Spotlight of the Month: Lillian “Lily” Clossman
This month, we shine our spotlight on Lillian (Lily) Clossman, a passionate leader and public servant whose career has been dedicated to advancing the well-being of children and families in Ohio. With a background in social work and a proven track record of service across state and county systems, Lily is helping shape the future of child- and family-centered services in the state.
Championing Children Through State Leadership
In 2024, Lily was appointed as the Children’s Initiatives Project Manager for the newly created Ohio Department of Children and Youth (DCY), an agency formed to unify programs and resources for children from six different health and human service agencies. In this role, she is at the forefront of developing strategies, initiatives, and collaborations designed to strengthen outcomes for Ohio’s youngest citizens.
Prior to her leadership role at DCY, Lily served within the Governor’s Children’s Initiative in the Office of Governor Mike DeWine. There, she led state programming and resources across agencies, boards, and commissions focused on children, ensuring a coordinated and holistic approach to supporting families across Ohio.
Building on a Career of Service
Lily’s commitment to public service began at the Franklin County Board of Developmental Disabilities, where she served first as a Service Coordination Intern and later as a Service Coordinator. For nearly four years, she supported individuals with developmental disabilities in achieving independence and purpose, embodying her core values of empowerment and inclusion.
Her path also included time at the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, where she served as a Program Administrator III. In this capacity, she supported statewide operations across health and human services as well as contracts and grants management, skills that prepared her for her future leadership roles.
Earlier in her career, Lily volunteered as a Student Advocate at the Butler County Rape Crisis Program, where she provided support to survivors of sexual assault, mediated between victims and authorities, and honed her skills in crisis care, mediation, and counseling. This early experience remains a cornerstone of her passion for advocacy and family engagement.
Professional Specialties
Across her career, Lily has specialized in:
- Counseling and Mentoring
- Crisis Care and Mediation
- Family Engagement and Advocacy
- Program Development and Leadership
She is a licensed social worker whose training allows her to bring empathy, structure, and evidence-based practices to every setting in which she serves.
Education and Community Roots
A proud Columbus native, Lily earned her Master’s in Social Work from The Ohio State University and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Gerontology from Miami University. Her academic foundation reflects her lifelong interest in understanding human development, resilience, and the systems that best support children and families.
Leading with Purpose
Today, Lily Clossman stands as an example of servant leadership in action, using her expertise, compassion, and collaborative spirit to help Ohio’s children thrive. From local service coordination to statewide program leadership, her career reflects a steadfast commitment: ensuring that every child and family in Ohio has the opportunity to live with dignity, support, and hope.
