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Cover Story: Shelley Shockley
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FromtheEditor: Shelley M. Shockley
LEADING WITH LOVE IN TROUBLING TIMES
As I thought about a subject for this column, I was reminded of Galatians 5:22, which reads, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, selfcontrol. Against such there is no law,” from the New King James Version.
My focus is the first fruit - love, something that should be so simple but is desperately needed all over the globe. From the wars in Israel to the unrest in Haiti and the Congo and the consistent gaslighting by candidates for public office here in the US, the need for love is clear and urgent.
The relentless barrage of misinformation and hatred constantly bombarding us through political ads has led me to limit my television and social media views. This is only sometimes a viable solution, as staying informed is crucial. However, attempting to navigate through this sea of negativity can be paralyzing. After wading through the murky waters, make sure you vote on November 5th.
Let's spend the next 30 days seeking ways to spread love to offset the negativity Let's spread love to those struggling through life's most taxing issues. October has been set aside as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
The National Foundation for Cancer Research offers five ways we can help those fighting breast cancer, and they are:
● Wear pink - The pink ribbon is an international symbol for breast cancer Wearing a pink ribbon, or a pink outfit, is a simple way to express moral support for those who have been diagnosed with breast cancer Showing support all of the time is great, but there is a national initiative to wear pink for breast cancer on the 18th of October. Get a pink outfit ready and encourage friends, family, colleagues, and neighbors to do the same!
● Help a cancer patient - Sometimes asking for help can be hard. For those who know someone battling breast cancer, find a way to make their life easier without them asking. Whether it is offering to walk their dog, drive them to their doctor's appointment, or preparing frozen meals, simple acts can make a huge difference.
Also, many chemo wards even take donations of clothing, scarves, and hats for patients. Reach out to local organizations to see what good or services would benefit the community.
● Educate yourself (and others) - Anyone can be affected by cancer. In fact, the majorityof patients never expected to receive a cancer diagnosis until it happened. The more educated society is, the greater defense there is against cancer.
● Spend wisely - A lot of organizations get on board to promote breast cancer awareness in October Unfortunately, some companies only see this as a marketing opportunity. Before buying from a retailer that claims to support breast cancer initiatives, be sure to know exactly where the money is going.
● Directly fund research initiatives - Research is critical to finding a cure, prevention methods, and more effective treatment options. Currently, the National Foundation for Cancer Research is funding dedicated researchers seeking answers as to why breast cancer occurs in certain patients and discovering more effective treatment methods. To learn more about fundraising opportunities, please visit https://www. nfcr org/get-involved/Show your support for those in unsafe situations by:
● Offering a supportive ear if they are not yet ready to remove themselves from their circumstance. Gently offer assistance, but always be there to offer love.
● Make a donation to National Network to End Domestic Violence in honor of the people in your life who have been impacted by domestic violence.
● Wear purple — the color of Domestic Violence Awareness Month — during the month of October and use this as a way to tell others why ending domestic violence is important to you.
● Contact local Domestic Violence organizations and volunteer your services, or make a donation.
I encourage you to take some time to read this edition of Phenomenal Woman and learn about women making a differencein our community.
Vice President Dr. JaNice Marshall leads Cuyahoga Community College's (Tri-C) Office of Access and Community Connections; a department of Cuyahoga Community College's Strategy Division, a unit providing services to nontraditional adults and the community. If you're looking to make a change, or you know someone ready to make life changes, you'll definitely want to read this feature.
Our cover story features Kyle Dreyfuss-Wells, CEO of the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District (NEORSD). Dreyfuss-Wells developed an early interest in systems, specifically ecosystems and environmental science, and created a path to success in wastewater treatment, and storm water. She is leading the efforts to keep water systems healthy in northeast Ohio.
As the days become shorter this is a good time to snuggle up with your future financial strategy, and Marsha WalkerEastwood offers insight on where your Social Security earnings will fit into your long-term planning.
Enjoy this edition, until next time!
SOCIAL SECURITY – A KEY
CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY Presents, "Coalition Building: We Are
CHESTERLAND, OH NATIVE PETTY OFFICER 1ST CLASS Marla Baker
Cuyahoga Community College's (Tri-C) Office of Access and Community Connections is a department of Cuyahoga Community College's Strategy Division, a unit providing services to nontraditional adults that are community faces. Led by Vice President Dr. JaNice Marshall, the Office of Access and Community Connections provides programming and services to improve access for those in targeted groups such as low income, first generation, and minority women in transition among eligible adult populations in Greater Cleveland. Moreonpage10.
Hard work and process creation are a part of the fabric of Kyle Dreyfuss-Wells, CEO of the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District (NEORSD). NEORSD is the regional agency tasked with providing sanitary and stormwater management services to Cleveland and 62 suburban communities in Northeast Ohio The District is one of the largest clean water agencies in Ohio and is responsible for treating 90 billion gallons of wastewater annually and managing 489 miles of streams, pipes and culverts.
Moreonpage16.
By: Marsha Walker Eastwood, BS.Ed, MSHSVC PWM Contributing Writer
SOCIAL SECURITY – A KEY PIECE IN YOUR RETIREMENT STRATEGY
This law represents a cornerstone in a structure which is being built but is by no means completed--a structure intended to lessen the force of possible future depressions, to act as a protection to future administrations of the Government against the necessity of going deeply into debt to furnish relief to the needy--a law to flatten out the peaks and valleys of deflation and of inflation--in other words, a law that will take care of human needs and at the same time provide for the United States an economic structure of vastly greater soundness. ~Franklin D. Roosevelt
That quote from Franklin D. Roosevelt was made in the middle 1930s, and from that day to modern day economics, the Social Security puzzle has continued to grow larger and larger borders with more and more information included in the picture. The original FRA (full retirement age) was 65 years old which was based on the average estimated longevity. Since then people are living longer and legislation has made several changes, complicating the puzzle to include an entire retirement strategy.
