Lilah Zautner
Manager of Special Projects and Land Reuse
Date of Hire
April 2013
Education
BA in Urban Studies; MA in Environmental Geography
Describe yourself in three words
Kind, Courageous, Networker
What motivates you in your work?
I love that my work at the Cuyahoga Land Bank is never boring! Every day brings new partners and new projects. The Cuyahoga Land Bank embraces creativity and the importance of relationships. I am motivated every day by the residents of Cleveland – the people that are getting up every day, doing their 9-5 grind then coming home to the 5-9 grind – organizing their blocks, painting fences, tutoring kids, and helping their more vulnerable neighbors. As long as I can help them, I consider myself lucky.
What is the best advice you ever received?
“Always be nice to assistants – know their names, their kids’ names, their birthdays. Help them whenever you can as they are the key to your success. If they don’t like you, you aren’t getting anywhere.” – My Father, the best salesman I ever met.
What is one thing that people would be surprised to know about you?
I traveled the country living in a van in my early 20s. I am also an expert Halloween costume maker.
What’s playing in your car right now?
WCPN 90.3 Public radio all day, every day!
What do you do for fun/hobbies?
I love to take my daughter creek walking and love to tube the Cuyahoga River in the summer months and sled riding and skitching in the winter.
What drew you to work at the Cuyahoga Land Bank?
I was asked to come to the Cuyahoga Land Bank to take on creative endeavors as the Manager of Special Projects. The idea of working with the best of the best grassroots and professional community development folks across the County was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.