The Commercial & Civic Space Activations Team works to foster relationships with tenants and homeowners, helping to find the perfect space for small and expanding businesses. Separately, they lead the charge on programming Fountain Square, Washington Park, Ziegler Park and the other civic spaces managed by 3CDC, making sure our city is full of vibrant activity.
MEET THE TEAM
Christy Samad joined 3CDC in 2008 as part of the communications team after earning her Bachelors in Marketing & International Business from the University of Cincinnati. Following a four-year stint in her initial role, Samad transitioned to the Events Team. In 2017, she was promoted to VP of Event Management, and in 2018, Senior VP of Event Management -- a role in which she provided the leadership, direction and focus necessary to ensure 3CDC’s vision for civic spaces was achieved. In 2024, the Event Management and Commercial Leasing teams merged under Samad’s oversight and she was promoted to Executive VP of Civic & Commercial Space Activation. In this role, she provides the leadership, direction and focus necessary to ensure 3CDC’s vision for activating civic and commercial spaces is achieved.
Andi Schultes joined 3CDC in 2012 as the Fountain Square Operations Manager. In her current role as Director of Event Logistics, she oversees the planning and execution of various events, ensuring their meticulous coordination and success.
Prior to joining 3CDC, Schultes spent several years working in tech theater, where she gained extensive experience in staging and event management, contributing to numerous high-profile productions.
Joshua Steele is the Senior Manager of OTR’s historic Memorial Hall, which annually hosts nearly 250 events. He oversees the venue’s programming, partnerships, finances and facility, as well as selected arts programming at 3CDC’s civic spaces.
Prior to joining the 3CDC team in 2016, Joshua served as Managing Director of Theatre at The Carnegie in Covington, and General Manager of the Vocal Arts Ensemble. He also served as President of the League of Cincinnati Theatres from 2014 to 2016, and is a long-time faculty member at Northern Kentucky University.
Joshua holds graduate degrees in Arts Administration and Business Administration from the University of Cincinnati, and a degree in vocal performance from The Ohio State University.
Alex Mangas is event manager for 3CDC, overseeing the event series produced at Fountain Square, Washington Park, Ziegler Park, Court Street Plaza and Imagination Alley. Mangas works with booking agents, manages the event calendar and collaborates with event talent, vendors, suppliers, sponsors, staff and third-party event planners to produce events for the public spaces.
Prior to joining 3CDC, she worked in public relations for various high-profile events throughout Indianapolis. Mangas studied public relations and civic leadership at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis.
Mangas resides in OTR and enjoys walking along the river and throwing themed parties in her free time.
Lauren Wescott joined 3CDC in 2024 and serves as the Senior Partner Engagement Specialist for the Civic & Commercial Space Activation team. In her current role, she provides strategic support and guidance to all commercial tenants in 3CDC's portfolio. Working closely with the property management and operations teams, Lauren also manages relationships with external stakeholders to promote inclusive, community-driven initiatives.
Prior to joining 3CDC, Lauren established her professional roots in Cincinnati’s hospitality industry at downtown staples such as Nada, Nicola's, and Rhinegeist Brewery. Most recently, Lauren worked for the Corporation for Findlay Market on their Entrepreneurship team, where she managed small business education programs such as Findlay Launch and Growing into a Storefront.
Lauren earned a bachelor's degree in Communications from the University of Cincinnati. Outside of work, she enjoys baking, thrift shopping and spending time with her husband and their American bulldog, whom they adopted from Queen City Bulldog Rescue.
Zak Kelley joined 3CDC in 2022. In his current role as Event Sales Manager, he oversees all third-party events & partnerships in the six Civic Spaces 3CDC manages. Prior to joining the organization, Zak worked in hospitality management in both Cincinnati & New York City, working for hotel groups, such as Standard Hotels & Marriott, and restaurant groups, such as Thunderdome & Boca.
In his free time, Zak enjoys a black iced coffee & hanging out with his dog, Martini.
Sarah Graff joined 3CDC in 2024. In her current role as Commercial Leasing Manager, she leads leasing efforts across the organization’s commercial real estate portfolio in Downtown Cincinnati and Over-the-Rhine, working closely with existing and prospective tenants to cultivate a diverse, vibrant urban core.
Sarah earned her BBA in both Real Estate and Marketing from the University of Cincinnati and is originally from Louisville, Kentucky. Now a Cincinnati transplant, she enjoys immersing herself in the city and its neighborhoods. Outside of work, Sarah can often be found baking, hiking, traveling, thrifting, and exploring all that Cincinnati has to offer!
Kayla Loree joined 3CDC in 2018 as the Seasonal Assistant Site Supervisor and later transitioned to the Theatrical Events Account Supervisor at Memorial Hall. She rejoined 3CDC in 2024 and currently serves as Production Manager, overseeing the technical staff and production logistics for Memorial Hall and the civic spaces 3CDC manages.
Prior to rejoining 3CDC, Kayla worked as the Programming Operations Manager for Washington Performing Arts in the nation’s capital.
Kayla earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, minoring in both Theatre and Health, Medicine and Society at Lehigh University prior to achieving her Master of Arts in Performance, Theatre and Practice from Miami University, with a study focus on representation of mental health.
Caroline Curran is the director of strategic initiatives for 3CDC. She oversees the production of various stakeholder communications for major projects, is responsible for the creation and distribution of weekly email campaigns, manages internal communications, and assists in the content strategy and development of marketing and promotional materials.
Prior to joining the organization in 2021, she spent several years based in St. Louis working in the corporate meeting, events, and incentive travel industry.
Curran earned a bachelor of arts in communications from the College of Charleston. Outside of the office, she enjoys exploring Cincinnati's restaurants, parks, and beautiful neighborhoods.
Gladys Pope joined 3CDC in 2021. In her current role as the Community Program Manager, she oversees nearly 150 community events annually in the Civic Spaces 3CDC manages, with a strategic focus on Imagination Alley and the Ziegler Park Summer Camp program. Gladys also serves as a community liaison for 3CDC's OTR area housing partners, schools and other local organizations, fostering and maintaining key stakeholder relationships.
Prior to joining the organization, Gladys was employed by Cincinnati Public Schools and served as the President of Mt. Airy Town Council from 2017-2021. She is a Certified Facilitator for the Chicago Parent Program, and graduate of both the Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce’s WE Ascend Leadership Program and Greater Cincinnati Foundation’s “Appointed” Civic Leadership Academy.
Gladys is a lifelong Cincinnatian, and enjoys traveling, being an ambassador for the city, and spending time with her adult children and dog, Rocket.
Morgan Miller joined 3CDC as a Sponsorship Intern in 2022, returning as a full-time employee in 2024. Now serving as Sponsorship Manager, she builds and manages major partnerships while developing strategies that support year-round programming and free events in Cincinnati’s civic spaces.
A proud University of Cincinnati graduate with a BBA in Marketing and Information Systems, Morgan is originally from Tiffin, Ohio. She fell in love with Cincinnati the moment she stepped onto UC’s campus and now calls the city 'home.' In her free time, she enjoys traveling, cheering on the Bengals and FC Cincinnati, hiking, and exploring new local restaurants.
Bryce Addeo, event coordinator
Mya Tully, event coordinator
Carole Ryan, event sales assistant
Skylar Parrish, sponsorship & advertising coordinator
Merrisha Dickerson, commercial leasing officer
Brian Lloyd, technical assets manager
Jared Webster, Memorial Hall box office & marketing coordinator
Joe Johnson, civic space site supervisor, Memorial Hall