Family ties just one facet of Cutler Scholar alumna’s path to service on Voinovich School Advisory Board

Faith Voinovich launched a career in venture capital after attending Ohio University’s Russ College of Engineering and Technology and has kept close contact with her grandfather’s namesake school at the institution ever since.

One of the original members of the George V. Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service’s Advisory Board, Voinovich currently serves as principal at the Ohio Innovation Fund, which describes its mission in part as “Finding, funding, and helping to build world-class companies….”

Named a 2025 Rising Star by the Venture Capital Journal, Voinovich has stayed grounded in the affairs at OHIO, where she earned a degree in chemical engineering and was appointed by the governor as a student trustee on the Ohio University Board of Trustees.

She cited her experiences participating in the merit-based Cutler Scholars Program as among the more memorable and rewarding during her time at the university, and recalled an early message delivered to participants by late OHIO President Emeritus Charles Ping, who was serving as an advisor at the time.

“He, I remember in my freshman year, really instilled in us that we are products of great generosity,” Voinovich said. Participation in that program “set the stage for my four years down in Athens and was a constant reminder that there’s a lot expected in terms of being able to give back and appreciate the generosity that was bestowed on that program.”

Making a positive impact through her work

What drew her to the venture capital space after graduation was the concept of commercializing research into products that “get into the hands of people and patients to create better outcomes for them.”

“That was the original inspiration: How do I play a small role, but a role, in making an outsized impact, and I’ve been able to do that at Ohio Innovation Fund,” she said. That group is funded primarily by public university endowments, individuals and corporations, she described it as a “traditional venture fund sitting at the early stage” of financing.

Initially focused on life sciences and medical technology, she now also reviews tech investments, including in cybersecurity and augmented and virtual reality startups.

Voinovich said her approach to service on the advisory board is two-fold.

“One is the continuation of my grandpa’s mission: to do more with less and get stuff done from a public-private partnership perspective,” she said. “The second is, coming now from the traditional private business side, being able to see where there is room for the Voinovich School to add value as a potential public partner.

“Obviously, our investments need to make money to be successful, but more often than not, they’re not going to do ‘well’ if they’re not also ‘doing good.’ Numerous programs through the Voinovich School do a great job at highlighting this good,” Voinovich said.

“I’m excited about where the Voinovich School is going and it’s rewarding that the Voinovich School goes on as part of his legacy. He was, and would continue to be, very proud.” she added.

Voinovich said her down-time interests align closely with her occupation. They include “learning about emerging technologies such as augmented reality, gut-brain axis research, and AI applied to drug discovery and clinical trial optimization.”

She also enjoys trying new vegan food spots and recipes, DIY-ing house projects, mentoring, and spending time with family, including her three younger sisters and brother-in-law. Voinovich resides in Columbus with her two cats and two dogs.