Leta Obertacz brings 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 140,000-square-foot 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, serving as the co-VP and advancement chair for EDWINS Leadership & Restaurant Institute and the founding board president for Motogo, a nonprofit that teaches students how to solve problems and build confidence through working on motorcycles. She is 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.
Listed skills include Fundraising, Nonprofits, Event Planning, Volunteer Management, and 44 others.
