Staff

Brianna joined the City Club in 2024. As the Audience Experience and Engagement Manager, she oversees front-of-house operations, event registration, and customer experience, while managing student receptionists and volunteers. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience from the University of Mount Union.

Noelle joined the City Club in 2016 and currently serves as COO & Sr. Director of Advancement. She is responsible for the strategic direction of all fundraising activity with corporations, foundations, and individuals, as well as team dynamics and development. Previously she was principal of her own consulting firm working with non-profits that included the Cleveland Foundation, the Cleveland International Film Festival, Civic Commons, and the City Club, to name a few. She also served as Corporate Relations Director at ideastream; Director of Marketing & Community Relations at MOCA; and campaign manager for two successful countywide campaigns. In 2011, she launched Edible Cleveland, an award-winning quarterly magazine covering the people and stories of Northeast Ohio’s local food scene. Noelle has a B.A in American Studies with a concentration in Media and the Arts from Yale University. Mom of two, Noelle lives with her family in Cleveland Heights.

Cynthia Connolly joined the City Club in 2021 and is currently serving as Sr. Director of Programming. She is directly responsible for the strategic vision and production of over 100 live forums a year. With nearly 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, Cynthia also served as the Development Director at Policy Matters Ohio, and spent time at other notable organizations like Ohio City Incorporated, and the Center for Nonprofit Policy & Practice at Cleveland State University, where she earned a Master of Public Administration degree. She received a BA in American Culture with a focus in Native American Studies from the University of Michigan.

A citizen of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, she began her civic work at an early age, serving as a youth tribal representative at the National Congress of American Indians located in Washington DC, which advocates for government policies to help Indigenous people. She has served as Board Chair for the Lake Erie Native American Council and taught the Native American Studies course at Kent State University for eight years. She currently serves as Vice President of the Community Advisory Board at Ideastream Public Media; on the executive board of the YWCA USA; and on the Board of Directors of the Ohio Debate Commission.

In 2021, Cynthia was named a Native American Top 40 Under 40 by the National Center for American Indian Enterprise and Development; as well as a 2021 Crain's Cleveland Business 40 Under Forty awardee. She a proud graduate of the Leadership Cleveland Class of 2025.

Adam began his career at the City Club of Cleveland in 2012, and stepped into a leadership role as the Executive Chef of the City Club in July of 2013. He earned degrees in both culinary arts and food service management from Johnson & Wales University, Norfolk Campus. His creative, hands-on approach to incorporating various food styles, with an emphasis on fusion cuisine and flavor theory, provided a variety of unique and bold meal selections at the City Club. In the summer of 2023 Adam has stepped away from the City Club kitchen and into the new role of Content and Event Production, bringing a fresh eye and the same passion, as in the kitchen, to this position.

In the summer of 2026 he became Sr. Director of Event Production.

Peyton joined the City Club in 2025 as a Cleveland Foundation Summer Intern and returned full-time as the Strategic Communications and Program Associate in 2026. In her new role, she helps cultivate the City Club’s brand while assisting with communications, advancement, and speaker logistics. She is a graduate of The Ohio State University’s John Glenn College of Public Affairs, where she received a Bachelor of Arts in public affairs and strategic communication.

Maria has led digital content and forum production for the City Club since 2015, when she took on the role of Digital Content Manager. In her current role as Director of Digital Content, she oversees the promotion, production, and distribution of City Club forums across digital platforms and social media channels, and works with partners to expand the reach of the City Club's programming. Maria joined the City Club in 2008 as a part-time Operations Assistant, providing support for forum production and facility operations. Prior to joining the City Club, she worked as a Production Assistant at Ideastream. Maria is a graduate of Bowling Green State University’s School of Media and Communication and holds an M.Ed. degree from Kent State University. She is a Northeast Ohio native and lives in Lakewood with her family.

Vince became Chief Financial Officer of the City Club in 2026, leading the financial strategy and operations for both the City Club and the City Club Forum Foundation to support the long-term strength of their mission. He brings deep experience across for profit and nonprofit organizations, including roles as VP of Finance at Advizex Technologies, Director of Finance at First Look Media, Accountant at Vice Media, and Controller at Greencard Pictures.

He holds an MBA from Cleveland State University and a BA from Otterbein University. A father of two, Vince lives in Shaker Heights and can often be found coaching youth sports or cheering on his kids many activities.

Dan was appointed to the City Club's helm in 2013, after many years as a member, volunteer, and frequent forum moderator. Prior to joining the City Club he was co-founder of The Civic Commons, a pioneer in the field of social media for civic good. Dan is also the former host of 90.3 WCPN's Sound of Ideas and co-author, with Dave Eggers and Ninive Calegari, of the best selling book Teachers Have it Easy: The Big Sacrifices and Small Salaries of America's Teachers (The New Press, 2005), which provided the basis for the 2011 documentary American Teacher. He's an award winning journalist, a former high school teacher and a graduate of UC Berkeley's Graduate School of Journalism. He lives in Shaker Heights with his wife and family.

Jerome Sheriff Jr joined the City Club team in 2023. As the Assoc. Director of Communications and Special Projects, Jerome is responsible for ensuring the City Club effectively communicates with its diverse audience and creates an engaging environment for all members. He attended Denison University where he holds a BA in psychology. Before joining the City Club, he spent five years working in education and studying marketing. Jerome, a Chicago native, loves taking long walks in Cleveland Metroparks with his wife and dog.

Ariana joined the City Club team in March 2023 and has the role of Assoc. Director of Student Programs. She is a Shaker Heights native and attended John Carroll University. Prior to joining the City Club, Ariana worked as an educator for over 10 years, launched her own nonprofit (MOTIVATE), and coordinated programs and events for K-12 students and educators across NE Ohio, Pittsburgh, and Cincinnati. Ariana enjoys being able to teach and connect with students and is looking forward to finding intentional ways to engage with students and educators. She is also a part of Cleveland Leadership Center's Bridge Builders class of 2023.