In 1978, The Ohio State University's publication, The Lantern, captured this picture of Amy walking with protestors down High Street.
Amy with Ann Hicks and Janet Epp at the YWCA Teen Drop-In Center that they created in 1974 to serve the needs of teens in Springfield, Ohio.
Amy D. Klaben, Esq.
Amy D. Klaben has had a lifelong commitment and passion for advocating for women, families and improving the community in which she lives.
From 2000 to 2015, as President/CEO of Homeport, also known as Columbus Housing Partnership, Inc., Ms. Klaben led all aspects of this large, multi-faceted non-profit organization that provides service enriched rental housing, revitalizes neighborhoods, and helps people to become and remain successful homeowners. Since 2000, Homeport’s portfolio grew from 830 to over 2,200 rental homes serving over 5,700 people, many of whom benefit from programs including life skills coaching, out of school time programs for children, food programs and employment assistance, all contributing to long-term stability for residents. Other Homeport programs include: neighborhood revitalization through home ownership and community building programs; and homebuyer education, economic literacy, and foreclosure prevention assistance serving over 2,000 people annually.
Ms. Klaben has provided volunteer and professional leadership to a number of other non-profit organizations. She helped establish the Affordable Housing Alliance of Central Ohio, a local coalition of nonprofit organizations. Additionally, Ms. Klaben actively participated with Housing Partnership Network, NeighborWorks America, and Enterprise Community Partners, national organizations pursuing policy changes and funding for affordable housing.
As an associate then partner, Ms. Klaben practiced law at Porter Wright Morris & Arthur from 1986 to 1999. Her focus was real estate and corporate law, with concentrations in commercial and residential transactions, apartment management and financing. Her passion for giving back to the community let her to Homeport where she volunteered for 12 years including service on the board of directors.
Ms. Klaben serves on the following: Wexner Heritage Village Board; League of Women Voters Corporate and Community Advisory Council; and the Jewish Needs Foundation Advisory Committee. Ms. Klaben formerly served on the following: Columbus Business Advisory Council of the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland; Community Housing Capital Board of Directors (a national non-profit bank); NeighborWorks America National Real Estate Advisory Committee (co-chair); Enterprise Community Partners National Advisory Council; JPMorgan Chase National Community Advisory Council; Ohio Housing Council Board of Directors; Franklin County Community Development Advisory Board; Franklin County Human Services Chamber; Huntington National Bank Advisory Council; United Way Housing Vision Council; Temple Beth Shalom Board; and the Columbus Bar Association Real Property Committee.
Ms. Klaben’s professional development includes participating in the NeighborWorks America Excellence and Governance Program at the Kennedy School of Government, at Harvard University (2006-2007), the Executive Fellowship Program at the Academy for Leadership in Governance (2005), and the Fannie Mae Foundation Fellows Program at the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University (2004).
Ms. Klaben is a 2016 YWCA Columbus Woman of Achievement; 2014 and 2015 Columbus Smart 50 Awardee; Columbus Realtors 2012 Citizen of the Year; and 2011 award winner from the Greater Columbus Community Helping Hands. Ms. Klaben graduated with honors from Capital University and from Northeastern University of School of Law where she received her Doctor of Jurisprudence.