Ohio Spotlight of the Week: LeeAnne Cornyn – Director, Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services
This week, we proudly spotlight LeeAnne Cornyn, a passionate advocate and steadfast leader in championing the rights and well-being of Ohio’s children and families. In April 2025, she was honored by the Ohio Children’s Alliance (OCA) as the Champion for Children, a recognition of her unwavering dedication to shaping policies that sustainably improve services for children and families across Ohio.
LeeAnne’s journey is a remarkable story of purpose, service, and impact. A graduate of Miami University, she began her career in education as a Teach For America corps member, teaching 8th-grade science in Los Angeles. Her drive to influence systemic change led her to earn a J.D. from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, after which she launched her legal career as an Assistant Attorney General in the Ohio Attorney General’s Office.
Her deep commitment to child welfare was evident early on. In 2015, she was appointed Director of Children’s Initiatives for then-Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine. She continued this role when Governor DeWine appointed her in 2019 as Ohio’s first Director of Children’s Initiatives, overseeing critical programming in maternal and child health, early childhood education, foster care, and social-emotional development.
LeeAnne’s influence expanded as she was named Director of Cabinet Affairs in 2021, serving as a crucial bridge between the Governor and Ohio’s 26 state agencies. In 2023, she was promoted to Deputy Chief of Staff, helping to execute the Governor’s top priorities.
Today, she serves as the Director of the Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services, where she continues her mission to integrate mental health care with child welfare, ensuring Ohio’s families and children receive the support they need to thrive.
As described by OCA CEO Mark Mecum, “LeeAnne is not just a public servant—she is a tireless champion for every Ohio child, ensuring they have access to safety, care, and opportunity.”
