Program

Bob Eckardt provides overall direction to the foundation's grantmaking, working with the board, staff, and community leaders to pinpoint the region's critical needs and leverage resources to help meet them.

He joined the foundation in 1982 and has served as senior program officer in the areas of health, aging, and environment. Bob is also an active leader in philanthropic professional groups. He served four terms on the board of the Washington, D.C.-based group Grantmakers in Health, which honored him in 2006 with its highest award. He was a founding board member of Grantmakers in Aging, the national peer alliance in Dayton, as well as Funders Concerned About AIDS, a national affinity group. He also is a past chair of the Grantmakers Evaluation Network.

Bob shares his wisdom as a consultant to many foundations on program development, strategic grantmaking and evaluation approaches. He is an elected fellow of the Gerontological Society of America and serves on the advisory committee of the Center for Effective Philanthropy. He holds a certificate in gerontology and a doctorate in public health with a specialty in health policy from the University of Michigan.

Administrative assistant: Mary Clare Donnelly (216-685-4000)

Send an e-mail to Bob Eckardt.

Lisa Bottoms oversees all of the foundation's grantmaking for programs in human services and child/youth development. She comes to the foundation after seven years at the Cuyahoga County Family and Children First Council, the county's overarching service-planning body. There she served as executive director and coordinator and directed the Child Well-Being Initiative, a collaborative system for addressing wellness, school readiness, and many other needs of children from the prenatal stage through age 18. She also managed Invest in Children, a collaboration between the county, the foundation, and other philanthropic funders. Since its inception in 1999, it has become a national model for redesigning services to give children the best possible start in life in their first five years.

Lisa earned a master's degree in labor relations and human resource management from Cleveland State University, as well as a bachelor's degree in psychology from Kent State University.

Administrative assistant: Rennae Coe (216-685-2017)

To learn more, spend "5 Minutes With...Lisa Bottoms."

Send an e-mail to Lisa Bottoms.

Shilpa Kedar works closely with city leaders, civic groups, and foundation staff to support ongoing economic development efforts and develop new ones benefitting Greater Cleveland. Before joining the Cleveland Foundation, she was director of business attraction for Team NEO, where she collaborated with other Northeast Ohio development groups to identify and secure business opportunities for the region. Previously she coordinated grantmaking and projects to strengthen area nonprofits for Cleveland Social Venture Partners and was a researcher for the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, a top business school in India.

Shilpa earned a master’s degree in management of nonprofit organizations from Case Western Reserve University, a post-graduate diploma in management from India’s Som-Lalit Institute of Management Studies, and a bachelor’s degree in business studies from Delhi (India) University. She has authored several published articles and was a member of the Crain’s Cleveland Business “40 Under 40” class of 2007. She is co-chair of the Fund for Our Economic Future’s business attraction, retention, and expansion committee.

Administrative assistant: Angie Brlas (216-685-4004)

Send an e-mail to Shilpa Kedar 

Lillian Kuri joined the Cleveland Foundation in 2005 as a consultant to develop a comprehensive strategy for one of the foundation’s priority initiatives: the revitalization of the Greater University Circle area, an initiative that involves everything from transportation and housing assistance to education, safety, community wealth, and economic inclusion. She has more than 10 years of experience as a nonprofit executive, with expertise in urban redevelopment and innovative environmental services.

Previously, Lillian was the executive director of Cleveland Public Art, where she executed more than $4 million in projects over her four-year tenure. She has held positions as project manager for the Cleveland City Planning Commission and project coordinator for the Harvard Design School at Harvard University, and has worked in the affordable housing office for the City of Boston.

She holds a master of architecture in urban design degree from Harvard University, as well as a bachelor’s degree in architecture from Kent State University. Lillian is a licensed architect in Ohio and a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)-accredited professional.  She serves as a voting member of the Cleveland City Planning Commission and as a board member for Cleveland Development Advisors, an affiliate of the Greater Cleveland Partnership that provides gap financing to catalytic projects. Lillian was a member of the Crain's Cleveland Business "40 Under 40" class of 2002 and was selected as the prestigious Knight Fellow at Western Reserve Academy in 2008.

Administrative assistant: Annabel Bryan (216-615-7177)

To learn more, spend "5 Minutes With...Lillian Kuri."

Send an e-mail to Lillian Kuri.

India Pierce Lee has 20 years of experience in housing and community development. She helps lead the foundation's revitalization efforts in the Greater University Circle area, an initiative that involves everything from transportation and housing assistance to education, safety, community wealth, and economic inclusion.

Prior to joining the Cleveland Foundation, India served as senior vice president of programs at Neighborhood Progress Inc. (NPI), where she led several joint initiatives, including the Cleveland Neighborhood Partnership Program. She also spent time with the Northeast Ohio Local Initiatives Support Corporation, the City of Cleveland's department of economic development, and the Mt. Pleasant NOW Development Corporation. Prior to that, she worked as an air traffic control specialist.

