KJK is pleased to announce the acceptance of Associate Melissa Yasinow to the inaugural class of the Public Leadership Academy at The Ohio State University’s John Glenn College of Public Affairs.
The Public Leadership Academy targets state and local officials who currently serve or are interested in serving the State of Ohio legislature. This one-week program invites rising Ohio elected officials to develop leadership skills such as communication, collaboration, analysis and problem-solving. Participants are given the opportunity to learn from leading scholars and practitioners in elected governance and build their professional network by meeting other elected officials, experts and mentors.
At only 33 years old, Melissa Yasinow has risen to prominence in Northeast Ohio as an influential local official and outspoken advocate for women in political office. When she won her bid to join the Cleveland Heights City Council in 2013, at the age of 28, she was the youngest person ever elected to that body. In November 2017, she was reelected with more than 7,000 votes. In 2018, Melissa was named Vice Mayor, the youngest person to hold that office. She is the author of the book “How to Start Your Local Campaign in Cuyahoga County.”
With a focus in employment law and creditor’s rights, Melissa serves a diverse base of clients that includes individual employees, bankruptcy trustees and employers of all sizes. She serves on board and in committee positions with the Cuyahoga Democratic Women’s Caucus and the Cuyahoga County Democratic Party. Melissa is a vocal advocate and mentor for other young women to encourage them to pursue political office. Melissa is a graduate of Case Western Reserve University School of Law.