Who We Are

CHRISTINE NEITZKE, PRESIDENT & CO-FOUNDER

Christine Neitzke is an award-winning entrepreneur, marketer, and executive. An Ohio native and Miami University business graduate, Christine has put her skills in media relations, strategic planning, marketing, design, and events management to work in both the public and private sectors. After directing communications and public relations for two environmental agencies, Christine tapped into her creative side by opening her own interior design practice, which maintained a thriving clientele of over 30 private customers.

That’s when life changed for Christine. A devoted mother and wife, her life was turned upside down when her son, Matt, was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma at age ten. Motivated by the lack of support some of Matt’s fellow pediatric cancer patients had in their lives, Christine, together with her best friend Ria Davidson, created The Dragonfly Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit devoted to bringing comfort and joy to young cancer and bone marrow transplant patients. Five years later, Matt Neitzke is cancer-free and The Dragonfly Foundation is renowned in the Cincinnati area for its dedication to its young charges. As co-founders, Christine and Ria have shaped The Dragonfly Foundation into the unprecedented success it is today.

Christine has been honored with the Jefferson Award (2016), Lead Magazine’s C-Suite Award, Venue Magazine’s Women of Influence (2014) and Civic Leadership Awards, Maureen Donnelly Courage Award from Cancer Family Care, and as one of Greater Cincinnati’s Leading Influencers by Lead Magazine. Under Christine and her best friend Ria Davidson’s guidance, The Dragonfly Foundation has been recognized as a finalist for the 2016 Business Awards in the Non-Profit Category by the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber, Northern Kentucky Regional Chamber’s Emerging 30 (2015) Duke Energy Children’s Museum as a Difference Maker Award nominee in 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014-2015.

Outside of her work as co-founder of The Dragonfly Foundation, Christine enjoys spending time with her husband, children and two dogs in their Mason, Ohio home.
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RIA DAVIDSON, VICE PRESIDENT & CO-FOUNDER

Ria Davidson is a public relations and communications executive with more than 25 years of consultancy experience. Ria has been responsible for planning, managing and executing local, regional and national projects and campaigns, and her special areas of expertise include relationship, brand and image building; public awareness, education and involvement; stakeholder relations; reputation management; and crisis planning and response.

After she became the caregiver of her mother-in-law during her cancer battle and supporting Christine Neitkze’s family during her son’s treatment/recovery journey, Ria left her thriving public relations practice to help launch The Dragonfly Foundation.

As Dragonfly’s co-founder and vice president, Ria has been honored with the Cincinnati Rotary Club’s prestigious Jefferson Award (2016), Venue Magazine’s Women of Influence and Civic Leadership Awards, the West Chester/Liberty (OH) Alliance’s Women of Excellence award. She and Christine have also been recognized as one of Greater Cincinnati’s Leading Influencers by Lead Magazine. Prior to Ria’s involvement with The Dragonfly Foundation, she was named as one of Women In Business Networking’s Top 25 Women to Watch, the Top 10 Women in Public Relations and Marketing, and a recipient of the Cincinnati Business Courier’s “40 Under 40” award, among others.

Outside of her professional endeavors, Ria enjoys spending time with her husband and children, Jessica and Drew, and their dog in their Deerfield Township, OH home.
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Awards Received By Dragonfly

Under Christine and Ria’s guidance, Dragonfly Foundation has been recognized by Lead Magazine as recipient of the Emerging Business Award (2018), a finalist for the 2016 Business Awards in the Non-Profit Category by the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber, Northern Kentucky Regional Chamber’s Emerging 30 (2015) Duke Energy Children’s Museum as a Difference Maker Award nominee in 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014-2015.

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STAFF:

Ally Brokaw, Director of Business Operations

Carrie Ellis, Director of Operations & Hospital Relations

Zak Geier, Patient/Family Relations Manager

Jen Morand, Community Relations Specialist

Kathy Doering, Accounting Manager (Part-time)

Maureen Scahill, Manager of Student Programs (Part-time)

 

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BOARD MEMBERS:

Board President: Greg Vehr, 
Vice President of Vehr Communications

Robert Brown, Esq., Graydon Head

Jim Browning, CEO, Marsh Brand Partners

Bill Carigan, Regional President, ProMark

Peter Clayton, Executive Director, 
Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati/UC Health

Dave Cook, Retired Executive Chairman

Dan deStefano, Sales & Marketing, W.V. deStefano Homes LLC

Trish Elam, President, Midwest Cactus, LLC

Laurel Markley, Vice President, Ameriprise Financial

Mark Matson, President, Matson Money

Melissa Matson, President, Matson Family Foundation

Jim Neitzke, President & Chief Financial Officer, TTRI, LLC

Carlos Sanchez, President, Continental Roof Co.

Donna Thorman, Vice President, Peoples First Savings Bank

 

ADVISORY BOARD:

Marty Brennaman, Voice of the Cincinnati Reds on Radio & Dragonfly Spokesman

John Burns, President, Encore Technologies

Chuck Fredrick

(Alethea Marshall), iHeart Media Cincinnati

Tony Ricci, Owner/Operator, Tony’s Steaks & Seafood

Scott Seger, Senior Vice President, Cincinnati Bell/CBTS

Bob Wysocki, Chief Technology Officer, Microland

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TECHNOLOGY TEAM ADVISORS:

Greg Grewe, TGB Software LLC
Jude Schramm, General Electric
Tom Tally, T-2Design
Matt Berning, Uplift My Brand
Krishna Babu Mohan Babu, TCS
Bob Wysocki, Chief Technology Officer, Microland

 

LANDING DEVELOPMENT/CAPITAL CAMPAIGN TEAM FOR CINCINNATI

The Dragonfly Foundation in Cincinnati has organized a Landing Committee to initiate the process of identifying/building a new, more permanent location for The Landing in the region.  The committee includes:

Dave Cook
Dan DeStefano, W.V. deStefano Homes, Chair & Dragonfly Board Member
Donna Thorman, Peoples First, Vice-Chair & Dragonfly Board Member
Jim Neitzke, Treasurer & Dragonfly Board Member

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