Our Staff
Torey hollingsworth, Executive Director
Torey Hollingsworth is Executive Director of the Ohio CDC Association (OCDCA), a non-profit association for community development corporations that work to revitalize rural and urban communities. Prior to joining OCDCA in 2023, Torey served as the Director of the Office of the Dayton City Commission, where she managed the policy work and support staff for the city’s elected leadership. Before this role, she was Senior Policy Aide for Mayor Nan Whaley, where she focused on issues related to eviction prevention, police reform, and reducing gun violence.
Prior to returning to her hometown of Dayton, Torey was the Manager of Research and Policy with the Greater Ohio Policy Center, where she researched and supported efforts to revitalize Ohio’s smaller legacy cities. Torey previously served as Senior Regional Organizer at the National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC) and as an AmeriCorps VISTA for Greater DC Cares, both in Washington, DC.
Torey received her Masters of City and Regional Planning from The Ohio State University and her BA from the University of Chicago. She is a 2021 graduate of Leadership Dayton and serves on the Dayton Art Institute Associate Board.
Torey and her husband, Michael, live in Dayton's Historic Huffman neighborhood.
Email: thollingsworth@ohiocdc.org
Phone: 614-461-6392 x 207
Suzanne Parks, Director of Economic Inclusion
Suzanne Parks, Director of Economic Inclusion, directs the Assets Ohio and JOLI projects. She joined OCDCA in August 2008 and is responsible for the administration of the Assets Ohio venture. Ms. Parks' additional responsibilities include the provision of training and technical assistance, resource development, as well as research, and the development of policy.
Prior to joining the OCDCA team, Ms. Parks was an independent consultant working with community development and other government funded agencies assisting with special projects designed to enhance organizational and program capacity. She is a former employee of two Head Start projects in the central Ohio area. In Head Start, she worked with the Family and Community Partnerships and Program Design and Governance components.
Ms. Parks was conferred a Bachelor of Arts degree from the Ohio Dominican University and a Masters in Leadership Education from the Mid-America Christian University.
Email: sparks@ohiocdc.org
Phone: 614-461-6392 x 206
Andrew Dodson, Director of Capacity Building
Andrew Dodson, Director of Capacity Building, joined the Ohio CDC Association in November 2023. From steering business activities and implementing public policy at Heritage Works to championing guidelines and fostering community connections at the German Village Society, Andrew has consistently worked towards positive change.
As Marketing Director at MKSK, he secured national press coverage and local recognition for projects that truly made a difference. At TRIAD Architects, Andrew led strategy and business development, contributing to successful projects that fueled business and community growth.
With a Bachelor's in City & Regional Planning from The Ohio State University, Andrew brings not just a skill set but a commitment to community. A member of the American Planning Association and an alumnus of Leadership Columbus, Andrew actively engages in community initiatives. Whether serving on boards like Independents’ Day Festival, co-founding WAV: We Amplify Voices, or contributing to the Ohio vs The World History Podcast, his leadership extends beyond the professional realm.
In his role, Andrew is dedicated to empowering and strengthening community development initiatives across Ohio, fueled by his overarching mission - more opportunity for more people.
Email: adodson@ohiocdc.org
Phone: 614-461-6392 x 204
Mandi Arthur, Chief Financial Officer
Mandi Arthur is OCDCA’s Chief Financial Officer. Mandi is a Finance and Operations professional specializing in nonprofit and small business accounting. She has many years of experience in grant management, budgeting, financial analysis and reporting, fund accounting, both designing and implementing accounting information systems, and overall financial management of an organization. She also has the business operations experience that promotes a successful link with operational leaders.
Mandi’s knowledge of technology allows her to recommend the labor-saving benefits of technological solutions while balancing the costs of investment and implementation.
Her strong attention to detail coupled with seeking improvements in efficiency allows organizations to focus more on their mission.
Email: finance@ohiocdc.org
Phone: 614-461-6392 x 210
JULIA ROBINSON, MEMBER CAPACITY MANAGER
Julia Robinson is the Member Capacity Manager for the OCDCA. With a personal investment to equity, diversity, and inclusion practices, Julia has led program- based initiatives in California, Montana, Ohio, and Mumbai, India. Of her work within the United States, Julia has alternated between campaign work, non-profit programming, and policy based volunteer opportunities. Recently, she collaborated with the Ohio Education Association to create a data base of 30,000+ elected officials throughout Ohio’s municipalities to create a fourstep strategic plan for the 2023 election. Prior to that experience, she served as the finance assistant and scheduler for candidate Nan Whaley in the 2022 Ohio Gubernatorial election. Julia received a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Political Science and minor in Art History from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). There, she studied abroad three times to practice and witness alternative collaboration, organizing, and coping methods not only within the academic and political world, but within local communities. Julia fills her free time with self created design projects, hosting professional development seminars, and backpacking.
Email: jrobinson@ohiocdc.org
Phone: 614-461-6392 x 209
ARABELLA ZAMBITO, COMMUNICATIONS & POLICY ASSOCIATE
Arabella Zambito is OCDCA’s Communications and Policy Associate. Before joining the OCDCA team in April 2024, Arabella interned for the Public Policy Team at the Ohio Alliance to End Sexual Violence. There, she synthesized research, analyzed legislation, and communicated complex social issues to a variety of audiences. Through her experience, she grew a passion for community advocacy and improving the lives of others and is committed to upholding these values through her role.
Arabella received her Bachelor of Arts in both Criminology and Political Science with a minor in Psychology from West Virginia University where her main research focus was on violence against women and transportation policy. Arabella also shares an interest in women and gender studies and finding ways to guarantee the security of all people. In her free time, Arabella enjoys kayaking, reading activist literature, and exploring the Cleveland area.