Staff

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.

Britney Ware is driven by her passion for fostering connections and positive change in Lorain County. With a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting and Business Management from Hiram College, Britney brings valuable expertise from her roles as a Leadership Lorain County Intern and Americorp Vista College Guide. She resides in Oberlin with her family.

Born and raised in Oberlin, Ohio, Cole Thompson is excited to return to the Community Foundation as the Community Engagement Fellow after interning through Leadership Lorain County. A graduate of Baldwin Wallace University, Cole is passionate about supporting the growth and development of Lorain County. He looks forward to connecting people who care with causes that matter in the community he calls home.

Grace graduated from Kenyon College with a BA in international studies and a minor in German. She is passionate about learning from other cultures and forming meaningful interpersonal relationships. Grace is an alum of the Youth Fund of the Community Foundation of Lorain County, having served two years as president. She looks forward to developing her professional career in the nonprofit world. Grace was raised and currently lives in Wellington with her two cats. 

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.

Aliah Kimbro finds beauty in untold stories. As a Lorain native and current resident, she is passionate about uplifting her community and ensuring the “least of these” are taken care of. With a background in journalism and web development, Aliah believes media is the perfect vehicle to drive and strengthen connections.

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.

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.

Leah brings a unique background in mathematics and data science. After earning her bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the University of Illinois, she completed a Data Science & Analytics Bootcamp. This training, combined with her experience as an Evaluations VISTA with AmeriCorps, has given her a keen ability to turn complex data into clear, actionable insights.

Living in Amherst with her husband and two children, Leah is also an active volunteer with Junior League Cleveland and the Veteran’s community in Lorain County. In her role at the Community Foundation, Leah uses her skills to help positively impact Lorain County, blending her love for data with a passion for community.

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.

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.

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.

Lynn is a graduate of Ohio University. Lynn is a lifelong resident of Lorain and a graduate of Admiral King High School. Lynn’s professional career includes ten years as a Program Director, where she has developed many partnerships with organizations in Lorain County. Lynn is embedded in the community and has advocated for the most vulnerable and marginalized. She is married and has one daughter.