The Cleveland Foundation has announced the selection of Lillian Kuri as president and CEO. 

Kuri, who has served as the foundation’s executive vice president and chief operating officer since 2021, will succeed Ronn Richard, who is retiring this summer after 20 years as its leader. In the mid-1970s Barbara Haas Rawson became the first woman to lead the nation’s oldest community foundation, but Kuri will become the first woman in the 109-year-history of the foundation to hold the title of president and CEO. She joined the foundation in 2005 as a project consultant for the revitalization of Greater University Circle and helped develop a comprehensive set of anchor institution strategies and launch Evergreen Cooperatives, where community members have an ownership stake. In 2007, she became a program director and nearly a decade later was promoted to vice president for strategic grantmaking, arts, and urban design.

“Lillian brings a proven track record and a sense of creativity to the way she looks at the work of the foundation and its role in the community,” said Cleveland Foundation board chair Constance Hill-Johnson. “She knows the city like the back of her hand and has an amazing ability to foster and build relationships—to really put people at ease. Furthermore, her heart is always in the right place, and we are confident in her ability to lead the foundation in service to the residents of Greater Cleveland.”

“I am humbled and grateful to have been selected by the Cleveland Foundation board of directors,” said Kuri. “I firmly believe that this is an exceptional moment for Greater Cleveland. We have a new generation of local leadership that includes civic, government, and nonprofit leaders who are bringing fresh perspectives to their jobs and a track record of working together—even before taking on their new roles. I am excited to be joining their ranks.” 

(Photo credit: Cleveland Foundation)