Rita McNeil Danish

A highly accomplished attorney, transformational leader, and community changemaker, Rita McNeil Danish serves as the CEO of Signal Ohio, a nonpartisan, nonprofit media organization using community-centered journalism to catalyze civic and community engagement. She is also the founder and CEO of JD2 Strategists, where she supports and provides council to small, minority- and women-owned businesses.

Prior to joining Signal Ohio, Rita brought with her an extensive background of over 30 years in the legal field, spanning various industries and business sectors. Her career included serving as a Magistrate and Judge in Columbus Ohio, Section Chief for the Ohio Attorney General’s Civil Rights Section, and a Partner at Taft Law in both Chicago and Columbus Ohio. Her unwavering commitment to justice and equity was further demonstrated in her capacity as City Attorney for both Dayton and Cincinnati Ohio, where she was instrumental in implementing significant police reforms through a landmark memorandum of agreement with the Department of Justice.

Rita has served on numerous boards, including a 5-year term appointment on the Ohio Civil Rights Commission, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, the National Civic League, and Women’s Small Business Accelerator. She also served as the Chair for Women for Economic and Leadership Development and the Public Contracting Committee of the ABA Section of State and Local Government Law.