Introducing the Cleveland Foundation 2026 Summer Internship Program Cohort

The Cleveland Foundation Summer Internship Program is in its 27th year of connecting emerging professionals with career-launching opportunities in the nonprofit and public sector. 

The foundation is excited to announce this year’s cohort, which will begin their 11-week internship program on May 27. 

Learn more about this year’s interns!

Bella Smith 
Host Organization: SPACES 

Bella is a recent graduate of Cleveland State University (2026), where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in studio art and art history. During her time at CSU, she exhibited in the Annual Cleveland State Student Art Show (2024, 2025) and the Office of the President’s Annual Show (2024, 2025), and was recognized as a Haddad Merit Scholar. She has also exhibited work in SCULPTUREX 2025 and Intercollegiate Ceramics 2026 in Wheeling, West Virginia. Bella plans to continue her studies in the Cleveland Institute of Art’s post-baccalaureate program, followed by graduate study in an MFA program, with the goal of teaching art at the college level. Her sculptural and ceramic work explores feminist concepts through everyday objects. This summer, she will be working with SPACES, where she will research past exhibitions and assist in planning the organization’s 50th anniversary exhibition. 

Corrine Schuler 
Host Organization: Cleveland Public Library 

Corinne is a rising senior at Bowling Green State University, where she is majoring in biology and minoring in chemistry. Originally from North Royalton, Ohio, she plans to pursue a master’s degree in public health and become an epidemiologist, with a goal of strengthening community health and exploring the world through travel. This summer, she will be working with the Cleveland Public Library, supporting event organization and managing shop data and statistics. In her free time, Corinne enjoys being outdoors with friends, whether swimming, hiking, or going for a run. 

Dani McEwen 
Host Organization: Plexus Education Foundation 

Dani is a Cleveland-born student at Baldwin Wallace University, where she is majoring in political science and creative writing. This summer, she will be working with the Plexus LGBT Chamber of Commerce, an opportunity that aligns with her interests in policy, advocacy, and program management. 

Dayna MacDonald
Host Organization: DANCE Cleveland 

Dayna is a rising senior at Baldwin Wallace University, where she is studying arts management and entrepreneurship. She aspires to work in the nonprofit sector with an organization that provides essential resources and gives back to the community. This summer, she will be joining DANCE Cleveland to gain professional experience in her field. In her free time, Dayna enjoys camping at Mohican State Park, one of her favorite summer traditions. 

Eva Miller 
Host Organization: Trust for Public Land 

Eva is from Lakewood and a rising senior in the Ohio University Honors Tutorial College, where she is majoring in environmental studies and minoring in urban planning and sustainability. Her passion for environmental justice informs her community-based approach to park and green space planning, which she brings to her role as a community outreach and park advocacy intern with Trust for Public Land. In her free time, Eva enjoys taking ballet classes and spending time outdoors on walks and bike rides with family and friends. 

Gabrielle Brihn
Host Organization: Open Doors Academy 

Gabrielle is a recent graduate of Hamilton College, where she concentrated in philosophy with minors in math and creative writing. She is originally from North Royalton, Ohio, and will be working this summer with Open Doors Academy. During the summer, Gabrielle enjoys running, rock climbing, and reading fiction. 

Jamir Muhammad
Host Organization: Breadwinners Academy 

Jamir is from Chicago, Illinois, and attends Cleveland State University, where he is majoring in real estate and property management. This summer, he will be working with Breadwinners Academy. In his free time, Jamir enjoys being outdoors, especially spending time by or in the water. 

Johan Guy
Host Organization: Neighborhood Connections

Johan is a rising fourth-year student at The Ohio State University, where he is studying city and regional planning and public policy. This summer, he will be working with Neighborhood Connections, focusing on empowering resident-led change in Cleveland neighborhoods. In his free time, Johan enjoys visiting the Cleveland Metroparks lakefront. 

Jonathan Merriman Velez
Host Organization: North Coast Waterfront Development Corporation 

Jonathan is a rising senior at The Ohio State University, where he is studying social work in the Honors Undergraduate Thesis Pathway. Originally from Ohio City and Cidra, Puerto Rico, he has a strong interest in human services leadership and expanding social service accessibility. This summer, he will be working with the North Coast Waterfront Development Corporation, supporting community engagement at the North Coast Yard and general operations. In his free time, Jonathan enjoys baking sourdough bread and traveling with his family. 

