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Grantmaking

Joyce Pan Huang

Joyce Pan HuangGrantmaking

Chief Impact Officer

Senior Executive Coordinator: Annabel Bryan, 216.615.7177

Joyce Pan Huang joined the Cleveland Foundation in January 2025 as the organization’s first chief impact officer. In this position, she will leverage the foundation’s resources and convening power to build partnerships and drive place-based strategies to address some of the most persistent challenges facing Greater Cleveland. Prior to this role, Huang was appointed by Mayor Justin M. Bibb as the director of city planning for the City of Cleveland. As the Planning Director, Huang led impactful community-based neighborhood planning efforts, policy change in land use, zoning, and transportation, and process improvements in city government. She also served as the vice president of community development at MidTown Cleveland, Inc., an economic and community development organization serving in the city’s MidTown and AsiaTown neighborhoods.  

Huang has served as a board member of the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency, the Federal Reserve of Cleveland Community Advisory Council, Vibrant NEO 2040 and the Cuyahoga County Planning Commission. Joyce holds a master’s in urban planning, design and development from Cleveland State University’s Levin College of Urban Affairs, where she was awarded the achievement of American Planning Association’s Outstanding Planning Student. She also holds a bachelor's degree in sociology with a minor in environmental studies from the University of Michigan. After graduating, she worked in campus ministry in Northeast Ohio, an experience which shaped her human-centered leadership style, passion for leadership development and community building work. A transplant from the Rochester, NY area, Joyce has lived in the Cleveland area for nearly two decades. 

Helen W. Williams, Ph.D.

Helen W. Williams, Ph.D.Grantmaking

Vice President, Strategy

Executive Coordinator: Emma Mobert, 216.615.7141

Helen Williams joined the Cleveland Foundation in 2005 as the Program Director for Education. In that role, Helen collaborated with key community partners to develop and execute long-term strategies resulting in unprecedented improvements in high school graduation and postsecondary success rates for Cleveland public school students. In 2023, Helen was named Vice President of Strategy. In this role, she facilitated the development and first phase implementation of foundation’s strategic plan. Helen came to the foundation with 20 years of experience in executive management and consulting in nonprofit, public, and corporate organizations, specializing in strategic planning and leadership development. She holds a doctorate in organizational behavior from Case Western Reserve University. 

Karen Bartrum Jansen

Karen Bartrum JansenGrantmaking

Senior Grants Coordinator

216.615.7178 |

Karen Bartrum Jansen joined the Cleveland Foundation more than 10 years ago. She currently works in Grants Management, helping donors and grantees through the foundation’s systems and processes.  Prior to joining the foundation, Karen worked in various sales and office management roles for a metal broker, a small computer company, and an international plastics manufacturer. 

She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in business with a minor in computer information systems from Ohio State University.

Joseph Black

Joseph BlackGrantmaking

Senior Program Officer, Place-Based Community & Economic Development

216.340.7608 |

Joseph Black is a dynamic force for change, boasting over a decade of expertise in community organizing and philanthropy. Since February 2023, he has served as the Senior Program Officer for Place-Based Community and Economic Development, where he oversees neighborhood investments and racial equity and racial justice initiatives. 

Joseph's commitment extends beyond his professional role; he actively shapes community narratives as the Vice Chair of the Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority Board of Commissioners and serves on the Boards of Directors for Refresh Collective, the HealthComp Foundation, the Men and Women of Central and the Village Capital Corporation. 

A visionary leader, Joseph is the driving force behind the "Reverse Ride Along," an innovative community engagement training program. Under his leadership, this program has empowered and educated over 500 law enforcement and medical professionals, aiming to redefine community-police relations and elevate public safety standards. 

While his professional accomplishments are significant, Joseph's purpose and value are deeply rooted in his profound love for his wife, Amber, and their two sons, Jordan and Isaac. 

Jermaine Brown

Jermaine BrownGrantmaking

Grants Coordinator

216.685.4005 |

Jermaine Brown joined the Cleveland Foundation in August 2024 as a Grants Management Coordinator. In this role, he supports grant applicants and nonprofit partners in establishing and maintaining their grants profile, as well as addressing inquiries related to the grant application, review and award processes. Additionally, Jermaine assists with the administrative functions of grantmaking and scholarship programs, often collaborating with various internal teams across the Cleveland Foundation.

