Program Graduates
the essence of our program
CDCLP Graduates
CDCLP graduates represent an array of CDCs and community-facing non-profit organizations in Cleveland and East Cleveland. They reflect a diverse representation of age, race, education, and leadership positions, making for a cohort that reflects the very neighborhoods being served by the graduates.
Fourteen CDC leaders completed the ten-month CDCLP curriculum in our program's first-ever cohort in 2022, twenty-two CDC leaders completed our program in 2023 and eighteen leaders completed our program in 2024. Click on each graduate below to learn a little more about who they are, what they do, and where they serve.
CDCLP Cohort I Graduates
Tiffany
Allen-White
Director of Community Relations & Internal Operations
Burten, Bell, Carr CDC
Tiffany Allen-White
Tiffany Allen-White is passionate about the holistic development of disenfranchised communities. She is unwavering in her belief that, when individuals come together with a shared vision, the seemingly insurmountable obstacle can be overcome. During her graduate studies in Community and Social Development at Case Western Reserve University, Tiffany interned at Burten, Bell, Carr, Development (BBC). It was at BBC where she committed herself to improving communities by making meaningful connections between individual residents and local organizations. Tiffany is excited by the opportunity to rethink preconceived notions and approach challenges in deliberate ways that make long-lasting change. She has developed approaches to community engagement that concentrate on amplifying individual motivation while challenging the standard practices of the organizations and systems that impact those communities. Tiffany’s background in social services, community engagement, strategic planning and nonprofit organization management brought her to her current leadership role as the Director of Community Relations and Internal Operations at Burten, Bell, Carr, Development Incorporated where she is humbled to serve.
Michelle
Davis
Assistant Director
Tremont West Development corp.
Michelle Davis
Michelle Davis has devoted her career to the Tremont community in Cleveland, Ohio. She was introduced to community development work while serving as an AmeriCorps VISTA member at the Slavic Village Development Corporation. During her year of service, she discovered her love of helping people find the resources they need to live their best life. Being hired as a community organizer at Tremont West Development Corporation, she is now the Assistant Director and has cherished the opportunities she has been given to work alongside community members to develop and implement projects and programs that improve the quality of life for the Tremont resident and business communities. Keeping with her roots of having served as an AmeriCorps VISTA member, she has supervised more than a twenty VISTAs since bringing the program to Tremont West in 2010. Working with the new leaders of tomorrow and learning from them during their service is rewarding and inspiring. Michelle loves spending time with her family; she is a wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, niece, cousin and friends of many.
Jeremy
Fears Taylor
Executive Director
St. Clair Superior Development Corp.
Jeremy Fears Taylor
Jeremy Taylor is a visionary leader whose mission in life is to connect people with resources and to each other. He strives to be innovative in approaching issues and inequalities inherent in large cities. He is, and has always been, a stalwart champion of Cleveland’s Northeast side. He is the first and current President of the Hough Community Land Trust and a Board Member of the non-profit organizations, Bike Cleveland, and Neighborhood Solutions Inc. He also sat on the Boards of the Baseball Heritage Museum and UpCycle Parts Shop, where he served for three years as the Board Chair. As a contributor to the Cleveland Observer community newspaper, he enjoys writing articles highlighting the city’s robust historical significance primarily telling the story of historic, yet abandoned buildings that await revitalization. He is a lifelong learner always looking to the past for inspiration and towards the future seeking opportunity. He is a proud alumnus of the Central State University where he holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science. He is currently the Executive Director of St. Clair Superior Development Corporation. In his spare time, he likes to explore the Cleveland Metroparks, ride his bicycle on Cleveland’s streets, golf, read, and write.
Richard
Goudreau
CDC Director of Community Development
Harvard Community Services Center CDC
Richard Goudreau
Richard Goudreau has enjoyed the many satisfactions of ornamental/vegetable gardening, multi-systemic sustainability, and community management for most of his life. His primary passion for gardening led to his Master Gardener certification from The Ohio State University Cuyahoga County Extension Service, and he has since focused his gardening passion by advocating for urban permaculture and endangered Ohio native perennials. Richard currently works at The Harvard Community Services Center Community Development Corporation as the Director of Community Development for Ward 1 in the great city of Cleveland. Richard’s aggressive, persistent work involving the collaboration of government and community groups has initiated clean-ups of illegal dumping sites in the Mt. Pleasant and Lee-Harvard areas. Richard is currently advocating for native perennial garden installations along the Lee-Harvard commercial district resulting in greater curb appeal for Ward 1’s commercial districts. Richard plans to use skills learned form NLDP to foster community growth and development regarding sustainable horticultural practices and community engagement in the Lee-Harvard and Mt. Pleasant areas of Cleveland. Richard earned a Bachelor’s in Public Administration from St. Joseph’s University, Philadelphia Pennsylvania.
Trevelle
Harp
Executive Director
Northeast Ohio Alliance for Hope
Trevelle Harp
Trevelle Harp is the Executive Director of the Northeast Ohio Alliance for Hope (NOAH), Community Development Corporation based in East Cleveland Ohio. With over a decade of community organizing experience, he has trained community leaders from all over the country in community organizing & leadership principles. As the Executive Director and lead organizer of NOAH, Trevelle has led several successful campaigns, leveraging millions of dollars in resources to improve the quality of life of East Cleveland residents. Among those successes include brokering a formalized relationship between the Cuyahoga County LandBank and the City of East Cleveland to address vacant and abandoned properties and creating a dialogue between the Cleveland Clinic and the City of East Cleveland to secure a commitment worth $20 million to address the issues of lost revenue from the closing of Huron Hospital. Trevelle also serves on the board of the Fund of For Our Economic Future; a funding alliance made up of more than 40 organizations and individuals dedicated to advancing economic growth with equitable access to opportunity for the people of Northeast Ohio. Trevelle is a proud East Cleveland resident and homeowner who is committed to the revitalization of the City of East Cleveland through the development of people and the facilitation strategic of partnerships with community stakeholders and regional institutions.