Josie Carpenter-Lewis
Host Organization: The Buckeye Flame 

Josie is a rising senior at the University of Dayton, where she is majoring in English with a minor in sociology. Originally from Euclid, Ohio, she will be interning with The Buckeye Flame, where she looks forward to exploring the nonprofit sector. In her free time, Josie enjoys reading, swimming, hiking, and spending time in the sunshine. 

Lexi Hall
Host Organization: Towards Employment 

Lexi is from Amherst, Ohio, and studied psychology at Miami University. She is passionate about human and social services, with a focus on creating social impact. This summer, she will be working with Towards Employment, where she will contribute to efforts that support individuals in overcoming barriers and accessing opportunities to thrive. In her free time, Lexi enjoys boating with friends and family and cheering on the Guardians at Progressive Field. 

Libby Bulanda
Host Organization: Food Strong 

Libby is a soon-to-be senior at Ohio University, where they are studying environmental studies with a focus on urban design, transportation and urban social issues. They are currently working on a senior thesis on the GCRTA and have a strong interest in urban systems. This summer, Libby will be working with Food Strong, where they will learn about food justice initiatives in Cleveland. In their free time, Libby enjoys reading, painting, hiking in the Cleveland Metroparks, and spending time with their two cats. 

Lily Pinkerton 
Host Organization: Frontline Services 

Lily is from Cleveland Heights, Ohio, and is a junior at Connecticut College, where she is majoring in sociology and English. She recently studied abroad in Granada, Spain, and is excited to return to Cleveland this summer to intern with Frontline Services. In her free time, Lily enjoys exploring new places and embracing opportunities for travel and cultural learning. 

Lincoln Short
Host Organization: May Dugan Center 

Lincoln is a student at Cleveland State University, where he is double majoring in sociology and rrban studies and is enrolled in the accelerated Master of Public Administration program. This summer, he will be working with the May Dugan Center. In his free time, Lincoln enjoys hiking and hammocking. 

Mary Abigail Fitz 
Host Organization: Greater Cleveland Works 

Mary Abigail is a rising junior at Bryn Mawr College, majoring in English and minoring in film studies. She works for the Athletics Department doing communications and is part of Bryn Mawr’s oldest a cappella group, The Extreme Keys. Mary Abigail was born and raised in Cleveland. Prior to Bryn Mawr, she attended Laurel School in Shaker Heights. Her most recent internship was with Providence House as a marketing and development Intern. In her free time, she loves to play the piano, read, and spend time with friends and family. 

Mary McEwen
Host Organization: Cleveland Center for Missing and Exploited Children and Adults 

Mary is from Cleveland, and is a recent graduate of Ohio University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in political science along with a certificate in political communication. She will be returning to Ohio University’s Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service this fall to begin a Master of Public Administration program. This summer, she will be working with the Cleveland Center for Missing and Exploited Children and Adults, where she will focus on grant writing and digital communications. 

Molly Roberts
Host Organization: Cleveland Leadership Center 

Molly is from Shaker Heights, Ohio, and is a rising senior at the University of Richmond, where she is double-majoring in leadership studies and communications. She hopes to eventually earn a graduate degree in either law or business and is also interested in nonprofit management. This summer, Molly is placed at the Cleveland Leadership Center. Her favorite summer activities include going for walks with her dogs, catching up with family and hometown friends, and trying fun restaurants and attending Guardians games. 

Prabin Dahal
Host Organization: Mezzanine Fund 

Prabin is a finance and accounting major at Case Western Reserve University. Originally from Nepal, he immigrated to Lakewood, Ohio, in 2011 and now resides in Parma. This summer, he will be working with the Mezzanine Fund, an impact investing initiative that supports overlooked businesses. In his free time, Prabin enjoys following sports—especially soccer and basketball—and spending time outdoors with his two dogs, Oscar and Fiona. 

Roman Fini
Host Organization: Stella Maris 

Roman is a rising senior at the University of Cincinnati, where he is studying computer science. Originally from the Cleveland area, he will be working this summer with Stella Maris. Roman is interested in learning more about nonprofit organizations in Cleveland and contributing to their continued growth. In his free time, he enjoys spending time outdoors, riding his motorcycle, and exploring new culinary pursuits.