Program inspires civic leaders to impact community issues
A cohort of more than 60 senior-level leaders from the public, private, and nonprofit sectors has been selected as the Leadership Cleveland Class of 2024.
Beginning this fall, they will become deeply exposed to challenges and opportunities facing Northeast Ohio with a goal of becoming inspired to use their new knowledge and connections to advance the region.
“We have seen incredible positive impact across the community from Leadership Cleveland alumni over the past 45 years,” said CLC President and CEO Marianne Crosley. “They have told us the experience is transformative and enables them to better apply professional and personal resources to our region’s most pressing challenges.”
Leadership Cleveland is an intensive 10-month program that challenges leaders who have a passion for Cleveland to improve the region for all residents. The program provides unique and meaningful opportunities for high-level conversations and experiences that build knowledge, skills, and relationships.
The class was selected through a competitive application process of those eager to build on their professional, civic, and leadership roles. Class demographics include 42% who identify as BIPOC, 45% who work in the for-profit sector, and 48% who identify or female.
Leadership Cleveland Director Jolyn Parker will guide the class on its civic immersion and action agenda: an opening retreat in September 2023, monthly daylong sessions at sites across Cleveland, a mid-year retreat, and small-group meetings throughout. In May 2024, the group will travel to another city to glean lessons that can apply to Cleveland.
After commencement in June 2024, participants are better positioned to amplify the impact they and their businesses and organizations have on Cleveland. They also become part of a network of more than 2,600 community leaders who have completed Leadership Cleveland in the past 45 years, and more than 10,200 alumni of all Cleveland Leadership Center programs.
Leadership Cleveland is marking its 45th anniversary year by launching an initiative, Cleveland Thrives: From Vision to Vitality. The initiative’s August 9 kickoff event, sponsored by Mt. Sinai Health Foundation and St. Luke’s Foundation, will engage alumni in creating meaningful and sustained change in five drivers of health and equity outcomes: economic mobility, food security, gun violence, healthy neighborhoods, and safe and affordable housing. The anniversary year, sponsored by KeyBank, wraps up with a holiday party in November.
Other 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), 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 Spark: Grit to Great symposium on innovation in leadership, which will be November 9, 2023; and the Accelerate: Citizens Make Change civic pitch competition which marks its 10th anniversary on February 22, 2024.
See the LC 2024 roster here >
See more about the program here >
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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