The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Former head of Boys & Girls Clubs of Cleveland to direct telos leadership foundation
Chardon-based the telos institute, a global organizational development firm, has named Ron Soeder as director of the telos leadership foundation to develop unique leadership development experiences for underserved youth.
“Ron is widely respected throughout Northeast Ohio for his ability to lead successful youth programs,” Chief Executive Officer Rick Simmons said in a news release. “We at telos are thrilled to welcome him as he directs our efforts to help develop our community’s next generation of leaders.
“Ron’s experience with and understanding of our local organizations, schools and business leaders jump start our efforts to provide unique leadership experiences to our youth.”
Soeder served as president and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Cleveland for 14 years after spending nearly three decades as a senior executive in the consumer products industry.
During Soeder’s time at the Boys & Girls Clubs, the organization achieved significant growth and was able to double the number of children served, the release stated. In 2019 he played an instrumental role in merging with the Boys & Girls Club organizations in three neighboring counties completing one of the largest mergers in Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s history.
The new organization had 39 clubs and served more than 2,000 children and teens. In 2018, he received Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s highest honor, the Heart and Soul Award, for his dedication.
Founded by telos’ founding partners, Rick and Amy Simmons, the telos leadership foundation is devoted to helping underserved young people develop into positive and emotionally and socially aware leaders, the release stated.
The program’s first leadership development experiences will kick-off in early spring.
“We will provide dynamic leadership development experiences to young people who wouldn’t normally have these opportunities,” Soeder said in the release. “By starting with them early, they will have the ability to develop the leadership skills and confidence necessary to go and make a difference in our world.”