Women in Construction: Cynthia Leitson

Cynthia Leitson
Cuyahoga Community College
Vice President of Capital, Construction and Facilities

Cynthia Leitson is the Vice President of Capital, Construction, and Facilities at Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C). She is responsible for maintaining, improving and repurposing existing facilities and for developing new facilities (leased and owned) and managing capital assets. She oversees services including facilities and operations maintenance, architectural/engineering, programming and design, bidding, facility construction and renovation, infrastructure replacement of furnishings and equipment, site development and
landscaping, new signage/wayfinding, college-wide master planning, sustainability, real
estate services and asset management.

Throughout her lengthy career, Ms. Leitson has held top level executive positions in strategic management and procurement operations. Ms. Leitson joined Cuyahoga Community College in 2010 as the executive director of Supplier Managed Services. During her time with the College, Ms. Leitson has transformed purchasing and supply chain services. Ms. Leitson was selected for inclusion in the prestigious “Women of Note” feature in Crain’s Cleveland Business in 2019. The College was awarded the 2019 Downtown Cleveland Development Award from the Downtown Cleveland Alliance for the Metro Campus Center and Plaza Renovation project. The Metro Campus Center was also recognized by the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA) with the Champion Award. The Capital, Construction, & Facilities department was presented with the President’s Award of Excellence in 2018 for Capital Planning on the 2017 Capital Bond Levy Phase II Facilities Master Plan. 

In 2017, Ms. Leitson was presented with the President’s Award of Excellence for the College-wide Inclusion & Diversity Plan. In December 2016, the Cleveland Chapter of the AIA and the International Interior Design Association presented the Tri-C team with the Client Commitment to Cleveland Award.

Ms. Leitsons’ professional and organization involvement include serving as a member to Greater Cleveland Partnership, Construction Diversity and Inclusion Owner Group, Construction Engineering Society, COGENCE Alliance, Construction Owners Association of America (COAA), Construction Management Association of America (CMAA), and the ACE Mentor Program as a Board member and volunteer.

How do you manage career and family?

I knew I wanted both. I love both. I would’ve never been able to choose. I did what I had to do. At first, I was forced to turn work off. But, I found it more relaxing. It allowed me to be a better mom, and brought a sense of balance.