Meet the Team

The Intersections team is intergenerational and multidisciplinary with over 125 years of combined experience in organizational development, community engagement, facilitation, third-sector leadership and operations, healthcare administration, educational infrastructure, and macro program development.

  • Andy Ruffner has worked in health and social services for over 30 years as a clinician, educator, consultant, and administrator. In 2006, he joined the Early Intervention Program, a public health screening program and research project at the University of Cincinnati Department of Emergency Medicine.

    As project director, he managed a team of paraprofessionals providing assessments and interventions in a hospital emergency department and outreach settings, and as part of the research team, published numerous papers on the feasibility and sociological dynamics of engaging patients in behavioral interventions.

    Currently, Andy is an executive director at a local community-based organization. His graduate training, research, and consultation work is focused on the social psychology of professional relationships—how intra- and inter-personal dynamics shape the course and quality of services delivered. Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, Andy now lives in Hollywood, Florida. He earned a master’s degree in Community Counseling from the University of Maryland.



  • Respected and passionate leader with boundless curiosity and a knack for problem solving, Tynisha has more than 20 years of leadership experience within the education, nonprofit, and public sectors. Currently, Tynisha is a consultant, scholar, and co-director of a community-based organization. Tynisha’s expertise includes assessment, coaching, facilitation, organizational development, program design and development, thought leadership, and training.

    A northeast Ohio native and longtime southwest Ohio resident, Tynisha earned both her master’s degree in Public Administration, with a concentration in Nonprofit Management, and her doctorate in Educational Leadership, from Northern Kentucky University. She received her bachelor’s degree in Information Technology from the University of Cincinnati.



  • Change maker and advocate dedicated to the improvement of the human condition, particularly for children and families. Eileen has a wealth of experience to bring to bear from her experiences in the community development, education and legal sectors. A longtime member of the Cincinnati community, Eileen leverages the expertise garnered from her stints as a Juvenile Court Magistrate, Executive Director of the Ohio of the Children’s Defense Fund, and twice elected member of the City of Cincinnati Board of Education, to support leaders and transform organizations.

    Eileen received a law degree from the University of Cincinnati College of Law and earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Maryland.


  • Visionary and trailblazing leader with a sustained commitment to advancing the personal and professional development of children, youth, young adults, nonprofit, and education professionals, David has more than 30 years of experience within the education and nonprofit sectors. Formerly, David served in the U. S. Army as a legal specialist for the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate. Currently, David is a senior leader at a national education nonprofit, spearheading staff leadership and professional development.

    David’s expertise includes change management, coaching, community building, facilitation, leadership and organizational development, and strategic planning. Born and raised in Cincinnati, David now resides in South Florida. He earned a bachelor’s degree in International Studies from the Monterey Institute of International Studies.


  • Dynamic, collaborative, and committed to community change, Shawn brings over 20 years of experience in leadership development and community engagement. Currently, Shawn is a co-director of a community-based organization. Prior to this, he served as a Director of Education, Director of Programs, and Site Director for local and national educational and leadership development entities.

    Shawn’s expertise includes leadership development, organizational development, human resource management, and training. An avid volunteer, Shawn serves on several boards, including Housing Opportunities Made Equal (HOME) of Greater Cincinnati and Camp Quest Ohio. He is a graduate of Miami University.