Stephanie Merkle
Stephanie Merkle is the Community Engagement Manager at Columbia Gas of Ohio and oversees the company's social responsibility platform, Columbia Cares. Her role involves collaborating with local community leaders to ensure that investments made by the NiSource Charitable Foundation create sustainable impact and foster racial and social equity across the state. Stephanie excels at mobilizing employee volunteers, managing community sponsorships, and engaging nonprofit boards.
With over 13 years of experience leading advancement initiatives for community organizations in central Ohio, Stephanie has made significant contributions to Dress for Success Columbus, United Way of Central Ohio, and Junior Achievement of Central Ohio. Prior to joining Columbia Gas of Ohio, she served as the Interim Director for Dress for Success. Stephanie possesses a strong background in marketing and communications, as well as a proven ability to forge and nurture relationships with community partners and local leaders.
Stephanie is a graduate of John Carroll University, holding a bachelor's degree, and she earned her Master of Business Administration from Ohio Dominican University. As a member of the Bicentennial class of Leadership Columbus, she continues her community engagement as a Board member for New Directions Career Center. Stephanie and her husband, Shawn, along with their two boys, Anthony and Max, reside in Upper Arlington, Ohio.