Leadership Center preparing next-gen leaders

Cleveland Bridge Builders, OnBoard Cleveland classes of 2024 announced

As many new CEOs are taking the reins of Cleveland organizations, the Cleveland Leadership Center is preparing, connecting, and inspiring the next generation of leaders to work for a better region now and when they advance to more senior levels.

The Leadership Center has selected the 2024 cohorts of its Cleveland Bridge Builders and OnBoard Cleveland programs, which bring together diverse groups of public, private, nonprofit, and governmental employees.

The Cleveland Bridge Builders Class of 2024 will engage 63 mid-career professionals, while OnBoard Cleveland 2024 will have 29 young professionals in its cohort. Both programs begin in fall 2023 and conclude in Spring 2024.

Bridge Builders will focus on topics such as emotional intelligence, implicit bias, power and influence, and collaborative leadership. Teams of class members will assist local community organizations in tackling specific initiatives through Leadership Action Projects. Class demographics include 22 who identify as BIPOC and 51% who work in the for-profit sector. In addition, 56% identify as male and 6% identify as LGBTQ. (See the CBB roster here.)

OnBoard Cleveland participants will engage in interactive exercises that enhance leadership and communications skills, build greater awareness of the civic landscape, and equip them to make a difference in their workplaces and the community. Class demographics include 27% who identify as BIPOC and 67% who work in the for-profit sector. In addition, 60% identify as female and 7% identify as LGBTQ. (See the OnBoard roster here.)

“Leaders at all levels need to become equipped with the skills, networks, and passion to be forces for positive and sustainable change,” said CLC President and CEO Marianne Crosley. “Bridge Builders and OnBoarders are not just our future – they already are having great impact.”

Bridge Builders and OnBoard are two of the Leadership Center’s suite of programs that build a continuum of civic leaders committed to our community’s excellence.

On July 18, the Leadership Center announced the 65 senior-level leaders who will participate in the Leadership Cleveland Class of 2024. Participants in Leadership Cleveland, Cleveland Bridge Builders, and OnBoard Cleveland were selected during a competitive application process. Applications for the next cohorts of each program will be available in February 2024. Visit www.cleveleads.org for details.

CLC programs engage individuals across the career spectrum, from high school students in the Look Up To Cleveland program to college students (Campus Cleveland), young professionals (OnBoard Cleveland), mid-career professionals (Cleveland Bridge Builders), senior-level leaders (Leadership Cleveland), retirees (Legacy Leaders), and adults of any age (Civic Leadership Institute. CLC’s Advanced Leadership Institute brings together three generations of leaders.

CLC also presents the annual Accelerate: Citizens Make Change civic pitch competition which marks its 10th anniversary in February 2024, and the Spark: Grit to Great symposium on innovation in leadership each fall.

Visit www.cleveleads.org for more about the programs.

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About the Cleveland Leadership Center (CLC)
The Cleveland Leadership Center’s mission is to build a continuum of civic leaders committed to our community’s excellence by serving as a catalyst for civic engagement. CLC believes in the power of individuals to make positive change and inspires and connects them to transform Cleveland. 

Media contact
Michael E. Bennett, Vice President of External Affairs
Work: (216) 592-2426, Cell: (216) 408-3874, mbennett@cleveleads.org