Joyce
Huang
Director of City Planning
City of Cleveland
Joyce Huang
For Joyce Pan Huang, a deep respect for people, culture and lived experience is a powerful driver for neighborhood growth. Racial equity and belonging are the key driving principles for her work in planning and place-building efforts, along with the belief that people-centered investments and relationship-building are central to developing dynamic neighborhoods. This philosophy undergirds her work as an urban planner, most recently as the Vice President of Community Development at MidTown Cleveland, Inc., (MTC) a non-profit economic and community development organization for the MidTown neighborhood, an emerging place and connector of dynamic communities on the east side of Cleveland. She seeks to uplift resident voices and vision into the practices, policies and plans that MTC establishes, most recently through the MidTown Neighborhood Vision Plan and the Leo’s Listening Party initiative. Her own contributions in the Asian American Pacific Islander community (AAPI) led to the formation of an AsiaTown team housed at MTC, the first to serve the community comprising staff of Asian-descent with language fluency Joyce’s long-term goal is to see Cleveland become more connected physically, socially, and spiritually. She resides in Cleveland Heights with her family.
Amber
Jones
Director of Community Health
Old Brooklyn CDC
Amber Jones
Amber Jones, MPH understands that a shift from a person’s individual health toward whole person health with a focus on the social and environmental conditions in which they live is needed. As the Director of Community Health at Old Brooklyn Community Development Corporation (OBCDC) she has the opportunity to address the social determinants of health across the spectrum of need from short- and mid-term service, to long-term policy and advocacy roles. A graduate of the University of Michigan, Amber also holds a master’s degree in Public Health from Case Western Reserve University with a focus in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention. During her time at CWRU, she discovered a passion for community-based health through the lens of community development, including how a person’s environment affects his or her health. Through her current and previous roles at OBCDC, Amber utilizes those skills and interests to develop comprehensive community health strategies in partnership with local and national organizations.
Melissa
Miller
Assistant Director & Community Development Director
Bellaire Puritas Development Corp.
Melissa Miller
Melissa Miller is currently the Assistant Director of the Bellaire-Puritas Development Corporation (BPDC). After earning her undergraduate degree in Government from American University in 1995, she worked in Washington DC on several congressional campaigns. Melissa returned to Cleveland and worked at a fair housing organization running their fair housing testing program. During this time, Melissa gained her first exposure to Cleveland’s vibrant community development organizations inspiring her to pursue her Masters’ Degree in in Urban Planning, Design, and Development from the Levin College at Cleveland State University. As a graduate assistant at CSU, Melissa’s research focused on how on-going learning opportunities help local elected officials expand their governance capacity. After graduating, Melissa gained experience in grassroots community development as a community organizer at the St. Clair Superior Coalition. In 2002, Melissa went to work for BPDC to grow their community organizing capacity. She held several positions at BPDC prior to becoming Assistant Director. Melissa has volunteered with Greater Cleveland Community Shares, a nonprofit, social justice, workplace giving organization since 1998. She has served as the Campaign Chair, Board Vice President and Board President, and is currently serving as Board Treasurer.
Roscoe
Morgan
Board Member/Committee Chair
St. Clair Superior Development Corp.
Roscoe Morgan
Roscoe Morgan is committed to building better communities. This began by planning summer athletic events in the Lee-Harvard area as a youth and continued as a school teacher for the Cleveland Municipal School District where he taught 6th grade, adult education, and workforce development classes. After a lengthy stint there, he moved on to launch a federally funded community partnered YouthBuild program for teens and young adults in Cuyahoga County addressing personal issues, providing work skills, and building homes in the Fairfax neighborhood. From there Roscoe opened several Boys & Girls Clubs as the East side Area Director for Boys & Girls Clubs of Cleveland. Recently, he has founded and serves as the Executive Director of Stand Tall Academies Inc. A 501c3, that focuses on family and community engagement. They launched the sta.tradewing.com online platform a unique one stop community service platform for members and organizations to engage. Roscoe is the Chair of the Placemaking committees at the Superior St. Clair Development Corp. and looks forward to all the positive changes coming to that community. He is married to Kimberly and the father of 3 adult children. Roscoe serves on two other community Boards and loves the city of Cleveland.
Rosemary
Mudry
Executive Director
West Park Kamm's Neighborhood Dvlpmnt.
Rosemary Mudry
Rosemary Mudry is a devoted advocate of Cleveland neighborhoods. She has spent the last eight years in community development, serving now as Executive Director at West Park Kamm's Neighborhood Development, a CDC supporting over 25,000 residents and 200 businesses. In her role, Rosemary is passionate about fostering an inclusive and vibrant community in which the needs of all residents are prioritized. After earning a B.A. from Oberlin College in Latin American Studies and Politics, Rosemary taught Spanish and coached field hockey and track. Her desire to be a part of the revitalization of Cleveland neighborhoods led her to a Master of Urban Planning and Development from Cleveland State University. Rosemary continues to be committed to growing the next generation of leaders, participating in Levin College’s Mentoring Program and serving on the Alumnae Board for Laurel School. She also serves on the board for Summer on the Cuyahoga, a summer internship program designed to expose college students to Cleveland. Rosemary and her family love living in the Glenville neighborhood where they can walk to museums, Little Italy, and the Cultural Gardens.
Roshawn
Sample
Executive Director
Union Miles Development Corp.
Roshawn Sample
Roshawn Sample is the Executive Director of the Union-Miles Development Corporation, where she leads a diverse team providing an array of services on the southeast side. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Speech Pathology from the University of Akron, Masters of Social Work from Cleveland State University and a Master’s in Public Administration from Ashford University. Roshawn has worked in the social services arena for a span of 12 years and community development for 10. Additionally, Ms. Sample was an Adjunct Field Instructor for Case Western Reserve University for the Mandel School of Arts and Science for 6 years. She is a graduate of Neighborhood Leadership Institute Class 31 and Neighborhood Leadership Development Program Cohort XI. She is a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Who’s Who of Black Cleveland, Recipient of the Citizens Community Relations Award, Women’s Political Action Committee. She is also the Founder of Raven House, a 501C3 State Licensed Group Home for at-risk female youth. Roshawn was born and raised in Ward 2 and is honored to be a steward for the neighborhood.
Adam
Stalder
Executive Director
NORTHWEST NEIGHBORHOODS CDC
Adam Stalder
Adam Stalder loves Cleveland, its neighborhoods and its people. His career has been dedicated to connecting neighbors and helping all neighborhood stakeholders realize their visions for their communities. Adam began his career at the Metro West where he assisted businesses and promoted the West 25th Street Corridor. While at Metro West, he developed a strong appreciation for and connection with the Latinx/Puerto Rican community helped develop the La Villa Hispana initiative. After 7 years of service at Metro West, he transitioned to the Detroit Shoreway community where he worked on affordable housing projects and administrative services. In 2020 he was promoted to Executive Director and finalized the merger between Detroit Shoreway and Cudell Improvement, Inc. Adam believes that committed Community Development Corporations are true agents for positive change in communities and will continue to work tirelessly to advance CDCs so that they can better serve Cleveland’s people.
