board of directors
A board of 35 trustees governs West Side Ecumenical Ministry (WSEM) representing a cross-section of the community including members of the clergy, local business leaders, representatives from major corporations and various members at large from the community. The trustees work with WSEM Chief Executive Officer, Judith Z. Peters in governing WSEM.
In addition, a 9-member Advisory Council of corporate and business leaders, a 18-member Junior Advisory Board of young professionals (under age 40) and one WSEM Food Center Program Advisory Council or PAC assist with fundraising and provide WSEM with important linkages to resources in Greater Cleveland. Three localized PACs provide neighborhood support for the three WSEM Food Centers.
WSEM Board of Directors
David A. Doll, Chairman
Rev. L. Gordon Blasius
Barbara Cicerchi
Daniel J. Conway
Michael P. Coyne
Tony DiGeronimo
Thomas R. Hanson
Robert C. Huxtable
Mittie Davis Jones
John H. Kirk
William L. Larion
Dina S. Leader
Matthew C. Litzler
Lynn Lotas
Kenneth A. Louard
Valentina Mickey
Jeffrey B. Milbourn
Diana Morris
Charles K. Niles
Naomi Opdycke
James M. Pazderak
Jonathan Pressnell
Charles P. Royer
Nancy Sabath
Thoms J. Scanlon
Scott Seidelmann
Michael A. Shemo
William H. Smith
Peter E. Steffes
Randall G. Stickler
Mark Straub
Ann Weinzimmer
Neil J. Whitford
Rev. Ric J. Wilberg
Deacon Louis Woyton
Comments from the Board of Directors
“We contribute to WSEM because they do an excellent job using our donations to first, meet the basic needs (food, pre-school education, job counseling) of those less fortunate than we are and they also teach the skills so these individuals can eventually stand on their own. We have seen the food centers in operation, and we have seen the beautiful pre-school students in their classrooms and nurseries and wish we could do more. Keep up the good work WSEM. Thank you staff.”
Sheila and Chuck Niles
Past WSEM Board Chair
President, The Human Resource Department, Inc.
“I believe in the mission, vision and day-to-day work of WSEM. The constant devotion and commitment evident among other board members, staff, and volunteers inspire me to stay involved and supportive of WSEM's mission and work. I endorse the supportive programming offered by WSEM in meeting the unique levels and types of need that clients may have when they receive services.”
Mittie Davis Jones, Ph.D.
Cleveland State University
Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs
“Soon after I came to Cleveland eight years ago, I became involved in El Barrio's Robert Wood Johnson project, Creando Posibilidades. Through that project I learned about the work of WSEM. I was so impressed with WSEM's commitment to the community, the scope of services they provide and the strength of the organization's leadership. It is a privilege to have the opportunity to participate in this work.”
Lynn J. Lotas, PhD, RN
Associate Dean for the BSN Program
Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing
Case Western Reserve University