Strengthening Cleveland’s Neighborhoods, One Leader at a Time
NLDP continues to build grassroots and community leaders who are committed to creating change in Cleveland's neighborhoods. We seeks to uniquely develop the diverse leadership abilities of engaged Clevelanders who are committed to creating a city and region that works for everyone.
Alex Robertson, Cohort IX
NLDP Program Coaches
An essential part of being a successful leader involves the ability to be vulnerable with others about where you are headed and how you might get there. Through more than a decade of practice, NLDP has learned the importance of and value in coaching. Coaching during the program and post-graduation are keystone elements of the program.
Pam Turos
lead COACH
As the Lead Coach for The Neighborhood Leadership Development Program, Pam Turos employs a strengths-based, flexible approach to help community leaders reach their highest potential.
As the Lead Coach for the Neighborhood Leadership Development Program, Pam Turos employs a strengths-based, flexible approach to help community leaders reach their highest potential. In her role as Communications and Digital Marketing Advisor for the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation, Pam oversees communications strategy and public relations for the Foundation while providing editorial support for its programs across the United States.
After spending the first fifteen years of her career in a variety of social work roles, including bereavement coordinator, director of social work, and ICU/ER case manager, Pam transitioned to a career in writing, editing and nonprofit communications. Past and present clients include Case Western Reserve University, National Initiative on Mixed Income Community, Cleveland State University, Cleveland Schools Book Fund, and Cleveland Transformation Alliance. Pam is a graduate of NLDP Cohort XII, a Euclid City Schools Board of Education member, and co-chair of the Euclid HOPE Task Force, where she champions resident-led community development and violence-reduction initiatives.
A graduate of Youngstown State University, Pam lives in Euclid with her husband and three children. Her personal vision is to "Celebrate the Good," and she is a fierce advocate for public education, destigmatizing mental health care, and work/life balance in the nonprofit sector.
Joseph Black
COACH
Joseph Black is a deeply committed, results-oriented community organizer and philanthropy professional with over a decade of experience leveraging public and private resources to benefit underserved predominantly Black communities in Greater Cleveland.
Joseph Black is a deeply committed, results-oriented community organizer and philanthropy professional with over a decade of experience leveraging public and private resources to benefit underserved predominantly Black communities in Greater Cleveland. As the Sisters of Charity Foundation's Central Promise Neighborhood Health Equity Officer and Community Engagement Manager, Black is known for his resident-centric, equity-focused approach to community outreach and grantmaking. Since 2017, Black has coordinated a "Reverse Ride Along" community engagement training program for over 500 law enforcement and medical professionals, designed to improve community/police relations and public safety. Looking ahead, Black sees a continued need for deeper community conversations leading toward more equitable and sustainable funding strategies for communities of color in Cleveland and beyond. Joseph is a proud member of the Neighborhood Leadership Development Program Cohort 8, Neighborhood Leadership Cleveland Class of 32 and National Urban Fellows Class of 2017. Joseph also serves on the Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority Board of Commissioners and the Hitchcock Center for Women Board of Directors, chairing the Fund Development and Marketing committee. While undeniably devoted to his work in the community, Joseph is equally committed to his family. Joseph affectionately loves his wife, Amber, and sons Jordan and Isaac to whom he admits keep him motivated and grounded.
Ian Heisey
COACH
Ian Heisey has been engaged in community building efforts for his entire career and is driven by a deep commitment to peacemaking and conflict resolution.
Ian Heisey has been engaged in community building efforts for his entire career and is driven by a deep commitment to peacemaking and conflict resolution. Ian spent the majority of his career at Bellaire-Puritas Development Corporation (now Jefferson-Puritas West Park CDC) as Mediation Coordinator and later director of Community Engagement, where he coordinated mediations between neighbors, landlords and tenants, youth and other stakeholders and also provided conflict coaching. Currently Ian serves as an Audience Support Coordinator at Ideastream Public Media, is a coach and trainer with the Neighborhood Leadership Development Program, NLDP, as well as a trainer with the CDCLP program, is actively involved in the Restorative Justice Working Group of Cleveland and also does freelance mediation work. Ian is a graduate of Class 10 of Neighborhood Leadership Institute and is the co-founder of the Street Studio at St. Paul's Community Church in Ohio City. Ian is a graduate of Messiah University with a degree in Communications, focusing in Journalism, and completed classes as a post-undergrad at the Applied Conflict Management Department at Kent State University. Ian also co-instructs NLDP's Session 9.
Audra T. Jones
COACH
Audra T. Jones, M.B.A. hails from Cleveland, Ohio where she lives and serves as an author, speaker, entrepreneur, and educator.
Audra T. Jones, M.B.A. hails from Cleveland, Ohio where she lives and serves as an author, speaker, entrepreneur, and educator. Audra serves as founder and CEO of Krystal Klear Communications, L.L.C. a full-service communications design firm specializing in creating successful branding and marketing efforts through events, workshops and consulting. The firm helps create marketable and scalable solutions to help achieve strategic and organizational goals. She also serves as the Co-Owner and Chief Operating Officer for Pulmonary Apps, L.L.C. and has over 10 years serving in the healthcare industry. Audra has over 20 years of experience providing strategic communications counsel to business owners and industry leaders who are interested in growing and protecting the value of their reputations and companies through authentic communication efforts. Audra is a philanthropist and advocate for the advancement of small business ownership. She is skilled in strategic planning, collaborative and equitable connections. She has proven experience working with small to mid-sized firms consulting on program development, writing grants and proposals, conducting prospect research, and developing fundraising plans. Audra also co-instructs NLDP's Session 13.
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All that's missing is you
Take your leadership journey to the next level. Recruitment for our cohorts begins in May and runs through August of each year.
