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About the Event 

As we mark 50 years since the founding of the Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs, we invite you to an evening of reflection, connection, and celebration. Together, we'll honor the people and partnerships that shaped our legacy, recognize the impact of our community, and look ahead to the opportunities and challenges of the next 50 years.

Moderator and Panelists

Moderator
Dan Moulthrop, Chief Executive Officer, The City Club of Cleveland

Panelists
 

Dr. Jennifer Dodd, Assistant Superintendent, Educational Service Center of Northeast Ohio

Dr. Jennifer Dodd serves as Assistant Superintendent of the Educational Service Center of Northeast Ohio, where she has spent 20 years bringing together education, government, philanthropy, business and community partners to expand opportunities for children, families and communities. Her academic background spans psychology, special education, policy and law, informing her approach to the connections between individual needs, public systems and community opportunity.

In addition to her operational leadership, her work spans integrated student supports, career pathways and regional partnerships, with an emphasis on connecting systems, reducing barriers and turning shared priorities into action. Jennifer has helped establish Northeast Ohio’s Career Pathways Support Network and Cuyahoga County’s Regional Education Partnership. A Cleveland State University alumna, she is committed to developing partnerships and future leaders who can navigate complexity and create lasting community impact.
 

Vickie Eaton Johnson, Chief Community Officer, Cleveland Clinic Health System

 Vickie Johnson is Cleveland Clinic’s first Chief Community Officer. She leads Cleveland Clinic’s efforts to nurture healthy communities, improve our neighbors’ lives and meet their evolving needs. Vickie guides strategic community planning nationally and internationally while cultivating collaborations with local institutions, government agencies, elected officials, and healthcare professionals to bring about meaningful change. She holds a master’s degree in public administration from Cleveland State University, a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Baldwin-Wallace College and is completing a doctorate in urban studies and public affairs at Cleveland State University. Vickie serves on numerous boards and committees and has received many awards, including the Greater Cleveland Partnership Richard A. Shatten Professional Leadership Award.
 

Sarah Johnson, Chief Communications Officer, City of Cleveland

Sarah Johnson is an experienced marketing and communications professional with a background in economic development, government, higher education, and healthcare. Currently, she serves as the Chief Communications Officer for the City of Cleveland in the Office of Mayor Justin M. Bibb. In this role, she oversees all marketing, communications, and media relations for the city and advises the mayor on communications priorities and public engagements. Before this role, Sarah led the marketing and communications strategy for the Greater Cleveland Partnership, the region’s metropolitan chamber of commerce, and served as the director of marketing and advertising at Case Western Reserve University. Sarah started her marketing and communications career with the Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals. Crain's Cleveland Business recognized her as a Notable Leader in Communications in 2024 and as one of the 20 Notable Marketing Executives of 2021. She also received Northeast Ohio’s Distinguished Marketing and Sales Award in 2020.

Sarah holds an MBA with a specialization in healthcare administration from Cleveland State University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in speech pathology from Loyola University in Maryland. 
 

Jason Russell, Vice President of Planning and Development, North Coast Waterfront Development Corporation

Jason Russell is an urban planning and project management leader with over a decade of experience driving community-centric developments. He currently serves as Vice President of Planning and Development for the North Coast Waterfront Development Corporation, guiding the strategic revitalization of Cleveland’s downtown lakefront.

His experience includes serving as Vice President of Operations and Leasing at Bedrock and Neighborhood General Manager for Shaker Heights’ Van Aken District. His public sector experience includes serving as a city planner for the City of Lakewood, overseeing design and construction of the award-winning Solstice Steps project and led key housing and storefront programs. He has also served as a City Councilman in South Euclid. 

Jason continues to serve his community as a board member of the Cleveland Public Market Corporation, First Federal of Lakewood, New Village Corp, and is a member of the Shaker Heights Planning Commission.

Support the Next 50 Years

Interested in making an individual gift or exploring sponsorship opportunities? Learn how you can support the Levin College 50th Anniversary Campaign.