Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Community Service & Volunteerism
Timeline
Generic

Julie M. Cruz Blair

North Ridgeville,Ohio

Summary

Accomplished President & CEO recognized for leveraging strong team leadership and development to drive forward progress. Highly organized, detail-oriented leader skilled in directing high-performing teams to develop solutions and solve operational and technical problems.


Strong programming focused on diversifying human sources, promoting mission, increasing effectiveness of key programs and expanding reserves. Passionate about managing and overseeing implementation of company's daily operations. Quick and firm decision-maker possessing first-rate communication and organizational skills. Recognized for successfully collaborating with management to develop work plans, financials and strategies.

Overview

14
14
years of professional experience

Work History

President & CEO

Leadership Lorain County (LLC)
04.2017 - Current
  • Leads the organization in accomplishing its goals by overseeing LLC staff and working in conjunction with the Board of Directors. Responsible for implementing strategic goals and objectives of LLC, giving direction and leadership toward achievements of LLC’s philosophy, mission, strategy, and annual goals and objectives.
  • Provides direction and support to the Board of Directors and committees.
  • Directs fundraising planning and implementation, including soliciting donations, managing membership campaigns and annual appeals, direct solicitation, identifying resource requirements, researching funding sources, establishing fundraising strategies, submitting proposals, and administering fundraising records and documentation.
  • Oversees design, marketing, promotion, delivery, and quality of programs, products and services.
  • Develops and recommends an annual budget of $300,000+ for Board approval and prudently manages the organization’s resources within those budget guidelines.
  • Effectively manages a cohesive and successful team of 15+, including recruitment, training, evaluation, and professional development.
  • Assures LLC and its mission, programs, products, and services are consistently presented in a strong, positive image to relevant stakeholders.
  • Serves as the organization's primary spokesperson for media relations and community engagement opportunities.
  • Achieved an increase from 9% to 25% of minority participants in our signature class through effectively helping with reaching out to candidates.
    Current class mirrors or exceeds demographics of Lorain county at 7% Hispanic, 15%
    African American and 2.5% other.
  • First executive director to place revenue into the investment fund.
  • Increased operating reserves from 20 days to 240+ days.
  • Develops and implements new strategies and policies to establish long-term business objectives and provide strong and sustainable organizational leadership
  • Supports project management team for optimal performance

Director of Operations

LLC
08.2016 - 03.2017
  • Defined, implemented and revised operational policies and guidelines.
  • Assessed performance management structures and implemented enhancements to improve frameworks and strengthen results.
  • Provided documentation of processes to comply with regulations and organization's policies.
  • Negotiated price and service with vendors to decrease expenses and increase profit.
  • Reduced financial inconsistencies while assessing and verifying billing invoices and expense reports.
  • Supported top-level decision-making and strategy planning, forging productive relationships with top leaders and serving as key advocate for various personnel and professional issues.
  • Decreased Foundation funding expectancy below 18%
  • Collaborated with corporations and organizations in development of Connections Young Professional Group which increased class size by 30%.
  • Evaluated performance, adjusted strategies and maintained agile, sustainable operations
  • Assessed performance management structures and implemented enhancements to improve frameworks and strengthen results
  • Monitored and coordinated workflows to optimize resources

Donor Relations & Administrative Assistant

LLC
07.2015 - 07.2016
  • Provided support to Executive Director, staff, Board of Directors and alumni, including managing LLC Alumni Directory, preparing and distributing board materials, maintaining inventory, coordinating mailings, and meeting logistics. Managed petty cash, accounts payable (including invoicing), bank deposits and payroll submission. Assisted in fundraising activities including membership campaign, annual appeal, golf outing and Difference Makers Gala.

Program and Education Coordinator

Second Harvest Food Bank Of Northeast Ohio
09.2010 - 07.2015
  • Leveraged knowledge of budget and educational designs to facilitate development of cost-effective educational programs.
  • Planned, formulated and assessed goals, policies and activities designed to implement educational objectives and performance standards.
  • Spearheaded outreach activities within Lorain County to expand educational opportunities and promote nutritional feeding programs and services.

Education

Certificate - Nonprofit Leadership Advancement Program

Ratliff & Taylor
Independence, OH
05.2022

Certificate - Achiever - Strategic -Connectedness - Relator

Strengths Finder 2.0 - Gallup
Elyria, OH
05.2018

Certificate - Best Class of 2017

Leadership Lorain County
Elyria, OH
05.2017

Bachelor of Arts - Urban Studies

Cleveland State University
Cleveland, OH
05.2012

Associate of Science - Political Science

Lorain County Community College
Elyria, OH
06.2010

Skills

  • Business Administration
  • Stakeholder Relations
  • Operational Excellence
  • Event Planning
  • Budget Management
  • Contract Negotiation
  • Industry Partnership Development
  • Financial Management
  • Remote Team Management
  • Program Oversight
  • Approachable and Outgoing
  • Employee Motivation and Performance
  • Staff Training
  • Management Team Leadership
  • Career Coaching

Accomplishments

  • Industry Era Women Leaders Top 10 Inspiring Women Leaders of 2023
  • 2020 Smart 50 of Northeast Ohio for Innovation, Impact, and Sustainability of an organization awardee.
  • 2018 Keynote Speaker for Phi Theta Kappa Induction Ceremony at Lorain County Community College.
  • National Council Negro Women Silent Soldier for mentorship of young professionals in the community awardee.
  • Elyria Sunrise Rotary member.
  • Main Street Lorain Board member



Community Service & Volunteerism

Main Street Lorain Board Member August 2023 - Present

Design Committee Member


Elyria Sunrise Rotary September 2019 - Present


Elyria Y.W.C.A Vice - Chair

March 2014 - September 2022

Women of Achievement Event Committee member

Holiday Open House Chair


North Ridgeville High School Basketball Parent Organizer

August 2015 - June 2019


Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio "Generous Helpings" Committee Member

September 2010 -March 2013


Girl Scouts of Northeast Ohio

Leader of Troops 50591, 50311, and 50562

August 2005 - June 2013

GSNEO Board Development Program Member

June 2018 - June 2021

School Coordinator - Liaison

Service Unit Committee member - Cookie Chair

Outstanding Leader in 2009

Volunteer of the Year 2008



Timeline

President & CEO

Leadership Lorain County (LLC)
04.2017 - Current

Director of Operations

LLC
08.2016 - 03.2017

Donor Relations & Administrative Assistant

LLC
07.2015 - 07.2016

Program and Education Coordinator

Second Harvest Food Bank Of Northeast Ohio
09.2010 - 07.2015

Certificate - Nonprofit Leadership Advancement Program

Ratliff & Taylor

Certificate - Achiever - Strategic -Connectedness - Relator

Strengths Finder 2.0 - Gallup

Certificate - Best Class of 2017

Leadership Lorain County

Bachelor of Arts - Urban Studies

Cleveland State University

Associate of Science - Political Science

Lorain County Community College

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Julie M. Cruz Blair