Benesch is pleased to announce that Chief Culture Officer and Real Estate Practice Group Vice Chair Jared Oakes has been selected to the Cleveland Leadership Center’s prestigious Leadership Cleveland class of 2025, joining other senior-level leaders in a 10-month program.
The program offers recognized and established C-suite leaders unique opportunities to engage in conversations and experiences that enhance their knowledge, leadership skills and relationships. Approximately 65 leaders are selected through a highly competitive process.
Participants are chosen based on their proven leadership and dedication to Cleveland, following a rigorous application process that includes interviews with program alumni. This year’s class comes from a diverse range of sectors, including large professional service firms, entrepreneurship, social service organizations and government. Nearly 41% identify as BIPOC and 45% as female.
The class of 2025 will kick off in September, engaging in intensive sessions, site visits and retreats. Participants will gain insights into challenges and opportunities while building crucial relationships through high-level discussions with leaders, stakeholders and organizations across various sectors.
Jared is Vice Chair of Benesch’s Real Estate & Environmental Practice Group and known for his work with Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), institutional investors, lenders, private equity funds, family offices, and other public and private investors in commercial real estate. His expertise includes large-scale development projects and corporate real estate, covering acquisitions, entity planning, leasing, development, asset management and debt restructuring. In addition to his legal practice, Jared is actively involved in professional associations and community organizations. He is a Fellow of the American College of Real Estate Lawyers (ACREL) and serves on the ICSC Law Conference Planning Committee. Jared is also committed to community service, supporting initiatives related to mental health awareness and empowerment.
To learn more about the program, visit cleveleads.org/LC.