Deepa
Vedavyas
Program Manager, Neighborhoods & Environment
Cleveland foundation
Deepa Vedavyas
Deepa Vedavyas, originally from a small town in India, has been fascinated by shaping spaces where people reside and interact. Her interest led her to pursue degrees in Architecture and Urban Planning, further specializing in housing, community development and sustainable cities and communities. In the process, community development became her passion, landing her first job serving the Buckeye neighborhood in 2008. Additionally, she has served in various leadership roles in India between 2014-19 as a guest professor and on the board of studies in architecture and planning schools, United Way planning consultant, and founding principal of an architecture firm before returning to Cleveland. She is passionate about work that lets her serve the community as a purpose-driven individual and be a net positive individual whose handprints (impact) are far more significant than her footprint (burden).
Kristyn
Zollos
Associate Director
Metro West CDC
Kristyn Zollos
Kristyn Zollos is a nonprofit and community development professional with an affinity for building and supporting connections between people, places, resources, and opportunities. Kristyn supervises daily operations of Metro West Community Development Organization and is responsible for developing and maintaining strategic plans related to organizational programming and teams. Kristyn has 10+ years of experience in the nonprofit sector, with much of her work focused on community-centered economic development and marketing. Kristyn holds a Bachelor of Science from Purdue University, is a Certified Economic Development Finance Professional through the National Development Council and is trained in housing development through Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC)."Building upon the rich legacies of Cleveland’s leaders. Embracing the tools and thoughts of today. Redefining the role of community development. Creating a thriving future for every Cleveland neighborhood." – CDCLP Cohort I Vision Statement
CDCLP Cohort II Graduates
Katy
Baumbach
Director of Marketing
Near West Partners
Katy Baumbach
Kathryn (Katy) Baumbach is the Director of Marketing for Near West Partners - a collaboration between Ohio City Incorporated and Tremont West Development Corporation - and the owner of a boutique marketing and consulting practice, Half Pint. A longtime resident of Cleveland’s near west side, and one of its biggest cheerleaders, Katy is proud to serve Near West Partners where she tells the stories and raises the voices of a community, she holds close to her heart. With more than 15 years of experience, Katy brings a unique skillset cultivated across a variety of organizations including Cleveland area’s Nestlé, Tarkett, and Remesh, among others. In her role at Near West Partners, she oversees the overall marketing and development strategies for Ohio City Incorporated and Tremont West Development Corporation along with their subsidiaries. Katy holds a Bachelor of Arts in Managerial Economics from Allegheny College and a Master of Business Administration from the Simon School of Business at the University of Rochester. She remains actively involved with the Allegheny community as a member of the Summer on the Cuyahoga committee and mentor as well the Advisory Board Chairwoman for Kappa Alpha Theta. In her free time, Katy can be found making hand thrown ceramics, exploring the Metroparks with her four-legged friend, Archer, or meeting up with friends at a favorite neighborhood haunt.
Heidi
Bixby-Goblirsch
Consultant
Be&Blosson
Heidi Bixby-Goblirsch
Heidi is the Executive Director of Greater Collinwood Development Corporation, the community development corporation that serves the communities of North Shore Collinwood, Collinwood Village/Five Pointes, Nottingham Village, and Euclid Green. Greater Collinwood Development Corporation is working on advancing equitable and inclusive economic development, community engagement, and neighborhood stabilization & revitalization strategies within the communities they serve. Heidi believes one of her purposes in life is to positively impact the people and the community. Previously, Heid served as the Executive Director for multiple non-profits that include The Metanoia Project, YMCA, and Big Brothers Big Sisters where she was able to fulfill her purpose and passion for transforming, impacting, and creating a stronger community.
Jody
Bonhard
Relationship Manager
cleveland neighborhood progress
Jody Bonhard
Jody Bonhard loves helping people, communities, and organizations come together and thrive. She has a passion for people and embraces opportunities to bust siloes and foster a collaborative spirit in her work. In her current role, Jody works with a portfolio of Community Development Corporations to create positive relationships with staff and employ highly customized approaches that support each organization’s strategic growth. Prior to joining Cleveland Neighborhood Progress, Jody worked at Cleveland Leadership Center as the Director of the Cleveland Bridge Builders (CBB) program. As Director of CBB she connected mid-career professionals with community organizations and civic opportunities that used their passions and talents for community impact. She has deep roots in education, with experience in both higher education and elementary classroom teaching. Jody’s greatest accomplishment is being part of hundreds of stories of growth, from her first class of first graders to the CDC folks she works with today. Jody loves working with people of all backgrounds and exploring new cultures. She is a dual-citizen and has lived in six U.S. states and five countries. When she isn’t out in the community or traveling, Jody is probably spending time with her family, especially her partner Maks, and their beloved goldendoodle, Mulligan.
Tory
Coats
Relationship Manager
cleveland neighborhood progress
Tory Coats
Tory is a Community Development professional with over 10 years of experience in Workforce and Small Business Development. Currently, Tory serves as Community Development Corporation (CDC) Relationship Manager with Cleveland Neighborhood Progress, providing support in the advancement and resiliency of Cleveland’s neighborhoods through the CDC network. Prior to his current role, Tory led youth workforce initiatives with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Ohio. As Director of Career Readiness, Tory developed programs designed to enhance job skills, experiences, and placement for youth. Tory is also the founder and executive director of Teen Enterprise Foundation, a 501c3 nonprofit organization created with the mission of empowering youth through providing experiential learning opportunities and resources for youth in the development of entrepreneurial skills. Tory is the creator of Dare 2 Believe Pop Up Shops, an initiative designed to utilize vacant store front properties to host marketplace events for teen entrepreneurs. Tory is also pursuing his Executive MBA from John Carroll University Boler College of Business.
Julie
Dahlhausen
Community Engagement Specialist
Tremont West Development corp.
Julie Dahlhausen
Julie Dahlhausen is a dedicated public servant with an enthusiasm for the preservation of Cleveland’s historic housing stock. After earning her bachelor’s degree with a focus on the Civil Rights Movement, she joined the CDC industry in the West Park neighborhood connecting low-income residents with home repair resources for properties with health and safety concerns. Under Mayor Frank Jackson’s administration, Julie joined the Department of Aging where she helped create a $1.4 million home repair fund to be dispersed throughout Cleveland to low-income seniors and adults receiving a disability payment. This program promotes the elderly’s ability to “Age in Place,” a city-wide initiative that seeks to protect a vulnerable community’s right to live in safe and stable housing stock. Currently Julie serves as Housing and Program Manager in the Tremont neighborhood, where she created an in-house income qualified senior home repair program and oversees the acquisition and rehabilitation of blighted Tremont homes. Julie believes that affordable and safe housing is a right that should be enjoyed by all, regardless of age or income, and is honored to contribute to this through her work.
