Suzanne Fleming joined the board of The Raymond John Wean Foundation because she was impressed with the organization’s commitment to improving the future for the residents of the Mahoning Valley. 

   “I think the Foundation plays many roles in the community - catalyst, convener, capacity builder, collaborator and change agent,” said Fleming, who retired in 2008 as the coordinator of the Northeast Ohio Regional Leadership Task Force.

    Fleming said the local community has many assets, including its people, its location, industrial and entrepreneurial heritage, cost of living, universities, parks, lakes and rivers.

    Fleming also cited the community’s  “cadre of new young leaders, including Jay Williams, Capri Cafaro, Joe Schiavoni, John Boccieri and Tim Ryan.”

    While working as the coordinator of the Northeast Ohio Regional Leadership Task Force from 1998-2008, Fleming also served as a research associate and assisted area government and non-profit organizations with leadership development and strategic planning. She previously served as a graduate assistant at Kent State’s Center for Public Policy and Public Administration from 1995 to 1997.

    Fleming served as executive director of Leadership Youngstown, Leadership Warren and Leadership Mahoning Valley from 1986 to1995. From 1973 to1987 she worked as an RN in surgical intensive care at the former Southside Medical Center.  Fleming attended Georgetown University as a nursing major and graduated from Youngstown State University with an Associate’s degree in Applied Science in Nursing in 1973. She earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Sociology from YSU and a Master’s in Public Administration from Kent State University.

    In addition to The Raymond John Wean Foundation, Fleming also serves on the boards of the Mahoning Valley Historical Society, Humility of Mary Health Partners, the Rotary Club of Youngstown and the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation. She is a past president of the Junior League of Youngstown. Suzanne is married to Al Fleming, an attorney, and they are the parents of two children and grandparents of three.  They are members of St. Edward Parish and residents of the city of Youngstown.