It’d be nearly impossible for E-Wynn Inc., which does business as Columbus Window Cleaning Co., not to reflect the service mindset ingrained in its president and CEO, Lynn Elliott. Her commitment is obvious through her involvement on many local boards, which mean much more to her than just more titles on her resume.
For example, as the board chair of the Columbus Housing Partnership, she met with board members individually over lunch to discuss the organization’s goals and to ensure that each member was comfortable with his or her role.
Then as the director of development and communications for Action for Children, a nonprofit focused on early learning initiatives, Elliott created a communitywide model for child care and education programs called Learning Begins Right from the Start by expanding strategic alliances between community organizations and securing corporate contributions.
Elliott also coordinated the School Business Partnership Program at Upper Arlington City Schools, creating an outreach program that resulted in the support of 260 Columbus companies. Later, she turned those networking tactics into a graduate class at the OSU College of Education called Building School Community Partnerships, which was offered for five years.
When Elliott stepped into her role in 2000, she put a community giving plan in place. A committee reviews needs and decides where to donate an annual contribution — usually to an organization involved in housing, education or the arts. The company also offers gift certificates for free or reduced-cost window cleaning to local fund-raising events, while Elliott helps draft written fund-raising materials.
She also encourages employees to get personally involved, noting the company’s hours — 7:00 to 3:30 in the summer and 8:00 to 4:30 in the winter — are convenient for coaching sports or participating in evening meetings. She considers supporting her employees’ participation, whether financially or through team sponsorship.
Elliott has long been involved with the Ohio Council on Economic Education, a nonprofit that promotes financial literacy in students. She sought funding through the state legislature to provide resources and training to students and teachers nationwide. When the organization’s president and sole staff person died, she allowed her own personal assistant to spend one day a week tending to the administrative needs of OCEE, showing her own commitment but also her encouragement of employees to volunteer. <<
How to reach: Columbus Window Cleaning Co., (614) 444-5288 or www.columbuswindowcleaning.com