Prior to joining the foundation, Jermaine spent seven years in business sales at Apple, Inc. as an account manager helping businesses and nonprofits in Greater Cleveland with technology planning. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Promotional Communication from Cleveland State University. 

Jermaine grew up in the Buckeye-Shaker neighborhood of Cleveland, where his social and academic involvement fostered a deep appreciation for cultural diversity through community engagement and volunteerism. These principles continue to drive his commitment to his work every day.

Annabel Bryan

Annabel BryanGrantmaking

Senior Executive Coordinator

216.615.7177 |

As Senior Executive Coordinator, Annabel supports the Chief Impact Officer, acting as a trusted thought partner and provides advanced strategic management and support including collaborating with internal and external partners to manage complex schedules, high-level projects, and critical communications. She has over 20 years of experience at the Cleveland Foundation and has provided project and event management for initiatives such as the Greater University Circle Initiative, Cleveland Plan for Transforming Schools, American Marshall Memorial Fellowship in partnership with the German Marshall Fund, and initiatives in strategy, innovation, education, neighborhoods, and community development. She is a proactive leader, strategic thinker, and strong problem-solver and is committed to fostering a collaborative environment and building strong relationships. 

Previously, Annabel worked at Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard University and Hyatt Legal Plans. Originally from Chicago, she is a proud graduate of Chicago Public Schools. Annabel earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology from Boston University. She is a volunteer at North Pointe Ballet and serves on the Advancement Committee. 

Mary Clare Donnelly

Mary Clare DonnellyGrantmaking

Executive Assistant/Program Assistant Coordinator

216.685.4000 | Email Mary Clare

Mary Clare Donnelly joined the Cleveland Foundation in 2004 as a program assistant and now serves as the executive assistant to the vice president, strategic grantmaking, arts & urban design initiatives. She provides advanced administrative support, and included among her duties are coordination and communication with senior management and board members, extensive calendar maintenance, management of various in-house processes, and collaborative work across all departments.

Her prior experience includes various executive administrative positions at IMG, a global sports, fashion, and media business, and in the legal department at Key Bank. 

Keisha González

Keisha GonzálezGrantmaking

Senior Director, Social Impact Investing and Economic & Community Development

Administrative Assistant: Ciba Jones 216.615.7184

Keisha González is a community development professional with robust place-keeping tools. She has experience stabilizing communities while preparing them to capture the wealth introduced by market pressures. Her work is grounded in the truth that communities cannot be curated into a state of thriving; instead, they can be resourced to reclaim autonomy from the systems that have made them vulnerable.  

As Senior Director, Social Impact Investing and Economic & Community Development, she drives the Cleveland Foundation's Creating Vibrant Neigborhoods investments. She works in proximity with executive leadership and finance to steward the foundation's social impact investing program with a specialization in PRI & Recoverable Grants. More recently, Keisha has built out the Cleveland Foundation's efforts on innovation, supporting efforts to strengthen the sector's capacity and appetite for innovative risk that delivers impact locally and advances the community foundation sector.  

Keisha served as the Managing Director for the Metro West Community Development Organization, where she implemented the organization's strategic plan, managed its programs and operations, and facilitated productive relationships in the public, private, and civic sectors. Her leadership was instrumental in the organization's success and impact in serving Ohio's densest Latine neighborhood.  

She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from Cleveland State University and a Master of Arts in Historic Preservation from the University of Delaware. During her time at the University of Delaware, she contributed to the preservation of historic structures, public realm infrastructure, and landscapes for local and state governments through her work at the Mid-Atlantic Historic Buildings and Landscape Survey at the Centre for Historic Architecture and Design. 

Kathleen Hallissey

Kathleen HallisseyGrantmaking

Vice President, Grantmaking

Executive Assistant: Mary Clare Donnelly 216.685.4000

Kathleen Hallissey joined the Cleveland Foundation in August 2005 as a program officer, focusing on education and health and human services grants, and strengthening nonprofit organizations across Greater Cleveland. She has served in a variety of roles at the foundation, now as the Vice President of Grantmaking, where she oversees a team supporting grantmaking that focuses on both immediate and long-term priorities.  

