Leadership

Al DiFranco President - Leadership

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(440) 339-1974

I am proud to serve as the President at Junior Achievement of Greater Cleveland! I was born and raised in Lake County and currently live in Mentor. I graduated from Baldwin Wallace University with a political science degree and also have a Master's in Higher Education Leadership from Capella University. I really enjoyed the JA experience as a student, then as a volunteer, and now am proud to lead our team in making a difference for young people in our community!

I am a strong believer in the philosophy of "Servant Leadership" and speak to professional and student groups about the importance of enriching the lives of individuals, building better organizations, and creating a more caring world through service. I try to make this concept the center of my personal life and the mantra for the team here at JAGC.

I enjoy playing different golf courses and serving as a volunteer coach with First Tee of Cleveland!

My favorite

Part of My Job: Watching our students and volunteers actively participate in our programs and learn from each other that's what it is all about!

Spots in Cleveland: On the links or cheering on one of our teams!

Quote: "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel" Maya Angelou

Tyler Adams Vice President of Development - Development

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(330) 883-4643

Tyler lives by a rule he calls the 51/49 rule: give 51% and only take 49% give more than you take to the people and groups around you, whether it's your time, your talent, or your resources.

Tyler's track record clearly illustrates the use of this rule. Most evidently, he has dedicated the majority of his professional career to non-profit work. The reason? As Tyler puts it, he wanted to wake up every morning and go to bed each night knowing [his] decisions were helping others.

Before arriving at Junior Achievement of Greater Cleveland in February of 2024, Tyler was the Vice President of Development for neighboring Junior Achievement of North Central Ohio in Canton, Ohio. There he helped to launch three standard-changing career exploration events called JA Inspire, garnered hundreds of new relationships, and helped to raise nearly $1.5 million in expansive funding needed to grow the mission of Junior Achievement.

Prior, he was the Director of Walk to End Alzheimer's for the Alzheimer's Association overseeing and helping to manage 10 area mass marketing events that raised awareness and funds for Alzheimer's and dementia research, support, and care. There he not only worked passionately to ensure his fundraising goals were achieved in Akron, Youngstown, and Canton, but he raised a record-shattering $530,000 in his first year managing Cleveland's Walk to End Alzheimer's in 2021 the first ever half-million dollar event in Northeast Ohio's history. This achievement also led to another Northeast Ohio first: a top 30 finish in the country (out of 600 total events).

Tyler has earned a number of local distinctions including the Greater Akron Chamber's 30 for the Future Award, National Sales and Marketing Executives Achievement in Excellence Award, and the Junior Achievement USA Rising Star Award.

Tyler also dedicates his time to the board of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (chairing National Philanthropy Day), guest lecturing at local universities to help young people jumpstart their events careers after graduation, and other volunteer activities when he can.

Today, Tyler lives in North Olmsted with his wife Kelsey, son Avett, and dog Atticus. In his spare time, Tyler enjoys playing drums, reading, and playing video games.

My favorite:

Part of My Job: Hearing from JA alumni about how their connection with Junior Achievement has changed their life.

Spots in Cleveland: As a musician, you'll find me at a number of different venues around town -- Grog Shop, Jacobs Pavilion, The Agora, House of Blues

Quote: Make more mistakes than others make attempts -- Adam Grant