Becky joined the Cleveland Leadership Center as President and CEO in July 2024.  She leads the civic education, leadership development, and civic engagement organization in its execution of numerous programs to build civic leadership capacity. As a proud member of Leadership Cleveland 2018 and Cleveland Bridge Builders 2008, Becky strives each day to fulfill her personal mission to live a life rooted in meaningful relationships, purpose, and a passion for the possibilities of tomorrow.

Before joining CLC, Becky spent a decade as CEO for the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, a professional association for lawyers and business professionals dedicated to promoting the rule of law and the legal profession. She also held positions as General Counsel for Cuyahoga Community College, Deputy General Counsel for KeyBank National Association, and a litigation associate with Benesch, Friedlander, Coplan & Aronoff.

In addition to her passion for the legal industry, Becky is committed to board service. Becky serves as Chair of the Board of Directors for First Federal Lakewood, the largest independent depositor-owned bank headquartered in Ohio with assets of $3 billion; and she is a founding Director of First Mutual Holding Co., a member-owned holding company created to serve a singular mission: to help mutual banks serve their communities and prosper in today’s financial climate. She has also served on several nonprofit boards including most recently the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Foundation, Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital Foundation, Lake Ridge Academy, and the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland.

Becky is a graduate of both Smith College and The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law.

Beyond her professional commitments, Becky spends as much time as possible outdoors with her daughter, Natalie, a student at Penn State University, and their Mini Aussie, Beatrice.

As Chief Advancement Officer for CLC, Michael E. Bennett focuses on helping CLC tell its story to advance its mission and raise revenue to support its activities.

He came to CLC in 2014 after serving as principal of Bennett Strategic Communications LLC, which helped companies and nonprofit organizations better fulfill their missions through strategic communication, fundraising and organizational management.

He previously was publisher and editor of the Cleveland Jewish News, which produces a weekly newspaper, custom magazines, digital products and events. He served as executive director of the CJN Foundation, a nonprofit affiliate of the CJN that supports educational activities.

Prior to the CJN, Bennett worked as director of marketing and communications at the Jewish Federation of Cleveland, where he also served as director of its annual fund-raising campaign. He began his professional career in journalism at regional daily newspapers in Indiana before being named a features editor of The Plain Dealer in Cleveland.

He serves on the Board of Directors of the Association of Fundraising Professionals Greater Cleveland Chapter and on its Diversity Committee; on the Board of InMotion, a wellness community for those affected by Parkinson’s; on the Northwestern University Alumni Admissions Council; and volunteers at B’nai Jeshurun Congregation. He is Past Board President of The Press Club of Cleveland.

He is a 2009 graduate of Leadership Cleveland and a CLC Member.

He holds a bachelor’s degree from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University. Bennett grew up in Beachwood, and is an empty-nester living with his wife in Cleveland Heights.

Becky Borden has served as Chief Operating Officer of the Cleveland Leadership Center since 2017, when she came to fill a twelve-week interim position.  In her role, she manages CLC’s finance, human resources, operations, and technology needs.

Prior to joining Cleveland Leadership Center, Becky was Administrative Director of Emergency Care Specialists.  She previously held corporate finance and sales positions with Procter & Gamble, and commercial banking roles with Northern Trust.  She has a BS in Finance from Miami University along with an MBA from The Kellogg School of Management.

She is a 2017 alumna of the Civic Leadership Institute.

Becky and her husband Brad have three grown sons and live in Chagrin Falls.

Nicole’s lifelong passion for education, love of people and desire to see Cleveland and its residents thrive led her to Cleveland Leadership Center where she gratefully serves as Director of College and Young Professional Programs.

Nicole comes to Cleveland Leadership Center by way of the Young Entrepreneur Institute at University School where she managed a pitch challenge for NEO students, K-12, and led entrepreneurship clubs and programs at US. Her eight years at Destination Cleveland began as a CLE Concierge in the CLE Visitor Center and led to creating and implementing programs to improve the visitor experience including CLE Travelbackers, the Cleveland Brewery Passport, and the Authentic Cleveland Experiences workshop, which inspired partners to offer visitors immersive and memorable experiences based in Cleveland’s “DNA.” She also taught fifth grade at Brecksville-Broadview Heights City Schools.

Nicole has a B.S. in Elementary Education from Miami University and a Certificate in Creative Placemaking from Ohio State University’s Knowlton School of Architecture.

Nicole currently resides in Solon but feels most at home downtown and in Cleveland’s vibrant neighborhoods.

