Organizational Leadership








CORE OF SUMMER ON THE CUYAHOGA

The SOTC board is composed of alumnae/i from each participating school (school affiliation is noted after each name) and at-large board members representing the Greater Cleveland community.

Jean M. Koehler, Executive Director

Jean is passionate about SOTC’s mission because it is a “win-win” for all stakeholders: employers who benefit from talented interns; alumni who mentor the next generation of graduates; young people who are exposed to the dynamics that make Cleveland a vibrant urban community; and the city itself, which ultimately realizes a brain gain. Jean was raised on the east coast and always assumed she’d stay there but, as she says, good fortune brought her to Cleveland in the mid-1990s and she feels blessed that she can call it home. She points out that “The Cleve” is a place overflowing with people who are dedicated to giving back to their community.

Prior to joining SOTC in 2013, Jean worked as a social entrepreneur in several capacities. She was a consultant to non-profits in Cleveland and Detroit, assisting them in developing resources, creating opportunities and functioning more efficiently. A trained lawyer, she advocated for children in abuse, neglect and custody cases in Cleveland’s Juvenile Court. She also coached girls’ high school tennis, and celebrated a state title with her team in 2012. Jean earned a B.A. from Harvard and J.D. from the University of Connecticut School of Law, and she and her husband have traveled to ice rinks throughout the Midwest with their two daughters who are competitive figure skaters.

Jean can be reached at jkoehler@summeronthecuyahoga.com

Meg Kearns, Assistant Director

Meg became SOTC's Assistant Director in 2011. She provides expertise in event planning, strategic planning, communications, marketing, and public relations. Prior to joining SOTC, Meg's career included working as a Human Resources professional at Jones Day in Cleveland and at NBD Bank in Detroit, Michigan.

Meg earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Baldwin-Wallace College and a Master of Arts in Nonprofit Administration from John Carroll University. She sits on the Boards of Directors for Cleveland Catholic Charities and The Christ Child Society of Cleveland.

Meg can be reached at mkearns@summeronthecuyahoga.com

Effective October, 2012

Organizational Leadership

Board officers include:

  • Lynn-Ann Gries (Smith), Board President
  • Kristin Ubersax (Yale), Board Vice President
  • Chris Erb (Colgate), Board Treasurer

Board members include:

  • Sharon Riegel (At-large board member)
  • Lindsay Fello (CWRU)
  • Jeff Verespej (CWRU)
  • Vikki Patacca (Colgate)
  • Jacob Stein (Colgate)
  • Tim Beach (Cornell)
  • Mark Brandt (Cornell)
  • Dan Gliha (Ohio Wesleyan)
  • Tim Junglas (Ohio Wesleyan)
  • Katie Collin (Smith)
  • Hayden Howland (Smith)
  • Greg River (University of Chicago)
  • Jacqueline Trudeau (University of Chicago)
  • Sean Peppard (Yale)

Jean Koehler is the Executive Director of Summer on the Cuyahoga.