Leadership
Patricia S. Otter
President & CEO
totter@ucpcleveland.org
Patricia S. Otter has served as UCP of Greater Cleveland’s President and CEO since 2007. Under Otter’s capable leadership, the agency has experienced continued strategic growth. Over its 70+ year history, the agency has gained a reputation of distinction throughout Northeast Ohio for its exceptional services and client outcomes for infants through senior adults with the most significant and diverse disabilities. Otter’s tireless dedication to a continuous improvement model with a focus on both clients and staff continues to reaffirm UCP’s position as an industry leader in the disabilities field. Prior to her role as CEO, Otter served as the agency’s Director of Human Resources. Upon joining UCP, she brought 17 years of human resource management experience from her roles at PNC Bank and Charter One Bank. Otter is widely respected at local, regional and national levels as being a passionate advocate for individuals with disabilities, which is evidenced by her commitment to external volunteer activities that include; membership with the Developmental Disabilities Practice-Based Research Network Steering Committee and the Developmental Disabilities Provider Consortium, and Board leadership with the Ohio Provider Resource Association (OPRA) serving on its Finance Committee. Otter is a proud Cleveland native, a graduate of Leadership Cleveland’s Class of 2013, and a member of the Union Club. Otter holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Baldwin Wallace College.
Renée Canfield, MA
Director of Development
rcanfield@ucpcleveland.org
Renée Canfield joined UCP as the Director of Development in July of 2019. Prior to her role with UCP, Renee was the Executive Director of the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Toledo (DSAGT). While with DSAGT, she led all fundraising, program, financial, administrative, board development and marketing/PR efforts for the organization. In addition to nearly 10 years in nonprofit management and fundraising, Renee has experience in corporate marketing and advertising. She received a Bachelor of Science from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, where she was a scholarship student-athlete on the women’s volleyball team, before attending The Ohio State University to earn a Master of Arts. Originally from Buffalo, NY, Renee recently moved to the area and looks forward to exploring all that Cleveland has to offer with her husband and two daughters.
Celeste A. Isom, MBA
Director of Finance & Administration
cisom@ucpcleveland.org
Celeste Isom joined UCP in July of 2019 as Director of Finance & Administration. She has 20 years of experience as an accountant and auditor. She has extensive knowledge of tax and financial accounting. Celeste has a Bachelor’s degree from Ursuline College and a MBA from Cleveland State University. Celeste enjoys spending time with her children and reading.
Andrew Kruse, CESP
Director of Business Operations and Residential Services
akruse@ucpcleveland.org
Andrew Kruse became Director of Business Operations and Residential Services in 2021 after serving UCP as Associate Director of Oakleaf Services, Transition Services Coordinator and Job Placement Specialist. He holds a Bachelors Degree from Canisius College in Buffalo, New York. Andrew has 10+ years of experience working with people with developmental disabilities. Previously, he has held positions in the residential and community employment settings. In his spare time, Andrew enjoys fishing, traveling, cooking and gardening with his wife.
Beth A. Lucas, MNA
Chief Operations Officer
blucas@ucpcleveland.org
Beth Lucas has served as Chief Operations Officer at UCP of Greater Cleveland since 2014 after joining the agency in 2008 as the Director of Development. She has spent her entire career in the nonprofit sector, first specializing in fundraising and marketing. Beth’s passion for program development and sustainability drove her to pursue the operational and administrative sides of the agency and, under her direction, UCP of Greater Cleveland and those they serve have benefited. Beth has a Master of Arts in Nonprofit Administration from John Carroll University and a Bachelor of Arts from Baldwin Wallace University. She is a graduate of the National Leadership Consortium on Developmental Disabilities Leadership Academy and engages in advocacy, outreach and fundraising efforts for UCP as well as various mental health-related groups.
Paul J. Soprano, MA
Director of OakLeaf Services
psoprano@ucpcleveland.org
Paul Soprano became the Director of OakLeaf Services in 2014 after serving nine years as Director of Vocational Services and three years in Residential Services at UCP. He has a Bachelors Degree from John Carroll University and a Masters from Bowling Green State University. Paul has 20 years of experience in the Developmental Disabilities and Vocational Rehabilitation fields. Prior to UCP he was Supervisor of Work Evaluation, Facility Supervisor and Vocational Evaluator for a leading vocational rehabilitation provider in Cleveland. Paul is an avid world traveler and aviation enthusiast, volunteers as a Cleveland Hopkins Airport Ambassador and loves trying new restaurants.
Amanda Stohrer, MS, OTR/L, ATP
Associate Director of LeafBridge Services
astohrer@ucpcleveland.org
Amanda Stohrer started her career at UCP of Greater Cleveland in November of 2010 as an Occupational Therapist. She was promoted to the position of Occupational Therapy Manager in 2013. In this role, she oversaw both pediatric clinic-based and school-based occupational therapy staff while also contributing to educational services through the alternative education program, Independent Education Evaluations and Assistive Technology Evaluations. She was further promoted to Associate Director of LeafBridge in 2021 to assist in the oversight and development of all pediatric programming. Amanda received her credential of Assistive Technology Professional (ATP) in 2019 and has more than 10 years of experience in promoting independence, engagement, and learning for children with complex needs. She graduated from Western Michigan University with her Bachelor of Science in 2008 and her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy in 2009. Amanda, her husband, and her two children enjoy spending their time building community and exploring the many exquisite food and outdoor activities offered in Northeast Ohio!
Intesar A. Taye, OTR/L
Director of LeafBridge Services
itaye@ucpcleveland.org
Intesar Taye joined UCP in 1993 as an Occupational Therapist and Clinical Coordinator and became the Director of LeafBridge Services in 2003. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Therapy from Cleveland State University as well as certification in Threshold Electric Stimulation and is NDT trained. Intesar continually participates in workshops on issues relevant to her work, including spasticity management, sensory processing, Therasuit, neurodevelopment treatment and vision impairment. Her seventeen years of experience as an OT include screening, evaluating and treating children with a variety of motor disabilities and developmental delays. She also had the responsibility for assisting in the development of the research protocol and monitoring the research development of the Steps to Independence program. Intesar enjoys spending time with her four children, as well as doing puzzles and brain teasers.
Bob Taylor, MBA, PHR, SHRM-CP
Director of Human Resources
btaylor@ucpcleveland.org
Bob Taylor started as UCP’s Director of Human Resources in April of 2019. Previously, he worked as a senior member of the employee relations team at Westfield Insurance where he was also a primary leader of the Project SEARCH site on campus. Bob holds MBA and bachelor’s degrees from The University of Toledo and has over 15 years of HR experience. Prior to starting his HR career, Bob worked as a direct care provider at a group home for individuals with developmental disabilities in Medina County. Bob and his wife (Lauren) are proud Northeast Ohio natives, live in Lakewood with their two children (Laine and Henry) and are actively involved in the Greater Cleveland community.