The Cleveland Leadership Center

The Cleveland Leadership Center Advancing a community of leaders to build a Greater Cleveland.

1240 Huron Rd E, Ste 450
Cleveland, OH 44115

Cleveland Leadership Center's mission is to advance a community of leaders to build a Greater Cleveland. We develop leaders through learning and community engagement opportunities that connect, inspire, and challenge them to make a positive impact. Through leadership development programming, diving into current social and civic issues, and connecting participants with the people and projects addre

ssing those issues, participants become better equipped and inspired to make a difference in our community. Through an extensive portfolio of offerings, our programming spans four generations, from high school through retirement. We also create customized civic leadership programs and experiences in response to community needs and requests. Find out what your next step is at www.cleveleads.org.

Yesterday, the Advanced Leadership Institute 2026 class explored the skills behind innovation, from effective brainstorm...
09/02/2026

Yesterday, the Advanced Leadership Institute 2026 class explored the skills behind innovation, from effective brainstorming and identifying roadblocks to navigating technical and adaptive challenges.

Facilitated by George Sample, the conversation brought real-world perspective from two leaders tackling critical community needs:
➤ John Litten, President & CEO of Habitat for Humanity, Greater Cleveland, shared how his organization is thinking creatively about housing needs.
➤ Jessica Morgan, Chief Programs Officer for Greater Cleveland Food Bank, offered insight into innovative approaches to addressing food insecurity.

Together, the conversations reinforced that innovative leadership isn’t simply about having a great idea. It’s about asking better questions, understanding the challenge, and finding new ways forward.

Thanks to Blue Streak Consultants for sponsoring the session and to CLC Board member, Loren Chylla and Medical Mutual for welcoming and hosting.

https://www.cleveleads.org/key-programs/advanced-leadership-institute/

Have a little extra time over the coming holiday weekend? Put it to good use with a little leadership learning.August’s ...
09/02/2026

Have a little extra time over the coming holiday weekend? Put it to good use with a little leadership learning.

August’s Leader Lunch Breaks offered fresh perspectives on how leaders can think about equity, revitalization, and turning big visions into meaningful change.

• Dennis Roberts of the Cuyahoga Land Bank provided a behind-the-scenes look at the transformation underway in East Cleveland and the leadership it takes to move a $95 million redevelopment effort from vision to reality.

• Sean Terry of Trust for Public Land shared how Cleveland’s parks are helping close the access gap, and how data, investment, and community priorities can help leaders understand where inequities exist, strengthen communities, and turn insight into action.

If you missed their sessions, you can watch both in the CLC archive and come back from the long weekend with a few new ideas in your leadership toolkit.

Check them out 👉 https://www.cleveleads.org/clc-events/the-way-forward-workshop-archive/

Congratulations to Allison Lukacsy-Love (ALI 2024, CBB 2017) and Gabe Wasylko (CBB 2027, CLI 2026, CLI 2025) who were re...
09/01/2026

Congratulations to Allison Lukacsy-Love (ALI 2024, CBB 2017) and Gabe Wasylko (CBB 2027, CLI 2026, CLI 2025) who were recently named to the Cleveland 230. Both have spent their careers shaping how people see and experience Cleveland: Allison through the city's public spaces and Gabe through its stories in pictures.

See the full list of CLC alumni who have been honored to date: https://www.cleveleads.org/cleveland-230-led-by-clc-alumni/

Yesterday, more than two hundred leaders heard the call and showed up for Spark. Right from the tip-off, Cleveland Siren...
08/28/2026

Yesterday, more than two hundred leaders heard the call and showed up for Spark.

Right from the tip-off, Cleveland Sirens’ Allison Howard met them with a challenge during her opening keynote: “I encourage you, especially when it isn’t clear, take the shot … if it doesn’t feel uncomfortable, you’re probably not thinking big enough.”

Six breakout sessions pulled participants out of their comfort zones and left them with practical tools and frameworks to:
→ Identify the thought processes that limit their own decisions.
→ Discern strategic risk from reckless risk.
→ Lead with conviction before the path is fully clear.

In their closing fireside chat, Sandra Morgan OBE, The City of East Cleveland Mayor, and Dr. Natalie Joseph, Chair, Department of Surgery at The MetroHealth System, shared how transparency, authenticity, and self-reflection are key to moving beyond failure and building resilience.

Every attendee left with the tools and inspiration to be bold and not wait for a guarantee.