India completed the prestigious Loeb Fellowship from the Graduate School of Design at Harvard University. She spent 10 months on the Harvard campus studying best practices in neighborhood revitalization, with a special interest in sustainability.

India has been recognized for outstanding service to Cleveland throughout her career, including receiving a key to the City of Cleveland from former mayor Michael White. She was named one of the 500 Most Influential Women in Northeast Ohio by Northern Ohio Live magazine and is both an alumnus of the Leadership Cleveland Class of 2002 and a Louis Stokes Fellow from the Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences at Case Western Reserve University.

India earned a bachelor’s degree in management from Cleveland’s Dyke College and a master of science degree in social administration from the Mandel School.

Administrative assistant: Annabel Bryan (216-615-7177)

To learn more, spend "5 Minutes With...India Pierce Lee."

Send an e-mail to India Pierce Lee.

Helen Williams oversees the foundation’s grantmaking in all areas of education. She has more than 25 years of experience in executive management and consulting in nonprofit, public, and corporate organizations, specializing in strategic planning and leadership development. Helen is the former associate director of the Cleveland Initiative for Education. Under former Ohio Gov. Richard F. Celeste, Helen directed the State of Ohio’s regional office in Cleveland.

She holds a doctorate in organizational behavior from Case Western Reserve University.

Administrative assistant: Rennae Coe (216-685-2017)

To learn more, spend "5 Minutes With...Helen Williams."

Send an e-mail to Helen Williams.

Kathleen Cerveny is responsible for evaluating the impact of the foundation’s grantmaking programs and leadership initiatives, and for capturing and sharing learning from this work for the benefit of the foundation and the community. This new role comes after nearly two decades directing the foundation’s arts and culture programs, during which she led major initiatives in public policy and organizational advancement for the arts.

Kathleen has been a working artist, educator, development officer, and award-winning producer of arts programming for public radio station WCPN 90.3 FM. A graduate of the Cleveland Institute of Art, she has exhibited her artwork nationally.

Kathleen remains the foundation’s senior advisor in the arts and also serves as an advisor to the Community Partnership for Arts and Culture and Positively Cleveland. Kathleen discusses arts, culture and ideas relevant to Cleveland in her Cleveland Foundation blog.

Administrative assistant: Mary Clare Donnelly (216-685-4000)

To learn more, spend "5 Minutes With...Kathleen Cerveny." 

Send an e-mail to Kathleen Cerveny.

Jorge Delgado was named the Cleveland Foundation’s director of international relations in February 2007. The position is a key component of the foundation’s ongoing economic development efforts. Jorge works on behalf of the community on issues related to foreign relations, international educational opportunities and attraction of the world's businesses to Northeast Ohio, as well as helping local companies break into global markets.

Born in Cuba in 1967, Jorge left that country in 1985. He holds a bachelor of science degree from Russia’s Moscow University, a degree in German language from the University of Vienna in Austria, a master of business administration in international trade and marketing degree from the B.A.A. fuer Aussenwirtschaft/Munich University in Germany, and a program degree from Harvard University in international relations/mastering sustainable negotiations.

Jorge has experience working with international conglomerates in various countries around the world and is fluent in Spanish, English, Russian and German, with a working knowledge of Italian and Ukrainian.

Administrative assistant: Angie Brlas (216-685-4004)

To learn more, spend "5 Minutes With...Jorge Delgado."

Send an e-mail to Jorge Delgado.

Richard Stuebi joined the foundation in March 2006 as the Fellow for Energy and Environmental Advancement. He works with a broad spectrum of public-sector and private interests to promote commercial activity in advanced energy in the Cleveland area. Currently, he is on loan from the foundation to serve as a founding principal in NorTech's advanced energy initiative.

Richard has more than 20 years of experience as an executive, entrepreneur and consultant in the energy industry, with most of the past decade focused on advanced energy technologies and business opportunities. He shares his perspectives on energy and environmental matters weekly at www.cleantechblog.com and his own Cleveland Foundation blog. 

Richard also spends a portion of his time as a managing director at Early Stage Partners, a Cleveland-based venture capital firm, where he leads the firm's activities to invest in promising ventures developing and commercializing advanced energy and environmental technologies.

In 1999, Richard founded NextWave Energy, a professional firm helping client companies capitalize on new business opportunities involving innovative energy technologies, including strategy and capital formation. Previously, he was a senior vice president at the global commodity trading firm Louis Dreyfus, a management consultant in the energy practice of McKinsey & Co., and an economic analyst at ICF Resources.

Richard serves on the board of directors of EnLink Geoenergy Services and MAR Systems, and is a member of the advisory board of the Generation Foundation. In the 1980's, he earned degrees in economics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Stanford University.

