Avondale Spotlight: Jennifer Loeb Goodin

Jennifer Loeb Goodin is a strong Avondale and Avondale Development Corporation (ADC) advocate and volunteer. She served three terms on the ADC Board of Trustees, including two years as vice chairman. Jennifer has served as Executive Director of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Cincinnati since 1998. Under her leadership, Cincinnati’s House has more than tripled in size with an expansion underway to bring the total to 177 bedrooms, making it the largest of 375 Ronald McDonald Houses around the world. Jennifer is a frequent local and national speaker on the topic of fundraising and not-for-profit management. She was named one of Cincinnati’s “Forty Under 40” by the Business Courier and is a graduate of Leadership Cincinnati Class 30.

At RHMC, Jennifer has built a culture of donor and volunteer appreciation, and RHMC of Greater Cincinnati is regarded as a model in hospitality, employee engagement and donor stewardship. RHMC was a recipient of the Non-Profit of the Year award from the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber and Torch Award from the Better Business Bureau.

Prior to her career with RHMC, Jennifer worked in development and communications for a not-for-profit drug treatment program and a homeless shelter. She earned Bachelors degrees in English/Journalism and Theater from Miami University and Masters degrees in Journalism and Health Education from The Ohio State University. She is a former Peace Corps volunteer and has three children, Hadley, Beatrice and Hugh.

Three Questions with Jennifer Goodin

1.  In your three terms on the ADC Board, what accomplishments are you most proud of?

I really enjoyed working with the staff and board on fundraising and marketing best practices as well as solidifying the structure of ADC – especially in board governance and finance. And while I was not actively involved in the entire process, I loved seeing the Avondale Quality of Life plan come together. That was a monumental effort, and I think the results were outstanding.

2. What are the most important changes you’ve seen in Avondale in the past five years?

I think the energy has shifted in Avondale in a very positive direction and that the efforts are more coordinated than ever before. I see more pride in community and more actively engaged residents, businesses, schools, civic groups and other stakeholders. ADC, ACC and the Uptown Consortium have also greatly improved the communication and transparency on everything happening in the community.    

3. What word would you use to describe Avondale, and why?

Momentum. There is so much positive change happening in the community. It’s truly an exciting time to be a part of the growth, development and energy in Avondale.