Adam
Davenport
Chief City Planner
City of Cleveland
Adam Davenport
Adam Davenport currently serves as a Chief City Planner, Neighborhood Section Lead, for the Cleveland City Planning Commission. Adam has been an active Board member of the American Planning Association’s Cleveland Chapter for over 4 years and currently serves as the Vice President of Programming. He previously worked at Detroit Shoreway Community Development Organization (now Northwest Neighborhoods CDC) as their Planning & Project Manager and has also served as a committee member in his hometown of Berea for their Planning & Development Committee. Adam graduated Valedictorian from the Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs at Cleveland State University. He is passionate about neighborhoods and bringing experiences from other cities back to his hometown. Most days you can find Adam out in the neighborhoods of the City or in his backyard park of Edgewater, even in winter as one of the crazy people who try to surf on the lake during the wild weather.
Nick
De Leon
Assistant Director
Metro West CDC
Nick De Leon
Nick De Leon has spent most of his professional and personal life helping people through community-based work and the arts. He recognized early on that if you wanted to see positive change in the community you had to be proactive. These efforts began with youth-based work through the City of Cleveland Recreation Department and AmeriCorps Teen Initiative Program. After a few years he entered the private sector but the desire to work with community and support people remained. In 2006 he started an Artist Collective that focused on using art and artist to connect community members to available resources. The work with the Artist Collective lasted until 2009. It was then Nick learned the need for and importance of supporting grassroots, mission driven efforts. Deciding he wanted to give back and return to community-based work, Nick completed his degree in 2018. For the past four years he has been working in community and economic development roles at the Northeast Ohio Hispanic Center for Economic Development and Metro West Community Development Organization, providing him the ability to impact and support community development from various sectors.
Hannah
Gall
Neighborhood Development Manager
West Park Kamm's Neighborhood Dvlpmnt.
Hannah Gall
Hannah Gall has spent her career connecting neighbors and helping communities thrive. For nearly a decade, Hannah held various roles at Partnerships for Parks, a joint program of the NYC Parks Department and City Parks Foundation that supports and champions a network of green space advocates and stewards. She previously worked at – and later served on the board of – the Neighborhood Preservation Center, a resource hub and incubator space in New York City dedicated to fostering groups focused on neighborhood-scale urbanism issues. After returning to her native Northeast Ohio in 2021, Hannah joined West Park Kamm’s Neighborhood Development as their Neighborhood Development Manager. In this role, she leads the organization’s housing programs and drives other redevelopment initiatives to improve the social, physical, and economic wellbeing of the community. Hannah is passionate about empowering others to engage in and strengthen their neighborhoods, and in her own community she serves on the board of Keep Lakewood Beautiful which promotes sustainability practices and helps to maintain and beautify public spaces throughout the City of Lakewood.
Jensen
Hanna
Relationship Manager
cleveland neighborhood progress
Jensen Hanna
Jensen Hanna is an ambivert who is Team Oxford Comma and nearing expert-level (personal rating) when it comes to the art of tsundoku. As a systems thinker, she soaks up the world around her and imagines what could be. Professionally, Jensen is an expert generalist who has been navigating the non-profit world (mental health, transitional jobs, Higher Ed, and more) for over 17 years; she currently serves as a CDC Relationship Manager for Cleveland Neighborhood Progress. Jensen earned a B.A. in Political Science from Baldwin Wallace University and a certificate in Conflict Resolution and Peace Studies from Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C). Outside of her work and programs, this Xennial loves outdoor concerts, road trips, and exploring nature with their wife Emily and rescue pup Rosie.
Khalid
Hawthorne
Senior Project Manager
Famicos Foundation
Khalid Hawthorne
Khalid Rashad Hawthorne has sought to live up to his mission to use his talent, skills, and abilities to uplift those in his community. The foundation of his career was built on an education experience at North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University as an Electrical Engineering major and later developing broadband systems as a Systems Engineer at Nortel Networks. The problem-solving skills and ability to dig down to root causes has served him well throughout his twenty-year Community and Economic Development career. He has implemented city-wide programs and initiatives in the City of Durham, NC that improved the housing stock and cut vacant housing by 75%. Khalid has worked across economic development and housing in Cleveland at Fairfax Renaissance, Tremont West and Famicos community development corporations taking on more responsibility and impact at each organization/ neighborhood. Khalid looks forward to utilizing his past experiences and analytical ability to develop creative approaches to revitalizing communities without displacing the heart and soul of these neighborhoods.
Annette
Iwamoto
Executive Director
One South Euclid CDC
Annette Iwamoto
Annette Iwamoto has a passion for community engagement and strategic planning. As Executive Director, she leads One South Euclid and oversees residential and commercial development, community outreach efforts, fundraising, grants programs, and other programming to ensure a vibrant and thriving community. Annette’s BA in History from Trinity College (CT) and Master’s degree in Social Work from Case Western Reserve University are a small reflection of her diverse interests as she is driven by a desire to make the world a better place. Originally from Tucson, she came to Cleveland through City Year, an AmeriCorps program that improves student outcomes in under-resourced schools. Through two years of service, she fell in love with Cleveland and continues to be passionately involved in the community. Annette currently serves on the Cleveland Heights - University Heights Library Board among other advisory boards, and actively volunteers as a member of OPAWL, a grassroots community that elevates the voices, visibility, and leadership of Ohio AAPI women and nonbinary people. She has experience in non-profits in the community development and human services sectors, which she is building upon to elevate the role One South Euclid plays in working with residents and businesses to ensure a stronger community.
Chelsea
Kimbrough
Director of Housing Development
Slavic Village Development
Chelsea Kimbrough
For Chelsea Kimbrough, what began as small interest in city planning, processes, and program administration, eventually led to her graduating double major and double minor from Cleveland State University’s Levin College of Urban Affairs. While at Cleveland State University, her studies focused on Urban and Regional Planning and Nonprofit Administration. The first major step in her professional career came in January of 2018, by joining Slavic Village Development's (SVD) team as an intern. What began as an internship soon turned into an associate position, and she presently serves as the Housing Development Director. With nearly five years of community development experience, Chelsea has participated in regional programmatic implementation of affordable housing programs, project management, new construction and rehab efforts, housing stability, resident assistance and empowerment and a number of other housing related matters. Throughout the duration of her work at SVD, she has learned that understanding intersectionality is vital for resident interaction and success.
