Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry (LMM) is an innovative nonprofit organization that provides social services and is a champion of restorative justice in Greater Cleveland. The LMM Board of Directors has selected Maria A. Foschia, MBA, LSW, to serve as the nonprofit agency’s next President & CEO.
A committee of the LMM Board was formed in early 2022 to conduct a national search. The Search Committee focused on finding candidates with strong organizational and strategic leadership capabilities.
After interviewing a number of outstanding candidates, the Board selected Ms. Foschia, who currently holds the position of LMM’s Chief Operating Officer (COO).
“The Board is excited to be moving LMM forward with Ms. Foschia’s leadership and continuing our strong 53-year tradition of service with the forgotten, the oppressed, and the hurting,” says Board Chair, Nicole Braden Lewis.
Foschia has been a member of LMM’s senior leadership team for more than 12 years and brings over 29 years of nonprofit management experience, serving the most vulnerable and marginalized in our community.
“It is with humility and with great respect for the legacy of our founder, Rev. Richard E. Sering, that I accept this leadership position during this most challenging time in our community,” Foschia expresses. “I share in the optimism of many public and private sector leaders for a better future for Greater Cleveland. I envision LMM continuing to play a vital role in addressing the root causes of poverty in service to promoting justice, and providing stability and hope to all we walk with in their time of need.”
Since 2016, Foschia has led as Chief Operating Officer (COO), overseeing the full range of programs and operations of the organization and the implementation of strategies to increase LMM’s community impact. In that role, she positioned the organization for sustained growth, providing leadership to achieve accreditation from the esteemed Council on Accreditation (COA), facilitating mergers and collaborative partnerships, and supporting program expansion and innovative solutions for individuals experiencing personal barriers and life challenges.
Foschia served as Acting CEO in 2019 and 2020 and provided leadership during a time of significant expansion of LMM’s service footprint in response to critical community needs, while leading the 24/7 agency through the intricacies of a global pandemic.
Prior to her appointment as COO, Ms. Foschia served as LMM’s Vice President of Adult Support & Advocacy and Quality Improvement. She has been active in a number of professional and community organizations over her career and a
member of the Civic Leadership Institute. She’s also a volunteer Peer Reviewer for the Council on Accreditation and currently serves on the Board of Directors for Greater Cleveland Volunteers.
Foschia holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology with a minor in Gerontology from Miami University, a Master’s Degree in Business Administration (Nonprofit Management) from Kent State University, and is a Licensed Social Worker in the State of Ohio.
The Board and staff of LMM wish to extend appreciation and thanks to Interim President & CEO, Sue Cyncynatus, who has regularly covered this position for short, intermediate terms over her 27 years with the agency. Cyncynatus remains in her long time role as the agency’s Chief Financial Officer and looks forward to continuing to work together with Foschia as experienced members of LMM’s chief executive team.
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About LMM:
Over the last five decades, LMM has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to addressing chronic needs, enabling people in our community facing adversity to become self-sufficient, and advocating for systems change. Our programming focuses on innovative and effective services in the areas of Adult Guardianship, Housing & Shelter, Workforce Development, and Youth Resiliency.
