Hermione Malone

Executive Director, Cleveland International Film Festival

Education: MBA, Weatherhead School of Management, Case Western Reserve University; bachelor’s degree, Florida A&M University

What Success Looks Like to Me: Making a notable contribution in high-stakes roles without unnecessary friction, without deferring rest, health, friendship and creativity as sacrifices for that success. Sometimes that contribution is building something new, or re-imagining something that is more longstanding, or lending expertise to the improvement of something well on its way to creating valued impact.

What I Look for in a Leader: I look for someone with vision, who assembles a strong, competent team around them to help bring the vision to life. I’m a fairly direct communicator, so I often look for the same — someone who won’t leave me guessing what they mean. And lastly, I value a leader who can balance work and play — who has a sense of humor and who creates space for their team members to have full lives outside of the job, organization or project at hand.

A Cleveland Spot I Recommend: Third Space Reading Room in Cleveland’s Glenville neighborhood. It is a bookstore, gathering space and community building engine.