It’s fitting that Daman and Barbara Turner first met in church. Throughout their 33-year marriage, both have felt called to put their Christian faith into action.
“From the beginning, we’ve always been aligned as it relates to giving back,” Barbara said. “My religious faith is the foundation for all I do, who I am, how I show up as an individual, how I choose to give back. I feel an obligation to do my part to uplift our community and be a contributing citizen to the community.”
Daman said living his faith sometimes means spreading the Gospel through spoken words. But actions, he noted, are particularly powerful. “We have to be willing to help other people.”
Indeed, through their decades-long relationship with United Way of Greater Cincinnati (UWGC), the Liberty Township couple have devoted their time, talent and treasure to help countless community members. For their efforts, UWGC will present them with the Tocqueville Award on May 14.
Barbara understands better than most the challenges many families face. Many years ago, as a newly divorced single parent struggling to pay bills and feed her children, she sought not a handout, but “a hand up” in the form of assistance from United Way partners. It proved to be life-changing.
She soon embarked on a business career that eventually led her to become president and CEO of Ohio National Financial Service. She stepped down after leading the firm through a $1 billion acquisition that was completed in March 2022.
Over the years, Barbara has remained steadfast in her support of United Way’s efforts to build a better community.
“She has been a driving force and a great example, not only to me, but to leaders in corporate Cincinnati, encouraging them to do better by the community,” Daman said.
Daman, who retired after a 23-year career at Cincinnati Bell (now altafiber), also is a longtime United Way supporter. When it comes to uplifting the community, “We can all play a part,” he says. “No matter what people do, no matter how small or how large.”
As UWGC board chair, Barbara has played a large part in shaping the organization’s priorities. It’s important, she noted, that United Way relies on both data and community voices to identify the root causes that prevent people from thriving. And then, UWGC pursues a collaborative approach to achieve true, lasting change.
“United Way is being brave and bold in doing that,” Barbara said. “Change is difficult. But it is critical. The key is, we have a process, and we have accountability. And with accountability we quickly pivot when there’s a failure, or we expand opportunities that are working, and move forward.”
The hard work of moving a community forward sometimes takes longer than we’d like, Daman said. “But whatever you do for the common good eventually will flourish.”
“My aspiration for our region,” Barbara said, “is a place where everyone feels a sense of belonging, where everyone is thriving. It takes all of us doing our part to do what we can to make our community a better place.”
