Knight Foundation names Akron leader

Founder of Cleveland organizations assisting startups, entrepreneurs to take reins June 30

By Betty Lin-Fisher , Beacon Journal business writer

June 15, 2010

A new Akron program director has been chosen to represent the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.

Northeast Ohio native Jennifer Thomas will work with local leaders on projects in Akron, the Knight Foundation said in a news release Monday announcing her appointment.

''Jennifer has spent the last decade turning creative business and social ideas into reality. At Knight Foundation, she will find and create opportunities to inform and engage this community in its ongoing transformation,'' said Trabian Shorters, the Knight Foundation's vice president for communities.

She officially begins June 30, though she attended a board of trustees meeting in Miami on Monday. The Knight Foundation has committed $132 million to Akron in 60 years.

Thomas, 48, launched and led the Cleveland-based Civic Innovation Lab, which provides mentorship and funding to civic, social and technology startups. Since its inception in 2003, the lab has granted more than $1.5 million to 55 diverse and innovative startups, 26 percent of which are successful companies. In 2008, investments and activities generated $9.4 million in economic output, the Knight group said. The organization is funded by the Cleveland Foundation.

Thomas also founded ClevelandClicks, a social networking group supporting and cultivating tech entrepreneurs. Thomas has also worked as a financial analyst for Sony Music Entertainment and Pfizer.

While she does not have a direct Akron connection, Thomas said she is well aware of Akron's projects and many of the Knight Foundation's activities in Akron. In her role with the Civic Innovation Lab, Thomas was looking at expanding outside of Cuya
hoga County and has met with several Akron-area foundations and leaders, she said.

Thomas said among her first goals will be to get more familiar with Akron and its people.

''It's going to be really important for me to get to know the community, to listen, to observe. Akron is at a very hopeful moment. There's a lot of activity and collaboration. It's an irresistible opportunity . . . ,'' Thomas said in a phone interview from Miami.

Thomas was chosen from dozens of candidates, said Alberto Ibarguen, president and chief executive of the Knight Foundation.

''It was a very well-known, high-profile position and attracted some very, very serious people in town and out of town,'' said Ibarguen.

Thomas' position was not subject to board approval, though it was unanimously supported by Ibarguen and Rob Briggs, chairman of the Knight board of trustees, and president of the Akron-based GAR Foundation.

Thomas has a bachelor's degree in economics from Denison University and an MBA from New York University. She grew up in South Euclid and lives in University Heights with her husband and two children.

Thomas succeeds Vivian Celeste Neal, who retired in February after seven years with the Knight Foundation and 36 years as a teacher and administrator for the Akron Public Schools.

Ongoing projects

The Miami-based Knight Foundation is focused on advancing journalism in what is called the digital age and investing in communities where the Knight brothers owned newspapers. In Neal's seven years, she recommended $57 million in grants for the Akron area.

Among those are $20 million for the creation of the BioInnovation Institute, which pulls together the University of Akron's polymer science research, the Northeastern Ohio Universities Colleges of Medicine and Pharmacy's musculoskeletal expertise and the clinical skills of Akron's three hospital systems.

The Knight Foundation is also the main supporter for the University Park Alliance, a collaboration of partners including businesses, public entities, nonprofit groups and residents that have been working for eight years to revitalize the 50-block neighborhood in and around the University of Akron.

The initiative is in its fourth year of a $10 million, five-year grant awarded by the Knight Foundation in 2006.

Thomas seems highly qualified for her new job, said Tony O'Leary, executive director of Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority and the new president of the University Park Alliance board.

''Given the Knight Foundation's emphasis the last five years or so on innovation and transformation and working in community building with community organizations, she has experience that touches those key areas. I can see why they selected her,'' said O'Leary, who has also previously served on the local Knight Foundation advisory board.

Having two members of the Knight Foundation board of trustees with Akron connections — Briggs and Jim Crutchfield, former publisher of the Akron Beacon Journal, will also be helpful, O'Leary said.

Mayor's office ready

Akron Deputy Mayor Dave Lieberth said Mayor Don Plusquellic and other city leaders look forward to working with Thomas.

''She will find a receptive audience to innovation in Akron,'' Lieberth said. ''Whether it's governing or economic development or arts or culture, the Knight Foundation has been a major institutional citizen. . . . They have already left an indelible mark on the city when you look at the projects they have supported.

''Obviously she has had some experience in the urban environment, which will service her well as the community's program director,'' he said.

Ibarguen said there's no question the foundation is ''absolutely in Akron and of Akron and so it had to be somebody who had a commitment to the region and a real appreciation for the possibilities in Akron.''

Betty Lin-Fisher can be reached at 330-996-3724 or blinfisher@thebeaconjournal.com.