Marianne Crosley has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Cleveland Leadership Center since 2010. She leads the civic education, leadership development, and civic engagement organization in its execution of numerous programs to build civic leadership capacity. Previously, she served as the founding Executive Director of Summer on the Cuyahoga, an economic development initiative that attracts young talent to the region.

Crosley graduated from Colgate University and received her J. D. from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law. She worked as a prosecutor in the Kings County District Attorney’s Office in Brooklyn, New York and rose to be a supervisor in the Homicide Bureau. Crosley is a Trustee Emeritus of Colgate University and recipient of the Maroon Citation and the University’s highest award, The Brian Little Award for Distinguished Service. In 2018 she was recognized as a Crain’s Cleveland Business Woman of Note and in 2019 as a Notable Woman in Nonprofits.

She serves on the Board of Trustees for South Pointe Hospital, United Cerebral Palsy, and Cleveland Playhouse, and on the Board of Visitors for Cuyahoga Community College. She and her husband, Tim Clements, have four grown children and live in Chagrin Falls, Ohio.

As Vice President of External Affairs 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 is Past Board President of The Press Club of Cleveland and serves on the Northwestern University Alumni Admissions Council. He also serves on committees for InMotion, a center for those affected by movement disorders; the Heights Observer; and B’nai Jeshurun Congregation.

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.

Jody Bonhard is the Director of Cleveland Bridge Builders. Her primary responsibilities include the design and implementation of the Cleveland Bridge Builders (CBB) program. CBB is a 10-month program that prepares mid-career professionals for a greater role in the community by fostering teamwork, growth, and learning. Jody also oversees the Cleveland Leadership Center’s Leadership Council, an advisory group consisting of CLC alumni across programs and years.

Prior to joining CLC, Jody served as the Assistant Director of Chapter and Regional Programming for The Alumni Association of Case Western Reserve University (CWRU), where she planned events and recruited, trained, and cultivated relationships with alumni volunteers across twelve domestic regions. She was previously Coordinator of Communications for the CWRU Center for International Affairs, a teacher at The Columbus School (Medellin, Colombia) and The Foreign Language Academy (Kansas City Public Schools), and a member of the Teach for America Kansas City Charter Corps. She holds master’s degrees from Brandeis University (MBA) and University of Missouri – Saint Louis (M.Ed.), and a bachelor of arts in Spanish from The Ohio State University.

Jody is a graduate of the Cleveland Bridge Builders Class of 2017 and was a member of the CLC Leadership Council, serving on the Next Gen Committee (2018-19) and as interim chair of the Training and Development Committee (2017-18). In 2018, she was selected for the Women Staff Leadership Development Institute (WSLDI) at CWRU. Currently, she serves as the Chair of the Membership Committee on the Providence House Associate Board.

A native east sider, Jody now lives in Downtown Lakewood with her husband Maks and Goldendoodle Mulligan. She loves everything about her neighborhood—especially the close proximity to the lake and the amazing restaurants located just a short walk from her house!

As Senior Fellow, Lenora implements two programs – Legacy Leaders and Advanced Leadership Institute: Inspired by the Legacy of Carl and Louis Stokes – which are centered on engaging those who want to share their experience and knowledge with the next generation. She also served on the planning committee for last year’s first-ever Statewide Encore/Age-Friendly conference and is currently planning the second convening.

Prior to joining CLC, she served as the Manager of Community Engagement at the Museum of Natural History, where she created new community-building programs: Sensory Friendly Day for those with Autism Spectrum Disorder and their families Deaf and Hard of Hearing History Day, The Glenville Project. Lenora has also worked in Higher Education at Northeast Ohio Medical University as a Special Projects Analyst and Manager of the NEOMED-CSU Partnership and at Chicago’s DePaul University as an Associate Professor of Dramaturgy and Dramatic Criticism. She has authored a number of chapters and two books on dramaturgy including a chapter on Cleveland native Adrienne Kennedy in Bloomsbury/Methuen’s series Decades of Modern American Drama Volume 6: Playwriting in the 1960s. Her two books are: New Play Development: Facilitating Creativity for Dramaturgs, Playwrights, and Everyone Else and The Art of Active Dramaturgy: Transforming Critical Thought into Dramatic Action.

She is the Vice Chair-elect for Women’s Council at Cleveland Museum of Art and a board member for the national service organization American Association of Theatre Educators (AATE) and is the co-chair for Scholarship & Research. She is also a member of the Leadership Council for Encore Network and its Communication co-chair. She served as a member of the artistic team and a project dramaturg for The Sundance Theatre Labs 2000 and 2001, and is a past president of the Theatre for Young Audiences/USA board.

She holds a B.A. from Dartmouth College, an MFA in Dramaturgy and Dramatic Criticism from the Yale School of Drama, and an MBA from Cleveland State University, where she received honors and the EMBA John Baker award for leadership, business ethics, and career development.

Rachel is the Executive Vice President. In her role, she provides oversight for all evaluation and community impact work of CLC, development of custom programs and strategic opportunities, and the design and implementation of all CLC programs. She is a certified Tetra Map Facilitator, Strategic Doing^TM 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 the MetroHealth Foundation, a Program Committee member with Courage to Caregivers, and an Outcomes Committee member with the Greater Cleveland Foodbank. She has served on the associate board of the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission, most recently as Chair. 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!