Chelsey
Kovar
Director of Economic Development
NORTHWEST NEIGHBORHOODS CDC
Chelsey Kovar
Chelsey Kovar is an award-winning multidisciplinary designer and economic developer that believes creative ideas can change the world and is passionate about bringing them to life through growth, culture & community. She holds a degree in Communications and is a member of the Ohio Economic Developers Association (OEDA) & several other non-profit groups. She previously served as Director of the Parma Area Chamber of Commerce, the Economic Development Specialist at MidTown Cleveland Inc., and for the City of Cleveland 's CIRI program. She was also honored by the YWCA as a 2019 Distinguished Young Woman of Cleveland. Currently, Chelsey is the Director of Economic Development for Northwest Neighborhoods CDC overseeing the development of the Detroit Shoreway, Edgewater and Cudell neighborhoods in Cleveland. Outside of development, Chelsey enjoys spending time with her children and friends, dancing with the Cleveland Dance Project, and coaching the Red Rubies Drill Team at Cuyahoga Heights High School.
Michaela
Lowery
Special Improvement District Manager
Ohio City Inc.
Michaela Lowery
Michaela Lowery is a compassionate leader currently living in Cleveland, Ohio. Her passions are reared in serving marginalized groups especially the low-income and homeless populations. She believes people from all sociodemographic backgrounds have a voice that should be heard. Through her work as the Ohio City Special Improvement District Manager, she partners with authorities to ensure proper responses when interacting with individuals who are low-income, homeless, and who may suffer from mental illness. She spearheaded a pilot series of Community Trauma Response trainings in partnership with MetroHealth designed to equip leaders, public service providers, and community members with the knowledge, skills, and competencies to understand and respond to systemic trauma. In her spare time, Michaela enjoys exploring what Ohio has to offer through its serene terrain and trying new foods.
Bridget
Kent Marquez
Managing Director
NORTHWEST NEIGHBORHOODS CDC
Bridget Kent Marquez
Bridget (she/they) is a fourth generation Clevelander who has spent their adult life fiercely dedicated to supporting the communities they operate in through a variety of mediums. As the current Managing Director at Northwest Neighborhoods, a Community Development Organization in Cleveland Ohio, Bridget oversees the departments of Economic Development, Housing, Special Projects, Community Engagement, and Marketing and Events, serving as the neighborhood services liaison to the Executive Director. Prior to their work with Northwest Neighborhoods, Bridget was the property manager for the Pilgrim Congregational United Church of Christ and the Lead Street Outreach Worker with St. Paul’s Community Church, both positions that required them to have a high familiarity with the west side neighborhoods of Cleveland and trust with the residents. From living in an intentional community, to developing real estate; Bridget approaches life with a tenacious and adventurous spirit. A proud spouse and parent of two amazing children, they understand the perpetual growing and learning required to embody the best version of oneself. One would be hard pressed to find a plant that Bridget does not appreciate. Bridget seeks to cultivate community, build equity, and find joy in la vida sabrosa!
Sherita
Mullins
Director of Supportive Services
Burten, Bell, Carr CDC
Sherita Mullins
Sherita Mullins is a dedicated, proficient, and results-oriented project management professional with over twenty years of multi-sector experience. She is the Director of Supportive Services for Burten, Bell, Carr (BBC) Development, Inc., a nonprofit Community Development Corporation, located on the Eastside of Cleveland, Ohio. She designs, manages, and directs all agencies direct services ranging from youth development, home repair assistance, health and wellness, public art and workforce development. She also manages grant writing and the coordination of community engagement activities. Prior to BBC, she assisted with research and evaluation of community investments for Living Cities: National Community Development Initiative, a New York City-based nonprofit organization that invests in community development. She holds her Master of Science degree in Nonprofit Management with a concentration in Urban Policy from The New School in New York City and a dual bachelor’s degree in Organizational Studies and Psychology from The University of Michigan.
Lynn
Rodemann
Director of Housing Services
Slavic Village Development
Lynn Rodemann
Lynn Rodemann is an artist and activist who pushes against the impacts of poverty & racism in Cleveland. A housing advocate and leader with 7+ years of experience, she works to implement systemic change to advance her ideological commitment to safe and affordable housing as human rights. The three pillars of her work—housing, activism, and art—come together in her roles as a founding board role of the Museum of Creative Human Art, LEAF (Lakewood Earth and Food), and overseeing Slavic Village’s Rooms to Let public art showcase. To Rodemann, “Home” isn’t just a house. In her view, social-minded organizations should move past meeting basic needs; fostering a resident-ownership and building power among marginalized people in the spaces they call home. She believes art is key to doing that, and her creative work uses recovered materials, photography, printing, sound, and nature installations to process the weight of her advocacy work.
Ashley
Shaw
Executive Director
MidTown Cleveland
Ashley Shaw
Ashley Shaw is the Executive Director for MidTown Cleveland, Inc., a community development corporation serving Cleveland’s MidTown, Asiatown, and Hough neighborhoods. Prior to joining MidTown in 2022, Ashley was the Chief Operating Officer for Ohio City Incorporated, where she oversaw the organization’s programs and operations, including work in economic development, community engagement, urban planning, and communications. Ashley has more than 12 years of experience working in community development in Cleveland. Ashley holds a Communications & Media Studies degree from Ohio University and a master’s in Urban Studies and Economic Development from Cleveland State University.
Krystal
Sierra
Neighborhood Sustainability Officer
Slavic Village Development
Krystal Sierra
Krystal Sierra is the Neighborhood Sustainability Officer for Slavic Village Development. She leads the EcoDistricts and master planning processes for Broadway-Slavic Village and manages public greenspace, green infrastructure, trail development, park planning, multimodal transportation, and public art. She holds a Master of Fine Arts from Ashland University, a Bachelor of Arts from Baldwin Wallace University and is a second-year student in the Master of Urban Planning and Development program at Cleveland State University’s College of Education and Public Affairs. She was recently recognized as a Cleveland Public Library "Unsung Hero" in 2022 and is a Towards Employment Young Professionals board member since 2020. Krystal enjoys film, art, music, performing arts, history, volunteering, and a great cup of coffee. A south Lorain-native, Krystal is proudly Puerto Rican and values cultural celebration, hard work, family, and joy. Her daughter, a junior at Lakewood High School, is her greatest joy.
