Neighborhood Leadership Institute’s Kevin McDaniel making
next career move in Columbus, Ohio
CLEVELAND September 9, 2022 - The Board of Directors of Neighborhood Leadership Institute (NLI) has announced that Executive Director Kevin McDaniel will be leaving the organization on October 7, 2022. He has accepted the position of Executive Director with Mental Health America of Ohio, a statewide organization focused on transforming how people think about mental health and mental health treatment. The position provides an opportunity to improve pathways to mental health wellness to underserved communities across the state through programming and advocacy. Kevin joined NLI as Associate Director in 2016 and was named Executive Director in 2017.
Harold Pretel, President of the Board of Directors for NLI, states “Kevin McDaniel is a dynamic leader who stewarded Neighborhood Leadership Institute through a series of challenging times and elevated our operational capability and fiscal diversity. His experience and expert eye on the landscape allowed him to make some key implementations which placed the Institute in the strong position it is in today. He will be missed. However, we are grateful for his service, positive spirit, and humble disposition.”
Kevin states, “I count it as a privilege to have been given the opportunity to lead an organization that holds such a special place in the heart of the community it serves, and to work alongside a staff that is not only passionate but skillful in how they approach their work. How I approach working in community has forever been changed for the better because of this experience. I thank the board and NLI's founder Don Slocum for trusting me with something they've held so precious.”
During his time as Executive Director, Kevin has overseen staff and budget growth for the organization, which is well known for its flagship Neighborhood Leadership Cleveland (NLC) training program. In addition to leadership development programming, NLI also is active in community health issues, mentor training (as managing partner of the True2U Mentoring program), and a variety of youth engagement programs.
In April of 2022, NLI implemented its 2022 Wellness Initiative, a new effort that promotes the Eight Dimensions of Wellness and features how the multi-faceted programming of NLI touches all of these dimensions of health.
“I see my upcoming role as an extension of the work that I've been fortunate to be a part of at NLI,” states McDaniel. “This is a new opportunity to give voice to issues that concern the community and provide outlets to improve on those issues.”
Since 2017, Kevin has led NLI to many accomplishments, Including:
· Neighborhood Leadership Cleveland: During Kevin’s leadership, a total of 152 graduates from five NLC classes have completed the neighborhood leadership training.
· Community Health Infant Vitality work: NLI’s Community Health team has been an integral partner in improving birth outcomes among local African American women. In 2017, in the target zip code of 44128, zero infant deaths were reported. More than 4,200 expectant Moms have been served by NLI.
· Schools as Neighborhood Resources: Kevin positioned NLI to serve as the trusted partner with the City of Cleveland to manage its school-based recreation programming in multiple neighborhoods.
· Community Book Club: In the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic and coping with circumstances surrounding the George Floyd murder, Kevin created a book club that focuses on racial injustices and allowed the community to address sensitive topics virtually during Zoom sessions. Since it began in 2020, NLI has introduced 12 books in the Club and has attracted over 400 participants.
· True2U Mentoring Program: NLI serves as the managing partner for this innovative mentoring program that works with every 8th grader in CMSD schools. Work continues to expand this mentoring model into other grades.
· 2022 Wellness Initiative: With community members still suffering from the pandemic and limited social interactions, NLI introduced year-long programming on the 8 Dimensions of Wellness. Each month features an educational component for one of the dimensions and offers accompanying activities for community members. This new programming serves as a building block for improving community health and strengthening NLI partnerships.
Elise Tompkins, an NLC graduate, retired Deputy Director at the Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court, and former Interim Director at the St. Clair Superior Development Corporation, will serve as Interim Executive Director while the Board of Directors conducts a search for a new Executive Director.
