TONI SMITH
With 20 years of expertise in HR and Operations, Toni Smith is a results-focused leader who delivers talent acquisition, retention, and motivation solutions that help companies harness the full power of one of their most valuable assets-their employees. She is dedicated to creating robust corporate cultures that promote continuous business growth and cultivate customer loyalty by empowering and motivating employees to realize their full potential and bring their best to their daily jobs.
Toni has proven success in creating cultures of collaboration and implementing change to achieve workforce excellence. Her experience is well-rounded and knowledgeable in many aspects of HR, including but not limited to: EEOC and Employment Law, coaching in the areas of transformational leadership, intercultural communication, employee engagement, retention, recruitment strategies, performance management, and managing change.
Currently, at Welspun USA, Toni serves as General Manager of Human Resources, supporting 15 states.
Toni holds a Master’s Degree in Human Services, Non-Profit Leadership, as well as a certification in Diversity and Inclusion in the Workforce.
THEODORE HARRIS
As Principal Consultant and founder of Clear Route Consulting, Theodore “Ted” Harris is redefining operational excellence in Columbus and beyond.
With over 20 years of leadership experience—including roles at Amazon and Kroger—he now empowers businesses of all sizes to eliminate inefficiencies and scale with confidence.
Through Clear Route, Ted delivers data-driven Lean Six Sigma strategies, practical tools, and coaching that help organizations boost productivity and reduce waste.
From Fortune 100 giants to local Columbus brands, he partners closely with teams to unlock measurable results—such as a 37% reduction in lead time and a 22% improvement in labor productivity.
Ted also leads workshops for aspiring leaders, invests in community partnerships, and uses AI-driven tools to accelerate sustainable growth.
“Operational excellence isn’t about working harder—it’s about building smarter systems that empower people to thrive.” — Theodore Harris, Clear Route Consulting
JACQUELINE LAMB
Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, Jacqueline Lamb has always believed in the power of education to transform lives. Her journey—from special education teacher to community advocate to senior library leader—reflects a deep commitment to equity, literacy, and the vital role families play in a child’s academic success.
Jacqueline earned her bachelor’s degree in Special Education (Mild/Moderate) from Cleveland State University in 2012 and quickly stepped into a leadership role within the Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD). As a Family and Community Engagement Coordinator, she worked closely with school networks to build strong, sustainable partnerships between families and educators.
She also led the district’s Academic Parent Teacher Teams (APTT) program, an initiative focused on early literacy and math development through intentional parent-teacher collaboration in grades K–3.
In 2018, her passion for family engagement took her to New York City, where she served as a Training Manager in the Department of Education’s Office of Family and Community Empowerment.
There, she designed and facilitated trainings that empowered parents, educators, and community members across the five boroughs. Her work contributed to Mayor Bill de Blasio’s Community Schools Initiative, training more than 250 community school directors to align wraparound services with family engagement strategies.
