Purpose Awards honor community and company leaders who embody what it means to be a purpose-driven leader.

As part of their annual Purpose Awards, which celebrate people who impact the Midwest startup and tech community by demonstrating empowerment, compassion, and actions that uplift others, Purpose Jobs has named Provide Head of Credit and Operational Risk Sean Simon a Top Operations Leader.

Simon joined Provide in May 2017 and quickly became an integral part of the company’s Columbus team. He has helped build Provide’s Columbus presence, played a critical role in the company’s August 2021 acquisition by Fifth Third Bank, and has led leadership development and culture initiatives. He’s known by his colleagues as an empowering leader who allows his team members room to grow and shine in their roles.

“Throughout my time at Provide, I have heard from numerous employees that Sean’s support, guidance, and gentle leadership are a large part of why they are fulfilled in their role,” said Provide Senior Director of Marketing and Culture Jess Ehler. “Not many are lucky enough to work with someone of Sean’s caliber, and the company truly recognizes the value Sean brings day in and day out.”

Outside of work, Simon gives back to those around him. He lives his passion for children’s mental health, having launched the Simon Family Giving Fund. This fund supports school counselors by providing materials and supplies needed by their students, removing a layer of stress and burden, allowing counselors to focus on the child’s wellbeing. Additionally, he spends time building handicap-accessible garden beds for nursing homes throughout Central Ohio, creating a healthy, engaging outlet for the elderly.

Simon has over a decade of experience in healthcare practice financing, both for startups and established healthcare practices, including acquisitions, additional locations, and more traditional small business financing. He is a graduate of Miami University, where he majored in finance, and of The Ohio State University, where he earned a Master of Business Administration.