Brenda Cummins

Title: Assistant Lecturer
Dept/Program: School of Dance, Theatre, and Arts Administration
Phone: 330-620-0099
Email: bcummins@uakron.edu

Biography

Brenda Cummins joined the Cleveland Foundation in 2015 and works with donors and organizations to help them plan and achieve their philanthropic objectives. She is a 21/64 certified trainer in Family Philanthropy, helping families set their mission and plan for their philanthropic legacy.

Brenda previously served as director of Foundation Administration and Community Engagement at Summa Health System. In her role, she advanced Summa’s priorities through philanthropy and connected the greater community to the work of the organization. Prior work includes her position as a development officer at the Akron Civic Theatre, where she was responsible for all aspects of fundraising for the 1920’s atmospheric theatre, as well as working with the City of Akron on the inaugural HolidayFest at Lock 3 Park in downtown Akron.

Through her first career path as an Audiologist and her community volunteer work in social services, healthcare and the arts, her strength is connecting people to organizations that make an impact in the lives of our greater community.

Brenda serves on the boards of several non-profits, including Friends of the Summit – 91.3 WAPS, Peninsula Foundation and Summit ArtSpace. She is a part time faculty member at the University of Akron. She is an emeritus board member for Greenleaf Family Center and serves on their development committee. She is a graduate of Leadership Akron, Class 2007. She was a member of Bank of American’s Cleveland Neighborhood Builder’s Committee and served on the American Heart Association Go Red for Women Executive Leadership committee. She has volunteered with the Summa Medical Team for the Akron Marathon and served as a member and treasurer of the Woodridge Foundation. She received the Elizabeth Dalton Community Service Award in 2017. She holds a master’s degree in Audiology from Kent State University and a bachelor’s degree in Speech and Hearing from Bowling Green State University. Brenda lives in Cuyahoga Falls with her husband, Brian and has three children, Ian, Harrison and Madison.

Education

• Bachelor of Science, Bowling Green State University
• Master of Arts, Kent State University