Adam
Trumbo
Senior Loan Officer
Village Capital Corp.
Adam Trumbo
Adam Trumbo is a financial professional with over 25 years of combined Business Development, Corporate Finance and Capital Markets experience. He is currently a Senior Lender with Village Capital Corp (a CDFI and subsidiary of Cleveland Neighborhood Progress) where he is tasked with originating, underwriting, and closing transactions that revitalize neighborhoods, strengthen communities, and promote financial equity. Prior to joining Village Capital Corp (VCC), Adam was a Fiscal Manager/ Deputy CFO with the City of Cleveland’s Department of Public Utilities and spent 18 years in middle market banking and Capital Markets. He holds a master’s degree in International Finance from the Thunderbird School of Global Management and an MBA from Case Western Reserve University’s Weatherhead School of Management speaks Mandarin and is currently learning Swedish. Adam brings a distinctive international perspective to his work due to his travels throughout the world. This atypical experience underscores his understanding of the value of diversity which he brings to all his ventures. Combining this lifelong interest in culture and art along with an incredible thirst for knowledge, Adam seeks to channel his global perspective and commitment to civil service to endeavors that enhanced quality of life for Clevelanders.
Karis
Tzeng
Vice President of Planning
MidTown Cleveland
Karis Tzeng
Karis Tzeng has focused her career on fostering healthy, thriving, equitable communities that can meet the needs of all of their members. Since 2019, Karis has led MidTown Cleveland Inc.’s community and economic development efforts in the AsiaTown neighborhood, guided by the AsiaTown strategic vision, Imagine AsiaTown: We’re Growing Home. These efforts have resulted in new bike racks, public artwork, a new neighborhood digital presence, community celebrations for Asian holidays, and resident and business support. She currently serves as the Vice President of Planning at MidTown Cleveland, Inc., shepherding the implementation of the MidTown Neighborhood Vision Plan. She is originally from the Cleveland area but brings experiences from a variety of educational and community development experiences in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Ann Arbor, Michigan. Karis received a master’s in urban and regional planning from the University of Michigan and a bachelor’s in urban studies from the University of Pennsylvania. She is the recipient of the 2021 Crains 40 under 40. She currently serves as a Cleveland Caucus co-leader for OPAWL- Building AAPI Feminist Leadership, an Advisory Board Member for Cleveland VOTES, and a volunteer for the Cleveland Asian Festival.
Rachel
Williams
Relationship Manager
cleveland neighborhood progress
Rachel Williams
Rachel William’s personal beliefs are rooted in the African adage “It Takes a Village to raise a child”. She has spent much of her career working in public education. As an educator Rachel has discovered that failing communities expose their youth to negative development outcomes. At-risk youth are a symptom of failing communities and specifically failing communities of color are a product of racial inequities woven into society. This revelation has fixed her focus on equitable neighborhood revitalization in black communities. In addition to her work in education and community development, Rachel has served as a founding member of the Diversity Equity & Inclusion committee at Cleveland Metropolitan School District as well as a board member for the Friends of Garrett Morgan Advisory Board. Rachel is also the founder of VillageUP (VUP) an organization dedicated to positively impacting youth through the preservation of their families and the revitalization of the communities they live in. Rachel’s long-term goal is to grow her organization to positively impact black children and their overall quality of life. Rachel’s educational degrees are in health administration and non-profit administration."We are collaborative community leaders advocating for and working toward inclusive, vibrant neighborhoods where people, businesses, organizations, and public places thrive." – CDCLP Cohort II Vision Statement
CDCLP Cohort III Graduates
Brandon
Collier
Community Outreach Manager
Ohio City Inc.
Brandon Collier
Brandon Collier is a dedicated community development professional with a passion for improving the lives of individuals and communities. Originally hailing from Akron, Ohio, Brandon holds a Bachelor's degree in Public Health with a focus on community health education and promotion from Kent State University. Since 2020, Brandon has been involved in the field of community development, working to organize and conduct community outreach initiatives in the Union-Miles and Collinwood neighborhoods on the east side of the City of Cleveland. Through his work, he has been instrumental in building strong relationships with community members, stakeholders, and organizations, fostering a sense of collaboration and empowerment within the neighborhoods. Since joining Ohio City Incorporated in March of 2023, Brandon has continued to demonstrate his dedication to community development and his commitment to creating positive change. In his role, he has played a vital part in identifying and addressing the unique needs of the Ohio City community, working with residents, business owners, and local leaders to develop and implement strategies for revitalization and sustainable growth.
Molly
Crawford
Director of Community Development
west park kamm's neighborhood development
Molly Crawford
Molly Crawford has had a passion for urban spaces her whole life and delights in being able to have a hand in building, shaping, and hopefully improving neighborhoods and communities in Cleveland. She has spent the past seven years in community development and is currently serving as Director of Community Development for West Park Kamm’s Neighborhood Development. Molly is passionate about placemaking, public art, multi-modality, and pretty much all things public realm. Previous to her current role, she worked for the Historic Gateway Neighborhood Corporation and the Historic Warehouse District Development Corporation in several different roles while earning a bachelor's degree from CSU’s Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs. She currently lives in Cleveland Heights.
Anthony
Giambroni
Director of Community Engagement
Midtown cleveland inc.
Anthony Giambroni
Anthony is a community builder who is passionate about cultivating cultures of collaboration, mutuality, and interdependence within neighborhood contexts. As someone shaped deeply by a vision of racial equity and belonging, he is committed to centering the margins and building relational bridges across perceived barriers. In 2019, Anthony began working with Building Hope in the City to build trust and co-create new community initiatives in the Stockyards and Clark-Fulton neighborhoods. This work resulted in a micro-grant process funding over 50 resident-led projects and programs ($150,000 total investment) over 5 years, a coalition of neighborhood faith communities, a community micro-farm, a K-8 after-school enrichment program, and a variety of neighborhood collaborations. Anthony now serves as the Director of Community Engagement at MidTown Cleveland where he stewards relationships and creates new connections, collaborations, and initiatives that empower residents and improve outcomes. Anthony received a master’s in Global Leadership from Fuller Seminary, where he completed his thesis asset-based community development, and his bachelor’s in history from Kent State University. Anthony is a proud resident of the Brooklyn Centre neighborhood and is deeply committed to Cleveland, its people, and its neighborhoods. He enjoys discovering new places, reading, making cocktails, and exploring Cleveland with his family.
