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A new vision for a legacy institution

Preston Smith, General Manager/COO, The Union Club

Preston discussed how the Union Club is evolving to meet the needs of future members while preserving its traditions. He outlined current renovations and provided an overview of the comprehensive master plan that is focused on financial stability, alignment with the club’s mission, and attracting a diverse membership. Smith highlighted the club’s historical significance and the club’s reciprocity with approximately 150 clubs worldwide.

Preston acknowledged the challenges of funding larger initiatives and shared insights from his time in the hospitality industry and key leadership lessons he’s learned across his career. He concluded by sharing what’s on tap for this summer, including family events, the release the Club’s strategic plan, and the start of some of the renovations.

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Recorded 05/14/2025

Enriching the lives of the LGBTQ+ community

Gulnar Feerasta, Managing Director, LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland

We apologize. The replay of this video is not available.

Recorded 05/07/2025

Leadership lessons from a local media legen

Micki Byrnes, Chief Communications Officer and Senior Adviser, Adcom

Micki discussed her recent career move, shared her personal experiences and the emotional challenges associated with significant career changes. She detailed her career journey, highlighting her nearly 50 years in local television and the various roles she has held across different cities. She discussed the anxiety surrounding her identity post-retirement and the importance of finding purpose in this new chapter of her life.

Throughout the discussion, Micki encouraged attendees to explore their personal identities beyond job titles and to remain open to new opportunities. She shared insights on maintaining a healthy work-life balance, recognizing personal strengths, and the importance of diverse experiences in professional settings. Additionally, she addressed the television industry’s challenges in adapting to changing consumer behaviors and the need for thoughtful changes to maintain team culture.

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Recorded 04/30/2025

Entrepreneurism, Engagement, and Energy

Eddie Taylor Jr., President & CEO, Taylor Oswald, LLC

Eddie Taylor shared insights from his professional journey and commitment to community service. He discussed his transition from a corporate career to entrepreneurship and reflected on the emotional aspects of entrepreneurship, acknowledging both successes and failures as essential for personal growth. He also emphasized the importance of diversity and inclusion in his work, detailing his efforts to establish Taylor Oswald and his involvement with community organizations, which he believes have enriched his experiences. He outlined the core values of Taylor Oswald and their significance in shaping the company’s culture.

Eddie addressed the balance between risk management and client protection in the insurance sector, and the importance of advocating for a commitment to fairness in diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. He underscored the importance of relationship-building, particularly with nonprofits, to foster collaboration and create synergies within the Cleveland community. He encouraged young entrepreneurs to focus on networking and foundational skills.

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Recorded 04/23/2025

Establishing community trust and protecting constitutional rights

Dr. Leigh Anderson, Executive Director - Police Accountability Team, City of Cleveland

Dr. Anderson provided an overview of the city’s police accountability efforts stemming from the consent decree established in 2015, including the decrees eight key areas and the formation of the Police Accountability Team (PAT) to ensure compliance with the decree through audits, policy reviews, and officer engagement. She highlighted the complexity of reforming policies within a metropolitan police department and noted that the process has extended beyond the original five-year estimate, with over 1,000 specific tasks identified for completion.

Dr. Anderson discussed the progress made in crisis intervention and use of force policies, which could lead to a two-year sustainability period for the Cleveland Division of Police. Dr. Anderson concluded by stressing the importance of community engagement and the team’s commitment to preparing for future assessments while aiming for sustainable progress in the community.

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Recorded 04/16/2025

Teaching kids to solve problems through motorcycles

Brian Schaffran, Program Director, Motogo

Brian shared his journey from being a high school teacher to establishing Skidmark Garage and then Motogo, emphasizing the importance of practical learning in enhancing student confidence and engagement. He discussed Motogo’s efforts to empower students through hands-on motorcycle building experiences and highlighted the program’s success in improving academic performance and fostering resilience.

Brian addressed the challenges of expanding Motogo, particularly the financial support required from foundations, corporations, and educational institutions. He also talked about his own failures and how those lessons are helping make Motogo a stronger organization. He expressed concerns about the potential loss of Title IV funds, which are crucial for lower-income schools to sustain programs like Motogo, and the implications this could have on educational opportunities. Co-founder Molly Vaughan added that even those without a passion for motorcycles can contribute meaningfully.

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Recorded 04/09/2025