Thea DeRosa Cerra joins Legal Aid as Development and Communications Director

The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland is excited to announce the hiring of Thea DeRosa Cerra as the organization’s next Director of Development and Communications. In this role, Thea will lead comprehensive fundraising efforts, oversee organizational communications strategies, and assist with government relations for the nonprofit law firm.

Prior to joining Legal Aid, Thea served as a Development Officer at University Hospitals, where she focused on corporate partnerships to strengthen community engagement and philanthropic support.

Thea’s passion for mission-driven work was solidified during her service in the AmeriCorps program- City Year. Her diverse nonprofit background includes a 12-year tenure at the Greater Cleveland Food Bank where she helped grow vital programs aimed at addressing food insecurity in Northeast Ohio, along with experience as the Managing Director of Impact and Development for City Year Cleveland and as Executive Director of the Cleveland Kids' Book Bank.

“I’ve had the privilege of working with some of the most respected nonprofit organizations in the region,” said Thea. “I’m excited to bring my experience, passion, and collaborative spirit to Legal Aid and contribute to the vital work being done by this talented team.”

A graduate of Cleveland State University’s Levin College of Public Affairs and Education, Thea is also a former National Urban Fellow, and an alum of Cleveland Bridge Builders.

Legal Aid is pleased to welcome Thea to the leadership team!

As the only civil legal aid provider in Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake and Lorain counties, Legal Aid plays a vital role in improving safety, health, and economic security for Ohioans with low incomes. To learn more about the organization’s work and get involved, visit lasclev.org/impact.

See related announcement in Crain’s Cleveland Business “People on the Move” - Thea DeRosa Cerra