About Operation YP

Operation YP members (L to R) Mandy Medve, Stephanie Campolo, Ashley Lester, Kristie Lewis, Joan Lloyd, and Larry Lanham.Operation YP is a group of young professionals, representing a wide array of local businesses and organizations, working with the common goal of raising hunger awareness and supporting Mid-Ohio Foodbank and Operation Feed, the Foodbank’s annual community-wide drive.



Group Members

  • Dustin Blake, Plymale & Dingus
  • Stephanie Campolo, United Way of Central Ohio
  • Mindy Davis, Columbus Regional Airport Authority
  • Katie Riehl, Fahlgren Mortine
  • Misty Jordan, Radio One
  • Larry Lanham, Dinsmore & Shohl, LLP
  • Ashley Lester, Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission
  • Jamie Levine, OSU John Glenn School of Public Affairs
  • Kristie Lewis, Express
  • Saar Mahna, OSU South Asian Student Association
  • Mandy Medve, SC Search Consultants
  • Andrew Murphy, Mid-Ohio Foodbank
  • Bridget Purdue Riddell, Bricker & Eckler
  • Tina Sefcik, American Electric Power
  • Beth Stallings, Capital Style
  • Taryn Stanton, Social Security Administration
  • Jennifer Van Zandt, Deloitte & Touche
  • Katie Vockell, Nationwide
  • Dana Ward, YWCA Columbus
  • Christina Williams, The Ohio Hospital Association

OPERATIONYP In The News

Young Professionals Spotlight: Operation YP

(Columbus Chamber of Commerce, November 23, 2011) Each month, the Columbus Chamber spotlights a local young professional or professional organization to showcase what they offer, how to get involved and when to check out their next event. For the month of November, Operation YP is featured. Read more...

Past Events

DINNER ON A DIME: LOCAL FOODS EDITION—2011

Dinner on a Dime: Local Foods Edition - photo collage of event held on September 22. Check out the links below for the sponsors and pictures of event.Operation YP presented a third successful event on September 22, 2011, with DINNER ON A DIME: Local Foods Edition. In conjunction with Hunger Action Month and Local Foods Week, Local Matters’ Executive Director, Chef Michael Jones, presented a cooking demonstration featuring locally-sourced ingredients to a crowd of over 100 Columbus-area foodies, professionals, and supporters at North Market’s Dispatch Kitchen. Joan Lloyd briefed the crowd on Mid-Ohio Foodbank produce initiatives and partnerships between the two organizations. Guests enjoyed tastings of two dishes: “Ohio Spaghetti Squash with Bacon and Greens” and “Spelt Berry Risotto with Shiitake Mushrooms and Fresh Greens.” The evening also included local beer & wine pairings, networking, music, prize drawings, and a fundraising component—donations were collected at the door, and nearly $700 was raised for Operation Feed! Both The Other Paper and Columbus Alive featured the event, which was sponsored by Preferred Living, The Greener Grocer, Local Matters, Yelp, The Barrel & Bottle and CYP Club. Check out photos from the evening, and stay tuned for info about Operation YP’s next event.

2010 Hunger Summit

In conjunction with the Foodbank’s 30th Anniversary and Hunger Action Month, Operation YP presented its second event, the 2010 Hunger Summit, on September 29, 2010. The Summit offered an opportunity for community members of all ages and backgrounds to explore the issue of hunger, make a meaningful contribution to how the community responds, provide feedback for organizations involved in hunger-related work, and learn about ways to take action and make a difference. Nearly 100 participants were joined by distinguished guest panelists, including: Lisa Courtice, Ph.D., Vice President, Community Research & Grants Management, Columbus Foundation; Elfi Di Bella, CEO and President, YWCA Columbus; Charles W. Gehring, President & CEO, LifeCare Alliance; Evelyn Behm, Sr. Vice President,  Mid-Ohio Foodbank; Mary Lou Langenhop, President & CEO, Children’s Hunger Alliance; Janelle Simmons, Director of Community Relations & Philanthropy, Limited Brands.  The afternoon included a State of Social Services & Overview of Philanthropy in the Workplace, Panel Discussion, World Café Style Roundtable Discussions and networking and Happy Hour following the program. Special thanks to speakers and panelists, Summit participants, and event sponsor, Boston's, The Gourmet Pizza, for creating valuable community dialogue and contributing to the success of the event. 

Dinner on a Dime—2010

On May 6, 2010, Operation YP hosted its first event: "Dinner on a Dime," Dinner on a Dime logo.Columbus’ own young professionals united to support Operation Feed in the fight against hunger. Guests could network with community leaders and pick-up exclusive tips on how to prepare a unique meal using items found at a food pantry. Music was provided by DJ Moxy and guests enjoyed tastes of dishes prepared by Chef Brian Murphy, Sr. Culinary Manager at Bob Evans Farms, Inc. Food and funds raised benefitted Operation Feed. Special thanks to Bob Evans, (614) Magazine, DJ MOXY, Shannon Custer & Best Light Video, and the Operation YP committee for a wonderful evening at Mid-Ohio Foodbank! View "Dinner on a Dime" photos.

Operation YP in Support of Operation Feed

In preparation for their first event, Operation YP members created a video testimonial to help spread the word about the Foodbank’s annual Operation Feed campaign. Oyauma Garrison, Kristin Mele, Larry Lanham, Ashley Lester, and Mandy Medve explain their involvement with the program and urge others to join the fight against hunger in our community by getting their organizations involved with the drive.