Your retirement puzzle has many pieces. For example, is your plan inflation-protected? Do you have a plan for when you get sick? Do you have a plan for leaving a legacy? Are your investments and retirement accounts earning a decent rate of return with no or minimal market risk?
Everyone's situation is different, and if you are like many people, you may be inclined to turn to the internet for information on your own retirement plan. However, your search will turn up a generic plan that does not consider your personal situation. This is why you need to sit down with a professional to work on your plan.
There is no doubt that Social Security is a great plan! Here is an example of how the benefits work. Based on a $2,000 monthly benefit from Social Security for a man at full retirement age (66), his Social Security is worth $396,000. (That's assuming he lives to an average life expectancy of 82 that Social Security uses for their calculations.)For a woman, it's $458,400 - it's more because women have a longer average life expectancy (85), so on average they will receive Social Security benefits longer.That means that if you are married, the value of your Social Security benefits could be over $850,000. How many assets do YOU have worth over $800,000 that are both backed by a U.S. government guarantee, and provide inflation protected lifetime income?
At this point, I am sure you are wondering if Social Security will be there for me when I retire, at what age should I begin taking It, how do I maximize my benefits, and when I can really retire. To answer your
first question, let's take a look at why Social Security was invented in the first place.
History tells us that President Roosevelt signed The Social Security Act into law on August 14, 1935. In addition to several provisions for general welfare, the new Act created a social insurance program to pay retired workers aged 65 or older a continuing income after retirement. Today, over 65 million Americans receive Social Security benefits. But we have all heard reports of impending doom regarding future fiscal shortages. What does this mean to you? 2034 is just ten years away. It means that those of us who are near retirement might need to start thinking about a backup plan, and here is why
According to Yahoo News, The Old-Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) Trust Fund, which pays retirement and survivors benefits, will be able to pay scheduled benefits on a timely basis until 2033, one year earlier than reported last year. At that time, the fund's reserves will become depleted and continuing tax income will be sufficient to pay 76 percent of scheduled benefits. The Disability Insurance (DI) Trust Fund, which pays disability benefits, will be able to pay scheduled benefits until 2057, 8 years earlier than in last year's report. At that time, the fund's reserves will become depleted and continuing tax income will be sufficient to pay 91 percent of scheduled benefits.
So now the question becomes how did we get here? We got here due to the fact that people are living longer therefore benefits are being paid longer. Lower birth rates mean less people are paying in. Lower legal immigration means less people paying into the system. Political inaction – politicians are not addressing this; they just keep kicking it down the road, and of course low returns due to low treasuries, the capital in the trust fund was not earning anything. Finally, Covid 19 took people out of the workforce, no longer paying in and more benefits were collected.
So how can it be fixed? The federal government can increase taxes or cut benefits, and it looks like both are going to happen.
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By now, you are probably scratching your head and wondering what age you should take Social Security The answer is, and it all depends on… There are a lot of considerations that go into deciding when and how to collect Social Security.
Longevity is certainly a big consideration. What is your health status? How is your parents' health if they are still alive, and if not at what age did they pass? Did you know you could work and collect SS at the same time? Is that something you are considering? It's not always advantageous but more about that later. Are you married? Or divorced? Or widowed? The answers to these questions all go into the decision of when you should claim Social Security.
Many people who are healthy may want to wait until age 70 as they will likely need that higher benefit to get through a longer retirement. But if you're not healthy, you may want to get your monies as soon as you can. Another factor is when do you want to retire? Let's look at the impact of taking benefits early vs late. In this example age 66 is the FRA, each year you take SS before your FRA you will see there is a decline in benefits and each year you wait there is an increase. If you start taking it at 62 it is 25% less than at FRA but if you wait until 70 it can be a 32% increase. That is a 76% difference in benefits. So, determining what year is especially important when it comes to your retirement income.
Or, when it comes to collecting your Social Security payments, you have three basic options: 1.) Begin collecting a reduced benefit as early as age 62. A reduced benefit means lower monthly payments. In general, the earlier you begin collecting, the lower your monthly payments will be. 2.) Collect your full benefit at your Full Retirement Age. 3.) Delay receiving your benefit up to age 70 and receive higher monthly
payments. If you begin collecting early at age 62, your benefit would be reduced by 25%. Conversely, if you delay collecting until age 70, your monthly benefit would be 32% more.
Let's look again at a person who would get $2000 per month at age 66 (their full retirement age). At age 62, the benefit would be reduced to $1,500. If they are delayed to age 70, the benefit is increased to $2,640. So, the difference between collecting $1,500 at age 62 and $2,640 at age 70 is 76% more.The monthly benefit amount is one important factor to consider when determining when to begin your Social Security benefits.
Let's look at the impact of taking benefits early vs late. In this example age 66 is the FRA, each year you take SS before your FRA you will see there is a decline in benefits and each year you wait there is an increase. If you start taking it at 62 it is 25% less than at FRA but if you wait until 70 it can be a 32% increase. That is a 76% difference in benefits. One additional consideration to keep in mind is that Social Security benefits may be taxable when added to your overall retirement income –a topic for a later date, but also one to discuss with your tax advisor
So, determining what year is very important when it comes to your retirement income. It really depends on your total retirement puzzle. Do you have other sources of money? Many people have retirement accounts like IRA's, 401k, 403bs, or Savings, CDs, Bonds, Stock, Real Estate and in very rare cases today pension plans.
