PRESIDENT, 2023-2025: Barbara Kakiris

Barbara Kakiris is The Junior League of Cleveland’s (JLC) President.  Professionally, Barbara is Director of Engagement and Stewardship for The MetroHealth Foundation, a role in which she designs, implements, and evaluates comprehensive donor engagement and stewardship programs for the hospital system. MetroHealth is redefining healthcare by going beyond medical treatment to improve the foundations of community health and well-being by focusing on health equity: affordable housing, a cleaner environment, economic opportunity and access to fresh food, convenient transportation, legal help, and other services. Prior to her foray into the healthcare arena, she spent a decade in higher education (as Deputy Chief of Staff at Cleveland State University and Director of Summer Programs at Kenyon College) and 20 years in the federal government at NASA’s Glenn Research Center in various public relations, protocol, and event management roles. Before moving back to Cleveland, she was an elected official in Knox County, Ohio, helping to run and manage Gambier, OH as a member of Village Council. She earned a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) degree from Kenyon College in Gambier, OH and a Master of Studies (one of the first graduates in Women’s Studies) from The University of Oxford in Oxford, England. She has also completed certifications from Cleveland State University, MIT Sloan School of Management, The Brookings Institution, and The Protocol School of Washington.  Barbara has been recognized by various organizations with honors including the NASA Public Service Medal, United States Congressional Achievement Award, Inside Business Magazine’s ATHENA Award, JLC’s Frances Payne Bolton and Ruth T. Lucas Awards, Kenyon College’s Anne J. Robinson and Distinguished Service Awards, GLAMOUR Magazine’s Women at Their Best Award, and the Greek America Foundation’s Forty Under 40 Award. She was also inducted into the Lakewood Rangers Education Foundation (LREF) Alumni Hall of Fame.  Barbara is active in her community, serving on the LREF board in addition to JLC. During her spare time, Barbara enjoys traveling to visit her nephews and friends, attending live concerts and shows, reading, and most of all—spending time with her three Standard Poodles.