CLEVELAND, May 16, 2024 — Lee Friedman, CEO of College Now Greater Cleveland, yesterday received The Richard A. Shatten Leadership Award during the annual meeting of the Greater Cleveland Partnership (GCP).
Friedman, a distinguished and well-known figure in Cleveland’s non-profit sector, is credited with propelling College Now to unprecedented achievements. During Friedman’s tenure, College Now has grown from a $4 million to a $35 million operation.
She recently announced her retirement from College Now at the end of this year. Friedman has served in other leadership roles in nonprofit organizations in Cleveland for more than four decades.
Annually, Greater Cleveland Partnership presents the Richard Shatten Award to recognize a nonprofit professional who has had significant impact while exhibiting qualities reminiscent of Richard Shatten. Shatten led Cleveland Tomorrow (GCP’s predecessor organization) for nearly a decade and made countless contributions to the culture of civic leadership, always focused on ideas and partnerships that would make Greater Cleveland a better place to live and work. His initiatives and impact are still celebrated and felt throughout our region.
Friedman has a long history of serving in nonprofit leadership roles in Cleveland, including serving as the inaugural president and CEO of the Cleveland Leadership Center from 2005 to 2010. Friedman was asked by civic and business leaders to take on merging the community’s top leadership programs, including Leadership Cleveland.
“Throughout her storied civic career – from serving as the CEO of the Cleveland Leadership Center, CEO of Downtown Cleveland Partnership, and serving as CEO of College Now Greater Cleveland for more than a decade – Lee has been committed to collaboration and the growth of our region,” said Baiju R. Shah, CEO, Greater Cleveland Partnership. “Her passion for our community and All In approach have made a lasting impact, and we are honored to present her with the 2024 Richard Shatten Award.”
Friedman said, “GCP’s annual event covers so much important ground, so I’m grateful for their spotlight on nonprofit work every year. Their gesture speaks volumes. Receiving this award is humbling and I consider it a tribute to so many in our community who have supported our efforts at College Now and other organizations. As Richard Shatten emphasized, investing in education is investing in our future. While progress has been made, our work continues. Let’s continue to heed Richard’s wisdom and maintain our commitment and urgency to equip our youth and citizens to compete in the workforce.”
