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Mike Barnhart, president of AARP Ohio, commented: “Barbara
Sykes combines impressive leadership skills with a lifetime
dedicated to public and community service. We are pleased
and honored to have someone with her stature, passion and
experience to lead AARP Ohio into the future.”
Sykes, a graduate of the University of Akron where she
earned her undergraduate degree in social work and her
master’s degree in public administration, served three terms
in the Ohio House of Representatives from 2000-2006. Sykes
has also been deputy auditor for Summit County, the past
president of the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus and she was
the first African-American woman to serve on the Akron City
Council.
For the last 10 years she has served as president and CEO of
Ohio United Way (OUW)–the state association for United Ways
in Ohio–where she worked to strengthen local United Ways
with an emphasis on education, health and financial
stability.
During her tenure at OUW, she made the 2-1-1 health and
human service information referral system a priority. She
secured over $2 million in federal, state and private
funding for the program, making this gateway to vital
services available to 10.6 M Ohioans across 91 percent of
the state.
“Particularly impressive is the work Barbara has done to
engage legislators from both sides of the aisle around the
challenges and issues Ohio families face. Establishing
regular contact and building relationships is crucial to our
social advocacy work,” said McNally.
Speaker Cliff Rosenberger (91st District) of the
Ohio House added: "Although I did not have the privilege of
serving in the Ohio House alongside Barbara, I have come to
know the Sykes family well at the Ohio Statehouse, and I
truly admire Barbara's passion for selflessly serving
others. I know she will take that commitment, combined with
her experience with local and state issues and policies, to
lead and represent AARP Ohio into continued success."
“I am grateful to be appointed to this leadership position
with AARP,” Sykes said. “I am very appreciative to join the
staff and volunteers who are passionate about and committed
to this organization and its social mission to fight for and
equip each individual to live their best life.”
Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge (Ohio, 11th District) said,
“She will be a proven asset and presence in this state who
will be a staunch advocate for our seniors and will
influence AARP’s growing impact as an organization.“Barbara
is a well-respected, visionary servant leader, who I know
will continue her life’s work as a dedicated champion for
Ohioans through AARP.”
Speaker Pro Tempore Ron Amstutz (1st District),
of the Ohio House, added: “Barbara and I have been friends
for years from our work together as legislators. I’ve seen
her at work with the United Way and she has really hit her
stride in the non-profit world. She will be a tremendous
asset to AARP and their members.”
Lisa Bateson, Ohio United Way Board Chair, commented: “I
have tremendous respect for Barbara. I have known her for
over 16 years and have always known her to be a strong
advocate, dedicated to helping the most needy in our
society. AARP will benefit from her as a leader."
Throughout her career, Sykes has been recognized for her
outstanding community service and leadership through various
awards from numerous organizations, some of which include:
Ohio Jewish Communities; Akron Community Health Resources,
Inc; Women of Color Foundation; and Legislator of the Year
by the Ohio Children’s Hospital Association, Second Harvest
for Hunger, and Voices for Children of Greater Cleveland.
Lisa Hamler-Fugitt, executive director of the Ohio
Association of Foodbanks, Ohio’s largest charitable response
to hunger said, “Barbara has dedicated her life to fighting
for Ohio’s most vulnerable citizens, and I know she will
continue that fight in this new role. I have worked in
partnership with her for more than two decades on a variety
of health and human services issues, and she has
demonstrated a true commitment to hungry Ohioans. As a
friend, colleague and fellow advocate, I look forward to
continuing our long partnership in her new role.” |
