Traci L. Jadlos has more than 20 years of experience in youth development, community mobilization, and nonprofit leadership. With a background spanning city government, education, and philanthropy—including nearly 14 years at United Way—she leverages her expertise to create lasting impact for Cleveland’s students. We recently sat down with her to talk about what makes ASAS Cleveland’s programs so special.
ASAS Cleveland operates across 21 sites. How does your team ensure programs truly reflect the communities they serve?
We’ve learned that we need to be present to truly connect with students and families, because every neighborhood has its own culture. That means attending neighborhood meetings, understanding local priorities, and collaborating with key community members. We don’t expect people to come to us—we go to them. By working alongside local leaders and organizations, we ensure that our programs feel authentic, accessible, and reflective of the students we serve.
What makes ASAS Cleveland stand out?
Workforce readiness is what we’re known for, and it’s something I’m personally passionate about—especially introducing students to the trades and hands-on careers. We’ve always incorporated career exploration, but now with virtual reality (VR) training, students can experience different fields in an interactive, engaging way. It’s been
a game-changer. We also bring in experts from within our students’ neighborhoods: real chefs teach culinary classes, local DJs teach music lessons, and industry professionals introduce students to career pathways. It’s about more than just exposure—these relationships create lasting mentorships. Many of our students go on to work with the professionals they meet through All-Stars, forming a true support network that extends beyond our programs.
What do you love most about your work? What legacy do you hope your team will leave in the community?
I love my team—that’s what makes me most proud. They know their strengths, embrace their challenges, and lift each other up every day. I see myself as a connector—whether it’s linking students to opportunities, staff to professional growth, or families to resources. It feels like a Camelot moment for us, to be surrounded by a group of people who are so passionate about their community and about making sure that our kids are prepared for the future. That’s what fuels our success. Ten years from now, my hope is that every student knows that they have a safe and accepting space with passionate adults who want to be there to help them explore and pursue whatever they want their future to be.