Board of Trustees

Wright H. Gwyn

I am the youngest of three Gwyn children and am currently living in Oxford, Ohio.

I grew up in Reidsville, NC surrounded by a loving family and great friends. Life was good. After graduating from high school, I enrolled in North Carolina State University.  While I was bouncing around from one major to another a friend introduced me to an outdoor adventure program called NOLS - National Outdoor Leadership School. It seemed a bit more interesting than school so I enrolled in a 30-day mountaineering expedition. This adventure and exposure to new opportunities and experiences was exactly what I was apparently looking for and needed.  I can easily say it started me on a path that I still cling to today. 

After graduation (Parks and Recreation degree) I decided to continue my adventures by traveling the country and working various camping jobs – from camp counseling to directing. For 10 years I traveled. It was wonderful. However, the time came to try something new. So back to graduate school (Miami University of Ohio) and a Masters of Art in Teaching degree. Although I really haven’t used this degree, it helped me land an Environmental Manager position with the City of Forest Park, Ohio. And here I am 31 years later.

Now it is time for another adventure, one that not only encompasses the realities from my previous experiences but also includes “lessons learned” while growing up (The Gwyn Story). I have been very fortunate to have had the resources to do pretty much what I’ve wanted to do. Many are far less fortunate. Hence the creation of The Gwyn Initiative – a philanthropic adventure with family and friends whose mission is to assist “grassroot” non-profits in providing opportunities and assistance to individuals and communities. Hopefully our efforts will be successful. 

Of all the adventures I have had in the past, I am hoping this one is the most lasting!

Dr. Dorothy G. (Dot) Harper

I grew up in a small southern town in North Carolina; “middle child” in the Gwyn family. My parents, Trish and Jule Gwyn, modeled love of family, outreach to community and an urge to improve the lives of others. Their influence on my life was immense. So, too, was the influence of attending the University of NC - Chapel Hill, in the early 1970’s. There, I met my husband-to-be, Stan, while earning degrees in the fields of psychology and anthropology.

After college, I found myself drawn to a career in education. I became a Special Education teacher, then school Principal, and, finally Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction in a small rural school district. Along the way, I earned a Masters’ degree in Special Education and a Doctorate in School Administration. Each school that I worked with during my career had a high percentage of students in poverty, high numbers of minority students, and large numbers of English as a Second Language students. Remediating the needs of these children (e.g., lack of medical care, shortage of food at home, disconnect with resources for the family) became high priorities for my staffs and myself along with the goal of education.

Now, my husband and I are retired. We have time to take our efforts in a new direction. I feel that my being a Trustee with the Gwyn Family Initiative will assist us in continuing the legacy of my parents and family. 

Dr. Julie G. Packard
I am the oldest of three Gwyn children. I live with my husband, Bill, in Summerfield, North Carolina.

We had the opportunity to live in several different states while Bill was in the Air Force. We saw a lot of the country and made good friends and memories.

I grew up in Reidsville, NC, with a very close and supportive family. Our house was always open to family and friends.  Our parents were very involved in our community as volunteers with many organizations and as politicians.  They were often instigators of change, and they were always great role models.

I have been a veterinarian for the past 33 years after being a surgical nurse for 10 years. My veterinary hospital has worked with many animal rescue organizations over the years.



“The chance to work with the Initiative may be a way to give help to organizations that are less recognized but are very deserving.”

Karen E. Baker, CPA, MBA

I am a native of Ohio who is currently living in Oxford, Ohio with my family.

As a child I was very competitive in everything I did, especially in the many sports I loved. This competitiveness followed me to college where I received a B.A. degree from Miami University (Ohio) and a Masters degree in Business Administration from Xavier University. Once school was behind me, I began my professional career working in my father’s CPA firm, a firm he started in 1974. For almost 30 years, I have been fortunate to work with clients from around the country in very diverse fields of business and interests. 

These experiences have allowed me to become more aware of my community. This awareness has drawn me into becoming more involved with community groups and agencies that focus on, but are not limited to, social enrichment and food assistance, arts and education, and regional economic development. I enjoy volunteering my time and expertise as CFO for such organizations as the Envision Partnership, YMCA of Hamilton (OH), and the Fitton Center for the Creative Arts. I am also an active Board member for the Hamilton Rotary Club, Greater Hamilton Chamber of Commerce, and the McCullough-Hyde Hospital Foundation.

My volunteering efforts have led me to develop an inherent passion of “Giving a Hand Up” whenever possible. My involvement with the Gwyn Initiative “provides me the honor of being a part of a forward thinking, problem-solving, passionate group of very humble and giving benefactors.”

Melzer A. (Pat) Morgan, Jr.

I am a native of North Carolina who is retired and is currently living in Chapel Hill, North Carolina with my wife Molly.

I grew up in a small rural town called Smithfield. My childhood revolved around family, church, Scouting and music.  My most formative experience occurred after graduating from college when I volunteered to serve in the U.S. Peace Corps (Dominican Republic). It was during this time (mid-60s) that I was able to experience different cultures, develop new ideas, and question current perceptions.

After the Peace Corps, I graduated from the University of North Carolina School of Law and joined the Gwyn law firm (Jule and his brother Allen). For 14 years I represented clients charged with traffic and criminal offenses, both at trial and on appeal.  Afterwards I was appointed as a Senior Resident Superior Court Judge and served in this position until my retirement. 

During my retirement, I have enjoyed serving as a Resolution Mediator, arbitrator, and expert witness in wrongful conviction cases. During my fifty years living in Reidsville, I enjoyed working with various community organizations such as the Presbyterian Church, Greater Reidsville Habitat for Humanity, the YMCA and the Mental Health Organization. My efforts have been recognized by the Reidsville NAACP and Chamber of Commerce (Unity Award) and as well as the state Governor (Order of the Long Leaf Pine).



By participating in this Initiative, I have the opportunity to pay back some of what was given to me by Jule and Trish Gwyn.

Jennifer H. Kokos

After a multiple “careers” spanning a few decades, I finally decided to follow my heart and my love for animals and go back to college to pursue a degree in veterinary science.

In 2003 I received my Associates Degree in Veterinary Science and have been working as a Licensed Veterinary Technician ever since.

I believe in the Gwyn Initiative as a way to make a difference in this world one project at a time.

Virginia P. (Ginny) Thiell

As long as I can remember, I’ve been captivated and inspired by two things:  cooking and making a connection with the natural world. I grew up in a family that valued fairness, knowledge and giving back to the community. The best days of my childhood were filled with roaming the woods or learning new recipes from library books.

Those days were followed by college. Developing a keen interest in history and political science, I graduated from Miami University with a BA in history and soon after, ended up in a restaurant kitchen – which was heaven to me. After paying my dues, so to speak, I eventually became a chef. I applied the very traditional training I had learned and made the leap to becoming chef at a vegan restaurant for three years. Those years opened my eyes to the glorious world of organic farming and the application of sustainability methods in the commercial food industry. Making full circle, I returned to Miami University over 20 years ago where I am the Executive Chef of Miami Catering. And, of course, my biggest hero is Chef Jose Andres!

On a personal note, I am passionate about establishing and nurturing native plants and all the natural wonders that thrive among them.