Staff
Our staff represents every corner of Lorain County and brings a vast amount of experience and knowledge from both the private and public sectors.
Cynthia Andrews
President and CEO
Cynthia Andrews
President and CEO
Team Member Since: 2017
Over the past 30 years, Cindy has held a variety of senior management positions in the private and nonprofit sectors. Prior to joining the Community Foundation in 2017, Cindy was the executive director at Oberlin Community Services, a social services organization serving southern Lorain County. Before joining OCS, Cindy spent 26 years at IBM in key management positions, including senior location executive of the company’s Northeast Ohio geography responsible for over 400 IBMers and and the relationship with the business and philanthropic community. Cindy also led the IBM Education Industry team for the Public Sector Americas. She was the sales and business development expert in working with colleges, universities, and large urban school districts. Cindy led the IBM Smarter City regional event bringing together industry thought leaders in health care, education, manufacturing and distribution.
During her career with IBM, she has earned numerous awards for business development and client satisfaction. She is also a member of IBM’s Golden Circle and has earned multiple IBM 100% Club awards. Cindy has served on the board of trustees of the United Way of Greater Cleveland, Business Volunteers Unlimited, The Center for Families and Children and Oberlin Community Services.
Currently, Cindy serves on the board of directors of Mercy Health Lorain and the Fund for Our Economic Future.
Cindy holds an MBA and a BS in marketing from the Pennsylvania State University.
She is married to Geoffrey G. Andrews and has two children, Michael and Rachael.
Assata Cheers
Community Engagement Fellow
Assata Cheers
Community Engagement Fellow
Team Member Since: 2020
Assata received a BA in Communication Studies from Kent State University and has been involved in the nonprofit sector through her positions with the National Association of Black Journalists and the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA). Assata lives in Lorain and produces an Apple Podcast in her free time.
Theresa Eged
IT Manager
Theresa Eged
IT Manager
Team Member Since: 2002
Theresa is a graduate of Baldwin Wallace College with a degree in Computer Information Systems and brings a wealth of information management and computer systems knowledge to the Foundation. Theresa lives in Columbia Station with her husband, Michael, and their three cats.
Alison Hawkinson
Finance Manager
Alison Hawkinson
Finance Manager
Team Member Since: 2019
Alison holds a BS in Accounting and Finance from Miami University and is a licensed CPA. Prior to joining the Foundation, Alison worked in both public and nonprofit accounting. Alison lives in Avon Lake with her husband, Ken, and their four daughters.
Angela Lee
Scholarship Manager
Angela Lee
Scholarship Manager
Team Member Since: 2004
Angela is a graduate of Bryant & Stratton College with a Associates Degree in Applied Sciences. Before her time at the Foundation, Angie worked in the medical field at Tri-City Medicine Diagnostic Center. Angie is the mother of three children and lives in Elyria.
Brittany Lovett
Marketing & Communications Officer
Brittany Lovett
Marketing & Communications Officer
Team Member Since: 2018
Brittany received her BA in Marketing from Xavier University and is passionate about the community and supporting non-profit organizations. Brittany has spent her career working at non-profits focused on youth development, including Big Brothers Big Sisters and the YMCA of Greater Cincinnati. Brittany lives in Oberlin with her two sons.
Laura Malone
Development Officer
Laura Malone
Development Officer
Team Member Since: 2020
Prior to joining the Community Foundation, Laura spent 11 years at American Endowment Foundation most recently as the as the Vice President – Complex Development. Laura’s roles focused on the charitable consultation to trusted professionals, families and business owners about donor advised funds and other charitable giving strategies. Prior to her role at AEF, Laura represented the economic and business interests of numerous government and private sector clients through corporate real estate acquisition, disposition and lease negotiations.
Laura has been published in various local and national publications as well as spoken both locally and nationally to financial, tax and estate planning organizations.
Laura holds her Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy designation from the American College and previously served as a faculty member for the Exit Planning Institute’s Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) Designation. Most recently she has served on the Boards of the International Association of Advisors in Philanthropy, Cleveland Social Venture Partners, and The Estate Planning Council of Cleveland.
Laura lives in South Amherst with her husband, Brian and their twin daughters, Rhiannon and Michelle.
Rachel Ocasio
Office Relationship Manager
Rachel Ocasio
Office Relationship Manager
Team Member Since: 2013
Rachel is a graduate of LCCC with a degree in Business Administration. She joined the Foundation after serving Lorain National Bank in the Trust Department for 17 years. During her time at the bank, the Community Foundation was one of her primary clients. Rachel lives in Amherst with her husband, Edwin.
Linda Ong Styer
Senior Program Officer
Linda Ong Styer
Senior Program Officer
Team Member Since: 1996
Linda was born in Singapore and has lived in Ohio since 1980. In 1986, Linda graduated from Ohio University with a master’s degree and her first job was as a Licensed Social Worker in a homeless shelter. Linda has worked in various nonprofit management positions and evaluated grant applications for the Ohio Commission on Minority Health, Ohio Department of Health, and Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services. Linda has also volunteered for hospice, as a Big Sister, and loves cooking for hot meal programs. Linda is married to Dan Styer and they have two adopted sons, and many merry pets.
Jamie Simoneau
Program Evaluation and Integration Officer
Jamie Simoneau
Program Evaluation and Integration Officer
Team Member Since: 2019
Jamie is a graduate of Ohio University and had previously served as COO for the Great Lakes Science Center. She has held positions in both the public and nonprofit sectors including an international real estate company and a public relations firm. Jamie lives in Avon with her husband, John, and three sons.
Michele Skinn
Advancement Officer, Huron County Community Foundation
Michele Skinn
Advancement Officer, Huron County Community Foundation
Team Member Since: 2017
Michelle has an extensive background in foundation management after spending 15 years as the Director of the Fisher-Titus Foundation in Norwalk. Michelle graduated from Kent State University with a degree in Marketing. She lives in Norwalk with her husband, Joe, and three cats.
Jim Stobe
Chief Financial Officer
Jim Stobe
Chief Financial Officer
Team Member Since: 2019
Jim is a graduate of Ohio University and a licensed CPA. Prior to joining the Foundation, Jim served as CFO for Cohen & Company, a public accounting firm. Jim currently serves as the President of the Avon Lake School Board. He is a native of North Ridgeville and currently resides in Avon Lake with his two children.
Melissa Timko
Data Management Specialist
Melissa Timko
Data Management Specialist
Team Member Since: 2020
Missy is a graduate Mount Union College after spending time at LCCC. She has worked for all types of organizations; from locally owned businesses to multi-national companies to nonprofit organizations to being her own entrepreneur. Missy currently resides in Lorain with her husband, Paul, and two daughters.