Leadership

Robert L. Bell, Director

In January 2018, Robert Bell was appointed by County Commissioners as Director of Economic Inclusion for Hamilton County, Ohio. His initiative called BOLD - "Building Opportunities by Leveraging Diversity" has been implemented County-wide to ensure inclusion and diversity becomes a priority in county operations (hiring and staffing) as well as in county procurement and purchasing practices.

His accomplishments include the re-establishment of Hamilton County's SBE program, the completion of the County's first Disparity Study, and recently the establishment and full implementation of the County’s first MBE and WBE required goals program. in February 2023, Robert was recognized for his recent accomplishments in Cincinnati and Hamilton County by Cincinnati City Council members who presented him with a resolution naming him a 2024 Black History Month Honoree.

Robert brings significant inclusion experience to Hamilton County. Previously, he headed the HUD mandated Section 3 Jobs and Economic Inclusion Programs for the Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA).

Robert was named the "Economic Inclusion Advocate of the Year" in 2016 at the Midwest Regional Environmental Sustainability Summit. In early 2017, he received a National "Merit Award" for helping CMHA residents lift themselves out of poverty through the National Sherwin Williams Painter Training Program; and later that year, his "Building for the Future" program was nominated as a "National Best Practice" by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, and was awarded the "National Award of Excellence" by the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials for his success in helping minority and women-owned businesses grow and prosper.

He brings additional experience in program management, service effectiveness, economic development, teaching and training, and contract compliance from previous positions at Beech Acres, and the United Way of Greater Cincinnati.

Robert received his MBA from Xavier University and his undergraduate degree in Sociology from Edgecliff College.

Highly active in the community over the past 20 years, Robert has volunteered his services in strategic planning, continuous improvement, economic development and board leadership training with many non-profits and other public institutions throughout Greater Cincinnati.

Alice Bledsoe, INSPIRE Youth Initiative Program Coordinator

Alice Bledsoe joined the Economic Inclusion and Equity Department as the INSPIRE Youth Initiative Program Coordinator in the spring of 2023. In her role as program coordinator, Alice will interact with grassroots organizations to assist with funding from the INSPIRE Youth Initiative grant program. Alice meets organizations where they are and assists with program advancement.

Alice previously worked in finance for 20 years, and mental health for the past five years. Alice worked in program development, substance abuse counseling, and HIV prevention while attending the University of Cincinnati. Her belief is that everyone can be successful if given the opportunity. Alice received Talbert House employee excellence awards due to providing crisis intervention and advocacy for at risk teens.

In her previous financial roles, Alice used her financial acumen, problem-solving skills, and her drive to serve others to maintain accurate financial documentation and assist with organizations' financial growth. Alice and her team received awards in 2004, 2005, 2009, and 2011. Alice also received bonuses for exceeding performance goals in excellence and achievement from 1998 to 2012.

Alice received her Master's degree in Applied Psychology and her undergraduate degrees in psychology, and finance from the University of Cincinnati.

Mary Maune, Hamilton County Commission on Women & Girls Program Coordinator

Mary Maune began leading the Hamilton County Commission on Women & Girls in December of 2021. In her role, she serves the Commission's role of engaging with community partners, civic organizations, and local governments in identifying gaps of service, areas of insufficient resources, and opportunities for collaboration that could lead to better outcomes for the women and girls of Hamilton County.

Each year the Commission works to build off the previous year's list of recommendations, while also researching new challenges and opportunities to implement change. In her role, she works with Hamilton County Administration and community stakeholders to implement the recommendations and initiatives proposed by the Commission while continuing to lead the group's ongoing work and community building.

Through the Commission on Women & Girls, Mary engages community members from across the region to learn through thoughtful discussion, research, and collaboration to drive policy changes that build a more equitable and thriving community for Hamilton County and beyond.

LaTalia White, Senior Social Program Administrator

LaTalia White assumed the role of Senior Social Program Administrator at the Office of Family Voice (OFV) within the Economic Inclusion and Equity Department in January 2024. In this capacity, she spearheads the launch of the Parent Partnership/Mentorship Program and serves as the primary liaison between OFV, Hamilton County Job and Family Services (HCJFS), and the county's leadership. Her focus is on facilitating system navigation and fostering partnerships with families and community organizations to establish OFV as a trusted resource center. LaTalia also emphasizes a culture of continuous improvement and accountability.

With 17 years of experience in service-oriented roles, LaTalia has dedicated her career to assisting families and advocating for systemic changes in children's services and developmental disabilities. She began as a Children Services Caseworker, progressed through roles in Developmental Disabilities as a Service and Support Administration (SSA), and eventually assumed a supervisory position where she supported teams and families during crises while navigating the developmental disability system.

LaTalia's profound understanding of social service complexities, coupled with her ability to forge genuine connections with individuals and families, has been instrumental in her success.