Buckeye Lifestyle Magazine Fall 2019

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Melissa

INGWERSEN LEADING THE WAY

FWC Celebrating 10 Years

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Melissa at the KeyBank, Central Ohio office Styled by Fabtique

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MELISSA INGWERSEN Forging Her Path

Leading the Way and

By Kelly Moricca

When Melissa Ingwersen’s grandfather asked her if she had ever thought about a career in the banking industry, she didn’t hesitate to answer with an emphatic, “No!”

Born and raised in Bexley, Ohio, Ingwersen was ready to explore the world after high school graduation. She couldn’t wait to get out of the Bexley bubble, so she spread her wings and headed up to Chicago where she attended Northwestern University. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in communications and a minor in economics and with big dreams under her belt.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY Shannon W. Williams HAIR AND MAKEUP BY PENZONE Salons + Spas FALL 2019 | BUCKEYE LIFESTYLE 59

Melissa being honored at the 2014 YWCA Women of Achievement Luncheon

“When I returned to Columbus, I knew that I had to work hard to earn respect and gain knowledge in the industry,” says Ingwersen.

“I was focused on the task at hand.” Her time at National City Bank gave her exposure to the corporate and commercial side of banking, and she loved it. For seven years, she learned about large companies and emerging private banking groups, and she focused on middle market banking.

Ingwersen knew that she needed to make a life here in Columbus and Bexley that was fitting for a woman in the corporate world. “My

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“

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Ingwersen aspired to have her own TV show.

She soon realized that it was a bit ambitious to think that a 22-year-old would land her very own show. In 1982, while the country’s economy was struggling a bit, Ingwersen began interviewing for a broad range of positions in many cities. Her search led her right back to Columbus where she accepted a position with National City Bank (now PNC) — yes, banking! — in the credit training program. Not only did she begin her career in banking, she settled back in Bexley.

My mother was a committed volunteer, and I was raised with a sense of responsibility.

mother was a committed volunteer, and I was raised with a sense of responsibility,” she adds. “Upon returning to Columbus, I joined the Junior League to get connected to others and the community.” She also joined the Columbus Literacy Council where she was asked to serve on their board after only a few short years.

With years of banking experience, Ingwersen took the recommendation of a friend and accepted a position with Bank One (now JP Morgan Chase). This new position would allow her greater opportunity. Bank One has historically been a bank that thinks differently. They are early adapters. This intrigued Ingwersen, and she soon grew within the company and was assigned to a number of special projects. “I loved that this position allowed me to think differently about the financial and banking industry,” she adds. “I had so much respect for the people I worked with.” During her 21 years at Bank One, Ingwersen experienced the company’s incredible growth as an organization while she also grew as a leader. She served 10 years as president of the Central Ohio market.

While at Bank One, Ingwersen met a woman named Beth Mooney. “I have deep respect for her leadership style,” she shares. In 2011, Ingwersen left Bank One

Melissa and Michael Dalby, former CEO of the Columbus Chamber of Commerce Photo courtesy of Scott Cunningham

Melissa at YWCA Columbus Styled by Fabtique FALL 2019 | BUCKEYE LIFESTYLE 61

Her hard work, focus, determination, and thirst for knowledge and understanding of the industry, her clients and the community led Ingwersen to be named president of the Central Ohio district for KeyBank. What makes this position even more impressive is that in KeyBank’s 26 markets, there are only 3 women who are district presidents. “An interesting fact about Columbus banking is that the majority of bank presidents here are women,” Ingwersen adds.

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What does KeyBank’s Central Ohio market president do on a daily basis? “My role is to oversee the operations of the bank here in Central Ohio,” says Ingwersen. “That means the branches, private banking, business banking and commercial banking. One of the things I love most about my job is helping others rise to meet their goals.”

In Ingwersen’s many years in the banking industry, she has experienced many changes.

“Technology has had the greatest impact on the industry since I became a banker,” she shares. When she began her career, personal computers were not common, email was just exploding and the iPhone didn’t even exist.

Technology has changed the way people bank and share information within companies and

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to join Mooney at KeyBank where Mooney had become the first female in the country to be named CEO of a top-20 bank. This was inspiring to Ingwersen and something she wanted to be a part of.

with their clients. “Most of the information our clients are seeking is just one touch away using the mobile applications,” adds Ingwersen. “Through these applications and services, banks are now able to offer access to information, efficiencies, and a variety of services on a 24/7 basis to all of our clients.”