Previously, Kathy served as a management consultant to the Head Start community working on special projects such as the grantee monitoring system, data analysis and the development of training and technical assistance materials. She served as a program analyst in the Department of Health and Human Services in Washington, DC, focusing on programs and policies impacting children, youth and families specifically Head Start and Early Head Start. She began her career in the federal government as a Presidential Management Fellow. During her fellowship she completed key projects in legislative affairs, planning and evaluation, and program implementation. 

Kathy earned a Master of Public Administration from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and a Bachelor of Arts cum laude from Drew University in New Jersey. 

Ciba Jones

Ciba JonesGrantmaking

Program Coordinator

216.615.7184 |

Ciba Jones joined the Cleveland Foundation in August 2003.  In her current role as Grantmaking Coordinator, CJ provides seamless operational support to the Senior Director of Social Impact Investing and Economic and Community Development, the Senior Program Officer, Place-Based Community & Economic Development, and the Program Manager for Leadership Development. 

CJ manages complex schedules, coordinates special initiative projects as well as coordinating the interview schedules for interviewers and candidates for the foundation’s eleven-week summer internship program and participates in the interview process. 

She also participates in the interview process for the public service fellowship program and provides onboarding support.  CJ also provides administrative support for the IDD Wealth Building Institution Team, the MidTown Hough Strategy and Community Partners Committees as well as support for preparation of the Social Impact Investing docket. 

Prior to joining the foundation, CJ was the Human Resources Coordinator for the Benjamin Rose Institute’s administrative office. 

CJ holds Artistic Diplomas from the Julliard School of Music and the Royal Music College.  She is a supporter of the arts, a dedicated instructor and mentor to students studying the art of classical piano.  She is also a member of the Steinway Society and other music organizations. 

Diane Kaszei

Diane KaszeiGrantmaking

Director, Grants Management

216.615.7167 |

Diane Kaszei has been with the foundation since 1990. She was promoted to grants manager in 2004 when the foundation centralized its grantmaking. Prior to that, Diane worked in the Gift Planning and Donor Relations Department helping donors with grantmaking and as an assistant in the civic and economic development program area. 

Diane holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Myers University.

Andrew Katusin

Andrew KatusinGrantmaking

Director of Community Philanthropy

216.615.7146 |

Andrew Katusin joined the Cleveland Foundation in August 2021 as the Program Officer for Grantmaking Initiatives. In 2024, he moved into a Director role leading the foundations Affinity Fund approach and a portfolio of the foundation’s grantmaking with a focus on health and human services, newcomers, LGBTQ+ issues, arts and culture, grantmaking in Lake and Geauga Counties, and several special projects. 

Before joining the foundation, Andrew served as the Director and Associate Vice President for Community Investment at United Way of Greater Cleveland. There he led the team responsible for United Way’s programmatic efforts grantmaking strategy. During his time at United Way, Andrew was deeply involved in the launch of right to counsel in Cleveland as well as a lead contributor to the work of the Lead Safe Cleveland Coalition.  

He has his Master of Social Science Administration from the Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences at Case Western Reserve University and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Loyola University Chicago. Andrew serves on the Board of the Old Brooklyn Community Development corporation. 

Stephen Love

Stephen LoveGrantmaking

Program Director, Environmental Initiatives

Stephen Love joined the foundation in 2014 as part of the community responsive grantmaking team.  In 2022, Stephen became the foundation’s Environment Program Director, and oversees development of an Environmental Grantmaking strategy, including efforts to protect the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the parks and greenspaces we enjoy by supporting and investing in partners, policies, and practices that link environmental protection, climate action, equity, and economic prosperity for the region. 

Prior to joining the foundation in 2014, Stephen worked for the Cuyahoga Land Bank, researching and compiling property data for vacant property reuse opportunities. Additionally, he served as an AmeriCorps VISTA with Cleveland Neighborhood Progress, focusing on neighborhood stabilization and urban agriculture. Stephen also founded a volunteer beach cleanup and advocacy effort directed at improving Euclid Beach Park in Cleveland. Previously, he served on the board of directors of the Cleveland Lakefront Conservancy and Northeast Shores Development Corporation. Stephen currently serves on the Board of the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority and serves on the leadership steering committees for the Climate Energy Funders Group and Community Foundation Climate Collaborative.  

