Nick Lashutka joined the Ohio Children’s Hospital Association (OCHA) as President in 2007 and has more than 30 years of public policy experience working in the private sector and state government.

OCHA serves as the statewide advocacy leader for children focused on achieving the vision of making Ohio the best place for child health. The organization advocates in partnership with children’s hospitals and their patients, families and communities for continuous child health improvement with a focus on bringing solutions to complex public policy challenges.

Under Nick’s leadership, OCHA has dramatically expanded its portfolio of work beyond advocacy to include specific efforts designed to save, protect, and enhance the lives of children in Ohio and beyond.

In 2009, Nick was instrumental in the creation of Children’s Hospitals’ Solutions for Patient Safety (SPS) and currently serves as President of the network. SPS was formed in partnership with Ohio’s business community and the six members of OCHA in addition to the Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital and Mercy Children’s (Toledo) to eliminate serious harm in our hospitals. Since its founding in Ohio, SPS has now grown to 87 hospitals across North America.

In 2013, the OCHA Research Collaborative Task Force was formed under Nick’s leadership and is the first statewide children’s focused research collaborative of its kind. Currently four projects are underway that are dramatically improving outcomes for children.

Prior to his work with OCHA, Nick served as the first ever director of external relations for the Ohio Business Roundtable (BRT), a partnership of the chief executives of the state’s major businesses. Before joining the BRT, Nick represented organized medicine on behalf of the Ohio State Medical Association (OSMA) and their physician members.

Nick is a 1990 graduate of the College of William and Mary in Virginia, where he studied both government and history. Nick and his wife, Megan, are the parents of four sons – Kuyper, Duke, Ike and Drake – and live in Upper Arlington.

Kate Huffman joined the Ohio Children’s Hospital Association (OCHA) as Vice President in 2026.

She is an accomplished government relations leader with more than a decade of legislative and executive lobbying experience. Prior to her current role, Kate served as Senior Director of Government Affairs at the Ohio Hospital Association, where she led advocacy efforts for 252 hospitals and 15 health systems.

Kate began her career in public service as an LSC Legislative Fellow, later working in the office of the Ohio Speaker of the House in various capacities. She also served as the finance director for a statewide campaign and in the Ohio Secretary of State’s office, managing regional operations and overseeing statewide outreach initiatives.

A native of Dayton, Kate is a 2006 graduate of Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Indiana, earning her bachelor’s degree in political science with minors in English Literature and American Studies.

Sarah Cansler Stone has enjoyed more than twenty years of service to the Ohio Children's Hospital Association. As Office Manager, Sarah handles all office operations and administrative duties, and serves as Executive Assistant to Mr. Lashutka.

Sarah also serves as Office Manager for Solutions for Patient Safety and the Ohio Children's Hospital Association Foundation.

A native of Dayton, OH, Sarah has a Bachelor's Degree in music and performing Arts from Capital University in Columbus, OH.