There is one thing that has remained a constant in the industry, and it is one thing that Ingwersen truly values: “The importance of relationships in the financial industry is the one thing that has not changed. For all of the great access and support that technology provides, it will never replace the power of a personal relationship when you are dealing with someone’s financial life.”

I love what I do. I love our community.

I am constantly asking myself, ‘How can I help the community?’

Melissa in her office at KeyBank Styled by Minka’s Furs & Jewelry

“I love what I do. I love our community. I am constantly asking myself, ‘How can I help the community?’” Ingwersen says. She has had, and continues to have the pleasure of serving on all different kinds of boards.

Some are professional organizations, some are community organizations, and some are personal. Many of them become personal for her. She enjoys having a combination of different kinds of boards to serve on at the same time. This gives her a broad perspective on the community, helping her to connect the dots between her personal and professional lives. “Being part of community and professional organizations leads me to meeting people,” says Ingwersen. “If you want to become a leader in the business community, it is important to stay engaged in the community.”

Melissa and Michael Dalby, the former CEO of the Columbus Chamber of Commerce Photo courtesy of Scott Cunningham

Melissa overlooking the intersection of Third & Broad Streets in Columbus

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From the very beginning of her professional career, Ingwersen knew how important it was to give back to the community. The list of boards she has served on and led is very long, as is the number of organizations that have benefited from her volunteering. This kind of community service has not gone unnoticed. In 2014, Melissa Ingwersen was inducted into the YWCA Women of Achievement. This is an honor presented to leaders in our community who motivate us with their examples of determination, generosity and courage. As president of the Central Ohio market for KeyBank, breaking barriers for women is nothing new for Ingwersen. The first woman board chair of the Columbus Chamber of Commerce, she works every day to ensure all people have opportunities to succeed in business. “I have an affinity for

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women, but I feel a stronger affinity to great businesses who want to grow,” says Ingwersen. “Some of the most successful projects I’ve seen are ones in which men truly appreciate their colleagues who are women, and the women in turn thrive.”

Ingwersen has also served as a YWCA board member and chair.

Her world of opportunity in the banking industry and the community is so vast, but she personally thrived in her small hometown of Bexley. Ingwersen has been married to her husband, Frank, for 34 years. She didn’t meet Frank until she returned to Bexley after graduating from Northwestern University, even though he grew up just two streets away from where she did. They are parents to twins Andrew and Paige who just graduated from college. “I loved raising my family in Bexley,” she reflects. “Now I want for them to be good citizens of the world.”

Speaking of a small world, a fun fact about Ingwersen is that since day one of her banking career, she has held positions in three major banking institutions in Columbus — each one on a different corner of the same intersection in downtown Columbus at Third and Broad.

Ingwersen has always parked in the same parking garage.

As she continues to grow as a leader in the banking industry and in our community, Ingwersen stays true to what has always helped guide her, “Learn about other people and the challenges we face, and be open to hearing and giving your time.”

Melissa & Frank

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Melissa at the Bexley Library Styled by Fabtique

FASHION

FASHION

WEEK COLUMBUS Fashionably Thriving FOR

10

YEARS

BY KELLY MORICCA

When Thomas McClure was asked to move to Columbus, Ohio in 2005, he had no idea that this decision would change the face of the fashion scene in Columbus, and even in the country.

McClure had always had a passion for acting and modeling, and shortly after moving to Columbus, he

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2018 Finale Runway Show.

Photo courtesy of Brian Hockensmith.

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landed a job at the Heyman Talent Agency. He did a bit of modeling and helped out in the office, and it was there that he learned all the parts and pieces of what it took to successfully run a talent agency. Soon he became an agent, and then later, the director of the Columbus office.

I had a vision and knew it was going to happen.

The first ever Fashion Week Columbus (FWC) was designed with his vision and the Fashion Week Columbus board. “It quickly became a collaborative effort,” he says. “Even today, we are still so proud of that first runway show.” When planning the first fashion week, McClure found that there were many designers based in Columbus, and ten decided to participate in the first show. “Once the idea was put out there, designers came flocking to us about the show,” he says.

Thomas McClure at the 2016 Finale Runway show.

Photo courtesy of Kris Misevski.

In 2010, McClure was booking models for Highball Halloween. Many of the models he interacted with asked about doing a runway show. He hadn’t noticed much about Columbus fashion designers since he had been in town, but he thought, “Why not put on a small fashion week?”

Behind the scenes at Fashion Week Columbus.

ion designers. Only New York City and Los Angeles ranked above it in the top two spots.” The board then decided it was time to expand. FWC received its status as a 501c3 organization, set up a foundation to award scholarships to local fashion students and created a platform for local fashion designers.

