Are you inspired?
More than 1,000 Greater Clevelanders were on Monday afternoon when they gathered at the Cleveland Museum of Art for the Greater Cleveland Partnership Annual Event. The theme of this year’s meeting was Inspired Innovation. Attendees listened to panelists and speakers share ideas on innovative ways for public and private partners to move the region forward.
“What if we constantly think bigger, act bolder and move forward with confidence? What if we embrace innovation and strive for excellence? What if we endeavor for impact on a global scale?” asked Board Chair Paul Dolan in his opening remarks.
“In the last year, we have set our All In vision and plan for Greater Cleveland to once again become one of the Great Regions in the Great Lakes. The foundation for our success is our All In values, which start with being Inspired and end with always acting In Unity, for the community’s benefit.”
Other speakers included GCP President and CEO Baiju Shah and COSE Executive Director Megan Kim. Ohio Lt. Governor Jon Husted delivered the keynote address, and the event featured a panel of national business leaders: Eric Kaler, Case Western Reserve University President; April Miller Boise, Intel EVP and Chief Legal Office; Traci Forrester, Cleveland-CliffsEVP, Environmental & Sustainability; and James A. Kenyon, NASA Glenn Research Center Director.
The light-filled atrium at the historic museum provided the perfect backdrop for an evening focused on using inspired leadership to move Cleveland into the future.
“It is fitting to be talking about being Inspired here at the Cleveland Museum of Art – a globally-renowned museum and home to so many inspired artworks. The museum was founded in 1916 by civic-minded business leaders, and more than 100 years later, their legacy of a museum ‘for the benefit of all people, forever” endures,’ said Shah.
“The spirit of business leaders engaging and advancing our community is at the core of the Greater Cleveland Partnership.”
The Lt. Governor focused on the importance of innovation for state-wide growth. “Innovation has been the key to progress for all of history,” he said. Innovation and “tech supremacy” are essential to Ohio and America’s security and progress. More specifically, he spoke to the potential of Intel’s $20 billion investment outside of Columbus to impact the state, and called on civic leaders to stop “putting up barriers.” He also spoke to the benefits of Ohio’s TechCred workforce development program, and the promise of Cleveland’s Innovation District. “Ohio is a state on the rise,” he concluded, noting 48 companies have recently moved here from the coasts.
Intel was also a topic of discussion during the panel, with Miller-Boise noting the company’s investment in its central Ohio chip factory includes working with more than 100 local suppliers. Other portions of the panel focused on everything from getting to Mars to sustainable steel, and the potent combination of Ohio’s strong manufacturing base and numerous institutions of higher learning.
COSE’s Kim focused on entrepreneurs in the small business community in her remarks. “The risk takers, the rebels, the innovators …the people who decided to follow their passion, those who dug their heels in, went against the grain, and became the boss of their own destiny. Those who define Greater Cleveland’s small business community, making it stronger, more diverse, more accomplished and more impactful.”
Kim featured an inspiring success story: Kayla Lupean of Play Maysie portable dollhouses, a 2021 Chain Reaction Cleveland contestant who recently appeared on “Shark Tank,” earning a $150,000 investment from Barbara Corcoran.
“From an idea in the middle of the night to being a part of Cleveland Chain Reaction, to ‘Today Show’ and ‘Parent Magazine’ recognition, to being awarded a $50K grant from Joanna Gaines and now ‘Shark Tank’ … you have been the true demonstration that with grit, passion and a drive for success, you truly can do anything,” Kim shared.
The evening concluded with the Shatten Award Presentation, given in honor of Richard Shatten, the late leader of Cleveland Tomorrow. GCP presents this award annually to recognize nonprofit professionals who have had significant impact while exhibiting qualities reminiscent of Richard Shatten’s spirit.
This year’s honorees are from the Cleveland Foundation: Ronald B. Richard, President and Chief Executive Officer; Lillian A. Kuri, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer and incoming president and CEO; and India Pierce Lee, former Senior Vice President, Programming for the Cleveland Foundation.
“Throughout their time together, they have provided leadership on key civic priorities, leveraging their platform to convene the community, catalyze initiatives and drive impact that is felt throughout our region,” said Dolan.
Shah ended his remarks with a call for local leaders to step up and innovate.
“The sparks of innovation are all around us if you know where to look.
“Our charge is to add fuel, to transform these sparks into flames and to unite the flames so that they become visible beacons for innovators across the world,” he said.
“And, the fuel required is leadership.”
Greater Cleveland Partnership’s All In vision for a Great Region on a Great Lake has five key priorities: Dynamic Business, Abundant Talent, Inclusive Opportunity, Appealing Community and Business Confidence. All of our work ties back to these values. This story relates to Inclusive Opportunity and Appealing Community.
