Greater Cleveland Career Consortium Names Jacob Duritsky Chairman of its Board of Trustees, Moves to the Educational Service Center of Northeast Ohio
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Greater Cleveland Career Consortium Names Jacob Duritsky Chairman of its Board of Trustees, Moves to the Educational Service Center of Northeast Ohio
Team NEO Vice President, Strategy, Research, and Talent to lead collective impact organization’s strategy to grow and sustain a diverse and equitable talent pipeline in Northeast Ohio
Cleveland, Ohio—February 6, 2025—The Greater Cleveland Career Consortium (GCCC) announces the appointment of Jacob Duritsky, Vice President, Strategy, Research, and Talent, of Team NEO, as Chairman of the career readiness collective impact organization’s Board of Trustees. He succeeds Shana Marbury, Executive Vice President, Workforce, Community, and Economic Development at Cuyahoga Community College, who has served as Chairwoman since GCCC’s founding in 2022.
“I am honored to be named the new Board Chair for the Greater Cleveland Career Consortium. The work of the GCCC is highly aligned with Team NEO’s efforts to build a pipeline of in-demand and accessible talent,” said Duritsky, a member of GCCC’s inaugural Leadership Council—the precursor to its Board of Trustees—since 2022. “By providing students with the tools, mentorship, and relationships they need at critical stages in their 6th to 12th grade education, we can build a more talented and equitable workforce in Northeast Ohio,” continued Duritsky. “I look forward to carrying on the important work of this organization and give my heartfelt gratitude to Shana Marbury, who not only served as the first Chair but also laid a strong foundation for the organization.”
Duritsky previously chaired the organization’s outcomes and measures workgroup for two terms. During that time, he led the development of the collective impact’s shared measurement system in which GCCC’s cross-sector partners collect and analyze data to continuously improve its career readiness framework, PACE. In his new role, Jacob will lead the Board of Trustees in guiding its strategic direction, ensuring sound governance, and supporting GCCC’s continued growth and success.
“We are excited to embark on this new phase of GCCC’s growth under Jacob’s leadership” shared Autumn Russell, President and CEO of the Greater Cleveland Career Consortium. “His expertise in strategy and research coupled with his ability to foster collaboration will be instrumental in elevating GCCC’s profile and expanding our impact across the region.”
Duritsky began a three-year term as GCCC’s Board of Trustees Chairman effective January 1, 2025.
This change in leadership coincides with GCCC’s fiscal sponsor transition from Youth Opportunities Unlimited (Y.O.U.) to the Educational Service Center of Northeast Ohio (ESCNEO). Y.O.U. served as GCCC’s fiscal sponsor and organizational home since the organization’s launch.
“GCCC has made significant strides thanks to Y.O.U.’s support during its critical early years,” said Russell. “We sincerely appreciate CEO Craig Dorn and his team for their leadership and commitment, which have been essential in establishing a strong foundation for GCCC’s continued success.”
ESCNEO, which serves 47 school districts across Northeast Ohio, has played a pivotal role in connecting and supporting GCCC and its 11 school district partners. This deepened partnership will position GCCC to enhance its regional efforts to more effectively support students’ career awareness, exploration, and readiness.
“We are excited to serve as GCCC’s home and fiscal sponsor as they enter their next stage,” noted Jennifer Dodd, Assistant Superintendent of the ESC of Northeast Ohio. “The ESC has years of experience managing large educational initiatives and we look forward to supporting GCCC’s back-end needs as they expand career-connected learning opportunities for thousands of Greater Cleveland students across our school districts.”
With ESCNEO support, GCCC’s cross-sector partners will continue to facilitate in-school lessons, college and career advising, and work-based learning opportunities to students across Cuyahoga County.
About Jacob Duritsky
Jacob Duritsky leads strategy, research, and talent for the Northeast Ohio Region’s business development efforts to better serve the information requirements of companies, and align strategies among Team NEO’s various partners and communities engaged in targeted and equitable region-wide economic growth. His primary responsibilities include analyzing the regional economy to provide greater perspective on the challenges and opportunities in Northeast Ohio, developing strategic and coordinated actionable insights to encourage economic growth, and providing a perspective on how the Northeast Ohio economy can better perform. This includes his work in leading Team NEO’s talent strategy and Aligning Opportunities series of reports, the development of the regional Vibrant Economy Index, and regular updates to the community on the evolution and progress of the regional economy with a focus on enabling opportunities for improvement through equity.
Jacob has been with Team NEO since 2008. Previously, Jacob served as an integral part of the organization’s business attraction efforts in leading our national work focused on site selector engagement and the attraction of new companies to the region. He has also led the organization’s proactive renewable energy development efforts. Previously, Jacob has worked for The Center for Public Management, The Great Lakes Environmental Finance Center, and the Ohio City Near West Development Corporation (now Ohio City Incorporated).
Jacob holds a Master of Science in Urban Studies from the Levin College of Urban Affairs at Cleveland State University. He leads Team NEO’s Talent Development Council and is an engaged Board member for the Cuyahoga County Workforce Sector Partnership and the Greater Cleveland Career Consortium Leadership Board. Jacob has been recognized by Crain’s Cleveland Business as a member of 40 Under 40 and is a past member of the 2012 class of Cleveland Bridge Builders, as well as a member of the 2024 class of Leadership Cleveland. He is a resident of the Kamm’s Corners neighborhood of Cleveland and is married with two daughters.
About the Educational Service Center of Northeast Ohio
As Ohio’s largest regional service agency for schools, the ESC of Northeast Ohio (ESCNEO) is committed to supporting the evolving needs of school districts and organizations working on behalf of children. While 47 Northeast Ohio districts are formally aligned with ESCNEO, the agency extends its impact statewide, serving more than 200 districts each year through specialized personnel, programs, and services. By working behind the scenes to address both academic and non-academic challenges, ESCNEO helps schools, educators, and community partners create better outcomes for students and families. The agency also helps schools and organizations operate more efficiently through shared services in areas such as finance, human resources, technology, and facilities management. Additionally, ESCNEO fosters collaboration by leading networks, consortiums, and initiatives that bring together key stakeholders to strengthen education and community services.
About the Greater Cleveland Career Consortium
Established in 2022, the Greater Cleveland Career Consortium—a collective of public, private, education, and nonprofit organizations—takes a comprehensive, coordinated, and community-wide approach to career exploration and readiness—PACE—that empowers young Greater Clevelanders, sets them up for success, and advances regional economic prosperity. GCCC partners with school districts to embed self-awareness and career-based learning opportunities for all students during the school day and connects employers with local school districts, students, and families to help build our regional workforce. To learn more, visit www.greaterclecc.org.
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