I know I have presented a lot of information and raised a lot of questions but as always, the best advice for your situation will come from a conversation with a financial professional.
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Ursuline's Undergraduate Nursing Program advances 34 spots in national 2025 US News rankings
The 2025 US News Best Colleges ranked Ursuline College's Bachelor of Science in Nursing as 7th in Ohio, tied with Ohio University. Nationally, the College jumped 34 places this year to tie with multiple schools at the 149th spot. The College, home to approximately 1000 students, is among the top 22 percent of nursing schools across the country. In the past two years, the College's BSN program has moved up 98 spots.
"Our graduates enter the nursing profession incredibly prepared thanks to our dedicated faculty and staff," states Patricia Sharpnack, DNP, RN, CNE, NEA-BC, ANEF, FAAN, dean of Ursuline College's Breen School of Nursing and Health Professions. "We've had a 100% pass rate among first-time takers of the Next Generation NCLEX or NGN – the licensure exam to be a registered nurse--followed by a 100% employment rate of our graduates once they are licensed."
"The Breen School with almost eight decades of producing some of the area's most sought after nursing professionals is one of the many reasons why Northeast Ohio is known as a health care mecca to the world," adds Ursuline College President David King EdD. "Equally as important The Breen School under Dr. Sharpnack's direction continues to innovate to improve the health and well-being of our neighbors across the region."
Examples of this innovation include its new nurse anesthesia track within its Doctor of Nursing Practice program which welcomed its first online cohort in January along with corporate partner SNAP (Somnia Nurse Anesthesia Program). This fall Breen offered its Master of Science in Nursing or MSN, online in addition to in person. The program was ranked 41st in the nation last spring by US News. It was also one of the first in the state to offer its accelerated BSN program or Second Degree Accelerated Program (SDAP) parttime to increase access to this popular program for people looking to change careers and become a nurse.
Other new health care offerings include a physician assistant program which will see its first graduates in December. Ursuline also recently added a bachelor's degree completion program for respiratory therapists and a bachelor's in nutrition.
"You can also see this spirit of innovation with the recent announcement to pursue a strategic partnership with Gannon University, notes Dr King. "The strengths of the two institutions complement each other, especially in health care.
In the 2025 US News Best Colleges in the Midwest Regional Universities category, Ursuline College ranked 15th in the state and 109th overall in the region.
TRI-C PROGRAMS AND SERVICES IMPROVE ACCESS TO EDUCATION
By Rhonda Crowder PWM Contributing Writer
Cuyahoga Community College’s (Tri-C) Office of Access and Community Connections is a department of Cuyahoga Community College’s Strategy Division, a unit providing services to nontraditional adults that are community faces. Led by Vice President Dr. JaNice Marshall, the Office of Access and Community Connections provides programming and services to improve access for those in targeted groups such as income-eligible, first generation, and women in transition, and others needing to complete their high school credential, among eligible adult populations in Greater Cleveland.
In her role, Marshall brings senior-level leadership to grant-funded programs serving the needs of nontraditional adults and families in need of an innovative access strategy into the college. Some of the programs, Marshall says, are an entry towards the college’s enrollment pipeline.
“It really serves as a touch point for adults who want to restart or finish their education,” says Marshall. For example, the Community Access Centers, which launched in 2019, are physical locations in partnership with non-profit organizations.
“Every one of these partners meets the needs of the community and working with them allows us to focus on the ‘community’ aspect of our college,” Marshall says.
Those partners include Esperanza Inc., MetroHealth System, University Settlement (Broadway-Slavic Village), Olivet Housing and Community Development Corp. (an arm of the Olivet Institutional Baptist Church), Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority, the Greater Cleveland Foodbank's Community Resource Center, and the City Mission.
“When we think about adult education, we know that pre-Covid and post-Covid, adult behaviors are very different,” says Marshall. People really began to, postCovid, question the value of higher education. They suffered from some issues related to life challenges and their own self-efficacies or the return on investment.”
She says the Community Access Centers are extensions of the college in community places where people may have familiarity and comfortability in coming for other services then learn about opportunities for continued education. These centers serve diverse populations. Another program is The Ohio Options for Adults, a state- and federally funded program that assists adults experiencing low literacy levels or those who may not have completed their high school diploma. This program
Vice President Dr. JaNice Marshall
is best known as GED but Marshall says it also serves a large newcomers population who may need to learn English in very practical ways that are non-credit.
She says the program often combines English for Speakers of other Languages (ESOL) with integrated education and training. Here non-English speaking participants can learn English in a contextualized manner, combined with an in-demand workforce credential.
Launched in 2015, Ohio Adult Diploma Program allows adults to obtain a high school diploma by completing an in-demand workforce credential. Initially, it was geared towards adults at least 22 years old or older. Now, it serves adults at least 18 years old.
“Because, once again, we know that during Covid and post-Covid there were high school scholars who stopped out,” says Marshall, explaining how the state of Ohio found innovative ways to address this need. “Traditional classrooms and education just didn't serve their needs at the time.”
Participants in this program complete a national skills assessment or certification. They complete the requirements for the high school diploma and an indemand workforce credential - at no cost. “They literally receive a scholarship to complete their high school credential and an in-demand workforce credential.”