Rachel is the Chief Program & Impact Officer.  In her role, she provides oversight for the design and implementation of all CLC programs along with the evaluation and community impact work of CLC, and development of custom programs and strategic opportunities.  She is a certified TetraMap® Facilitator, Strategic Doing™ Certified Workshop Leader, IDI® Qualified Administrator, and has presented nationally on evaluation, impact, and engagement.

Rachel graduated from Ohio University in 2002 with a BA in Psychology and continued her education at the Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences at Case Western Reserve University, graduating in 2005 with a Master of Science in Social Administration (MSSA). Rachel has worked as a social worker at MetroHealth Medical Center and as a Program Coordinator at Care Alliance Health Center. Through her work at Care Alliance, she designed, implemented, and measured a federally funded evaluation program and collaborated with nine other programs across the country. She has a special interest in social work issues with the HIV/AIDS community and healthcare.

Rachel is a graduate of the Cleveland Bridge Builders Class of 2010 and is a member of the Cleveland Leadership Center Alumni Association. She is a member of the Board of Directors for Motogo, and a Program Committee member with Courage to Caregivers. She has served on the Board of Directors for the MetroHealth Foundation, the associate board of the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission, most recently as Chair, and on the Outcomes Committee with the Greater Cleveland Food Bank. She was named a Top 25 under 35 Mover and Shaker in 2013 by the Cleveland Professional 20/30 Club. She and her husband Matt, along with their son Carson, love Cleveland and enjoy all the community has to offer!

Patrick has been with the Cleveland Leadership Center since June 2022 beginning as a Summer Associate. In August 2022, he transitioned to the Co-Director of High School Programs & Program Associate role. Patrick assists the coordination, planning, and logistics for Cleveland Bridge Builders, OnBoard Cleveland, Campus Cleveland, Advanced Leadership Institute, and CLC Alumni programs and events.

Prior to joining CLC, Patrick spent the 2021-2022 school year as an afterschool program coordinator with Open Doors Academy where he planned and executed academic and socio-emotional programming for nearly 40 school aged scholars. Throughout college, Patrick worked on various political campaigns which developed a strong interest in relationship building, education, and civic engagement.

A 2021 graduate of Northwestern University, Patrick earned a Bachelors of Science in Education and Social Policy with a concentration in Learning and Organizational Change and a minor in United States History. While at Northwestern, he spent his free time as a member of the Sailing team and mentoring similarly labeled middle school students with learning disabilities.

A native of Cleveland’s east side suburbs, Patrick recently moved to the vibrant neighborhood of Ohio City. When not working, Patrick enjoys spending time socializing with family and friends, exploring the city, listening to music, and spending the summer months near water.

Dani is a Miami University alumna with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Creative and Professional Writing. She spent a semester at Miami’s Luxembourg campus which both ignited her love of travel and helped to inspire her move to Cleveland from her hometown in the Chicago suburbs.

Before joining CLC, Dani cared for amazing young minds in the Cleveland area. She is thrilled to now serve our great city of Cleveland as a member of the CLC team.

Dani lives in the near west side neighborhood of Duck Island with her husband. Together they enjoy frequenting Playhouse Square, cheering on the Cleveland sports teams, exploring the towpath, supporting local restaurants, and all that Cleveland has to offer.

Michelle is responsible for Cleveland Leadership Center’s marketing and communications, including design, messaging, and strategy.

Prior to joining CLC in 2014, Michelle spent 2 1/2 years as part of the Morino Ventures team working on the Leap of Reason initiative and 11 years at Urban Community School, where she was responsible for marketing efforts, special events, database management and myriad other projects.

Michelle holds a Bachelors of Science degree in Biology from Heidelberg University and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Tiffin University. Michelle’s civic passions revolve around physical and mental health and cycling/safe streets for all. She is a northeast Ohio native and lives in Fairview Park with her husband and two step-sons.

Angela O’Donnell joined the Cleveland Leadership Center as the Director of Cleveland Bridge Builders in October 2022. In her role, Angela leads all aspects of the 10-month Bridge Builder program for mid-career leaders.

Angela graduated from Mount Union College in 2009 with a BA in Media Studies. She spent a semester studying in Viterbo, Italy where she focused on creative writing at the Universita della Tuscia. She spent nearly 12 years working at Saint Ignatius High School, most recently as the Director of Marketing & Communications. There she served as a member of the senior leadership team, led strategic planning, and managed an integrated marketing strategy supporting admissions and advancement efforts for the school.

Angela is a graduate of the Cleveland Bridge Builders Class of 2014. She has served as a childcare volunteer at the Providence House and is a member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). She has also served on the Pastoral Council at St. Thomas More Parish in Brooklyn, most recently as President.

