Staff & Board

Canalway is a small but mighty organization made up of a three-person staff and a dedicated board of directors.

Canalway Staff

Mera Cardenas

Mera Cardenas

Executive Director

Mera has more than a decade of experience in preservation organizations. The move to Canalway in 2020 brought her closer to her hometown in the Laurel Highlands of PA and... Read on

Mera has more than a decade of experience in preservation organizations. The move to Canalway in 2020 brought her closer to her hometown in the Laurel Highlands of PA and is a return to her rust belt roots. While serving as the Executive Director at the Arabia Alliance outside of Atlanta, her work to create community-driven, place-based experiences resulted in the preservation and activation of several historic sites, an increase in tourism visitation through events and educational programming, and recognition from the Georgia governor and Congressman for those successful efforts.

Mera is honored to have assumed the role of Executive Director as the Towpath Trail was being completed in Cleveland and is dedicated to working with partners to build out Canal Basin Park.

Prior to changing careers to pursue cultural heritage passions, Mera worked for CNN Headline News and CNN Newsource as both a producer and a sales executive. Mera holds a Masters of Heritage Preservation from Georgia State University and a BS in Broadcast Journalism from the University of Miami, FL. Mera and her husband currently make their home in the Tremont neighborhood of Cleveland with their “Bark Ranger” Daisy and three cats. She enjoys biking the Towpath Trail, yoga, kayaking, exploring historic sites especially historic cemeteries, binge watching quirky TV series, knitting, and the view from her front porch.

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Meghan Paynter

Meghan Paynter

Director of Communications

Meghan joined Canalway in 2022. As the director of communications, she utilizes the power of social media to help people connect to places that are historically and culturally important in... Read on

Meghan joined Canalway in 2022. As the director of communications, she utilizes the power of social media to help people connect to places that are historically and culturally important in Northeast Ohio. She has diverse communications, public relations and social media experience, having served as communications manager for both private and non-profit organizations over the last 10 years. Meghan has a degree in Journalism from Ohio University and enjoys reading and exploring local trails and National Parks with her husband.

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McKenzie  Merriman

McKenzie Merriman

Programs and Special Events Coordinator

McKenzie Merriman brings a decade of experience in nonprofit programs and community events to her role as Programs and Special Events Coordinator at Canalway. Her work is rooted in developing... Read on

McKenzie Merriman brings a decade of experience in nonprofit programs and community events to her role as Programs and Special Events Coordinator at Canalway. Her work is rooted in developing strategies that connect community members to each other and the world around them. McKenzie has supported many organizations including SPACES, Julia de Burgos Cultural Arts Center, and The Cleveland Foundation. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and English from The Ohio State University and her Master’s in Strategic Communication from Columbia College Chicago.

McKenzie's days include dancing in the mornings, biking around Cleveland and pouring herself into an assortment of creative outlets.

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Canalway Board of Directors

 

Chair of the Board

David JurcaSeventh Hill

Vice Chairs

Tom Yablonsky, Retired
Amy Whitacre, First American Title National Commercial Services

Board Treasurer

Antonin Robert, GBX Group

Secretary

Caryn Candisky, Cleveland State University

 

Joanna Brell, MetroHealth Medical Center
Patrick Cook, Microsoft Corporation
Michael Dostal, District Capital
Bryan Falk, Vorys
Diana HildebrandDevahD Cycling
Patrick Holland, Solid Waste District, Retired (Emeritus)
Michael Hudecek, PNC
Jack KluznikWeston Hurd LLP (Emeritus)
Eric Kufel, Aspen Inc.
Nancy Lesic, Lesic & Camper Communications
Mark RaymondThe Cleveland Hostel Guesthouse
David WagnerHanna Commercial Real Estate

Organizational Alumni

Organizational Alumni

Over the last 40 years, Canalway's board of directors has included a variety of community leaders and public servants. Read our full list of organizational alumni.

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