About Us
Empowering Students. Advancing Education. Building a Better Future.
Global Horizons SGO was founded with a simple but powerful vision: that every young person with the drive to improve the world should have access to a great education - regardless of their family’s income. As a certified Ohio Scholarship Granting Organization, we provide scholarships to high school students, with priority given to those from low-income backgrounds who aspire to make a positive impact on the world, especially in areas like global health, animal welfare, and reducing global catastrophic risks.
Our founding grew out of deep concern for both educational equity and global challenges. We saw too many talented students being left behind - not because they lacked motivation or potential, but because they lacked financial support. At the same time, we recognized that helping these students realize their potential could be one of the most powerful long-term ways to make the world better.
We are also advocates for smarter, fairer education policy in Ohio. We believe public education should be strengthened, not undermined. And when state funds or tax credits are used, they should go where they’re needed most: to students facing the greatest barriers.
That’s why we prioritize supporting students who demonstrate financial need and a commitment to improving the world. Unlike other SGOs, we remain fully independent - unaffiliated with any particular school or network - so we can reach students wherever they are, and offer them real choice and opportunity.
Your donation to Global Horizons doesn’t just fund tuition - it invests in young changemakers who are ready to tackle the world’s toughest problems. Further, with each scholarship awarded, we also donate to a high-impact charity tackling pressing global problems today. Thanks to Ohio’s scholarship donation tax credit, Ohio taxpayers can contribute to our mission at no net cost.
Join us. Help fund the future. Use your scholarship donation credit and contribute today!
Board of Directors
Kevin Neilon
Kevin Neilon founded Global Horizons SGO to help promising students pursue excellent educational opportunities and meaningful careers. He is passionate about connecting local generosity, through Ohio’s scholarship tax credit, to talented, need-based students who want to tackle pressing global challenges. Kevin believes that education paired with purpose can unlock extraordinary positive change.
He also works full-time at Rethink Priorities, a global think tank and implementation group, working to launch and support highly-impactful projects focused on addressing pressing world issues. Prior to joining Rethink Priorities, Kevin spent a decade working in consulting, finance, and corporate strategy, after graduating from The Ohio State University.
Founder, Director
Amber Neilon
Amber Neilon is currently employed in grants administration at a non-profit hospital in Columbus, Ohio. She supports researchers in utilizing, tracking, and ensuring compliance with regulations concerning their grant funding, enabling them to contribute effectively to global health initiatives.
She is enthusiastic about collaborating with Global Horizons to provide scholarships to promising students who are dedicated to addressing major global challenges. Prior to her current role, she gained experience as a purchasing specialist at the same non-profit hospital as well as at two prominent retail organizations based in Columbus and received her Bachelor’s at The Ohio State University in 2012.
Director
DirectorKevin McCarthy
Kevin McCarthy is a teacher at Grandview Heights High School in Columbus, OH. He earned a Master's degree in education from The Ohio State University in 2009 and has since spent more than 15 years as an educator—teaching English, creative writing, and film.
He lives with his wife in Pickerington where they are active in service, church, and community life.
Advisory Board
Bryan Ashton
Bryan Ashton serves as the Chief Strategy and Growth Officer for Trellis and Head of Trellis Strategies. Bryan leads efforts at Trellis to continue to evolve the organization to meet the needs of modern learners across the country, including leading Trellis Strategies, a non-profit research and technical assistance organization that supported over 350 institutions of higher education in 2025. Ashton also leads the government affairs and public policy functions.
Additionally, he is the Co-Founder of the Higher Education Financial Wellness Alliance, and is a frequent speaker at national conferences on issues of college access and affordability. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Ohio State University and a master’s in education with a focus in Higher Education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
Evan Betterton
By day, Evan manages regulatory and legislative affairs. He specializes in state regulatory and legislative strategies in the energy and environmental space across the U.S. and Canada.
Outside of work, Evan is always hanging with his dog Bumble—usually at Bumble’s very own dog park, Bumble’s Backyard (run by Evan’s wife, Lauryn). Evan also enjoys sports like volleyball and curling (yes, the winter olympic kind), exploring Columbus’s newest restaurants, and weekly bingo nights with friends.
Jonah Boucher
Jonah Boucher is a former high school math and science teacher with a passion for helping talented high school and college students lead impactful and fulfilling lives. He currently does this work through his leadership of Leaf Courses and the Non-Trivial Research Fellowship.
Jonah graduated from the Harvard Graduate School of Education after studying Mathematics and Environmental Science at Hamilton College.
Aimee DeLuca
Aimee DeLuca is a seasoned senior executive and board leader with more than 30 years of experience helping mid- to large-cap public companies advance complex financial, tax, and strategic objectives.
Most recently as SVP, Investor Relations & Strategy at The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company, she served as a trusted advisor to the C-suite and Board of Directors and led initiatives spanning enterprise risk, strategy, M&A, and disciplined value creation.
A CPA, MBA, and entrepreneur, Aimee brings deep governance, fiduciary oversight, and investment acumen, paired with a personal passion for education.
Nancy K. Lahmers
Nancy K. Lahmers retired as an educator and administrator from OSU’s Fisher College of Business, where she previously served as the Executive Director of Graduate Programs and Director of the Honors Cohort Program.
Previously, she served as a human resources attorney in manufacturing and agriculture. She recently ended her 9-year term as a board member of the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio. Nancy and her husband, Peter Sanderson, enjoy bicycling.
Shaun Laubis
Shaun Laubis brings experience working both in sourcing for Fortune 500 companies and in sales to them. He is passionate about strategic mediation and marketing guidance that helps organizations scale sustainable impact.
Shaun is the founder of Ohio‑based e‑commerce company Guild Outfitters and has served on the American Red Cross Associate Board for Young Professionals and The Ohio State University Young Alumni Board.
Dave Orth
Dave Orth is a Managing Partner and Co-Founder of WR Valuation, with nearly 30 years of experience in business valuation and financial advisory services. He is known for his technical depth and relationship-driven approach, serving as a trusted advisor to executives, investors, and business owners on complex valuation matters.
Previously, Dave held senior valuation leadership roles at Ernst & Young, where he served as Managing Director and Head of the Valuation Technical Committee, and at Citizens Financial Group as Managing Director of Valuation Services. In 2024, he co-founded WR Valuation which provides specialized expertise across M&A, financial reporting, estate and succession planning, and dispute resolution.