Why OBC?
OnBoard Cleveland will challenge you to develop skills for confident networking, presentations and professional interactions. Through OnBoard, you’ll:
- Analyze and employ your individual strengths to maximize contributions in professional settings and community involvements.
- Gain an appreciation of the local assets, better understand critical community issues and learn collaborative leadership skills to address them.
- Get connected to civic opportunities that align with your personal interests and talents.
- Your Commitment
Participants are expected to attend a one and a half-day opening retreat in September, five four-hour afternoon sessions once per month from October through February, and an evening commencement in March.
Tuition for the class of 2026 is $2,500 per participant (typically paid by the employer). Tuition includes food, materials, and session activities.
Scholarships are available to ensure participation is accessible to all. Learn more about the available scholarship funds.
There is a non-refundable $25 application fee.
- Application process
Participants are chosen through a blind selection process. A volunteer alumni panel reviews all submissions and scores applicants on their commitment to building a civic/professional network, and willingness to expand self-awareness of personal and professional strengths and challenges.
The program application form includes three short answer questions, a brief overview of your community involvement and one recommendation (which must be completed on the online application – no letters will be accepted).
Applications for the Class of 2026 will open on February 1, 2025. There is a non-refundable $25 application fee.
Employers, OnBoard Cleveland is a win for you too!
“OnBoard is a win-win for our early-career colleagues and for our firm. Our colleague gets to develop her professional network, hone leadership skills, and become further enmeshed in our community, and the firm gets to hit fast-forward on the development of our colleague, while demonstrating our belief in their skills and potential. OnBoard is a phenomenal investment in your career and in your team.”
-Kip Bollin (LC 2020, CLC Board), Partner in Charge, Cleveland Office, Thompson Hine LLP
The OBC difference
At the end of each program year, 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 how to find community engagement opportunities that are relevant to my interests and abilities.
I know about Cleveland’s civic assets, issues, and stakeholders.
To learn more about CLC’s evaluation process, visit our Impact page.
To learn more about OBC, email Nicole Canitano.