COMMUNITY VICE PRESIDENT, 2023-2025: Shanette Bufure-Brazzell

Shanette Buford-Brazzell joined the Cleveland Foundation in December 2022 as a Philanthropic Advisor. In her current role, Shanette focuses on fostering and strengthening relationships with individuals, families, organizations, and corporations by advising and engaging them to achieve their philanthropic goals. Prior to joining the foundation, Shanette served in various roles focused on fundraising and event management in nonprofit and higher education/college athletics.

Most recently, she worked as Director, Annual Campaign for the YMCA of Greater Cleveland. Other organizations she worked for includes Weatherhead School of Management, Case Western Reserve University, United Way of Greater Cleveland, and The Jerome Schottenstein Center/The Ohio State University.

Throughout her career, Shanette has been committed to diversity, equity and inclusion, philanthropy and giving back her professional and personal time to the community. She is currently a board member for WISE Cleveland (Women in Sports and Events), member of Junior League of Cleveland, AFP Cleveland and advisory board member of TJ Carrie Foundation. Shanette has participated in several leadership and professional development programs. She recently completed the Diversity Center of Northeast Ohio’s LeadDIVERSITY (Class of 2023 cohort) and Cleveland Foundation’s Foundations for Philanthropy. Other programs she completed are Cleveland Leadership Center’s Civic Leadership Institute program and YWCA Women’s Leadership Institute Bootcamp.

Shanette earned a BA in Journalism and Promotional Communications from Cleveland State University, certificate in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace from University of South Florida and certificate in Sports Philanthropy from George Washington University’s School of Business. She enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, playing and watching sports.