Stephen is a lifelong Northeast Ohio and current Cleveland resident, residing in the Collinwood neighborhood on the shores of Lake Erie. Stephen holds a Master of Public Administration from Cleveland State University Levin College of Public Affairs and Education and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Baldwin Wallace University.  

Colleen McCaughey

Colleen McCaugheyGrantmaking

Program Manager, Grant Operations

216.615.7151 |

Colleen McCaughey joined the Cleveland Foundation in August 2021 as a Grants Coordinator. In her role, she supports the Program team and external grantee partners to facilitate the grantmaking process. Prior to joining the Foundation, Colleen spent six years at Cleveland Public Theatre as a core member of their Development team, primarily managing institutional giving.

Originally from Hudson, Ohio, Colleen has worked across Northeast Ohio as a stage manager, performer, and singer. Most recently, she served as the Production Stage Manager for Working Theater’s 2020 national virtual tour of Leila Buck’s “American Dreams.” From 2013-2015, she worked in New York City as a stage manager for various theatre companies including The Play Company, The Flea Theater, and Lincoln Center, while serving as the Administrative Associate for Dixon Place Theater. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in both Theatre and Political Science from Allegheny College.

Stephanie Molnar

Stephanie MolnarGrantmaking

Program Manager, Leadership Development

216-685-4009 |

As Program Officer, Stephanie provides support for the planning, implementation, and management of the foundation’s programs focused on community leadership and development, including the Cleveland Foundation Public Service Fellowship and Summer Internship Programs, scholarships, and Encore Cleveland.

Stephanie joined the foundation as a summer intern in 2016, first supporting Greater Cleveland Volunteers. She then interned with the foundation's Community Responsive Grantmaking team, helping plan and manage the Summer Internship and Public Service Fellowship programs.

Stephanie is pursuing a master’s degree in public administration as well as a certificate in nonprofit management at Cleveland State University. She earned her bachelor of science in education from Kent State University. She is a former teacher and two-term AmeriCorps Alumna, having served with the Literacy Coalition of Palm Beach County, Florida, and Notre Dame Mission Volunteers in Washington, D.C.

Zaija Pelligree

Zaija PelligreeGrantmaking

Program Coordinator

Zaija Pelligree joined the Cleveland Foundation in May 2021 as a Program Coordinator. In this role, she provides administrative and project support to Stephen Love, Program Manager for Environmental Initiatives, and other program staff as assigned in alignment with their strategic initiatives.

Before joining the foundation, Zaija worked as Urban Programs Coordinator at Western Reserve Land Conservancy (WRLC), where she provided coordination and support for all urban program areas, including land banks, community forestry, property inventory initiatives and vacant land redevelopment.

Zaija has great passion for urban greening and community organizing. In addition to her academic and professional experience, she also volunteered with World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms in Costa Rica, and currently serves as a Council Appointed Member of South Euclid Tree Commission as well as Board Vice President of Organic Connections Inc.

Zaija graduated magna cum laude from Cleveland State University with a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Environmental Studies and Urban Studies with a minor in Sustainable Development.

Nicole Rosenbaum

Nicole RosenbaumGrantmaking

Program Officer, Workforce Development & Talent Cultivation

216.615.7165 |

Nicole Rosenbaum joined the Cleveland Foundation in December 2022 as a Program Officer for Workforce Development & Talent Cultivation. In her current role, Nicole is responsible for addressing talent attraction and retention challenges and opportunities in the Greater Cleveland area to support equitable economic growth.

Prior to joining the foundation, Nicole managed a competitive grant through the Department of Labor. In that capacity, Nicole engaged local employer partners and nontraditional sources of talent to design and implement pre-apprenticeship/apprenticeship models of education and on-the-job-training to increase employment, academics, and retention deliverables in Cuyahoga County.

Nicole started her professional career as a second-grade teacher in the Cleveland community. Nicole currently holds a dual Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and Urban Studies from the University of Pittsburgh with a certification in women and gender studies.