Women in Transition
The Women in Transition program is at the beginning of their 47th year of continuous programming. Started with federal funds from the U.S. Department of Education then supported by a number of differing funding mechanisms, now it's funded in part by a significant grant from the State of Ohio that supports diverse populations and a number of local philanthropic organizations.
“It is an opportunity for women who are experiencing some kind of life transition and they get to determine what that transition is,” says Marshall.
That transition could be a woman returning from incarceration… a woman who chose to stay home to raise children and is ready to enter the workforce… or a woman at the tail end of her career yet called to do something different… but she doesn't know where to start.
“The women who participate in Women in Transition come from every walk of life, they represent multiple cultures/ethnic backgrounds, age groups, career experiences” Marshall says.
When she joined the college in 2011, hiring a director of Women in Transition was one of her first acts of duty. Even then, she says, they decided to step back and examine what is known for sure about women. “When women are stable, families are stable,” says Marshall.
The vision of the Women in Transition program is to be the premier college and community program focused on the growth and development of women throughout Northeast Ohio. It is a six-week program, available on all three campuses, both in-person and online. The in-person class meets 3 days a week and the virtual class meets 2 days. Administrators try to keep the class to fewer than 25 participants.
The curriculum is designed to help women move their lives forward as they build personalized academic and professional development plans. The overall goal is to help women understand how to align passions with earning a livable wage.
Jazmyne Frost has been the director of the Women in Transition program for a little over a year now, but has worked at Tri-C for seven years. In previous roles, she's partnered with the Women in Transition program to either assist with providing resources or as a presenter. “It's an honor,” she says about being in this role.
Frost explains that the Women in Transition program addresses topics surrounding personal development, career exploration, and basic computer skills - teaching women how to keep up-to-date with new platforms. They also discuss time management, setting healthy boundaries, confidence and motivation. And, by engaging in S.M.A.R.T goal setting, each participant leaves the program with a 3-5 year plan. In addition, participants network and strengthen their support system. Many of the women stay connected after the program ends as a result of the bonds built. “They leave motivated and excited about what's next.” she says.
Continued on next page...
TRI-C
She also thinks it's amazing that a number of women who have completed the program are now on Tri-C's staff.
Started out as the Displaced Homemaker's Program, Frost also finds it ironic how the program itself has transitioned over the years. Today, there is an increasing number of younger women entering the program. The participants range in age from 22 to 80 years old while the average age range is late 30's to early 50's. Even women with graduate and doctoral degrees have participated in the Women in Transition program, she says. “They come wanting to know how Tri-C can help them rework that degree,” says Frost.
Every year, the program hosts an event. This past July, they held “Designing HER-Story Event” at Corporate College East. The event was organized to encourage women to be lifelong learners and to design their own stories. Women across the greater Cleveland area gathered together to discover new insights into their personal stories. It was through discussions and presentations about communication skills, financial wellness and the benefits of a growth mindset that attendees created momentum for themselves and their story. They benefited from sessions on holistic health and wellness as well as sessions dedicated to building their entrepreneurial spirit. The day was filled with insightful presentations, meaningful discussions, a dynamic panel conversation and networking opportunities all creating a vibrant and supportive atmosphere.
Marshall says there are many stories that come out of the Women in Transition program, stories of women who start their own business and go on to have amazing careers.
“More important than ever before, after leaving the program, they have the confidence to say, 'Yes, I can,'” says Marshall.
Educational Opportunity Center
If someone needs assistance with GED enrollment, obtaining a high school diploma, gaining training, a certificate or degree program enrollment, career advising or even in need of loan default resolution, the staff at the Educational Opportunity Center TRIO, another Access and Community Connections offering, is ready to assist.
The Educational Opportunity Center at Tri-C Metro is one of six TRIO programs at the college and has been at Tri-C for over 27 years.
The Educational Opportunity Center TRIO provides information regarding financial and academic assistance available for individuals who desire to pursue a program of postsecondary education and assistance to individuals applying for admission to institutions that offer programs of postsecondary education, including assistance in preparing necessary applications for use by admissions and financial aid officers.
The program is funded by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Federal TRIO Programs. The Federal TRIO Programs (TRIO) are federal outreach and student services programs designed to identify and provide services for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Participants must be Cuyahoga County residents, 19 years or older, who are low-income individuals and/or potential first-generation college students desiring to enroll in a program of postsecondary education. Participants may be U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or refugees.
“We seek those who are first generation college students,” says Director Elijah Scott, who has been at the helm of the Center since 2017. He manages a team of three student liaisons and one student advisor. “The Center is extremely essential because we can sit down and walk you through the process.”They serve 1200 participants annually. Some are returning but most are new
“We are here with open arms for any adult Cuyahoga County resident who needs assistance,” says Scott. “We are a conduit from Tri-C to the community. And, we work together with sister programs to ensure participant success. We go above and beyond to support our sister programs to meet our own benchmarks outlined by the grant.”
One major accomplishment the Educational Opportunity Center has achieved is meeting 100 percent of the benchmarks in 2022-23. They host an annual banquet to acknowledge perseverance.
“Our programs create a ripple effect,” says Marshall. “We want families and the community to be more vibrant so we have to have multiple strategies to meet the needs of individuals and families in the community”
Photo by Ashley Craig
By Ashley Craig, Navy Office of Community Outreach
OAK HARBOR, Wash. – Aviators in the U.S. Navy fly some of the most technologically-advanced aircraft in modern history. The driving force behind keeping naval aviators safely in the air are the maintainers on the ground making repairs and ensuring the aircraft are mission-ready.
