Episode Details

David Cooper, Director of Community Outreach at Central Community House, shares how he left a corporate career, took a major pay cut, moved back to the neighborhood that raised him, and built one of Columbus's most powerful community mentorship and men's mental health movements — from the ground up. 

In this conversation, you'll learn: 

✅ Why calling people "neighbors" instead of "clients" fundamentally changes the culture of care in your organization 

✅ How David launched a men's mental health group called "Mask Off" — and why every person who attends once comes back 

✅ What it actually looks like to model servant leadership as a director, including going to therapy yourself before asking your team to

This episode is for nonprofit HR directors, People Ops leaders, and Executive Directors who want to build belonging, mentor the next generation, and lead people-first cultures that last beyond their tenure.

👤 ABOUT DAVID COOPER: David Cooper is the Director of Community Outreach at Central Community House, a nearly 90-year-old settlement house serving the Near East Side of Columbus, Ohio. A lifelong resident of the Livingston and Oakwood neighborhoods, David left a corporate career overseeing half the state of Ohio to return home and serve his community. He also serves as an Area Commissioner at Large for the Near East Side and founded the "Mask Off" men's mental health group at Central Community House. 

🔗 Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-cooper-qmhp-cdca1-0475bb33/ 

🔗 Organization Website: https://www.centralcommunityhouse.org 

🎙️ ABOUT HART & HUSTLE: 

Hart & Hustle brings you weekly conversations with mission-driven leaders solving real problems in healthcare, education, and community services. Every week, host Efrain Lozada sits down with nonprofit executives, operations directors, and innovators to uncover practical strategies you can implement in your organization. 

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