Fort Thomas Power Couple Takes the Lead: Richard and Brianna Ritz to Co-Chair Ronald McDonald House Gala

By Kristen Swilley

Whether the confetti is still being prepared or has already been swept up from the dance floor, Richard and Brianna Ritz have created something truly special. As co-chairs of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Cincinnati’s annual gala on September 6—the organization’s most significant fundraising event of the year—this Fort Thomas power couple has used their platform not just to raise funds, but to inspire neighbors throughout Fort Thomas and Northern Kentucky to discover their own meaningful ways to support families facing medical crises.

A Legacy Built on Ten Years of Service

The Ritzes’ journey to gala leadership reflects their decade-long commitment to community service and their unique blend of professional skills. For Brianna, the connection to the Ronald McDonald House runs deep—she has devoted ten years of service to the planned giving committee, playing a strategic role in helping the organization grow.

“We were part of a corporate relocation to the Cincinnati area for my then-job, and as a child-free couple, we were looking for ways to build relationships and give back to the community but didn’t know how to start,” Brianna recalls. Her then-boss, who served as treasurer of Pittsburgh’s Ronald McDonald House, suggested she join the young professionals group. “After lunch and a tour of the then 78-bedroom house with CEO Jenn Loeb, Jenn made an ask I could not refuse.”

That ask was to join the Planned Giving Advisory Council, where Brianna could meet with other estate planning and finance professionals to help with legacy planning. As a tax attorney by background, she was immediately drawn to the opportunity. “The thought of a cohort group of like-minded people to help an organization that clearly was so impactful to those they serve was an incredible honor. Frankly, the nerd side of me couldn’t resist a captive audience to talk tax!”

Building Community Through Service

Richard’s path to involvement began alongside his wife at their first gala in October 2015. “We heard a family recount at the event how the house had changed the trajectory of their lives and their children’s survival along with similar video stories from others. It was clear the house was doing such meaningful work through the amazing energy in the room,” he remembers.

The impact was immediate and profound. “The following day we signed the contract to build our house in Fort Thomas. I knew I wanted to help support the mission going forward, maybe not on the tax knowledge side, but through actual volunteer impact. I wanted us to be a member of the community.”

The couple has since made volunteering a family tradition, participating in Halloween family fun nights at the house. “Brianna and I dress up like Fred and Wilma Flintstone—it’s so much fun to shout ‘Yabba Dabba Doo’ while you make candied apples with kids who just want to have a moment of childhood normalcy,” Richard shares. “One mother stopped us last year when we were cleaning up and told us how her son said when he went to sleep that this was the best day of our life. That puts real meaning to what you are doing.”

Strategic Impact and Growth

Brianna’s expertise as a Senior Vice President and Private Advisor in the Rockefeller Global Family Office, combined with her background as a licensed attorney specializing in estate planning and tax strategy, has proven invaluable to the organization’s long-term fundraising strategy.

“I’m incredibly proud to have played a part in expanding the reach and long-term impact of the house,” she explains. “One of the most meaningful accomplishments has been helping grow awareness around legacy giving and building a strong planned giving program. We’ve worked to engage community members in thoughtful conversation about how their support can have a lasting impact for generations to come.”

Cincinnati Ronald McDonald House CEO Jennifer Loeb recognizes Brianna’s transformational contribution: “Her decade of service on our planned giving committee has been transformational. Her strategic insight and professional expertise have not only helped grow our organization’s fundraising capabilities, but she’s also been instrumental in expanding and strengthening the committee itself.”

Engaging the Fort Thomas Community

As Fort Thomas residents, the Ritzes have made a concerted effort to engage their neighbors and Northern Kentucky businesses in supporting the nonprofit. Brianna’s approach is hands-on and personal: “I get people involved, hosting meals for various groups so they can see the house, hear a child so excited for Graeter’s ice cream, or to see therapy pets. To see families is to show the impact.”

She emphasizes the local connection: “Cincinnati Children’s is number one in the US, but the families that come here to receive care get to experience family-centered care, which has proven better results, so it’s a win-win for the region.” The couple has even organized their neighborhood social committee to cook lunch at the Ronald McDonald House.

A Partnership of Complementary Strengths

The selection of the Ritzes as co-chairs represented a perfect marriage of their professional skills and personal commitment. “It sounds cliché, but it was truly an honor,” Brianna says. “We moved to this community 10 years ago, so it was a meaningful anniversary to our first gala, and it has become such a meaningful part of our lives.”

Their different professional backgrounds created a powerful partnership. “We bring very different strengths to the table, and that’s what makes co-chairing (and being married) so effective—and fun,” Brianna explains. “With my background as a tax attorney and a family office advisor, I focus on strategy, structure and relationship building.”