Petty Officer 1st Class Marla Baker, a native of Chesterland, Ohio, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to Fleet Readiness Center Northwest (FRCNW), aboard Naval Air Station Whidbey Island. Baker graduated from West Geauga High School in 1998. Additionally, Baker attended East Carolina University
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Chesterland.
“Coming from a small town instilled a sense of trust and belonging in me,” said Baker. “This taught me to show my peers I am loyal and they can rely on me when they are in need of assistance. The community is tight-knit, and everyone works together to pull off functions. This gave me leadership and teamwork skills that I have used throughout my time in the Navy. Every one of my shipmates is part of my Navy family, and we can't accomplish our jobs without each other, so we have to look out for each other”
Baker joined the Navy 19 years ago. Today, Baker serves as an aircrew survival equipmentman.
“I was in Army ROTC while in college and I wanted to
MarlaBaker
CHESTERLAND, OH NATIVE PETTY OFFICER 1ST CLASS KEEPS THE NAVY FLYING IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST
join the military,” said Baker. “After 9/11 happened, I felt the need to serve my country immediately. The Navy had the best job opportunities and the fastest entrance process. After speaking to several friends who were in the Navy, I felt it was a better fit for me than the Army The places that deployments would take me made it the most intriguing.”
FRCNW is the premier intermediate maintenance activity of the Pacific Northwest. With more than 1,000 sailors, civilian and contractor personnel, FRCNW provides intermediate and more sophisticated depot-level repair of more than 12,500 different aviation components. Repair services are provided for jet engines, airframes, avionics, armament, aviation life support systems, ejection seats and more than 2,300 pieces of support equipment directly supporting 22 local and deployed squadrons, 10 aircraft carriers, three overseas operational sites and numerous Pacific Northwest Regional commands and activities.
With 90% of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.
Baker serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation's prosperity and security.
“We will earn and reinforce the trust and confidence of the American people every day,” said Adm. Lisa Franchetti, chief of naval operations. “Together we will deliver the Navy the nation needs.”
Baker has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I am most proud to have served in the last F-14 Tomcat squadron VF-31 before they were permanently decommissioned,” said Baker. “It was epic to be part of an era that generated a legacy. I am also incredibly proud to have had the opportunity to serve my country, forward-deployed in Japan on America's flagship aircraft carrier, USS Ronald Reagan. I was named Senior Sailor of the Year 2023 while stationed aboard.”
Baker can take pride in serving America through military service.
“Serving in the Navy has provided me a wonderful life,” said Baker. “I have been all around the world, to places I would have never had the opportunity to visit. I met my husband, Jason, in the Navy and have served side-byside with him while raising our boys. They have had experiences other kids their age will never experience.”
Baker is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.“I want to thank my husband, Jason, for being supportive,” added Baker
PHOTOS: JASON GARRETT, The Blush Gallery
KYLE DREYFUSS-WELLS
CEO, Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District
Hard work and process creation are a part of the fabric of Kyle Dreyfuss-Wells, CEO of the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District (NEORSD). NEORSD is the regional agency tasked with providing sanitary and stormwater management services to Cleveland and 62 suburban communities in Northeast Ohio. The District is one of the largest clean water agencies in Ohio and is responsible for treating 90 billion gallons of wastewater annually and managing 489 miles of streams, pipes and culverts.
Dreyfuss-Wells was born in upstate New York where her parents, Michael and Elisabeth Dreyfuss, lived on a farm in Glens Falls. Her dad was in a rock band, and her mom taught at Adirondack Community College. Having grown up as high school sweethearts at Cleveland Heights High School, Elisabeth and Michael decided to return to the area and raise their family in Shaker Heights, so Dreyfuss-Wells says, “I am to all extents and purposes a native Clevelander.”
As Kyle was growing up, her mom recognized that her daughter would benefit from a different learning environment. She enrolled Kyle in the Ratner Montessori School for focused learning because as a student with dyslexia, learning to read was a challenge. Describing this time in her life, Dreyfuss-Wells says, “I was saved by my mother who got me into that school, and a teacher there named Sally Brown who taught me how to figure out the English language and how to read. Reading was always a process for me, so I enjoy figuring out how systems work.”
Armed with this interest in how things work, another teacher would lead her into the world of environmental science. She recalls, “When I got to Shaker Heights High School, I had a great Environmental Science teacher, Robert Sylak, who exposed me to this idea of ecosystems and how organisms are dependent on one another. And how having biodiversity makes systems rich, interesting, and strong. That whole idea has always been really appealing to me, which is why I studied biology and ecology at The Ohio State University.”
As a high school graduate, Dreyfuss-Wells, like many young scholars, had one mission: leaving the nest. She was ready to see the world in Burlington, Vermont, and the University of Vermont chosen as her first landing. One year later, she headed to The Ohio State University, where she remained, graduating, Summa Cum Laude, with a bachelor's degree in biology and ecology.
With her degree in hand, she continued to move further from the nest as she joined the Peace Corps, traveling to Samoa in the South Pacific. She would also explore Asia before returning to the States where she continued her graduate studies, earning a master's degrees with honors in both public affairs and environmental science
at Indiana University's School of Public and Environmental Affairs. Dreyfuss-Wells explains, “I wanted to get out. That was an impetus that I had. I think it's interesting how I got out. I went to Burlington, Columbus, and Samoa in the South Pacific. I traveled all around Asia.”
