United Way of Greater Cleveland has announced the appointment of Toi Comer as Vice President of Development, effective November 21.
Comer will lead United Way’s development and growth efforts. Her appointment follows the promotion last month of Ken Surratt to Chief Development and Investment Officer, to bring the Resource Development and Community Investment functions together under one leader to create an integrated, cross-functional team responsible for the organization’s growth and impact goals. Comer will serve as a member of United Way’s Senior Leadership Team and as a top leader in this new cross-functional team.
”Toi is an innovative thinker, strategic partner, and inspiring leader who is highly respected throughout our city and our region. She has a proven track record of achieving and exceeding development goals for organizations throughout Greater Cleveland, including United Way of Greater Cleveland,” said Surratt in a release announcing the appointment.
Comer returns to United Way, where she served as Resource Development Manager from 2004 to 2009, overseeing the Small Business and Healthcare division team, which raised more than $15 million for various community programs.
In response to her announcement, Comer said, “I am thrilled to return to United Way to lead the successful execution of our growth and development strategies and make transformational change across our Greater Cleveland community, along with Sharon, Ken, our leadership team, board of directors, and fundraising professionals who I look forward to collaborating with and building community.”
Comer brings more than 18 years of diverse experience in resource development, community relations, strategic planning, management, and communications to United Way.
Most recently, Comer served as Senior Vice President and Executive Director of City Year Cleveland after holding executive leadership positions of increasing responsibility with the organization. During her tenure, she more than tripled the size of City Year’s development team as the site’s revenue continued to increase annually and played a pivotal role in cultivating a 95 percent donor conversion rate.
Before City Year Cleveland, Comer served in development roles at Eliza Bryant Village and the United Negro College Fund of Northeast Ohio.
Comer is actively involved in the Greater Cleveland community, including through the Black Professionals Association Charitable Foundation, the Near West Theater, and Shoes and Clothes for Kids. She is a College Now mentor, as well as a member of the Leadership Cleveland Class of 2022. In 2019, she was named one of Crain’s Cleveland Business’ Women of Note. She is also an alumnus of the Cleveland Bridge Builders Class of 2015 and the City Year Executive Leadership Program Class of 2015.
A native of Cleveland, Comer holds a Master of Public Administration degree with a concentration in Management and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Cleveland State University.
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