Robbie Banks
Interim executive director and program director, Leadership Columbus
Robbie Banks Rob Hardin | Columbus CEO
About: Banks has been with Leadership Columbus since 2017 where she oversees the program that develops, connects and inspires diverse leaders who serve as catalysts in building a strong and vibrant community. She’s also a self-employed makeup artist who has 23 years of experience in the cosmetics industry. She has a B.S. in marketing and an M.S. in marketing and communication from Franklin University. She lives in northwest Columbus with her partner, Justin, and their dogs – Jade, the pug and Marshmallow, the French bulldog.
Columbus needs quality, affordable housing to thrive.
Outside of work: Banks is a trustee for I Know I Can, a Greater Columbus Certified Tourism Ambassador, a Pelotonia rider, volunteer with LifeCare Alliance and a volunteer with Pride on Parsons.
What does Columbus need to thrive? Columbus needs quality, affordable housing to thrive. Per the Affordable Housing Alliance of Central Ohio, economic, housing market and population trends are creating a growing housing affordability gap: 54,000 Franklin County households living in poverty now pay more than half of their income for housing. The impact of the global pandemic will certainly increase this need.
Banks’ idea: I would like to see us commission a large public art piece that embodies Columbus – something that residents and visitors alike would want to include in their photos and make a ‘must-do.’ The success could be measured by the use of a hashtag on social media.