Monday, November 04, 2019
City Club Team Spotlight: Stephanie A. Jansky
Name: Stephanie A. Jansky
Position on the City Club Staff: Director of Programming
Neighborhood/Suburb where you live: Playhouse Square neighborhood of Downtown Cleveland
Tell us a bit about yourself: I am a Cleveland native: I grew up in Ukrainian Village in Parma, attended college at Cleveland State University, and have lived Downtown for the past seven years. I absolutely love city living — when I am not at the City Club, you’ll find me shopping at Heinen’s, visiting the Cleveland Public Library, attending Indians games, enjoying patios, or taking advantage of the many free events held at Star Plaza in my neighborhood. I also love a good podcast, the New York Times crossword, cooking, and searching for treasures at local estate sales with my partner, Jean-Marie.
How long have you been on the team of the City Club? Five years.
What is your favorite part about working at the City Club? I am always learning something new. Whether it’s through ideas presented from the podium, conversations generated by City Club members or our partners, or interactions with our guests, I am always challenged to think differently, explore new ideas, and be aware of my own bias. Very few jobs offer a continual opportunity to learn and grow and, for that, I am very grateful to be at the City Club.
Tell us about a recent forum that you enjoyed: It’s hard to play favorites with the forums as, to me, each one holds something special. But Dr. Bettina Love’s forum on abolitionist teaching and how to dismantle injustice was especially powerful.
What’s one of your favorite ‘hidden gems’ in Greater Cleveland? It’s probably not very “hidden,” but one of my favorite Saturday activities is vising the North Union Farmers Market at Shaker Square. I try to plan our weekly menus based on what’s in season and I enjoy talking with all the vendors about their items and new recipes to try. It’s also a great opportunity to see City Club members and guests and hear their thoughts about past and upcoming forums. A few times, speaker ideas were hatched from interactions at the farmers market!
What tip would you share with someone who is attending their first forum at the City Club? Don’t be shy or be intimidated by our history. We’re an incredibly welcoming place: come as you are, introduce yourself to us (and the folks at your table), and share your thoughts about the forum (or future forums you want to see). We’re only able to celebrate 107 years of protecting free speech because of the dedication and support of our members and community. We want to see you and hear from you.
Bill Lavezzi - December 17, 2019
Stephanie is a terrific asset to the City Club! Knowledgeable, hard-working, patient, and overall great to work with.