Administrative assistant: Angie Brlas (216-685-4004)

To learn more, spend "5 Minutes With...Richard Stuebi."

Send an e-mail to Richard Stuebi.

Kathy Hallissey oversees the foundation’s responsive grantmaking efforts, working with a team of program officers to align those efforts with the needs of the community and the foundation’s priorities. In her previous position as a program officer for the foundation, she reviewed grant proposals and worked to strengthen nonprofit organizations across Greater Cleveland. Prior to joining the foundation in August 2005, Kathy was a Head Start management consultant. At the Department of Health and Human Services in Washington, she analyzed the impact various programs and policies had on children, youth, and families. She began her career in the federal government as a presidential management intern. Kathy has a master of public administration degree from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and a bachelor’s degree from Drew University in New Jersey, from which she graduated cum laude.

Administrative assistant: Ciba Jones (216-615-7184)

Send an e-mail to Kathy Hallissey.

Nelson Beckford reviews proposals across a broad range of program areas as part of the foundation’s community-responsive grantmaking and coordinates the Cleveland Foundation Summer Internship program. He has a wide range of management experience in both the for-profit and nonprofit arenas, including serving as assistant director for the Detroit Shoreway Community Development Organization prior to joining the foundation. Before that, he was a network development managed care contracting specialist for both Great West Healthcare and University Hospital Health System. In those positions he was responsible for physician recruitment and contract negotiation and monitoring. Nelson’s career also includes time spent with Cole Managed Vision, the American Red Cross and the Madison Development Company. He also served in the U.S. Army for three years. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Cleveland State University.

Administrative assistant: Ciba Jones (216-615-7184)

Send an e-mail to Nelson Beckford. 

Kevin McDaniel manages portions of the foundation's responsive and proactive grantmaking. He plays an active role in assisting local faith-based organizations through the Cleveland Foundation’s Project Access program, and coordinates the Time Warner/Cleveland City Council Neighborhood Technology Fund (also managed by the foundation). Additionally, Kevin is an active participant in Cuyahoga County’s community re-entry efforts.

Most recently, he was director of admissions and records for Cuyahoga Community College. He also served as program director of Veterans Upward Bound, where he assisted veterans of the U.S. armed forces with their transition to college life. Prior to that, he served as an advisor to the financial aid department at Cuyahoga Community College.

Kevin has a master of education degree in adult learning and development and a bachelor's degree in history and social studies from Cleveland State University.

Administrative assistant: Sarah King (216-615-7155)

Send an e-mail to Kevin McDaniel.

In her role as a grantmaker, Jill evaluates and advocates for organizations working across each of the foundation’s program areas.  In addition, she oversees the foundation’s work in philanthropic services, social enterprise and community wealth development. She represents the foundation on the AIDS Funding Collaborative and is vice-chair of the Collaborative for Comprehensive School-Age Health.  Jill comes to the Cleveland Foundation from the George Gund Foundation, where she served as its first foundation fellow. 

Prior to her work in philanthropy, Jill served in various program and fund development positions at the National College Access Network and the Minnesota AIDS Project. She also consulted to the Washington-based Corporation for National and Community Service. Jill is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Grinnell College with degrees in sociology and French. She earned a master’s degree in nonprofit management from Case Western Reserve University’s Mandel Center for Nonprofit Organizations and is a graduate of the Diversity Center’s Lead Diversity class of 2007.  She is on the advisory boards of the Cleveland Arts Prize and the Case Women’s Center.

Administrative assistant: Sarah King (216-615-7155)

Send an e-mail to Jill Paulsen.

Paul Putman works as both a reviewer and an advocate within community responsive grantmaking by focusing on efforts to strengthen nonprofit organizations and improve access to services for underserved populations. Prior to joining the foundation, Paul was the manager of the Center for Leadership and Service at Cleveland State University, where he coordinated leadership development and service-learning experiences for CSU’s 15,000 students.

Paul is currently a doctoral student in the urban education program at CSU with a focus on leadership and lifelong learning.  He earned his master's in psychology, with a specialization in diversity management from CSU and his master's in education/guidance and counseling with a specialization in higher education from Eastern Illinois University.  Paul earned his bachelor's in English from Kent State University.

Administrative assistant: Ciba Jones (216-615-7184)

Send an e-mail to Paul Putman. 

Maggie McGrath Armour works with program staff to implement various Cleveland Foundation initiatives. She spends significant time on education-related activities such as the creation and growth of new schools within the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, and the implementation of MyCom, the foundation’s large-scale youth development effort. Prior to joining the program staff in 2009, Maggie served as chief of staff to the president for three years. She also has worked with the Fund for Our Economic Future and served as a development officer for the University of Chicago.

Maggie earned her bachelor’s degree in finance from Miami University of Ohio and her master's of business administration from the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University. She was named one of the “Top 20 in their 20s” by Crain’s Cleveland Business in 2007.