Making A Positive Impact on the Community

Julie Cruz Blair has served with Leadership Lorain County for several years, currently, she serves as the President and CEO. Born in Lorain, she has embraced her passion for providing individuals with the resources and initiatives necessary to meet goals by investing in their community. A strong focus on collaboration and partnership characterizes Julie’s leadership at Leadership Lorain County. Her positive and encouraging "can-do" attitude has been a driving force behind the organization's current success.

This pioneering leader’s qualities, including responsiveness, active listening, passion, and problem-solving skills, have contributed to the flourishing of Leadership Lorain County. Her deep connection to the community, having spent her life in Lorain County, makes her an integral voice and passionate advocate. She also recognizes the importance of building relationships with non-profit and for-profit organizations and serves as the public face, cheerleader, and spokesperson for Leadership Lorain County. Overall, her leadership has had a profoundly positive impact on the organization.

Julie possesses a visionary leadership style focused on community impact. She prioritizes inclusivity by breaking down barriers and ensuring all voices are heard. She challenges individuals she engages with to exceed their expectations and is a constant source of encouragement and support. Her compassion and understanding extend to her team, Leadership Lorain County participants, board members, and community supporters.

Since assuming the role of President and CEO, Julie has taken personal ownership of Leadership Lorain County and recognizes its success is closely tied to community support. She fosters collaboration among board members, staff, and other stakeholders, leveraging these relationships to create new opportunities and secure resources for the organization and community.

Julie has cultivated new relationships through her empowering approach and collaborative efforts and revitalized the organization. With connections spanning from government, academia, corporate, self-owned businesses, and non-profits, along with a strong reputation, Leadership Lorain County is well-positioned to continue making a positive impact on the community by nurturing the growth of current and future leaders.

As a graduate of Cleveland State University through the Lorain County Community College partnership, she was introduced to opportunities regarding being an active community member. She currently serves on the board of the Main Street Lorain and is a part of their Design Committee. She is a member of the Elyria Sunrise Rotary of Elyria and most recently completed her term of ten years on the Elyria YWCA board. For her, it is important to practice what an individual preaches, therefore she serves her community beyond her professional responsibilities.

The mission of Leadership Lorain County is to develop and advance leaders who promote the growth and diversity of the county by connecting people, government, academia, and businesses. Julie plays a hands-on role in various programs, including the Signature Program, High School Program, and "LEG-UP" conference leadership program, focusing on engaging the extensive alumni network. Under Julie's leadership, these initiatives have seen significant growth and improvement.

Julie's commitment extends to providing leadership programs for various age groups, including school-aged future leaders and existing community leaders seeking professional development. Her holistic approach encompasses leadership skills, training, development, and networking opportunities for individuals of all ages in the community. These efforts are in alignment with Leadership Lorain County's mission. Her involvement, dedication, and passion have been instrumental in achieving the organization's mission and driving initiatives like the new High School program and community/alumni outreach, which have led to increased energy and growth for the organization.

One of the standout achievements attributed to Julie is her dedication to investing in the youth of the community through Leadership Lorain County. She and her team have developed proactive programs to provide young leaders with the skills and opportunities needed for success beyond high school and college. These initiatives include a yearlong High School Program, internship opportunities, networking events, connections, and mentorship opportunities. Leadership Lorain County’s investment in youth is expected to have a profoundly positive and influential impact on the students and the community. Leadership Lorain County is very thankful for this collaboration with Big Brother Big Sisters of Lorain County and Buckeye Community Bank.

Furthermore, Julie's visionary leadership has led to innovative approaches within Leadership Lorain County. Establishing programs like the "LEG-UP" program and the High School program demonstrates her and her team’s ability to identify and address the community's leadership needs. These innovative programs are designed to create a legitimate leadership pathway, offering leadership development opportunities across Lorain County to individuals of all ages. Envision, empower, and engage are the pillars of Leadership Lorain County.

One particularly noteworthy achievement is the establishment of the "LEG-UP" conference, which has positioned Leadership Lorain County as a leading organization in the field of leadership development in the county. The conference is presented by the Community Foundation of Lorain County, Nordson Corporation Foundation, and Northwest Bank - “LEG UP” represents – Logistics, Emergence, Gratitude, Unity, and Partnership in leadership. The organization's unique positioning and competitive advantage allow it to meet the continuous demand for leadership development, producing valuable content for alums, supporters, and community members. This initiative has been growing steadily and has the potential to become a prominent force in leadership development in Northeast Ohio. With Leadership Lorain County’s fortieth anniversary just around the corner, it has been Julie’s pleasure to have been a small part of its legacy.