Ohio Mayors Alliance

A Bipartisan Coalition of Mayors in Ohio’s Largest Cities.

Our Staff

Keary McCarthy

Executive Director

Keary McCarthy is the Executive Director of the Ohio Mayors Alliance. Keary helped form the Ohio Mayors Alliance in 2016 to build greater collaboration among local mayors and state leaders. Keary previously served as the CEO of Innovation Ohio and as Minority Chief of Staff at the Ohio House of Representatives. He also previously held top policy and communications positions for the Speaker of the Ohio House as well as the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation. Prior to his work in government, McCarthy served as communications director for ballot measures in 2005 on redistricting and election reform, and a successful effort in 2006 to increase Ohio’s minimum wage. McCarthy has a B.A. from Wittenberg University and an M.S. in Policy Analysis from Cleveland State University.

Keary lives in Columbus, OH with his wife Lori and two sons.

Sarah Biehl

Policy Director

Sarah Biehl is a lawyer and policy advocate who began her career representing children and families at legal aid and doing policy work focused on poverty, education equity, health policy, and juvenile justice at the Ohio Poverty Law Center and Children’s Defense Fund-Ohio. Sarah grew up in rural northwest Ohio and is passionate about using data and high quality research and information to craft public policy that works for people in all neighborhoods and communities in Ohio. Sarah earned her law and bachelor’s degrees at Ohio State University and lives in Bexley with her husband Michael, her daughters, two rambunctious dogs, and one extremely fluffy cat.

Shawn Kasych

Statehouse Advocate / Principal, Kasych Group LLC

Shawn Kasych serves as the Ohio Mayors Alliance’s external legislative affairs manager. In this capacity, Shawn helps manage all legislative affairs in the Ohio General Assembly on behalf of the Ohio Mayors Alliance and serves as the organization’s main point of contact in the halls of the Statehouse. Shawn brings over sixteen years of state government experience in both the public and private sector. Previously, Shawn served as Chief of Staff in the Ohio House of Representatives, where he managed the day-to-day operations of the Ohio House, including supervision of 160+ staff, and served as principal advisor to House leadership on legislative policy and management issues. Shawn was the House’s chief liaison with the Office of the Governor, the Ohio Senate, and all other statewide elected officials and agencies on all legislative matters. He also served as Policy Director for the Ohio House of Representatives, where he developed a critical understanding of the legislative process and knowledge on key policy areas including the state operating and capital budgets, public utilities, healthcare, education, economic development, telecommunications, technology and broadband development. Shawn is a proud graduate of Saint Ignatius High School in Cleveland, Ohio and Ohio State University.

Tristina Allen

Operations & Events Manager

Tristina Allen serves as the Ohio Mayor’s Alliance’s Operations & Events Manager. In this capacity, Tristina helps support the organization’s day-to-day operations and its membership. Tristina has worked in local, county, and state level government across Ohio. She also brings over fourteen years of political and community organizing experience, where she’s developed a niche in coalition building and community affairs. Prior to joining the Ohio Mayors Alliance, Tristina served in the Ohio House of Representatives as a legislative aide, where she demonstrated great success in bringing legislators and staff together to pass bipartisan legislation. Tristina is a proud graduate of Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in International Politics and her Master’s degree in Public Administration.

10 W. Broad Street, Suite 1520
Columbus, OH 43215