Program inspires leaders to keep moving region forward
A cohort of 65 leaders from the public, private, and nonprofit sectors has been selected as the Leadership Cleveland Class of 2023. (See roster here.)
During the coming year, they will become exposed more deeply to challenges and opportunities facing Northeast Ohio with a goal of inspiring them to use their newfound knowledge and connections to advance our region.
“As we begin to emerge from two years of Covid, we have seen more than ever the importance of connected, inspired, and inspiring leadership to move our community forward,” said CLC President and CEO Marianne Crosley. “LC experiences drive leaders to apply their talents and resources to address everything from inequity and social justice to poverty, population, and economic factors that influence our community.”
Leadership Cleveland is an intensive 10-month program that challenges senior-level leaders who have a passion for Cleveland to improve the region for all residents. The program provides unique and meaningful opportunities for conversations and experiences that build knowledge, skills, and relationships.
The class was selected through a highly competitive application process. The deep candidate pool included established leaders eager to build on their professional, civic, and leadership roles. Class demographics include 36% who identify as BIPOC, 53% who work in the for-profit sector, with an even split between those who identify as male or female.
Leadership Cleveland Director Jolyn Parker, who assumes that role on July 25, will guide the class. Ms. Parker, a Cleveland native who recently returned to the area from San Diego, has held executive positions in nonprofit organizations, higher education, and business. (See separate news release.)
The program begins with an opening retreat in September 2022 followed by monthly daylong sessions at sites across Cleveland, a mid-year retreat, and small-group meetings throughout. In May 2023, the group will travel to another city to glean lessons that can apply to Cleveland. After a commencement ceremony in June 2023, participants will be better positioned to amplify the impact they and their businesses and organizations have on Cleveland.
More than 2,600 community leaders have completed Leadership Cleveland in its past 44 years, joining a total of more than 10,000 alumni of Cleveland Leadership Center programs.
Other CLC programs engage civic leaders 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), retirees (Legacy Leaders) and adults of any age (Civic Leadership Institute. CLC also presents the annual Accelerate: Citizens Make Change civic pitch competition each February, and the Spark: Grit to Great symposium on innovation in leadership each September. Registration is now open for this year’s Spark on September 1, 2022.
Visit www.cleveleads.org/LC for more about the program.
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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 provides leadership and community engagement opportunities across a wide spectrum of life and career stages to inspire and connect people to transform Cleveland.
Media contact
Michael E. Bennett, Vice President of External Affairs
Work: (216) 592-2426, Cell: (216) 408-3874, mbennett@cleveleads.org