Richard adds his operational perspective: “I on the other hand manage complex physical projects that try to solve existing problems with structure or prevent future problems. So I have an operational and problem-solving mindset that looks at a thousand moving parts and one big goal.”

Mission Possible: This Year’s Gala

The couple is bringing their competitive spirit and love of entertaining to this year’s gala, themed “Mission Possible.”

“We are both competitive people and we love entertaining, so we want to reach our larger than before goal, but we are also committed to making the evening not just impactful but super fun for attendees,” Brianna says.

The excitement is palpable as they build on last year’s success. “It was so exciting to be in the room last year when we broke $1 million in a single night for the first time,” Brianna recalls. This year’s event will feature pre- and post-party activities in addition to the main event.

Your Neighbors’ Call to Action: How You Can Get Involved

The Ritzes’ upcoming gala leadership represents more than just a fundraising milestone—it’s an invitation for Fort Thomas neighbors to discover their own meaningful ways to support families facing medical crises. As Brianna and Richard demonstrate, making a difference doesn’t require co-chairing a gala—it just requires caring enough to start somewhere.

Everyday Heroes: Simple Ways to Make a Big Impact

Prepare Meals That Comfort Families
The House’s “Taste of Hope” program allows groups to cook meals for families staying at the house. “There’s something incredibly special about providing a home-cooked meal for a family going through the hardest time of their lives,” Richard explains. The Ritzes have organized their own neighborhood social committee to participate in this program.

Shop from Your Heart (and Their Wish List)
The House maintains a constantly updated wish list including individually packaged snacks, toiletries, cereal boxes, toys for all ages, and feminine hygiene products. Whether you’re shopping from their wish list or preparing snack or activity bags for families, you’ll be helping relieve the burdens of families who are far from home and facing incredible challenges.

Volunteer Your Time and Talents
Volunteer opportunities range from preparing healthy snacks or delicious treats for guests to creating welcome cards for families to help them feel at home in Cincinnati. The House offers a variety of roles and volunteer experiences to meet different needs and schedules, from becoming a “regular” around the House to visiting when you can or helping from home.

Join the Young Professionals Network
Young professionals can become ambassadors of the House, following the same path that first connected Brianna to the organization over a decade ago.

The Bigger Picture: Why Fort Thomas Support Matters

“It takes hundreds of regular volunteers and thousands of meal volunteers each year,” Brianna emphasizes. “We need the local community support to provide the love, hope and healing our house and community offers to thousands of families each year.”

The couple’s message to their Fort Thomas neighbors is clear: you don’t need to be a power couple or have professional expertise to make a meaningful difference. “Every single act of service, no matter how small it seems, creates a moment of hope for a family in crisis,” Richard says.

Northern Kentucky Pride in Action

As their gala was hosted in Northern Kentucky, the Ritzes take special pride in demonstrating how both sides of the river can impact the greater community. “Kentucky proud!” Brianna laughs. “But in all seriousness, we were very excited and this was a great example of how both sides of the river can really have impact on the greater community. The entire region wins!”

A Legacy of Service Continues

The Ritzes’ gala chairmanship represents more than just a fundraising milestone—it’s a testament to what happens when neighbors commit to serving something bigger than themselves. Their decade of service has grown from that first tour of the house to community leadership that inspires others to find their own ways to serve.

“Personally, it means a great deal to be a part of something that brings people together for a bigger purpose,” Richard reflects. “This community has welcomed us and taking on this role is one way we can pay it forward. Professionally, it’s a chance to use our skills, networks and experience to help create real impact.”

For Fort Thomas residents inspired by their neighbors’ example, the message is simple: start where you are, with what you have. Whether it’s collecting pop tabs, cooking a meal, or volunteering for an evening, every act of service joins a community of compassion that surrounds families with hope when they need it most.

The Ritzes have shown that being a good neighbor sometimes means looking beyond your own street to serve families you may never meet but whose lives you can still touch. In a world that often feels divided, their example reminds us that the best communities are built by people who choose to build bridges of service, one act of kindness at a time.

To learn more about volunteer opportunities at Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Cincinnati, visit their website or call (513) 559-4600. The House is located at 341 Erkenbrecher Ave, Cincinnati, and welcomes drop-offs of wish list items daily from 9 AM to 9 PM.

The 2025 Ronald McDonald House Gala takes place on September 6. Stay tuned for results from this exciting evening of community support and fundraising. Tickets are still available. https://e.givesmart.com/events/HW5/

Photos provided.