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From the desk of Claudia Owens
Dear Legacy Leaders,
I hope this December newsletter finds you surrounded by family, friends, and the joy that this season brings. As we close out 2025, I want to share my appreciation for your commitment to our community and spark your excitement for the many opportunities awaiting Legacy Leaders in 2026.
Legacy Leaders continue to play an essential role in shaping efforts that move our region forward. Your expertise, generosity, and civic passion strengthen our communities in visible and meaningful ways. As we look ahead to the new year, we anticipate your continued involvement and we invite you to help expand our network.
Call to Action:
Please invite friends, peers, or former colleagues who may be interested in joining our Legacy Leader community. They can contact me at cowens@cleveleads.org to be added to the mailing list and learn more about getting involved.
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Legacy Leader Think Tank Conversation: Casting It Forward
On Wednesday, December 3, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. via Zoom, Legacy Leaders Saleh Awadallah, Alice Armstrong, Mayor Annette Blackwell, Eileen Saffran, Lee Schwebel and Bob Shield participated in a Think Tank conversation with Art Panfil, Founder & Executive Director of Cast It Forward, a nonprofit offering transformative outdoor experiences for veterans, underserved youth, and adults with disabilities.
This Think Tank offered a unique opportunity to lend their strategic insight to help Cast It Forward strengthen its long-term vision and develop a sustainable board structure. Their contributions will directly influence Cast It Forward’s ability to demonstrate impact, secure funding, and deepen community outreach.
Call to Action:
If you would like to participate in future Think Tanks or recommend organizations that may benefit from a Legacy Leader Think Tank, please email me at cowens@cleveleads.org. Your voice and expertise matter.
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"For Your Encore" Podcast
Your Stories Inspire the Region. In 2025, seven new episodes of the For Your Encore Podcast were published, each exploring the question:
“What advice would you give someone considering a Second Act?”
Guests shared stories of shifting from corporate life to community service, expanding their networks, redefining purpose, and balancing new routines with meaningful engagement.
In 2026, we want to feature even more of your voices.
Call to Action:
- Have a topic you’d love to hear discussed? Send it to me.
- Interested in recording your own episode about your encore? Let’s talk.
Your lived experience is powerful—let’s share it.
Listen to the Latest Episode of "For Your Encore"
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Retired Children's Hospital VP and Part-time Potter
Meredith Reeves Slosberg has found a way to merge her passions for Food as Medicine and pottery into a project that celebrates both health and creativity.
Inspired by the idea that beautiful, intentional design can encourage mindful eating, Meredith handcrafts unique bowls for patients at the Food as Medicine Clinic at MetroHealth Hospital in Ohio and the Healthy Eating Habits Diabetic Clinic at the St. Vincent de Paul Society in Arizona.
These bowls aren’t just pieces of art, they are rewards for reaching important health milestones, such as improved A1C levels, better blood pressure, or weight reduction. For Meredith, each bowl tells a story of perseverance, wellness, and the transformative power of combining nourishment with thoughtful design.
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Want to Accelerate CLE?
Accelerate 2026: Be Part of Cleveland’s Next Big Ideas
For more than a decade, Accelerate has given everyday citizens a platform to pitch innovative ideas that spark community impact. Year after year, leaders like you help bring these ideas to life by offering support, connections, and encouragement.
This year, we are seeking Legacy Leader volunteers to:
- Provide coaching and feedback to presenters in January
- Serve as wayfinders the night of the event
Call to Action:
If you’re interested, email cowens@cleveleads.org to join the volunteer roster.
Be there to watch ideas take flight—and celebrate the ripple effects of past Accelerators.
BUY TICKETS
Accelerate 2026
Presented in partnership with Citizens
Thursday, February 26
Huntington Convention Center
4:00 p.m.
$40 General registration (Early Bird through Jan 31)
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Looking Ahead to 2026
Your continued leadership matters. As the Legacy Leader community continues to grow, so will our impact. In the coming year, we look forward to:
- Launching new Think Tanks
- Sharing more Encore podcasts
- Expanding Alumni Resource Circles
- Engaging more Legacy Leaders in community projects
- Welcoming new members ready to explore their next encore
Your passion, wisdom, and energy are the heartbeat of this program. Thank you for all you’ve poured into 2025, and get ready, because 2026 will bring even more ways to connect, contribute, and lead.
Wishing you and your loved ones a joyful and peaceful holiday season. I look forward to working alongside you in the new year.
Warmly,
Claudia Owens
Director, Legacy Leaders
cowens@cleveleads.org
(216) 650-3312
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