Community Foundation of Lorain names new leader

The Community Foundation of Lorain County Board of Directors has named Cynthia H. Andrews as its incoming president and CEO. Andrews will begin on Nov. 6. Andrews was selected after a national search from nonprofit and foundation sectors after current President and CEO Brian Frederick announced his plan in March 2017 to retire after 19 years of service, according to a media release from Community Foundation.

“Among a pool of exceptional candidates, Cindy’s ‘for-purpose’

approach in both for-profit and nonprofit sectors sets her apart,” said Farnaz Ansari Berna, chair of the Board of Directors. “What impressed me the most is her enthusiasm for the role, her passion for serving the community and her collaborative spirit.

“Her corporate and nonprofit experience is invaluable, knowing the community and being a part of Lorain County is a tremendous asset.”

Andrews currently serves as executive director for Oberlin Community Services, a nonprofit that provides direct assistance, referrals, outreach services and educational support to Oberlin, New Russia Township and southern Lorain County residents.

During her time as executive director, she has focused on implementing sustainable programs in the community, including the WISE Program that provides training and support for women to explore non traditional careers or improve the quality and pay of a current career, according to the release.

“It’s a tremendous honor to be selected to head the Community Foundation of Lorain County,” Andrews said. “It’s a great opportunity to do communitycentered work at a much broader scale with wider participation. My first step involves asking key questions and then listening.

“Working with the board and staff, we will continue the great work of the Community Foundation over the last 19 years under Brian Frederick’s leadership, but also use that as a springboard. There’s such a significant opportunity to bring folks together in service of those in Lorain County.

“How do we elevate our capacity to address the needs of the community and respond quickly and efficiently? What else might we do? What else is possible? How do we create what that ‘possible’ is? We must ensure that access to the Community Foundation is inclusive and equitable. This is what the Community Foundation does at its core, bringing people together to impact causes in the community, making Lorain County a better place for all.”

Farnaz Ansari Berna said, “(Andrews) is planning on listening, a lot. Listening to staff, donors, and our community to understand what the needs are and what could be done to help the community. I believe through listening and collaborating, she will continue the great work that the Community Foundation is built upon, connecting people who care with causes that matter.”

Andrews brings 26 years of experience at IBM where she led the Education Industry Business Development team for the public sector, working with the business and philanthropic community regionally from Cleveland, according to the release.

As IBM’s senior location executive, Andrews led the IBM Smarter City initiative for Northeast Ohio, bringing together industry thought leaders in health care, education, manufacturing and distribution. She has served on nonprofit boards, including Business Volunteers Unlimited, the Center for Families and Children, Oberlin Community Services and the United Way of Cleveland, where she was named United Way Community Partner of the Year in 2009, the release said.

Andrews has resided in Oberlin since 2006 along with her husband, Geoff, two college-age children and three rescue dogs.

Founded in 1980, the Community Foundation of Lorain County is made up of 639 Endowed Funds valued at approximately $131 million dollars. On average, $5.8 million is awarded annually in grants and scholarships to benefit Lorain County.

To learn more, visit www. peoplewhocare.org.

Andrews