What is Global Cleveland?

Global Cleveland is an organization focused on regional economic development through actively attracting newcomers, and welcoming and connecting them both economically and socially to the many opportunities throughout Greater Cleveland. Global Cleveland will provide a point of contact for all newcomers, both domestic and international, to help them establish greater organizational and individual connection within the Greater Cleveland community.

Global Cleveland’s goal is to help attract newcomers who will support the growth of burgeoning industries, establish roots in our vibrant neighborhoods, and help foster and promote a universally inclusionary and welcoming community.

Vision

To create a welcoming region that is a place of opportunity for people of all ethnic and international backgrounds.

Mission

The mission of Global Cleveland is to strengthen the region by attracting and retaining newcomers and connecting them to opportunities, resources and services; by recognizing and valuing their contributions as neighbors, civic partners and entrepreneurs; and, by promoting the region as a welcoming place for all.

Goals

Global Cleveland’s goal is to develop programs and strategies that answer the following challenges facing our community, including :

Attracting top talent to the region and filling open jobs
Retaining top talent and providing them opportunities to connect to the region
Expanding and diversifying community networks to encourage connections and spur innovation
Creating a welcoming and open region that is a place of diversity and opportunity for all

Staff

Larry Miller

President

With extensive experience in corporate human resources, Larry comes to Global Cleveland from The Lubrizol Corporation, where he has served as vice president of human resources. Prior to Lubrizol, he held global human resource leadership positions for Tremco Incorporated (an RPM Company), Diebold and Ferro Corporation.

Larry is a graduate of Borromeo College of Ohio and holds a master's degree in business administration from Case Western Reserve University. In addition to his professional accomplishments, he serves on the board of Cleveland's Center for Families and Children, is president of the French-American Chamber of Commerce (Northern Ohio) and is a member of the Human Resource Planning Society.

Contact Larry at larry@globalcleveland.org.

Andrea Castrovillari

Chief Development Officer

Since 1992, Andrea has raised tens of millions of dollars in the arts, civic, educational, economic development, health, technology, and religious sectors. She is passionate about economic development in Northeast Ohio and has joined the Global Cleveland team to apply her fundraising, communications, and change management skills to help the region thrive.

Andrea is a graduate of Ohio University and earned her master’s degree in Positive Organization Development & Change from the Weatherhead School of Management.

Contact Andrea at andrea@globalcleveland.org.

Lauren Freiman

Director of Marketing

As Global Cleveland's director of marketing, Lauren is responsible for Global Cleveland's marketing, social media and communication strategies and implementation. She has more than 10 years of experience in marketing and public relations with a variety of non-profit organizations, including the JCC of Greater Columbus, The Council of Smaller Enterprises (COSE) and The City Club. She also works as a freelance writer. Lauren is a graduate of Emory University and she earned an MA in communications and public affairs journalism from The Ohio State University.

Contact Lauren at lauren@globalcleveland.org.

Beth Gantz

Welcome Hub Manager

As Global Cleveland’s welcome hub manager, Beth oversees the operations of Global Cleveland's welcome hub. Her professional background is in college admissions, but she is also the owner of Beth Gantz Designs, a hand-painted needlepoint design company. Beth is graduate of Salem College and she earned an ME.d in adult learning and development from Cleveland State University.

Contact Beth at beth@globalcleveland.org.

Elizabeth Hijar

Consultant

As Global Cleveland's consultant on its boomerang initiative, Elizabeth is responsible for Global Cleveland's effort to attract former Clevelanders back to Northeast Ohio. She has more than 10 years experience in the non-profit, legal, and project management fields. She is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and Harvard Law School.

Contact Elizabeth at elizabeth@globalcleveland.org.

Joel Matos

Guest Services Coordinator

Global Cleveland's Guest Services Coordinator, Joel Matos is the first person newcomers will meet in the Welcome Hub. Joel has developed his excellent customer service through positions with Sterling Jewelers, Huntington National Bank and Target and is the former owner of an Arabica Coffee House in Akron.

Contact Joel at joel@globalcleveland.org.

Jim Kuhn

Consultant

As a consultant specifically focused on talent attraction and connection strategies, Jim Kuhn is leading Global Cleveland’s efforts to develop programming to assist newcomers and others with their Cleveland-focused job search. For the past decade Jim served in the role of VP, Human Resources for Cole Vision Corp., Sherwin-Williams, and Life Line Screening. In September 2011 Jim launched Kuhn Global Talent, LLC - a global retained search firm and talent management advisory service.

Jim graduated from Kenyon College and earned a Master's degree from The Ohio State University.

Contact Jim at jk@kuhnglobaltalent.com.

Kauser Razvi

Consultant

As a consultant for Global Cleveland, Kauser was responsible for writing the organization's business plan, garnering community support for the initiative and shaping Global Cleveland's programs and services. She has over 12 years of experience working in the government and non-profit sectors, where her work has focused on bringing large organizations or departments together to focus on specific projects or programs that will improve, expand, or create a new set of services for the public good. Kauser is a graduate of Boston University, and she earned an MA in urban planning from the University of Michigan.

Contact Kauser at krazvi@strategicurban.com.

Meran Rogers

Director of Volunteer Services

As Global Cleveland’s director of volunteer services, Meran is responsible for developing, managing and implementing a vision and strategy for Global Cleveland’s volunteer services, programs and initiatives. She has more than 6 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, where her work has focused on program, project and volunteer management. She also works as the Volunteer Coordinator for Meaningful Volunteer. Meran is a graduate of Case Western Reserve University, and she earned a Master in Nonprofit Organizations from the Weatherhead School of Management.

Contact Meran at meran@globalcleveland.org.

Roya Ismail-Beigi Shirazi

Program Director

As Global Cleveland’s program director, Roya designed and is responsible for administering two of the organization’s programs related to the retention of international students and credentialing. She has more than 11 years of experience in administration, program and project management and has worked for a variety of organizations including the Cleveland Clinic, Mount Sinai School of Medicine and Columbia University. Roya is a graduate of The Ohio State University and she earned an MA in education administration from Columbia University’s Teachers College.

Contact Roya at roya@globalcleveland.org.

Christopher J. Mosure

Intern

As Global Cleveland’s web and marketing intern, Cj is responsible for managing, creating and supplementing Global Cleveland's virtual presence as well as other tasks related to IT. He is a sophomore at Case Western Reserve University majoring in Computer Science and Management-Marketing. Cj also does web design/development work for CWRU’s College of Arts & Sciences and manages a web services group, The CJM Network.

Contact Cj at cj@globalcleveland.org.