Melinda
Gigante
Director of CDC Advancement
cleveland neighborhood progress
Melinda Gigante
Melinda Gigante is the Director of CDC Advancement at Cleveland Neighborhood Progress, joining in 2019 with a dedication to catalyzing meaningful change within the community development landscape. At Cleveland Neighborhood Progress, Melinda provides guidance that shapes the ongoing development of critical tools such as the CDC Advancement Model and grantmaking programs such as the Advancement and Resilience Initiative. Prior to her role at Cleveland Neighborhood Progress, Melinda served as the Executive Director of Flats Forward, an organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in the Flats neighborhood. Her experience and leadership in this role enriched her understanding of community needs and the dynamics of urban planning. Melinda holds a Bachelor of Arts in Urban Planning from Cleveland State University and remains connected to the community from her home in West Park.
Robert
Grant
Neighborhood Operations Specialist
Northwest Neighborhoods CDC
Robert Grant
Robert Grant III, is a dedicated advocate for community development with unwavering commitment to making a positive impact on the neighborhoods he serves. Currently, he serves as the Neighborhood Operations Specialist at Northwest Neighborhoods. Robert’s journey in community development began with the Neighbor-to-Neighbor Program, where he had the privilege of directly addressing the needs and concerns of residents, witnessing the immense potential that thrives within our communities when we unite and empower one another. In his current role at Northwest Neighborhoods, Robert continues to harness his experiences to elevate community development initiatives. The creation of "Right to Read", on Juneteenth 2023 at the iconic Capitol Theater is an example of an event that embodies his profound belief that literacy is a fundamental human right and a potent tool for personal and community empowerment. He holds a deep appreciation for the neighborhoods he serves and envisions a future where these neighborhoods thrive as vibrant, connected communities.
Donna
Grigonis
Director of Economic Development & Real Estate
Tremont West Development Corporation
Donna Grigonis
Donna Grigonis, resides in Shaker Heights, Ohio and is a dedicated professional with over a decade in real estate development. Donna currently holds the position of Director of Economic Development and Real Estate at Tremont West Development Corporation and is devoted to fostering community growth, engaging stakeholders, and strategically shaping the economic landscape. Her diverse career includes roles such as Neighborhood Development Director at Ohio City Incorporated and Tremont West Development Corporation, Housing Development Manager, and Enterprise Housing Fellow. Donna actively champions economic development in line with master planning and collaborates on various community projects. Donna works with various community development agencies, and manages an inventory of available properties for businesses. Soon to be receiving a master’s degree in architecture and environmental design from Kent State University, Donna integrates academic insights with practical experience to drive impactful and equitable change in the communities she serves. Notably, she is bilingual in English and Spanish, further enhancing her ability to connect with and serve diverse communities.
Shneur
Kushner
Special Projects Officer
Slavic Village Development corporation
Shneur Kushner
Shneur is an experienced urban planner working in Slavic Village to improve the everyday lives of neighborhood residents. Shneur’s passion lies in the intersection of places, people, and environment. In his work at Slavic Village Development, Shneur looks at the convergence of housing and economic development to bring about positive change for the neighborhood. Shneur graduated from Cleveland State University with a BA in Regional Planning, a certificate in Historic Preservation, and a Masters in Urban Planning and Development with a specialization in Housing and Neighborhood Development. In his spare time, Shneur enjoys traveling and experiencing cities and urban life the world over in hopes of bringing big ideas back home to Cleveland.
Emily
Lee
Executive Director
Metro West community development organization
Emily Lee
Born and raised in Cleveland, Emily has spent over 20 years honing her skills in program development, program evaluation, community organization, grant writing and management, training, and teaching. Emily has a bachelor’s degree in sports medicine and health education, a Master's degree in Community Health, and a Doctorate in Public Health. Her dedication to her work has earned her the national ALA Congress of Lung Association Staff Excellence Award in Program Development in June 2010. As a skilled manager, Emily has consistently demonstrated her ability to achieve goals and objectives, build strong relationships, and provide exemplary leadership in the non-profit sector. When she's not working, teaching, or researching, Emily enjoys spending time with her loved ones, indulging in the latest films, trying out new restaurants, and practicing yoga.
Whitnye
Long Jones
Director of Community Engagement
ohio city inc.
Whitnye Long Jones
Whitnye Long Jones is the Director of Community Engagement at Ohio City Incorporated and is passionate about nature and the environmental health of people residing in neighborhoods adversely affected by social injustices. Since November 2017, her role at Ohio City Inc. has involved building relationships with community stakeholders to provide resources and identify opportunities for equitable and impactful resident relations. By coordinating with Ohio City Inc. board and staff and working closely with nonprofit, community, and social service organizations in Ohio City and on the Near West Side, she is addressing social barriers and leading environmental health and racial equity efforts. Whitnye participates as a board supervisor for the Cuyahoga Soil and Water Conservation District, is a member of the Cuyahoga River Area of Concern Advisory Committee and has contributed to clean and renewable energy reports developed by the City of Cleveland and the Ohio Environmental Council. Whitnye has over 18 years of professional experience, with six years dedicated to environmental justice and community engagement. She lives in Cleveland Heights, Ohio with her husband and three children.
Niraj
Naik
Planning Manager
Midtown cleveland inc.
Niraj Naikh
Niraj Naik serves as the Planning Manager at MidTown Cleveland Inc. He has been with the organization for 2 years, first starting in the Marketing Coordinator role before transitioning to Planning work focused on tree planting and public art. He is a graduate of Emory University where he studied Finance and Political Science. He is also a graduate of the Urban Land Institute’s Real Estate in Diversity Initiative and the Venture for America Fellowship. Niraj presently serves on the Leadership Council of Engage Cleveland.
Keri
Palma
Senior Director of Youth & Family Engagement
ohio city inc.
Keri Palma
Keri Palma is the Senior Director of Youth & Family Engagement at Ohio City Incorporated (OCI) where she oversees fundraising and general operation of the Near West Recreation program, plans year-around family friendly neighborhood events, leads the Ohio City MyCom committee, and works to ensure that youth have a voice in the organization. Keri has been with OCI since 2015. Prior to OCI, Keri worked two years at Cleveland Neighborhood Progress where she was introduced to the community development field and the City of Cleveland. Keri holds a Master’s Degree in City and Regional Planning from Clemson University and a bachelor’s of Science in Civil Engineering from UNC Charlotte while earning a 4-year softball varsity letter. As of 2022, she is a Certified Parks and Recreation Professional from the National Parks and Recreation Association. Keri enjoys giving back and working with kids and young adults. She has been a volunteer for Cleveland's True2U 8th grade mentorship program and Cleveland's College Now college mentorship program. She is an active Niner Varsity Club alumni board member and a volunteer coach. In her free time, Keri enjoys exploring the Metroparks, gardening, trying out new dinner recipes, and playing with her furballs, Blu, Juju, and Jaxson.
