Holocaust & Humanity Center adds 6 new board members

The Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center has appointed six community leaders to its board of trustees. 

The new members are Bob Fregolle, Roger Heldman, Gloria Lipson, Rhonda Sheakley, Dr. Cady Short-Thompson and Walter Spiegel. The organization described its new members as bringing a “wealth of expertise, vision and commitment to the organization’s mission of promoting Holocaust education and humanity-centered action.”

Details about the new members are below.

“We are incredibly fortunate to have such an exceptional and diverse group of leaders to help guide the future of this organization,” said Jackie Congedo, CEO of the Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center. “Their insights and commitment will enhance our efforts to ensure that the stories of the Holocaust inspire people to take action and make a difference in our world.”

These appointments come at a pivotal time of growth for the Holocaust & Humanity Center. Leadership has a goal to become one of the most relevant and engaging Holocaust museums in the world while also making a significant local impact through combating antisemitism and promoting civic engagement.

“With the addition of these remarkable leaders, our board is uniquely positioned to advance our mission in meaningful new ways,” said newly appointed Board Chair Nancy Frank. “I am excited to see how their experiences and perspectives will help us deepen our impact and build an even stronger, more resilient community.”

Meet the new board members

• Bob Fregolle is a seasoned business executive who retired from Procter & Gamble in 2014 after a 35-year career. He co-owns and operates the Daytona Tortugas, a Class-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds. Fregolle also serves on the University of Michigan Ross School of Business Advisory Board and on the Cincinnati Museum Center board. He and his wife Lori have supported the “Dimensions in Testimony” exhibit at the Holocaust & Humanity Center, which allows visitors to engage in virtual conversations with survivors.
• Roger Heldman recently retired as the president and CEO of H-M Company, a Cincinnati-based firm specializing in commercial and industrial laundry equipment. Alongside his wife, Julie, he has funded educational initiatives, including a partnership enabling Cincinnati Public Schools freshmen to visit the Holocaust & Humanity Center, reflecting their commitment to Holocaust education.
• Gloria Lipson is a retired clinical social worker who served as a senior caseworker for Jewish Family Service and maintained a private practice for two decades. She is ending a nine-year term as a trustee of the Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati and was honored as a 2023 Enquirer Woman of the Year for her efforts in combating extremism. Lipson is the president of Midwest Centers, a commercial real estate company in Cincinnati.
• Rhonda Sheakley is a longtime philanthropist and community advocate. She has played key roles in numerous cultural and civic organizations, including Cincinnati Ballet, Cincinnati Opera, Cincinnati Art Museum, Boys and Girls Club, Lighthouse Youth and Family Services, and Jewish National Fund. In 2019, she was one of the Enquirer’s Women of the Year. Sheakley serves on the boards of Best Point, the Foundation Board of the Cincinnati Ballet and Lighthouse Youth and Family Services. Gov. Mike DeWine as a Commissioner on the Ohio Holocaust and Genocide Education and Memorial Commission in 2021.
• Dr. Cady Short-Thompson is the seventh president of Northern Kentucky University, assuming the role in October 2023. She previously served as CEO of Breakthrough Cincinnati, provost at Hope College and dean of the University of Cincinnati Blue Ash College. She’s also an award-winning professor of communication at NKU.
• Walter Spiegel is a Cincinnati-based attorney with more than 40 years of experience in general and corporate law. He serves as vice president/general counsel and chief compliance officer of Standard Textile Co., Inc. He’s the Governance Committee chair of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs. Spiegel is a past president of the Cincinnati JCRC and has served in leadership roles in the local legal community.