Maeve joined the Cleveland Leadership Center in Spring of 2019 serving as the Manager of Internal Projects. She supports the CLC team through various means including development outreach, website content, and database management. She is also an event planner, and licensed Ohio Realtor, striving to help others live and play in our great city.

Maeve is a graduate of Kent State University in Kent, Ohio. She graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Fine Arts/Craft in Jewelry Design and Metalworking. While attending Kent State, Maeve lead the Jewelry Co-Op as vice president and president, curated a student fundraising exhibition for KSU’s new Center for the Visual Arts, and piloted the inaugural Art Student Advisory Panel.

Maeve is Cleveland born and raised. She travels extensively, but loves north coast living and appreciates Cleveland’s extensive art scene. She currently volunteers with The Waterloo Alley Cat Project on Cleveland’s east side.

Maeve resides in the diverse North Shore Collinwood neighborhood of Cleveland, near the Waterloo Arts District, with her alley cat Moo.

Evie is passionate about preparing Cleveland’s next generation of leadership and helping to amplify their voices in a society where they are often silenced. She has been recognized for her work with young adults and the Northeast Ohio community.

She came to Cleveland Leadership Center from positions at The LGBT Center of Greater Cleveland and The Diversity Center of Northeast Ohio, where her focus has been around issues of equity around race, ethnicity, (dis)ability, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation and gender identity and/or expression, as well as leadership development within a global context. She developed and delivered programs extensively throughout the United States around diversity and inclusion, including a large-scale LGBTQ Cultural Competence program in preparation for the 2014 Gay Games in Northeastern Ohio.

She has been named by The Plain Dealer as one of Cleveland’s Community Heroes for her work with young adults and received an LGBT Heritage Day Award from the City of Cleveland for her work in education and social services. She was named one of the top five most influential people in Northeast Ohio for LGBTQ advocacy by Cleveland Magazine, and Cisgender Ally of the Year by the Northeast Ohio Transgender community. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of Colors+ Youth Center.

Evie holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Notre Dame College, a master’s in psychology from Cleveland State University and graduate-level certification in diversity management. She is adjunct faculty at CSU. Evie is a proud and active resident of the Collinwood neighborhood in Cleveland.

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.

Bob joined the Cleveland Leadership Center in 2018. As Director of Leadership Cleveland his primary responsibilities include designing and leading Leadership Cleveland, a 10-month program that empowers senior-level positional leaders with the knowledge, skills and relationships to advance and deepen their community impact. He also directs the LC2 Fellows program, in which Leadership Cleveland alumni spend 10 months engaging in a project-based, outcome-driven civic engagement experience.

Prior to joining CLC, Kirschner served as Vice President for Development & Communications at Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry. Before that, he worked in advancement roles at John Carroll University, Case Western Reserve University, and Kenyon College. Bob holds an M.A. in Higher Education and Student Affairs from The Ohio State University and graduated from Miami University, Oxford, OH with a B.S. in Organizational Behavior and a minor in Arts Management.

He is a 2012 CLI graduate and proud CLC Member.

Bob is a member of the Board of Trustees for Countryside, advocating for community-based farming and conservation seeking to connect people, food, and land. Bob also serves on the Board of Directors for Computer Reach (Pittsburgh, PA), an organization that seeks to provide digital literacy for all. He is a member of the City Club of Cleveland, attends forums frequently, and serves on the Membership Committee.

Bob previously sang with the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus and is a current member of the Baldwin Wallace University Men’s Chorus. You can also see him perform in support of the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center as a proud member of the Sing Out! Chorale.

An avid home cook, Bob lives in Brecksville with his wife Claudine and their four children. You can follow his culinary exploits on Instagram @rpkirschner1.

Maria Sharp joined the Cleveland Leadership Center in October 2021 as the Program & Development Associate. She assists with coordination, planning and logistics for Cleveland Bridge Builders, Campus Cleveland, On-Board Cleveland, Advanced Leadership Institute, and CLC Alumni programs and events. Maria also provides support for all development efforts, including grant writing and sponsorships.

Prior to joining CLC, Maria spent two years at the Northeast Ohio Hispanic Center for Economic Development, managing their marketing, communications, and fund development. She has a huge heart for Cleveland and has worked with Ohio City Incorporated and Tremont West Development Corporation learning about the community development field, with a strong focus on economic development. For over 8 years, Maria has managed and operated her own photography business. While working and spending time in Cleveland she grew passionate about making the city a better place for everyone and started to pivot her career accordingly.

Maria earned her BFA from Rochester Institute of Technology in Photographic Illustration. She is a College Now mentor and has previously volunteered with Playhouse Square and Engage! Cleveland. Maria is part of the 100+ Latinos Cleveland Must Know 2021 cohort.

She currently lives in her favorite neighborhood, Ohio City, with her particular and wonderful dog, Dylan.

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.

Kim Woodman joined Cleveland Leadership Center in October 2009 as Executive Assistant, Accounting Specialist.  She provides administrative and accounting support to the President & CEO, Director of Operations, staff, Board of Trustees and Executive Committee Members.

Prior to joining Cleveland Leadership Center, Kim worked in the commercial development department at Forest City Enterprises.  She provided administrative support to the manager of real estate development.

We’re hiring! Learn more: Director of College & Young Professional Programs position description