Jamie
Pawlak
Board of Directors
Slavic village development corporation
Jamie Pawlak
Jamie’s combined experience in hospitality, travel, tourism, and project management have allowed her to gain skills in collaboration, civic engagement, and strategic thinking. In 2010, she volunteered at Destination Cleveland - Cuyahoga County’s destination marketing and management organization. She then joined the organization full time in 2013 working in roles with the Cleveland Visitors Center, the destination development team working on the Cleveland wayfinding program, and now as senior project manager overseeing the destination management division projects. She was born in the Slavic Village neighborhood of Cleveland and has served on the Board of Directors for Slavic Village Development since 2016. Jamie is a graduate of Downtown Cleveland Alliance City Advocates 2015, Cleveland Bridge Builders 2017, and NLDP cohort XI. She lives Downtown in Playhouse Square’s theatre district and was named as the 2015/2016 Downtown Cleveland Residents Association Resident of the Year. Jamie is dedicated to civic engagement and always striving to give back to her hometown.
Edward
Peppers
Vice President of Economic Development
Midtown cleveland inc.
Edward Peppers
Edward Peppers is the Vice President of Economic Development for MidTown Cleveland, Inc., a community development corporation serving Cleveland’s Midtown, Asiatown and Hough neighborhoods. Prior to joining MidTown in 2023, Edward was Director of Real Estate for Northwest Neighborhoods CDC, where he was responsible for all aspects of real estate including development and asset management of a portfolio consisting of approximately 350 commercial and residential units which generated $3MM in annual revenue. Edward brings 25 years of economic development, commercial and corporate real estate experience spanning private, public and non- profit organizations where he lead divisions on local, regional, national and international levels.
Austin
Raymond
Economic Development Coordinator
jefferson-puritas west park cdc
Austin Raymond
Austin Raymond is an enthusiastic practitioner in the field of community development. For the past four years, Austin has dedicated his time and effort to the residents of Jefferson-Puritas. Before moving into the role of Economic Development Coordinator for Jefferson-Puritas West Park Community Development Corporation, he spent his time working in housing. During that time, Austin helped many residents fix-up and save their homes from foreclosure. In his current role as the Economic Development Coordinator, he is helping start new businesses while helping the existing ones grow. Austin is passionate about middle neighborhoods and what they stand for in Greater Cleveland. When Austin isn’t at work, he can be found fly fishing in the local streams and rivers or on Lake Erie competitively racing sailboats. Austin resides in Lakewood with his wife and son.
Anthony
Scott
Assistant Director, Dept. of Community Development
City of cleveland
Anthony Scott
Anthony Scott serves as the Assistant Director of the Department of Community Development for the City of Cleveland. He has also held leadership roles in the City’s Law Dept., Public Safety, Building & Housing and Public Works. Operating with a philosophy based on service to all, Tony is an active member in several community-based organizations. He is on the Board of Trustees for the Black Professional Association Charitable Foundation and is a member of the National Forum of Black Public Administrators. He is also active in mentoring students at Cleveland State University and Case Western Reserve University. After graduation from Shaw High School, Tony served in the United States Marine Corps for eight years. Upon returning from the military, he completed his Bachelor of Arts degree in English, a master’s degree in public administration and a Juris Doctorate Degree – all earned from Cleveland State University.
Artrice
Smith-Lane
Managing Director
Union miles development corporation
Artrice Smith-Lane
Artrice Smith is the Managing Director of the Union Miles Development Corporation, where she gets to revitalize the Union Miles and Mt. Pleasant neighborhood and empower the residents in the communities that she loves. Artrice is a collaborative leader with over 16 years of experience working in the nonprofit sector. Her seven years in social services, and nine years in community development helps her to visualize, develop, and organize a variety of programs and services to help the agencies’ mission of improving the quality of life. Artrice is an active Board Member of BrandNew Community, a non-profit where she advocates for youth development, secures operational funds, and helps steer their mission. She also mentors at risk youth and volunteers with local shelters. In addition, Artrice is a graduate of Neighborhood Leadership Institute (NLI) Class 34 and Neighborhood Leadership Development Program (NLDP) Cohort XV. She is currently participating in the Community Development Corporation Leadership Program (CDCLP) Cohort III.
Ben
Trimble
Chief Real Estate Officer
ohio city inc.
Ben Trimble
Ben Trimble is a Planning and Development Professional who is passionate about revitalizing Cleveland with equitable, vibrant, and green transit-oriented development. Ben is a graduate of Cleveland State University’s Levin College of Urban Affairs, earning a Master of Urban Planning, Design, and Development. Ben has devoted his career to revitalizing the Ohio City neighborhood, after beginning his career there doing event management and commercial development work. Now the Chief Real Estate Officer, Ben has led planning and development efforts that have resulted in over $1 billion of equitable, mixed-use and mixed-income public and private sector reinvestment in the Ohio City neighborhood over the past two decades. Ben also serves as the acting director of the newly formed Near West Community Land Trust, which is devoted to maintaining affordable housing on the Cleveland’s Near West Side. Ben lives with his wife, daughter, and two dogs in Ohio City.
Elise
Yablonsky
Vice President of Community Development
university circle inc.
Elise Yablonsky Elise Yablonsky has a passion for developing great urban places that are accessible and welcoming to all. She currently serves as the Vice President of Community Development at University Circle Inc., the community service corporation responsible for developing, serving, and advocating for University Circle as a vibrant and complete neighborhood. In her role, she has led projects that preserve and celebrate history, activate and enhance public space, make streets safer places for all users, and give new life to underutilized properties in University Circle. Previously she’s worked in destination development at Destination Cleveland and on city-changing urban park projects at the Columbus Downtown Development Corporation. Yablonsky holds Masters degrees in Public Policy & Management and City & Regional Planning from The Ohio State University. She completed her undergraduate studies in political science at Mercyhurst University. A Cleveland native, she is now raising her family in the Detroit-Shoreway neighborhood.
"We are a group of united community leaders dedicated to inclusive leadership, positive change, and fostering collaboration to address the diverse needs of our residents, stakeholders, and businesses, in the creation of thriving, resilient communities for all." – CDCLP Cohort III Vision Statement