Her family and their values were steeped in the career path she took. She described her parents as “wonderful social activists and artists” and said she grew up in a home where many interesting, like-minded people gathered. Her classically trained musician father attended medical school and worked for Wyse Advertising, and her mom ran the Street Law Program at Cleveland State University's Law School while serving on the Amnesty International board and working with the US State Department to help other countries write their constitutions.
It’s really important for folks to get into the sewer district because once you’re in, we have all sorts of training programs you can participate in.
When the desire for community hit and Dreyfuss-Wells returned to Northeast Ohio, she joined the newly formed Chagrin River Watershed Partners (CRWP), which shaped the groundwork for her continued advancement in this field.
The CRWP is a non-profit organization that connects people and communities who care for the Chagrin River, Lake Erie, and other watersheds in Ohio. As a watershed-centric agency, the organization brings together cities, villages, townships, counties, and park districts, including Beachwood, Bainbridge Township, Kirtland, and the Cleveland Metroparks, to name a few
After 11 years with CRWP, where she served as Executive Director, Dreyfuss-Wells joined NEORSD as the Manager of Watershed Programs and later the Deputy Director of Watershed Programs.
As a CRWP leader and now the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District CEO, Dreyfuss-Wells is a driving force in the industry. According to Data USA, the workforce of Water &Wastewater treatment plant and system operators in 2022 was 101,867 people, with only 5.63% women and 94.4% men.
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While the national statistics for women are low, NEORSD has a robust staff of women leading the organization, including Devona Marshall, Director of Engineering and Construction, and Robin Halperin, Deputy Director of Watershed Programs. The female leadership doesn't end there—Constance T. Haqq is the Chief Administrative Officer, Jean E. Smith serves as Director of Administration and External Affairs, and Jacqueline Muhammad is the Director of Government and Customer Relations.
Although the District has a diverse leadership team, Dreyfuss-Wells does not diminish the areas that lack representation in her organization and the industry. She said,“Our workforce is still a majority males, so I don't want to sugarcoat it in terms of our workforce. The majority of the wastewater workforce across the country is male, so we need to be real about that and the urgency around our diversity, equity and inclusion work.”
Understanding the big picture, she said the District is committed to doing its part to bring about effective change. She explained, “I think the way that we've dealt with it at the District is that we have an authentic diversity, equity, and inclusion focus where we work at making sure that we have different ways for folks to access careers. Not just engineering and other science backgrounds, but we also value communications - being able to write well because you can be the smartest person out there, but if you can't communicate your work, you're really hindered.”
As an organization, the District has several ways to engage its employees on the issue of DEI. DreyfussWells also believes some of the work is the employee's responsibility. She said, “I think first, when talking about diversity and inclusion, it's important for the individuals within the organization to do their own personal work.” This work includes racial equity institute training, racial justice dialogues, and employee resource groups. The key she said, is “making sure that we have opportunities and a focus on doing their own work around diversity, equity and inclusion, so they can understand the historical context, why things are, how things got to be the way they are, and what we can do to improve opportunities for all.”
Using this approach, Dreyfuss-Wells believes you don't miss the conversation around systemic issues, which the organization spent a lot of time discussing when she became CEO. She said, “Each department has its own diversity, equity and inclusion goals to ensure this work continues, which I think is really cool. So, IT will come up with ways to support DEI by making dashboards for hiring data and tracking the progress so they work on DEI within their area of expertise. I like that because it's super homegrown, and it shows that they understood the assignment when it comes to DEI and they've put it into terms that work within their department.”
Another example of the internal work paying off is in Health and Safety, where the team noticed the need for an entry-level path into the section. Dreyfuss-Wells explained, “It's really important for folks to get into the
District because once you're in, we have all sorts of training programs you can participate in. We also have a tuition assistance program where folks can go back to school and maybe get a different bachelor's degree, or they can go from an associate's degree to a bachelor's degree or a master's degree, and we share that cost with them.”
As an agency spanning many communities, the CEO also praised the work of the Good Neighbor Ambassadors program, which has, for the last ten years, focused on hiring people within the neighborhoods they serve. This program collaborates with Cuyahoga Community College to provide skills training and GED assistance. College students wanting to break into the industry also have a path to success through the Clean Water Fellows program. Additionally, for more than 35 years, the District has worked with Central State University to ensure that two Louis Stokes Scholars have opportunities at the District.
As CEO, Dreyfuss-Wells oversees a staff of more than 750 employees who manage hundreds of miles of sewer and stream networks, a multi-billion-dollar 25-year Project Clean Lake program, and a regional wet-weather strategy for the health of Lake Erie and more than one million residents.
In describing her daily routine and responsibilities, Dreyfuss-Wells began by emphasizing the work of her staff. She said, “Everybody has a role at the District, and all these roles are equally important. It just happens to be that my job, my role, is to decide things, that is the job of the CEO, to make decisions based on the best information you have.” She also stressed that making decisions, but equally as important, is to make them promptly, “so that other people can continue to do their work.”To prepare herself to meet this demand, she reviews her calendar on the weekend for the following week and regularly meets with staff “to be prepared for those meetings because folks are coming to me to make a decision, and they've prepared for that. They have a recommendation, and they need a decision. I have a big dislike for analysis paralysis, so I focus on keeping it rolling.”
When explaining the work of the District, Dreyfuss-Wells said, “The Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District is formed under Ohio Revised Code 6119, which allows for the formation of regional districts for water and sewer, and when I say regional, I mean cross-county, so we are the City of Cleveland and 62 communities across portions of four counties - Cuyahoga, Summit, Lake, and Lorain.”
