Cynthia H. Andrews
As President and CEO of the Community Foundation of Lorain County, Cynthia H. Andrews believes the job of her organization is “connecting people with causes that matter.” With 34 communities under her watch and $180 million in assets, Andrews sees her responsibility as recognizing and creating opportunities. Finding ways to “re-imagine” doesn’t mean something was done incorrectly in the past or broken, she says. But it does mean “finding new ways to center ourselves and engage in the community.”
Andrews has been down a similar path before she joined the Community Foundation of Lorain County in 2017. For 25 years, she held key IBM management positions that required, among other things, bringing together leaders in manufacturing, healthcare, education and distribution.
“Now I connect community members. I’ve come full circle,” says Andrews.
What attracted you to philanthropy and helping others?
“I was born and raised in Philadelphia by a working mom and my grandmother. I went to Philadelphia public schools and Penn State. That’s where my sense of creating opportunities evolved. Not everyone sees or knows about available opportunities. We all don’t know hiring should be available to everyone or that I should be able to pick the school of my choice. I was very fortune to see those things and that set the stage for me to know we are all here to make things better for all of us.”
The Community Foundation of Lorain County is the hub of the region’s charitable giving. We know grants and scholarships are a focus. What are some ways you interact and find opportunities for people to connect?
“Taking a phone call from an executive struggling to make payroll, gathering police chiefs together to talk about what community engagement looks like and taking 40 high school kids to a job fair at the Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland.”
How has the Foundation expanded to meet the needs of today’s donors?
“It’s no longer just about donating money. Participating and volunteering are even more important for the younger generations. But we also now accept cryptocurrency donations and have even found a way to use donated art.”
Stress reliever?
“I practice yoga every morning for my mental and physical health.”
What’s your favor childhood memory?
“Growing up swimming in Philadelphia. Everyone went to the pool. It was the place to be, but also really a luxury at the time.”
FAVORITES
Book: Strong Ground by Brené Brown. “She’s a wonderful person and this is about finding your plan.”
Play: Hamilton
Sports: college football
Junk food: “Sugar. Jelly beans, chocolate, caramels. Just ask my dentist.”
Gardening task: “No gardening. But I like fresh flowers and especially hydrangeas.”