Thank you to all those who made Spark possible, including:
Presenting sponsor: CBIZ, Inc.
Event host: Cleveland State University
Opening and closing keynote sponsors: Centric Consulting and OhioGuidestone
Breakout sponsors: RPM International Inc., Talent Principles, PRADCO, and Rosa Consulting, LLC
Recharge sponsor: Professional Courage (Kris McGuigan)

Don't miss Spark 2027 on August 26! Place your name on the list to be notified when registration opens: https://forms.gle/Uoy91QL8xB9Vyi9R7

Transform how you see Cleveland's civic landscape.Civic Leadership Institute connects you to the decision-makers, initia...
08/26/2026

Transform how you see Cleveland's civic landscape.

Civic Leadership Institute connects you to the decision-makers, initiatives, and networks shaping Cleveland. Have candid conversations with top civic and business leaders and get a behind-the-scenes look and at what’s happening across our community.

Registration for Fall, Spring, Winter and bundled cohorts are open now: https://www.cleveleads.org/key-programs/civic-leadership-institute/

Share this opportunity and help expand Cleveland's leadership network.

CLC’s impact is measured not only by what alumni take with them, but by what they do with it next. In the 2025 alumni im...
08/25/2026

CLC’s impact is measured not only by what alumni take with them, but by what they do with it next. In the 2025 alumni impact survey, they made the call clear: convene leaders, close gaps, and turn Cleveland’s collective expertise into coordinated action.

Jeremy Johnson (LC 2023, CLI 2021) of Assembly for the Arts framed the opportunity in our impact video:
"CLC has the most depth of expertise across all sectors. If its collective minds can come together more intentionally, we can work wonders in addressing the challenges and the promises of being a great city on a great lake."

Vision 2035 is the answer to that call. See the video, explore CLC's full impact, and find your place at https://www.cleveleads.org/about-us/our-impact/

🚨 Seats are almost gone. 🚨On Thursday, hundreds of Cleveland leaders will become bolder, stronger versions of themselves...
08/24/2026

🚨 Seats are almost gone. 🚨

On Thursday, hundreds of Cleveland leaders will become bolder, stronger versions of themselves at Spark. Will you be among them?

Only a few tickets remain – get yours now: https://www.cleveleads.org/clc-events/spark/

Trust for Public Land's ParkScore Index measures more than green space. It tracks who has access to it, how much cities ...
08/24/2026

Trust for Public Land's ParkScore Index measures more than green space. It tracks who has access to it, how much cities are investing, and where the gaps remain. Join Sean Terry for this week’s Leader Lunch Break to unpack the numbers behind Cleveland's ranking, what they show about access and equity across the city, and how civic and community leaders can plug into the work happening locally.

📅 Wednesday, AUG 26 ⏰ Noon-12:30 PM 💻 Virtual 💰 $FREE

🔗 Register now: https://www.cleveleads.org/event/leader-lunch-break-sean-terry/

Allison Howard of the Cleveland Sirens, a leader who knows a thing or two about taking the shot, will kick off Spark 202...
08/21/2026

Allison Howard of the Cleveland Sirens, a leader who knows a thing or two about taking the shot, will kick off Spark 2026 with opening keynote on vision, courage, and risk. It’s a fitting way to kick off a day built around big ideas, bold action, and the people who want to move Cleveland forward.

The biggest moves rarely come with certainty, but one thing is certain: In six days, hundreds of leaders will become bolder, stronger versions of themselves at Spark. Will you be among them?

NOTE: This event is almost sold out. Get your tickets before they're gone! https://www.cleveleads.org/clc-events/spark/

Thank you, CBIZ, Inc. for making Spark possible and to Centric Consulting for sponsoring the opening keynote.

Meaningful community change is built together. Antoinette Smith (CBB 2024, CLI 2019) knows it firsthand: "My CLC experie...
08/21/2026

Meaningful community change is built together.

Antoinette Smith (CBB 2024, CLI 2019) knows it firsthand:
"My CLC experience continues to shape how I lead with purpose, partnership, and a belief that meaningful change in Northeast Ohio happens when diverse voices come together to build something greater than themselves."

She is not alone in that belief. Across the 2025 alumni survey, 75% of respondents said they work strategically with diverse stakeholders to drive positive change.

Explore more of CLC’s impact and see where CLC is headed with Vision 2035: https://www.cleveleads.org/about-us/our-impact/.

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