The first FWC featured three events: the High Fashion Tea, which included presentation modeling featuring fashions from local boutiques, the Hat Show, which is an industry mixer, and the Finale Runway Show featuring over 10 local designers. The designers were Columbus College of Art & Design graduates, self-taught designers and accessory designers. “The first finale show was attended by over 300 guests and was full of energy,” says McClure. “After the first fashion week, we knew we had something amazing and that it needed to grow.“

McClure balanced this new project of FWC and his full-time gig at the Heyman Talent Agency for a few years. In 2012, he left the agency (which stayed on as a sponsor of FWC) and pursued FWC full-time, becoming the executive director and board president. With the help and guidance of Vicki Bowen Hewes, the then-president of Dress for Success Columbus, the board was restructured and primed for growth. Designed as a working board, each member of the board was also a committee chair, and board members came from all types of businesses in Columbus. There were marketing, business and financial professionals, and even Mayor Coleman became a huge advocate for the success of FWC.

By 2012, FWC was being talked about around the country. “The Atlantic published a story reporting that Columbus was the third largest city in the country for fash-

In 2012, the FWC had expanded to 6 shows, and the buzz around Columbus and in the fashion world began to increase. “Boutiques in the city became interested, and we created

2018 High Fashion Tea. Photo courtesy of Brian Hockensmith.

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FASHION

a Peep Show to get them more involved,” says McClure. The Peep Show was designed as a way for FWC to create awareness of the upcoming events during the Short North Arts District Gallery Hop, the Saturday prior to FWC. Store fronts were given a t-shirt with the details of FWC, and they could design it any way that represented their unique look.

With more elaborate themes and the inclusion of high-end designers from all over the country, FWC continued to grow. In 2013, the anticipated attendance for the finale runway show was bigger than ever. “When your audience is four or five rows deep, you have to raise them or the runway,” says McClure. That year was the year of the first raised runway. “The energy from the crowd was amazing!”

Celebrating 10 years of showcasing local, national, and worldwide fashion designers, FWC anticipates it will be bigger than ever.

There are many pre-events to promote the week in and around the city of Columbus.

The week will include seven events: the 10th Annual High Fashion Tea Runway Show,

2018 High Fashion Tea.

Photo courtesy of Brian Hockensmith.

2018 Finale Runway Show Scholarship Presentation.

Photo courtesy of Brian Hockensmith.

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It is important to have diversity, but we never had to put forth effort for that, since it has been a part of our success from the beginning.

Nurtur Salon Presents #BeautyIsFashion: The Evolution of Now, Passport to Fashion, Macy’s Fall Fashion Show, Philanthropy Meets Fashion, Fashion Industry Mixer

by IL Moda Brand Development, and the highly anticipated 10th Annual Finale Runway Show.

There are eight designers featured in the 2019 Finale Runway Show, including the headline designer Christian Cowan.

High-profile fashion designers have been impressed by the Columbus fashion scene and the professionalism of the FWC production. “We are fans of your work and would be interested in being a part of Fashion Week Columbus,” commented the team of Christian Cowan. Cowan has designed for Lady Gaga, Beyonce, Miley Cyrus, Nicki

2019 Finale Runway Show featuring Juan Jose Saenz-Ferreyros.

Photo courtesy of Brian Hockensmith.

Minaj, Naomi Campbell, and Cardi B. He is a constant presence at all major fashion weeks and will be adding Columbus to his 2019 list.

“We are very proud of the diversity of our shows, the designers, and the Fashion Week Columbus board,” McClure says. “It is important to have diversity, but we never had to put forth effort for that, since it has been a part of our success from the beginning.”

After 10 years, the team at FWC is proud to kick off the Columbus Fashion Council.

“The council allows us to expand vision and support for other fashion organizations and events.” Fashion Week Columbus is the flagship program for the council that will help designers go from point A to B to C. “There

2013 First Elevated Runway.

Photo courtesy of Kris Misevski.

”

aren’t many, if any, programs like this in the country,” McClure says proudly. “By expanding the vision, we can create other programs here in Columbus and in sister cities. This social enterprise will allow us to go into other cities to execute a fashion show or a fashion panel to help create greater awareness.”

The future of FWC and the Columbus Fashion Council will not only include bigger, bolder shows and events, but they will also work to uncover fundraising opportunities to help create more programs in the industry.

“These programs will need a motivated and strong board to make this happen, along with passionate volunteers,” McClure says.

“At the end of the day, I am so proud to see how this has impacted people’s lives in a positive way.”

2018 High Fashion Tea.

Photo courtesy of Robert FALL Jordan.

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