The results of the 2021 Global Cities Report by A.T. Kearney, a global consulting firm, showed that the cities with the greatest global connectivity were best positioned for post-pandemic recovery because their international character and connections increased their resiliency and helped these cities rebuild and adapt to a changed environment.

This forum’s purpose is to deepen our shared understanding of how being a globally connected city benefits Cleveland across sectors, and to discuss opportunities to strengthen our international engagement. CCWA will develop an “outcome document” containing key takeaways from the collective wisdom.

The event will include opening remarks, civic sector breakout sessions, community discussion and a keynote address.

Civic sector breakout sessions will include a moderated panel discussion with sector leaders and community members in the following areas:

Arts & Culture, with Marcie Goodman, Executive Director, Cleveland International Film Festival; William Griswold, Director and President, Cleveland Museum of Art; Jeremy Johnson, President and CEO, Assembly for the Arts; Tony F. Sias, Sarah Spinner Liska, Managing Director, FRONT International, President and CEO, Karamu House; moderated by Jill Paulsen, Executive Director, Cuyahoga Arts & Culture

Business & Infrastructure Assets, with Joe Cimperman, President, Global Cleveland; William Friedman, President and CEO, Port of Cleveland; Dennis Kramer, Airport Director, Hopkins International Airport; Mindy McLaughlin, Managing Director, Global Business Development, Team NEO; Baiju Shah, President and CEO, Greater Cleveland Partnership; moderated by Bethia Burke, President, Fund for Our Economic Future

Human Capital, with Ashley Basile Oeken, President, Engage! Cleveland; Dr. Michael Baston, President, Cuyahoga Community College; Eric Gordon, CEO, Cleveland Metropolitan School District; Anelize Nader, Deputy Director, Refugee Response; moderated by Victor Ruiz, Executive Director, Esperanza

Wellbeing & Environment, with Rich Cochran, President and CEO, Western Reserve Land Conservancy; Dr. James Misak, Medical Director, MetroHeath Institute for H.O.P.E.; Joyce Pan Huang, Director of Planning, City of Cleveland; Brian Zimmerman, CEO, Cleveland Metroparks; moderated by Grant Goodrich, Executive Director, Great Lakes Energy Institute, CWRU

This event is free and open to all in the greater Cleveland community.