Born and raised in Cleveland, Angela grew up in Old Brooklyn and spent eight years living in the Ohio City and Tremont neighborhoods. She and her husband Tom, along with their son Thomas currently reside in Fairview Park.

Dr. Claudia Y. Owens is a strategic communication leader. Before coming to CLC, Dr. Owens was an Associate Faculty member at University of Phoenix and a Graduate Program Coordinator for the Strategic Communication Master Degree and Instructor at Bowling Green State University. She served as chair of the program committee and the Dean’s Diversity Committee. She had previously been the Executive Director of Public Relations and Marketing at Washington State Community College and Director of Client Marketing & External Affairs for the Rockford Area Chamber of Commerce.

She holds a Doctor of Management degree in public policy and administration from the University of Maryland University College (now the University of Maryland Global Campus), a master’s degree in communication methodology from Cleveland State University, and a bachelor of science degree in speech from Northwestern University. She is a graduate of the Economic Development Institute at the University of Oklahoma.

Dr. Owens has served on several nonprofit boards. Her civic activities locally included Junior League of Cleveland, Family Transitional and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Growing up on the east side of Cleveland she is a graduate of John F. Kennedy High School and currently lives in Warrensville Heights.

Jolyn is the Director of Leadership Cleveland where she is applying her extensive business, academic and nonprofit experience to this role. Most recently serving as VP of External Relations for San Diego Oasis, an award-winning nonprofit organization serving over 5,000 older adults, providing stimulation, education and community engagement to older adults to prevent isolation and loneliness, and to encourage engagement and purpose throughout San Diego County.

From her role as former CMO of a large San Diego nonprofit hospice to teaching the business of retail, marketing and communications at a major public university in Ohio to running a multi-million dollar retail operation, she has decades of involvement in the nonprofit community. She has served as board member and past chair of Barrio Logan College Institute in San Diego and as a board member of Friends of Breakthrough Public Schools in Cleveland, Ohio. She is a former member of Community Advisory Council of SDG&E in San Diego and former board member and past chair of Community Health Improvement Partners (CHIP) of San Diego.

Jolyn was recently awarded the Spirit of Carol Sigelman Award for Excellence in Fundraising, given by the North County Philanthropy Council. She holds a Bachelor of Professional Studies in Nonprofit Management from Empire State College at SUNY, Applied Associate Degree in Retail Management from Fashion Institute of Technology at SUNY, and a certificate from The College of Distributive Trades, London, England. Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, she is married to a business turnaround specialist and has one daughter, an attorney.

Courtney joined the Cleveland Leadership Center in November 2023, as the Special Events and Database Manager. She drives the coordination and logistics for the organization’s primary events along with maintaining the internal database.

Born and raised in the Cleveland area, she has a deep appreciation for all the opportunities and hidden gems this city has to offer. Her background in project and database management, event coordination, and passion for collaborating with people led her to where she is today.

She loves working Downtown, the heart and soul of Cleveland, and volunteering with organizations in our surrounding neighborhoods. She lives in Berea with her husband and two pups.

Andrew has been with the Cleveland Leadership Center since 2011. He serves as the manager of the Civic Leadership Institute, as well as senior program coordinator for Cleveland Leadership Center flagship programs. He began his career at the Cleveland Leadership Center as programs and operations associate in February 2011, program coordinator in July 2011 and manager of Civic Leadership Institute in October 2015.

Andrew is a 2010 graduate of Miami University in Oxford, Ohio where he received a bachelors of arts in political science. While at Miami, Andrew was part of the Transatlantic Seminar on the European Union and a member of the Transatlantic Studies Organization.

Andrew, born and raised in the Cleveland area, is a College Now Greater Cleveland mentor, graduate of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland’s LEADS program and a volunteer with various local organizations.

Andrew currently lives in Lakewood with his wife, Annie.

Having joined CLC in October 2022, Maya is currently the Director of the High School Programs. Throughout her career, she has worked in the fields of youth development and nonprofit management. Maya is responsible for the design, coordination, and execution of Look Up To Cleveland school year and summer programs.

Maya holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Kent State University. In addition, she holds a Master’s degree in Nonprofit Administration and Leadership from Cleveland State University. For the past six years, she has worked with various youth development organizations, as well as volunteered monthly to support girl empowerment groups. In her past roles, she managed after-school and summer programs at schools located on the west side of Cleveland.

An Alabama native, Maya moved to the east side of Cleveland as an adolescent. In her spare time, she enjoys watching football, traveling to see family, and self-care days.