Kirby Suntala

Kirby SuntalaGrantmaking

Associate Director, Grants Management

216.685.2017 |

Kirby Suntala provides administrative support to the Grantmaking & Community Impact, Philanthropy and Finance teams, as well as external grantee partners, to structure and coordinate workflow and communication around the grantmaking process. Kirby works heavily on enterprise-wide special projects and internal data and knowledge management efforts.  

Prior to joining the foundation’s Grantmaking team in August 2019, Kirby served Cleveland’s youth and families as Rainey Institute’s Administrative Assistant, where he carried out registration, marketing, proposal writing, and business development functions for the community arts center. While at Rainey, Kirby also served as Graduate Assistant to the Director of the Master of Public Administration Program at Cleveland State’s Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs. There he analyzed and coded emergency communications by state and local officials across several social media platforms. 

Kirby holds a Master of Public Administration and dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in Nonprofit Administration & Urban Studies from Cleveland State University. Alongside his work in the nonprofit sector, Kirby is passionate about the arts and is an actively performing musician in the community. 

Kathryn Terrell

Kathryn TerrellGrantmaking

Program Officer, Data and Grantmaking

216.685.2007 |

Kathryn (Kate) Terrell supports the foundation’s grantmaking activity, reviewing and responding to requests for funding from organizations across multiple sectors. In addition to grantmaking, Kate conducts research, data collection, and geospatial analysis in support of the foundation’s impact framework.  

A native northeast Ohioan and current Cleveland resident, Kate has more than 15 years of experience serving Cuyahoga County’s nonprofit sector. Prior to joining the Cleveland Foundation, Kate held fundraising roles at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History and Boys & Girls Clubs of Cleveland, helping to secure philanthropic support for initiatives ranging from archaeological expeditions to after-school sports. Kate began her nonprofit career as an AmeriCorps VISTA serving two years at the Center for Service and Social Action of John Carroll University.  

Kate earned her bachelor’s degree from Miami University, where she majored in Integrated English Language Arts with a concentration in Cultural Studies and Public Life, and her MS in Urban Studies with a concentration in Public Policy from the Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs at Cleveland State University. 

Bronlynn Thurman

Bronlynn ThurmanGrantmaking

Program Officer

216.685.4001 |

Bronlynn Thurman joined the Cleveland Foundation in July 2024 as a Program Office focusing on arts, culture, and social ties. In her role, she helps shape the foundation’s arts and culture strategy, reviews and assess grant applications, and works to develop strategic partnerships to drive impact. Prior to joining the foundation, Bronlynn worked as a program officer for GAR Foundation, focusing on community development and arts and education, and as a program associate for the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. She is a practicing visual artist with a focus on painting, photography, and printmaking. 

Active in the broader Northeast Ohio community, Bronlynn serves on the board of several area nonprofits and commissions, including the Greater Ohio Policy Center, Akron 200, Akron Civic Commons, Summit Artspace, the City of Akron’s Planning Commission and Bicentennial Commission. She was an inaugural fellow of Big Picture Learning’s Ashé Leaders Fellowship and a member of the 2017 Torchbearers class. Bronlynn has received Archbishop Hoban’s One Hope-One Dream award, Greater Akron Chamber’s 30 For the Future, and the NASW Ohio Region 2 Public Citizen of the Year award. In 2021, she co-founded Black Women Explore, an outdoor recreation group centering women and femme-identifying people of color. 

Bronlynn holds a M.S. in Information Architecture and Knowledge Management - UXD and a bachelor’s degree in Advertising with a double minor in marketing and psychology from Kent State University. 

Darlene Toney

Darlene ToneyGrantmaking

Program Officer, Youth & Human Services

216.615.7584 |

Darlene Toney joined the Cleveland Foundation in August 2019 and currently serves as a Program Officer focusing on projects related to Youth and Human Services. Prior to joining the Foundation, Darlene spent many years dedicated to serving Cleveland area youth and families, most recently as a Community Resource Manager with College Now Greater Cleveland. As Community Resource Manager she partnered with community organizations to align community, school, and family resources to eliminate the barriers of student development and post-secondary success. Throughout her career she has developed and championed programs and strategies that engage youth and families to participate in the academic process, out of school time enrichment and leadership development activities that advance the whole child. Darlene earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from Kent State University and her Masters of Public Administration from Cleveland State University, with a graduate certificate of nonprofit administration and leadership.