Alumni profile – JobsOhio expert discusses how time at OHIO helped shape her career

For Hannah Baumgartel, economic development is so much more than just a set of industry metrics or site plans—it is a deeply personal mission to strengthen the communities she calls home.

As a senior program manager for small business and community at JobsOhio, Baumgartel (MPA '19) has turned her passion for Ohio’s local economies into a career dedicated to high-level advocacy and strategic growth. 

Baumgartel discusses her journey

My path really started during my undergrad years at Ohio University as a political science major.

When I was looking for a way to transition into the professional side of economic development, I chose the Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service online MPA Program.

I was actually completing my degree while working as an assistant in economic development, which was definitely a masterclass in multitasking, but it was such a great opportunity to ease into the field.

Learning by doing

The Voinovich School’s "learning by doing" philosophy wasn't just some abstract classroom concept for me; it was my daily reality. I found that I could take the complex concepts I was learning in my courses and implement them in real-time within my professional role.

This practical, hands-on approach really sharpened my ability to navigate the kind of public-private partnerships I work with every day at JobsOhio.

Full circle wins

Throughout my career, I’ve viewed every project as a “win,” but the ones with personal ties to my roots are the ones that stick with me.

The revitalization of the Athens Armory was a huge full-circle moment for me—I remember seeing the state it was in when I was a student, so getting to have a role in its development into what it is now felt like a major victory.

I felt that same pride working on the Urbana Willman building, I grew up in Urbana, and being even a small piece of the development in a community that means so much to me is incredibly rewarding.

Focusing on the founder

Right now, a lot of my focus is on initiatives like Lightship Foundation’s Bootcamps, which are a "founder-first" program that JobsOhio has helped expand to eight cities across the state. These programs go beyond just the financials or the marketing, they allow people to connect on a much more personal, human level.

I’ve realized that our biggest opportunity in Ohio isn't about a specific geography, it's about the people and the social capital they've built. When communities are aligned internally, that’s when the outside development really starts to follow.

Words of wisdom

If I could give any advice to current students, it would be to never underestimate the power of being a "connector."

People often forget that being a connector is the most valuable role we have, and the more we are willing to build those relationships, the more powerful our impact can be. You aren't always going to have the right answer immediately, but if you've made those intentional connections, you can always work together to find it.

At the end of the day, community is key no matter where you are.