Leta Obertacz

About Leta Obertacz

Leta Obertacz brings over 20 years of fundraising experience to the Cleveland Foundation as the Senior Vice President of Philanthropy. Leading strategy for growth of new donors and stewardship of long term partners, she has spent the past two years sharing the work of the Foundation in its new storefront location, where philanthropy is accessible to all. A proven powerhouse at the intersection of relationships and mission, Leta has helped secure millions of dollars.Leta most recently serving as director of advancement for the Cleveland Zoo Society, where she led numerous highly successful fundraising campaigns dedicated to the best quality animal care, education and meaningful guest experiences, including the Daniel Maltz Rhino Reserve; Bear Hollow; and the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Auditorium. In 2022 under Leta\'s leadership, her team launched the Primate Forest campaign, which, when complete, will result in a world-class destination that will transform and significantly expand the zoo’s rainforest.Prior to her work at the Zoo, Leta spent several years as a fundraising and marketing executive at Career Gear, a nonprofit whose mission is to provide the formerly incarcerated, homeless and veterans with the tools and skills they need to successfully achieve reentry and financial independence. Leta earned a BA in history with honors from Brown University and a MPA, Pi Alpha Alpha, from Baruch. She is a co-VP and class officer at Brown. She is also a dedicated community volunteer, immediate past co-VP for EDWINS Leadership & Restaurant Institute and the t founding board president for Motogo. She currently serves as a board member at The City Club.Throughout her career, Leta has participated in a number of leadership and professional development programs. She completed Cleveland Leadership Center’s Bridge Builders and Civic Leadership Institute programs and recently participated in the Cleveland Foundation’s Foundations for Philanthropy program. In 2022, she was recognized as one of Cleveland Magazine’s Women of Distinction and in 2021 she was a Soul of Philanthropy nominee. Leta was honored by Crains Business as a Notable Nonprofit Leaders in 2023.Leta had the unique opportunity to tour the country as a professional performer with a variety of artists and groups, including the NBA for the Nets. In conjunction, she served as a national dance judge and presented on navigating the performer’s life and living in NYC.Views here are my own.

Experience

1. Senior Vice President, Philanthropy

   Cleveland Foundation

   Sep 2022 — Present · Cleveland, OH, US

   Following a national search, the Cleveland Foundation is pleased to announce that Leta Obertacz will join the foundation’s leadership team as senior vice president for advancement, effective Sept. Obertacz will lead the talented team of nearly 20 staff members responsible for working with individuals and organizations interested in partnering with the foundation.\"“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to lead the Cleveland Foundation’s Advancement team and help generous individuals, families and organizations give back to the Greater Cleveland community they care so deeply about,” said Leta. “I look forward to building authentic relationships in our new home in MidTown as we pursue the strategic goals of this historic institution and focus on improving the quality of life for all Greater Clevelanders.”

Education

• Baruch College

  Masters in Public Administration (MPA), Non Profit Administration

  2008 — 2011

• School of Public Affairs, Baruch College

  United Way Senior Fellow

  2011 — 2011

• Nonprofit Leadership Development Institute

  United Way Junior Fellow

  2010 — 2010

• Brown University

  Bachelor of Arts (BA), History with Honors

  1998 — 2002

Skills

• Philanthropy
• Board Development
• Management
• Program Development
• Nonprofits
• Sponsorship
• Project Management
• Nonprofit Organizations
• Social Media
• Social Entrepreneurship
• Strategy
• Alumni Relations
• Research
• Proposal Writing
• Non-Profits
• Program Management
• Marketing
• Cause Marketing
• Volunteer Management
• Training
• Grants
• Marketing Communications
• Community Outreach
• Community Development
• Event Planning
• Interviews
• Social Networking
• Event Management
• Social Media Marketing
• Public Speaking
• Non-Profit Administration
• Web Content Management
• Public Policy
• Donor Management
• Public Relations
• Media Relations
• Brand Management
• Fundraising
• Marketing Strategy
• Grant Writing