Program inspires civic leaders to impact issues
The Cleveland Leadership Center has selected the Leadership Cleveland Class of 2025, which includes individuals from diverse backgrounds in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors.
Leadership Cleveland seeks to inspire participants to use knowledge and connections gained in the 10-month program to advance the region, and CLC President and CEO Marianne Crosley. “Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the community, explore how collaborative leadership is critical to our future, and begin to make a difference immediately,” she said.
The C-suite leaders were selected for the highly competitive program based on demonstrated leadership and commitment to Cleveland. The rigorous application process included interviews with alumni of the program. Only 2,759 people have completed Leadership Cleveland since the first class in 1978.
“This is a unique time in Cleveland. With so many companies and organizations experiencing changes in top leadership, and renewed momentum to improve the city’s infrastructure and amenities, leaders need tools to address pressing needs so nobody gets left behind,” Crosley said. “More than ever, leaders need to be informed, prepared, and connected to create change.”
The Class of 2025 will kick off this September. Participants will gather for intensive sessions, site visits, and retreats to appreciate the rich diversity of Greater Cleveland, gain insight on challenges and opportunities, and strengthen and grow key relationships. The program provides unique and meaningful opportunities for high-level conversations with leaders, stakeholders, and organizations across sectors.
“The program brings together people who, but for Leadership Cleveland, might not have the opportunity to meet, collaborate, and find new ways to have impact together,” Crosley said. “They find the experience transformational in large part because of the diversity of the class and of the speakers, issues, and locations across Cleveland they experience during the program year.”
Participants come from a variety of employment sectors. Some run large professional service firms, others are entrepreneurs, some lead social service organizations, while others hail from government. Nearly 41% identify as BIPOC, and 45% as female.
Leadership Cleveland Director Jolyn Parker will guide the class beginning with an opening retreat in September 2024, monthly daylong sessions, a mid-year retreat, and small-group meetings throughout. In May 2025, the group will travel to another city to glean lessons that can apply to Cleveland.
After commencement in June 2025, participants are better positioned to amplify the impact they and their businesses and organizations have on Cleveland, Crosley said. They also become part of a network of more than 10,700 alumni of all Cleveland Leadership Center programs.
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 August 29, 2024; and the annual Accelerate: Citizens Make Change civic pitch competition which marks its 11th year on February 20, 2025.
Every Wednesday, CLC offers its free, virtual Leader Lunch Break series so anyone can learn about community issues and happenings in an informal conversation with top leaders.
See the LC 2025 class roster HERE>
Visit www.cleveleads.org/LC for more about Leadership Cleveland. Visit www.cleveleads.org for more about CLC.
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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