margarita padua
llcip ’19

President & CEO
440-281-8535

llc@LeadershipLorainCounty.com

About Margarita:

Margarita Padua brings a wealth of expertise and a deep-rooted commitment to Leadership Lorain County as its President & CEO. A bilingual licensed social worker and grant writer, Margarita has dedicated her career to promoting child welfare, supporting mental health initiatives, and strengthening nonprofit organizations. Growing up in South Lorain, she attended Lorain City Schools through sixth grade before graduating from Elyria Catholic High School. From a young age, she was immersed in community service, often joining her social worker mother in various outreach efforts. By age 12, Margarita was already advocating for civic engagement, helping register community members to vote—a passion that has continued throughout her life.

A graduate of Lorain County Community College with an Associate of Arts degree, Margarita went on to earn her Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Akron and achieved her Ohio social work licensure. Her career is driven by a commitment to social justice, stating often, “Purpose is front and center in my career.”

In 2019, Margarita joined the Leadership Lorain County family as an intern, placed at El Centro de Servicios Sociales. This experience ignited her passion for LLC’s mission, making her excited to return as a leader. Beyond LLC, she serves as a Board Member of the Community Foundation of Lorain County’s Hispanic Fund, where she contributes to advancing opportunities for the Hispanic community.

As President & CEO, Margarita is committed to expanding LLC’s impact by strengthening alumni connections, fostering new community partnerships, and ensuring future leaders have the same transformative opportunities that shaped her own career. Under her leadership, LLC will continue to inspire, develop, and connect individuals dedicated to making a lasting difference in Lorain County and beyond.

Sylvia Lyons
llcip ’23

Programs and Executive Assistant
440-281-8535

programs@LeadershipLorainCounty.com

About Sylvia:

Sylvia Lyons serves as the Programs and Executive Assistant at Leadership Lorain County, where she supports initiatives that empower emerging leaders and foster community impact. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology with a Minor in Nonprofit Administration at Cleveland State University, combining her academic knowledge with her passion for creating safe and equitable educational opportunities.

A proud graduate of Elyria High School, Sylvia discovered her dedication to education and community service early in life. In 2023, she was selected as a Leadership Lorain County intern and was placed at the Lorain County Urban League. There, she coordinated and delivered enriching summer programming for school-aged youth in Elyria, further solidifying her commitment to fostering equitable opportunities for future generations.

Through her work at Leadership Lorain County, Sylvia is dedicated to advancing the mission of inspiring and connecting leaders to strengthen Lorain County.