Colette Taylor, whose professional experience includes work with business, economic development and youth-serving groups, has been named the Akron regional director for Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Ohio, the organization formed by the 2019 merger of four area Clubs.

Taylor, a graduate of Kenston High School and Cleveland State University, was formerly the director of community engagement for Boys & Girls Clubs of the Western Reserve, one of the Clubs involved in the merger. For the past five months, she has been a development officer with BGCNEO.

BGCNEO President and CEO Jeff Scott said Taylor is well-suited for this position.

“Through her excellent work with our Clubs, Colette is well-known in the community and will help our regional organization deepen and widen its roots in the Akron-Canton region,” Scott said.

As regional director, Taylor will be responsible for cultivating individual, corporate and philanthropic relationships in the Akron area. BGCNEO was created when Clubs in Akron, Cleveland, Lorain County and Erie County joined forces in the largest merger of its type in the U.S.

Taylor said she “looks forward to building on the relationships in the community to further assist Akron Club members achieve success. The work is meaningful to me. We provide kids with the skills and tools needed to excel in school and life.”

Taylor was born and raised in Beaver County, Pa. Her family moved to the Cleveland area before her junior year of high school. She now lives in Medina with her husband of 20 years and two dogs. Her hobbies include skiing, baking and trying new restaurants.

Prior to joining Boys & Girls Clubs, Colette worked for the Fund for Our Economic Future, NEOSA and Entrepreneurs Edge. She is a graduate of Cleveland Leadership Center’s Cleveland Bridge Builder program and was recently accepted into Class 37 of Leadership Akron’s Signature Program. She serves on the advisory board for Buchtel Community Learning Center – Summa Health Leadership Academy as well as Cleveland Leadership Center’s Leadership Council. She is an active member of Association of Fundraising Professionals Northeast Ohio chapter and participates in the Robinson Community Learning Center program partners meetings.

Boys & Girls Clubs provide safe, fun places for kids ages 6-18 after school with an emphasis on academic success, healthy lifestyles and character development. Prior to a temporary shutdown due to the coronavirus pandemic, BGCNEO was operating 39 locations in five counties. Nine Clubs reopened June 15.

Akron area locations include the Steve Wise and LeBron James Clubhouses as well as a teen center.