She continued, “We're 363 square miles of the Lake Erie watershed, and within that service area, we have responsibility for regional wastewater treatment, so we operate the region's three wastewater treatment plants, including the Southerly Plant, which is the largest wastewater treatment plant in the state and the big collection system that takes the wastewater there. We also have responsibility for regional stormwater through our Regional Stormwater Management Program.”
On the wastewater side, when you flush your toilet, wastewater goes down to the pipe in your street - the
local pipe and that pipe makes its way to the District's system. To clarify the relationship, Dreyfuss-Wells offered this analogy, “It's like the local streets and the highways. We're responsible for the highways, and the local governments are responsible for the smaller streets.” Further illustrating, she said, “If you live in Shaker, you might pay a local sewer fee, and then you'll pay a regional fee, so there's a local pipe, and then there's a big pipe, so we're responsible for the big pipes and the wastewater treatment plants. We're also responsible for solving the region's legacy of combined sewers where stormwater and sewage flow in the same pipe.”
A similar relationship exists on the stormwater side: the rainwater, snowmelt, and anything that runs off; the District is responsible for maintaining the big streamsCuyahoga River, Rocky River, and Doan Brook, and the local governments are responsible for the smaller streams. Dreyfuss-Wells said, “It's kind of a mirror image, and it's worked since we were formed in 1972 because we have a great relationship with our member communities. It's based on this idea of service - helping them solve their problems, understanding the issues at a technical level, and then helping them get funding. Trying to solve as many issues as possible with one project, with the idea that it's the same ratepayer, we must ensure we're spending folk's money as wisely as possible.”
As CEO, Dreyfuss-Wells has overseen many projects that improve residents' overall quality of life. When asked about any that stand out, she recalled a project spanning North Royalton into Broadview Heights. Historic flooding in homes and on streets had gripped the community for too long, so NEORSD and Broadview Heights joined forces to offer residents some relief.
Dreyfuss-Wells recalls, “During the early days of our Regional Stormwater Management Program, Broadview Heights and North Royalton came to us with an intercommunity flooding issue. The problem had been occurring since the area was developed. Chippewa Creek and the local stormwater systems were flooding, and the communities requested our assistance.”
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To achieve the goal, major construction inconvenienced the communities by digging in backyards, tearing up roads, and dust and construction became the norm for a full year. At the heart of the project was the daylighting - taking a stream out of a pipe to restore it and reconnect it to its floodplain. The key to a success, she said, was that, “We were there to answer every question that the residents had. We had the highest level of technical expertise, and they trusted us, worked with us, and we came out with this great outcome.” Ultimately, she said everyone was happy, from the Mayorsand Councilsto the residents, staff, and contractors. Dreyfuss-Wells said the goal was met,” It's a great project that adds value to the neighborhood and greatly reduces that impact of flooding on peoples' homes.”
In business, the role of mentors is generally equated to success. A Forbes article from 2023 said, “Establishing a mentorship relationship can provide mentees with immense advantages, such as new knowledge, expanded networks, and the ability to advance their career. Having a mentor is more than just setting and achieving goals; it's about having someone in your corner who can provide valuable feedback, encouragement, and support to help you grow professionally and personally”
Many believe that mentors should be in the same industry and at a level you aspire to reach, but others believe that mentors can be younger and in other fields. The most important requirement is to have individuals who will offer feedback, both good and bad.CEO Dreyfuss-Wells counts her mom, a teacher, and two former bosses as her mentors. She said of her mom, “I sort of modeled my career after her. I learned a lot from her about how to conduct yourself, how to deliver a good speech, and how to be clear in your thinking. She also believed in finding interesting work and having a strong commitment to that work, and I love living that way.”
Her teacher, Sally Brown, further nurtured her desire to work hard. She said, “As a teacher, there was this idea that you would work hard and that would be rewarding. I love that approach to life, that hard work brings reward, and it can be a reward in terms of the joy of succeeding at something difficult and helping your community.”
In her career, Dreyfuss-Wells said, “I've had the benefit of two amazing mentors - one is Greg Studen, who was my first boss at the Chagrin River Watershed Partners, and he instilled the idea of providing services that were valuable to local governments, that help local governments solve problems they had related to land use, flooding, and erosion issues. Then, coming to the Sewer District and working under Julius Ciaccia, the CEO before me, was great. Seeing how he conducted himself in terms of figuring out how to say yes to people's ideas and projects that people wanted to do so that we could keep the organization moving forward and providing service was important.”
Dreyfuss-Wells believes in paying forward the experience she received from others. On mentoring, she said, “I firmly believe that none of us got where we are
Phenomenal Facts:
· BSc, Biology (summa cum laude)
The Ohio State University
· MSC., Public Affairs (with honors)
Indiana University
· MSC., Environmental Science (with honors)
Indiana University
· Representative of The Board of Trustees
Region 5,
National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA)
· Recipient of the following;
o Stormwater Professional of the Year award from the Ohio Stormwater Association
o NACWA President's Award
o The John W. Hill Award Public Relations Society of America, Greater Cleveland Chapter
o Crain's Women of Note in 2023
· Served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Samoa.
on our own, and if you think that you got somewhere through solely your hard work, you're fooling yourself. I think it is really important if someone asks you for guidance to have those conversations.” In summary, she said, “I try to give as much help as possible based on the experience that I've had because I have benefited from people who took the time to talk with me. I will say that it's a two-way street, so there are folks that want to mentor, and then there's being a good mentee. Being prepared for those conversations, being open to feedback, and implementing the advice.”
