SHAKER SCHOOLS ALUMNI HALL OF FAME

Congratulations to the 2023 Inductees

The newest class of the Shaker Schools Alumni Hall of Fame inducted on November 4 includes eight Shaker graduates who have made significant contributions to the fields of K-12 public education, public service, law, advocacy, finance, public health, business, diversity, equity and inclusion. 

The eight inductees join the more than 326 graduates who have been inducted into the Shaker Schools Alumni Hall of Fame since it was established in 1986.

View photos from the Hall of Fame Student Assembly and Induction Dinner.

Kevin Clayton, Class of 1977, is Senior Vice President, Head of Social Impact and Equity for the Rock Entertainment Group which includes the Cleveland Cavaliers, Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse, Cleveland Charge, Cleveland Monsters and Cavs Legion Gaming Club. Under his leadership, he oversees Community Relations/Engagement, DEI, and the Cavaliers Community Foundation. 

The Honorable Ellen Rippner Cohen, Class of 1958, has been a leader in the Jewish community as the CEO of the Houston chapter of the American Jewish Committee. She has been an advocate against sexual and domestic violence as the CEO of the Houston Area Women’s Center and served in the Texas House of Representatives and as Houston‘s Mayor pro Tem. 

Aisha Fraser, Class of 1991, In Memoriam, as a beloved Shaker Heights educator, Aisha made a significant and lasting impact in the lives of thousands of Woodbury Elementary School students, spanning over a 15-year-long career. She was a member of the Duffy Liturgical Adult Dance Ensemble and performed in Carnegie Hall, Paris, and Barcelona, and was part of the U.S. Delegation at the Summer Olympics in Australia.  

James A. Goldsmith, Class of 1973, Partner and Co-Group Leader of Ulmer & Berne’s Trusts & Estates Group, has more than 40 years of experience in all aspects of trust and estate planning, administration, and succession planning. Jim is a Fellow of the American College of Trusts and Estates Counsel. 

​Heather Hanson, Class of 1995, has made important contributions to public health in New York City and Toronto. As an infectious disease epidemiologist, she has been called upon to investigate the emergence of West Nile virus, H1N1 (Swine flu) and COVID-19. She is a dedicated volunteer, committed to lifting up diverse youth and rallying community action after disasters.

Michael Jeans, Class of 1992, is the founding President and CEO of Growth Opportunity Partners (Growth Opps), a business advisory, investment, and lending community financial institution. The firm has a particular focus on catalytic impact, originating in underserved communities. In 2020, Growth Opps established GO Green Energy, the first African-American-led Green Bank in the United States.

​Russell Stokes, Class of 1989, is President and CEO of Commercial Engines and Services at GE Aerospace, where he leads 10,000+ employees responsible for an industry-leading portfolio. His 25+ year career includes roles at GE Power, GE Energy Connections, GE Transportation and GE Lighting. Russell is on the Board of Directors for UPS and the Board of Trustees for the Morehouse School of Medicine and 3DE.

​Ellen McWilliams-Woods, Ph.D., Class of 1980, is President of Illumine Integrated Solutions, LLC a company shining a light on solutions to complex community problems. Her 40 years as a teacher, supervisor, and assistant superintendent were deeply rooted in blowing up the concept of school within four walls to community-based breakthrough experiences for youth.