For the last 19 years, Matt Zone served as a Cleveland City Councilman representing Ward 15, which includes the Detroit Shoreway and Edgewater neighborhoods. He brings a wealth of experience in strategic planning, land use, public art and environmental policy with the purpose of creating positive change for Northeast Ohio. With a background in Urban Planning, and a commitment to social equity, his work engages diverse community stakeholders, to inform and support sustainable community development goals.
Matt will oversee the Land Conservancy’s Thriving Communities initiative where we work with cities and community organizations throughout Ohio to transform vacant, unsafe and unproductive properties into useful ones. In the process, communities are finding new opportunities to attract economic growth, add green space and support safe, beautiful neighborhoods.
Born on February 14th in the City of Cleveland, OH, and raised by middle-class parents, Matt was taught the values of hard work and civic responsibility at an early age. He is recognized nationally, regionally and locally as a leader on environmental and arts & cultural issues.