinated the bill selection and hearing schedule for the committee. She served on the Women's Policy and Research Commission, the Coalition for Elderly Employment and the Ad-Hoc Committee for Multi-Disciplinary Cooperation.
She is a graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University, where she majored in international studies, with concentration on history and German studies. She spent one semester at the University of Hamburg, Germany, on a work-study program and worked at an exporting company in Bergedorf as part of that program.
Victoria is a member of the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) and the Ohio Society of Association Executives (OSAE), where she has served in such capacities as Professional Development Committee chair, Holiday Luncheon Committee chair, and Annual Conference Committee chair. Victoria is active with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training Program, and has actively fundraised, trained and participated in half marathon events in San Diego and Phoenix with the society. She has been active in the Ohio Wesleyan University Alumni Association, where she served as the Annual Fund coordinator for four years, and on the reunion committee. She currently resides in Westerville, Ohio, with her husband and two children. She is a native of Hubbard, Ohio, located just outside of Youngstown.
Christopher J. Murray, Director of Economic & Policy Analysis
Christopher J. Murray has more than nine years experience in economic and policy analysis. His extensive background in economic reasoning and expertise in budget analysis has made Chris a valuable asset to decision makers in both the business and public policy arena. Offering a rare blend of innovative project development, in-depth analysis of data and issues, pragmatic solutions, and clear and concise dissemination of information, Chris has been instrumental in all aspects of economic and policy analysis.
Chris began his career in research at The Ohio State University where he led a research project on non-market valuation from the nascent stages of project design to the publication of final reports and peer reviewed articles. While working at Ohio State, Chris also gained valuable experience in business policy as a researcher for The Battelle Memorial Institute, where he worked with innovative thinkers on business policy and sustainability issues. Already with a strong background in research and statistical analysis, Chris strengthened his policy analysis skills while employed by the Ohio Legislative Service Commission. As an Economist, Chris became intimate with the political process and provided legislators with key information to make policy decisions. Currently, Chris is employed by The Ohio Academy of Nursing Homes where he is performing analysis and research on issues in long-term care and strengthening the policy arm of The Academy. Chris’s success in the public and private sectors stems from his ability to quickly analyze issues from multiple perspectives and design strategies that lead to pragmatic solutions in a dynamic environment.
Chris is the proud father of twin girls and spends most of his time doting on them. Chris enjoys teaching evening Economics classes at Capital University, playing baseball and basketball, and defending his lawn from virulent wild violets (a battle he is currently losing).
Dawn E. Sink Kennedy, Director of Education and Convention
Dawn Sink Kennedy is the director of education and convention for The Ohio Academy of Nursing Homes. She manages the Academy’s Annual Convention, online education and all of the regional educational programming.
Dawn is a graduate of The Ohio State University, where she majored in political science with a focus on American politics and minored in women’s studies. While at Ohio State she interned with the Ohio House of Representatives.
Dawn has spent the majority of her career in adult education in the non-profit sector. She was the assistant director of education, events and outreach at the Builders Exchange of Central Ohio (BX). After leaving the BX, she became the education coordinator for Professional Insurance Agents of Ohio and Indiana, a state wide association for independent insurance agents. Her most recent position prior to coming to OANH was with the American Ceramic Society, a national scientific association. In 2004 Dawn obtained the Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation from the American Society of Association Executives.
Dawn is a member of the Ohio Society of Association Executives, the American Society of Association Executives and The Ohio State University Alumni Association. She and her husband currently live in Hilliard, Ohio. In her spare time, she enjoys volunteering for the Capital Area Humane Society, yoga, reading and golf.
Christina A. O'Neal, Executive Assistant
Christina O’Neal is currently employed by The Ohio Academy of Nursing Homes, Inc. as the executive assistant where she designs The Academy Advocate, The OANH Annual Membership Directory and marketing materials. She also maintains the membership database, web site and political action committee report; helps promote the Annual Convention and educational seminars; and assists with accounts payable and receivable, as well as advertisement within all publications.
Christina graduated from The Ohio State University with a bachelor of arts in communications and two minors in business and sociology. She was an intern at the Franklin County branch of the American Cancer Society in the summer of 2004, and the Columbus Osteopathic Association in the summer of 2005. Through the American Cancer Society, she established business relationships with possible donors and promoted special events, such as the Relay for Life and Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. During her time at the Columbus Osteopathic Association, she was employed part time as the associate executive director. She wrote many articles in the monthly newsletters and helped create the 2005 Directory.
Christina currently resides in Columbus, Ohio, and is a native of Oak Harbor, Ohio, a small town located in Northwest Ohio. She is an avid Buckeye football fan and a member of The Ohio State University Alumni Association and Ohio Society of Association Executives.
