Meet the Board
With heart and purpose the board was formed to honor the spirit of Aiden David with random acts of kindness – spreading positivity throughout the community and to advocate awareness and prevention of domestic violence.
The Aiden David Foundation is guided by a compassionate and dedicated board of directors who share a common mission: to honor Aiden’s legacy through advocacy, awareness, and acts of kindness. Each board member brings a unique blend of personal commitment and professional expertise to help us combat domestic violence and support those affected by it.
This board is more than a group of names—it’s a family of advocates, volunteers, and changemakers devoted to making a lasting difference in our community. Together, we uphold the values Aiden lived by: kindness, courage, and the unwavering belief that every life is worthy of love and protection.
In a recent Columbus Dispatch feature, Gretchen shares her heart and vision for change—offering a powerful reminder that hope can grow even in the hardest places.
James David Jr. is the proud father of Aiden David. James is a resolute father to Aiden and always put his best interest first. In his eyes, Aiden was the best gift life could have given him. James is an Air Force veteran, serving in Operation Enduring Freedom after 9/11. Volunteering as a youth sports coach for Aiden’s sports and supporting his extracurriculars have been some of the best moments they shared in life.
Taking Aiden fishing, boating, hunting, hiking and just doing things together are the most cherished moments they shared. Aiden’s dog, Ace also shared these moments with them. James and Aiden’s bond was very strong. James asked Aiden to be his best man in hisfuture wedding to Mollie. While Aiden is now in heaven, he still will dad’s best man.
James is a Senior Estimator in Heavy Civil Construction and has earned an M.B.A. from
Ohio Dominican University. It was a special moment as Aiden got to see his father complete this goal all while being an active father coaching sports, doing dad things for Aiden, and working full-time while completing the M.B.A. full-time as well.
James is very proud of the young man Aiden has become. Aiden had the best intentions and gave his time and effort to anyone in need. Aiden would hold doors for anyone, help seniors load their groceries, take special treats to his friends when they needed a friend. He simply was one of the most kind and loving people around.
In Aiden’s honor, he founded the Aiden David Foundation. Our hope is to spread the good will and heart that Aiden did so effortlessly.
Born and raised in Columbus, Ohio Gretchen has always been passionate about spreading the mission of random acts of kindness and loving all in need. She has been an RN with the local hospital, the state prison and for the last 13 years, served the veterans health administration. Gretchen has one son and two daughters, her oldest Child and only son was murdered 5/1/2025, along with his girlfriend, by her ex, who then committed suicide. She is now dedicated to helping those find the light in an ever increasing dark world.
Audre Lourde wrote “ I am not free while any woman is unfree, even if her shackles are very different than my own.”
Chris Rice is an executive with a diverse background in sales and marketing within the home improvement and eyecare industries ranging from print publications to cutting-edge software. Currently, he serves as the Enterprise Sales leader at Rize, an innovative AI start-up designed for home improvement businesses.
He also serves on the board at Serenity Street Foundation and previously served on the board of the Opticians Association of Ohio. He is a graduate of the University of Mount Saint Vincent in Bronx, NY with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications.
Chris is Aiden’s uncle. He and his wife Samantha live in Columbus and share four children and six dogs. He is passionate about the Aiden David Foundation, as well as, animal rescue, mental health and substance abuse treatment, and connecting individuals in need with appropriate resources.
Jay DiMasso is a dedicated multimedia design teacher and the owner of DiMasso Design and Digital Pro Productions. With a passion for both education and visual storytelling, Jay bridges the gap between classroom innovation and real-world creative production.
In the classroom, Jay empowers students to explore the worlds of design, digital media, video, and photography through hands-on, career-ready skills. Outside of school, he leads a photography business and a full-service agency that specializes in social media management, branding, SEO, and digital marketing. Jay helps businesses elevate their presence with impactful visuals and smart strategies.
Whether behind the lens, in front of a classroom, or building brands from the ground up, Jay brings energy, experience, and creativity to everything he does.
picture coming soon…
bio and picture coming soon…
As Creative Steward of the Aiden David Foundation, Katie Dix brings a heart-led vision to every project. With a background in digital media, photography, and storytelling, she is dedicated to ensuring that the foundation’s message of hope, healing, and purpose is communicated with clarity and impact.
Katie sees creativity as both a gift and a responsibility—using design, words, and imagery to honor Aiden’s legacy and inspire others to action. She guides the foundation’s branding, communications, and storytelling efforts, weaving together beauty and meaning to amplify awareness of domestic violence prevention and the power of kindness.
Her goal is simple: to serve as a faithful steward of creativity so that the foundation’s mission shines brightly in every space it touches.
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Mathew 5:14-16
Our board members serve not just in title, but in action. They are mentors, listeners, advocates, and change agents—each doing their part to ensure Aiden’s light continues to shine through the work we do.
We are grateful for their leadership and invite you to get to know the individuals behind the mission.
