Why CLI?
Civic Leadership Institute (CLI) is a fundamental introduction to Cleveland’s community landscape and social issues and is a stepping stone to advance your involvement within CLC and the community. It provides exclusive insight into what’s going on in the community, connects you to the people, places, and projects moving Cleveland forward, and provides a strong foundation for your professional and civic advancements. Through CLI, you’ll gain:
- New, timely insights and knowledge about current topics.
- A greater understanding of how national/regional circumstances impact business.
- Opportunities to meet and interact with top civic and business leaders in small group settings.
- Personal fulfillment from being more engaged in your community.
PROGRAM OPTIONS
Fall and Spring
These programs are a dive deep into five concentrated community topics through focused sessions and connect you directly with the leaders driving change in each area.
Winter
Winter CLI features longer sessions that examine the broader public and nonprofit sectors, along with cross-sector collaborative partnerships, and how they shape our region.
Bundle
Participate in both experiences—Fall and Winter, or Winter and Spring—and develop deep knowledge about specific topics plus a big-picture understanding of how sectors collaborate to move Cleveland and its residents forward. Bundled registration also means better value for your investment.
| PRICING
Single cohort cost |
Bundle rates |
REGISTER
- Fall 2026 Schedule
Cleveland’s Neighborhoods
Friday, October 9, 2026 | 8:00-11:00 a.m.
@The Foundry
Speaker:- Greg Deegan, Executive Director, Teaching Cleveland
Economic Development
Friday, October 16, 2026 | 8:00-10:00 a.m.
@Greater Cleveland Works
Speakers:- Jacob Duritsky (LC 2024, CBB 2012), VP – Strategy, Research, & Talent, Team NEO
- Serena Jezior, Director of Strategic Initiatives, Greater Cleveland Works
- Tom McGraw (CBB 2022), Manager of Program Execution, MAGNET: The Manufacturing Advocacy & Growth Network
Education
Friday, October 23, 2026 | 8:00-10:00 a.m.
@Hope Ignites
Speakers:- Jennifer Dodd, Assistant Superintendent, Educational Service Center of Northeast Ohio
- Refresh Collective representative
- MotoGo representative
Health & Human Services
Friday, October 30, 2026 | 8:00-10:00 a.m.
@Stella Maris
Speakers:- Dr. David Margolius (CBB 2019), Director of Public Health, City of Cleveland
- Lonnie Williams Jr. (CLI 2026), City of Cleveland
- Christine Robinson, Chief Executive Officer, Stella Maris
Quality of Life
Friday, November 6, 2026 | 8:00-10:00 a.m.
@The Darl Center for the Arts
Speakers:- Jill Paulsen (LC 2017), Executive Director, Cuyahoga Arts & Culture
- Jeremy Johnson (LC 2023, CLI 2021), President & CEO, Assembly for the Arts
Connecting the Dots-Community Engagement Landscape
Friday, November 13, 2026 | 8:00-10:00 a.m.
@Urban Community School
Speakers:- Kip Bollin (LC 2020, CLC Board Chair), Partner in Charge, Cleveland, Thompson Hine LLP
- Becky Ruppert McMahon (LC 2018, CBB 2008), President & CEO, Cleveland Leadership Center
- Winter 2027 Schedule
Tuesday, February 2, 2027
11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.Tuesday, February 16, 2027
Noon-3:30 p.m.Tuesday, March 9, 2027
Noon-3:30 p.m. - Spring 2027
Friday, April 9, 2027
8:00-11:00 a.m.Friday, April 16, 2027
8:00-10:00 a.m.Friday, April 23, 2027
8:00-10:00 a.m.Friday, April 30, 2027
8:00-10:00 a.m.Friday, May 7, 2027
8:00-10:00 a.m.Friday, May 14, 2027
8:00-10:00 a.m.
The CLI difference
At the end of each cohort, participants indicate their level of agreement with a series of statements before and after the program. The charts below indicate the percentage of participants who agreed or strongly agreed with these specific statements.
I know about Cleveland’s civic assets, issues, and stakeholders.
I know how to find community engagement opportunities that are relevant to my interests and abilities.
To learn more about CLC’s evaluation process, visit our Impact page.
To learn more about CLI, email Austin Harris or call (216) 386-1588.