WHO WE ARE

What makes the Levin Family Foundation unique?

At The Levin Family Foundation, we use our variety of experience from all aspects of life to provide assistance to a wide range of nonprofits, and even sponsor nonprofit initiatives of our own, such as the Celebrating Life and Health Fair and Propolis Projects.

When we were founded in 1996, the Levin family had no idea the potential impact of what Sam Levin probably just considered another simple business decision. Since then, we have invested over $12 million in communities around the world through collaboration with our amazing nonprofit partners.

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Karen Levin

Executive Director

Karen Lorenz-Levin was appointed Executive Director of the Levin Family Foundation on January 1st, 2001.

Karen is a native Daytonian, but prior to her appointment, she worked in Biomedical Research at Wright State University and served as a physician assistant working in family practice and geriatrics. In 2008, she completed her Masters degree in Public Health from Wright State University.

Karen founded Propolis Projects as a commitment to addressing the significant pollinator decline in Ohio. Karen has also has varied interests. She is seen frequently on the bike paths riding her silver recumbent bicycle. She also works quite a bit in the fiber arts. Her specialties are knitting and weaving. The creed she lives by:

"Never believe your own PR!"

Debbie Fox

Grants and Operations Director

Debbie Fox, CNP currently serves as the Grants and Operations Director for Levin Family Foundation in Dayton Ohio. Debbie joined the Foundation in 2003 after a successful career in sales. She is the president of the board of The First Tee Greater Miami Valley and serves on the board of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Dayton Chapter as the co-chair of the Youth in Philanthropy committee, and professional advisor for the Wright State University AFP Collegiate Chapter.

Debbie received a Bachelor’s degree from Wright State University and earned a certification as a Certified Nonprofit Professional (CNP) with the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance.

Debbie enjoys spending time with her husband David, their children, grandchildren and dogs.

Our Board Members

Ryan Levin

Ryan Levin joined the Levin Family Foundation in 2000, becoming the youngest foundation board member in Ohio at the time. He is Vice-President and Owner of Levin Service Co., home to Dixie Drive-In, Treasure Aisles and Caesar Creek Flea Markets. He also holds a position on the board of the Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton.

Ryan attended Northern Kentucky University and the University of Washington prior to returning home to help with his family business in 1997. In 2005, he graduated from the University of Cincinnati's Goering Center for Family Business and Succession Planning.

Ryan and his wife Alison live in Dayton with their three dogs. He enjoys target shooting and dinners with his family.

Albert Leland

Albert W. Leland was appointed to the Levin Family Foundation board in 2015.

Mr. Leland is the President of Leland Consulting, LLC. Since leaving the corporate banking industry, he has served as financial and business adviser to many significant family trusts. He is also a business adviser at The Alpha-1 Project, Inc.

Howard Michaels

Howard Michaels was appointed a board member of the Levin Family Foundation in December of 2003.

He received his Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from The Ohio State University. Mr. Michaels is the owner of Levin and Michaels Tax Service.

He is currently a board member of Professional Tax Preparers of Ohio, Inc. where he has served as President for two terms. Howard also has the honor of being a board member of The Hospice of Dayton Foundation.