Dec 16, 2019
Patricia LoPresti
Executive Director
The First Tee of Cleveland
https://www.thefirstteecleveland.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FirstTeeCleveland/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FirstTeeCLE
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefirstteeofcleveland/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChdihdY4kCL4HDfYPU1RLgQ
Patricia LoPresti leads The First Tee of Cleveland (TFTC) as Executive Director. Serving participants ages 6 to 18, the non-profit impacts the lives of local youth by providing educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values and promote healthy choices through the game of golf. Under Pat’s effective leadership, TFTC delivered its proven Core Values, Life Skills and Healthy Habits curriculum to more than 2,000 local youth in 2019 through activity-based programs.
Pat’s enthusiasm for the organization is contagious. She is entrepreneurial, engaging and creative in her approaches to fundraising and marketing. Working closely with the board, Pat initiated a strategic plan and goals to significantly grow the organization’s impact over a five-year span.
Previously, Pat worked for her family’s food distributorship, A. LoPresti & Sons, Inc., for 26 years -- working her way up to President & CEO. Pat’s client base consisted of regional restaurants, hospitals, schools and country clubs. Many of the skills she developed at A. LoPresti & Sons have translated well into her current role.
Pat’s past community involvement includes: trustee of Catholic Charities; trustee of Heather Hill Hospital & Care Center; Board of Trustees of Ursuline College; and Vice President of the Greater Cleveland Restaurant Association. Crain’s Cleveland Business recognized Pat as a Forty Under 40 honoree in 1998. Pat was recognized in 2019 with the Sales and Marketing Executives of Cleveland’s Distinguished Marketing and Sales Award.
Pat is a member of the Leadership Cleveland Class of 2015 and a graduate of Marquette University.
In this episode, we discuss:
- How she made the leap from family business to nonprofit
- How little time young people get to spend with their parents
- How First Tee helps reinforce core values in young people
- How core skills and values can be used throughout life to succeed
- How golf can be used to teach values and life skills
- The value that young professionals provide to youth and community
- The value that core values have on society