Dreyfuss-Wells is married, the mother of an adult son, Fenner, and the owner of a horse and a dog. In her spare time, she enjoys running to clear her head and to enjoy nature. Her other love is riding her horse, Carino. She's not a huge fan of travel, but her husband enjoys it, and she said, “I've learned to do things that smart people recommend that you do, and he's one of the smartest people I know.” She will admit that she does enjoy their travels and spending time with her husband and son. g
BRUNCH MADE EASY
Gathering friends and family doesn't need to be fancy. With its prime positioning between breakfast and lunch, brunch is a more casual and lighter alternative to the typical dinner party.
When charged with hosting a mid-day gathering, a little pre-planning can go a long way toward ensuring your brunch get-together is as simple as it is scrumptious.
Get creative with decor. When prepping your tablescape, think outside the box. Opt for unexpected serving dishes such as tartlet tins and vases, and transfer syrups and jams from their everyday containers to glass bowls or creamers. Fresh flowers and produce can add natural pops of color to the table and a bowl of fruit can make for an eye-catching centerpiece.
Plan a variety of dishes. Make sure you have a mix of both sweet and savory dishes on the menu that can
please a wide variety of palates. Earmarking some recipes that can be made ahead, like pastries and casseroles, can be a simple way to avoid waking up extra early to prepare. Save the morning of your event for dishes that are best served fresh, like this Herbed Spanish Omelet, which features potatoes; fresh, spring herbs; and red onions, and packs protein, B-vitamins and cancer-protective phytochemicals.
Serve it buffet-style. Setting your spread out on the counter and allowing guests to help themselves not only makes it easier for the host to mingle, but it allows guests to customize their meals as they wish and gives the gathering a more casual vibe. Try themed stations, such as a coffee or mimosa bar, parfait bar or bread bar, in addition to more traditional dishes to let guests take the customization to the next level.
For more brunch ideas and recipes, visit Culinary.net.
Herbed Spanish Omelet
Reprinted with permission from the American Institute for Cancer Research Servings: 4
1 pound potatoes, peeled and diced or shredded water
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 1/2 cup diced red onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 large whole eggs, lightly beaten
2 egg whites, lightly beaten
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh basil
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh chives salt, to taste (optional) fresh herb sprigs, for garnish (optional)
Place potatoes in large pan. Cover with water. Bring to boil and cook, uncovered, 3 minutes. Remove from heat. Cover and let stand about 10 minutes, or until potatoes are tender. Drain well.
In deep, 10-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat, heat oil. Add onion and garlic. Cook about 8 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add potatoes and cook 5 minutes.
Combine whole eggs and egg whites. Stir in parsley, basil and chives. Season with salt, to taste, if desired. Pour mixture over potatoes in hot skillet. Reduce heat and cook, uncovered, about 10 minutes, or until bottom of omelet is golden.
If desired, brown top under toaster oven. Garnish with fresh herb sprigs, if desired.
Nutritional information per serving: 260 calories; 12 g total fat (2 g saturated fat); 28 g carbohydrates; 11 g protein; 2 g dietary fiber; 106 mg sodium.
A FLATBREAD FOR THE FAMILY
When dining outside with your loved ones, there are few things better than a tasty dish the whole family can enjoy. This Chipotle Chicken Flatbread makes for a perfect al fresco meal.
Prepared along with a fresh salad or simply enjoyed by itself, this flatbread is simple to make and even kids will love adding the toppings and sauce. It's colorful and fresh, making it a perfect addition to get-togethers on the patio.
Plus, the cooking time is only 16 minutes, which makes this a quick and delicious solution to defeat.
For more al fresco recipe ideas, visit Culinary.net.
Chipotle Chicken Flatbread Adapted from butteryourbiscuit.com
2 flatbreads
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 clove garlic, diced
4 chicken tenders, cooked and cubed
1 pint cherry tomatoes, quartered salt, to taste pepper, to taste
1/2 cup ranch dressing
1 1/2 teaspoons chipotle seasoning
2 tablespoons cilantro leaves, chopped
Preheat oven to 375 F
Place parchment paper on baking sheet and add flatbreads. Sprinkle cheese on flatbreads. Top with garlic, chicken and tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Bake 16 minutes until cheese is melted.
In small bowl, mix ranch and chipotle seasoning.
Drizzle ranch dressing on flatbread and sprinkle with cilantro leaves.
ACLASSIC SOUTHERN DESSERT
Delight the chocolate lovers in your family with this easy recipe for a Southern classic like Mississippi Mud Cake.
Find more sweet recipes at Culinary.net.
Mississippi Mud Cake
1 chocolate cake mix (15 1/4 ounces)
1 1/4 cups water
1/3 cup canola oil
1/3 cup creamy peanut butter
3 eggs
1 cup semisweet chocolate pieces
1 can (16 ounces) chocolate fudge frosting
1 bag (16 ounces) miniature marshmallows
1 cup chopped pecans
Heat oven to 350 F
Grease 13-by-9-by-2-inch baking pan.
In large bowl, using electric mixer on low speed, combine cake mix, water, oil, peanut butter and eggs. Stir in chocolate pieces. Pour into prepared pan.
Bake 30-35 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center of cake comes out clean.
Pour marshmallows over top of cake. Return to oven and bake 2-3 minutes, or until marshmallows are somewhat melted.
In microwave-safe bowl, melt fudge frosting in microwave.
Drizzle frosting over melted marshmallows. Sprinkle pecan pieces over frosting. Allow cake to cool completely before serving.
