Leadership Legacy: Linda O. Kahn Celebrates 45 Years

Ohlmann Group Board Chair Linda Ohlmann Kahn has dedicated 45 years to serving clients in Dayton and across the country. Linda and her sister Lori announced the sale of their 75-year-old agency in October 2024. 

Linda continues to drive client strategy as Vice President of Media Services for Ohlmann Group. Here she shares insights into the changes in the industry she has experienced and her vision for the future.

What is the biggest change to the industry you have seen in your career?

There are many more options to reach audiences, however, they are also more fragmented. We have many strategies at our disposal, including AI, to hone in and target the customers and prospects our clients want to reach. Technology helps us navigate the media landscape and bring the most value to our clients.

What has stayed the same?

Agency life has changed but the basics have not changed. Be honest in all of your dealings. Do the right thing. Be fair to clients and enjoy the relationship.

I’ve had the pleasure of working with some clients and partners for many decades. My black book helps today as it did years ago. When we expand into new markets, there’s always someone who can help.

Through your father’s legacy, the agency has been known to support a number of nonprofits. Share how you have been impacted by this work.

Our father felt that Dayton, Ohio was very good to him and he always wanted to show his appreciation to the city. It is our responsibility and pleasure to give our time and money to make the community a better place for all. 

Non-profit work is inherent in the agency to this day. Our culture has been carried on by many people who have worked for Ohlmann Group throughout the years.

I believe the new owners will continue that tradition. It’s something that makes our agency unique. 

Talk about how the decision was made to move downtown and your decision to donate your former building.

In the 70s, when many agencies moved to the south suburbs, it was our father’s choice to stay within the Dayton city limits. That is the same choice Lori and I made in 2022.

Staying in Dayton and supporting downtown was very important in our decision. We leveraged our in-house talents in environmental design to create a new, modern home in the 130 Building on W. Second Street. Our new, open space reflects elements of design from multiple members of our team. 

I think our father would be thrilled that Lori and I chose to donate our office of 56 years to a non-profit that is working to grow Northwest Dayton.

During the recent announcement, it was clear you are staying involved with the agency as Board Chair and leading the media team. What are you most looking forward to with the future of Ohlmann Group?

We want the agency to continue to grow. The last several years have been fabulous. We want that trajectory to continue.  

We will always want what is good for the agency. And we knew that our employees and their families were counting on us to continue to evolve.

Co-CEOs David Bowman and Jenny Michael will continue our legacy and our success. David has been with the agency for 15 years. He knows our roots and what was important to our father Walter. Jenny was a fabulous client of the agency. She wanted a new challenge and we felt she would make a perfect partner with David. She, too, knows the roots of the agency.

I feel confident going forward that the legacy and priorities of the last 75 years will be carried forward. 

Lori and I will continue to work at Ohlmann Group for a very smooth transition. We look forward to seeing what’s next at the agency and personally seeing what’s next for us. Ohlmann Group will never be far from our hearts.