Lee Friedman, a distinguished nonprofit leader in the Greater Cleveland community, is stepping down from her post as CEO of College Now Greater Cleveland, effective at the end of this year.
College Now Greater Cleveland is the oldest postsecondary education access organization in the U.S., with the mission to increase postsecondary education attainment in Northeast Ohio through college and career access advising, financial aid counseling and scholarship and retention services.
“When I joined College Now, my vision was to transform it from primarily a college advising and scholarship program into one that provided comprehensive college and career advising, financial and postsecondary completion support for students of all ages,” Friedman said in a prepared statement. “We have realized that vision. The state of the organization is stable and strong. I am proud of the work our team has accomplished in the last 14 years.
“I continue to believe that one the best ways to ensure our region thrives is by having an educated and prepared workforce,” she added.
Friedman, who has led the organization since 2010, is credited with growing College Now Greater Cleveland from an organization with an annual budget of $4 million to a major nonprofit with an annual budget of more than $35 million today. It assists more than 33,000 individuals across six counties every year. College Now Greater Cleveland’s staff has also grown from 40 to 175. It is considered the largest comprehensive postsecondary access organization in the country.
“So much has been accomplished during Lee’s 14 years of visionary leadership, which enriched the lives of thousands of students who otherwise may not have received a postsecondary education,” says Michael Cogan, chair of College Now’s board of directors and president, Ohio Northern Trust. “She has grown the organization’s staff and budget, expanded its mission and tirelessly advocated on behalf of students — many of whom are from marginalized communities and were the first in their families to attend college. She is leaving an indelible mark on the landscape of education in Northeast Ohio.”
“Lee Friedman has had a profound impact on the entire Cleveland community,” says Lillian Kuri, president and CEO of the Cleveland Foundation. “Her enduring legacy is evident in how she modeled and sustained a robust system of partners all focused and committed to supporting our young people through every step in their college journey.”
Among Friedman’s most notable accomplishments is her pivotal role — along with leaders at the City of Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Cleveland Foundation, Gund Foundation, Cleveland Metropolitan School District, United Way and other large corporate partners — in bringing Say Yes to Education to Cleveland, a measure that secured $100 million in postsecondary education scholarships for CMSD students.
While she is stepping down from her post at year’s end, Friedman is not retiring.
“I’m not sure what lies ahead, but I can’t imagine not being engaged civically. I’m not ready to retire, she says. “I see this as a transition toward something new. I’d like to continue contributing to Cleveland’s progress but also hopefully spend less time in meetings and have more time to enjoy life.”