Elevate Northland, an economic development nonprofit serving the 25-square-mile Northland region of the City of Columbus, is excited to announce its new leadership team, Executive Director Bill Owens, LISW-S/ACSW and Operations Director Dr. Mary Lutz.

Elevate Northland was founded in 2019 to increase opportunities for the 125,000 residents of Columbus who live north of Morse Road between Worthington and New Albany. The organization hosts classes for aspiring business owners, provides guidance for immigrants and refugees, and makes available warehouse and office space for small businesses and nonprofits who seek flexible space near Morse Road and I-71 in Northland. Elevate Northland currently has more than 40,000 square feet under management, including loading docks, co-working space and meeting space. The group has completed the planning stage of a renovation to modernize and add community rooms and co-working space, as well as other amenities.

In 2022, Elevate Northland welcomed its first Executive Director, Judith Cockrell, a Northland resident, world traveler, and experienced nonprofit executive. Cockrell led the organization to its first physical location on Evanswood Drive. During Cockrell’s tenure, the organization was recognized as one of the Columbus Foundation’s “Five Nonprofits to Watch.” Cockrell’s position was funded in part by support from the City of Columbus and local philanthropists Cameron Mitchell and Mark Swepston. Cockrell recently departed the organization for a prestigious position abroad with the U.S. State Department.

In the past month, Cockrell has successfully handed the reins of the organization to a new executive team, which is charged with taking the successful young organization to the next level.

Owens is a lifelong resident of Columbus, Ohio. A graduate of Northland High School he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Social Studies Education (1981) and his Master’s Degree in Social Work (1984) from The Ohio State University.  He worked as a Social Worker in the community mental health system from 1984-1995, providing counseling, crisis intervention and older adult counseling.  In 1995 he became a Settlement House Worker at the Clintonville-Beechwold Community Resources Center where he was Executive Director from 1997-2022 providing Family Services, Food Pantry, Senior Services, Senior Transportation, Youth Services, Kinship Care, Senior Personal Finance Management, Summer Lunch, a Village Program, Community Gardens and Homeless Prevention Services. Returning to the Northland Area, Owens established a new Settlement House, the Northland Community House, to help residents address their needs and realize their ambitions. Owens is also currently a Community Lecturer at the Ohio State University College of Social Work and provides individual, couples and family counseling services through Apex Counseling Services.

Dr. Mary Lutz was born in Columbus, Ohio but grew up in Southern California. She received her Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctoral degrees from Chapman, Indiana and Ohio State Universities respectively. Mary has served in multiple roles as a calming agent of change with a deep faith and keen sense of humor. Her history reveals a consistent pattern of assessing the environment, developing community, and improving operations and programs through creativity in teaching, writing, and training leaders. Among other things, Dr. Mary’s experience in the education and faith-based sectors has included grant-writing, contract and facility management, and developing strategic collaborative partnerships to serve the community.

Elevate Northland welcomes visits from interested organizations and community leaders at 4848 Evanswood Drive (appointments preferred). Our leadership team will meet potential supporters and funders on a “listening tour” of Central Ohio stakeholders. Please contact Elevate Northland if you would like to be added to the tour.