Collette Laisure had the pleasure of serving as managing director of Cleveland Play House (CPH). Cleveland Play House, founded in 1915 and recipient of the 2015 Regional Theatre Tony Award, is America’s first professional regional theatre. Collette managed and led CPH’s business services, Finance, Human Resources, Marketing, Creative and Development.

Prior to her time at CPH, Collette served as Executive Director of the PNC Fairfax Connection and was charged with delivering the resources of PNC’s most unique investment in northeast Ohio. Designed with direct input from the community, the PNC Fairfax Connection is a free community resource center offering quality programs/ resources for all ages. Prior to joining PNC, Collette worked for FirstEnergy Solutions the non-regulated subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp., as a Senior Government Aggregation Representative. In her role Collette maintained positive community relations and managed the process with Ohio elected officials to secure aggregation services for several Ohio communities. Collette served as the President and Executive Director of The Presidents’ Council an organization that builds economic empowerment and entrepreneurialism by advancing African-American businesses in Northeast Ohio through the proven leadership of successful entrepreneurs, who build relationships and strategically partner with corporate CEO’s. Collette quadrupled funding, launched a popular new program to mentor high school sophomores, and raised public awareness of The Presidents’ Council through targeted media and community relations’ activities. Collette was appointed director of the city of Cleveland’s Office of Equal Opportunity, where she managed a budget of $1 million and 15 employees, who were responsible for administering and monitoring compliance of the Minority-owned and Female-owned Business Enterprise program.

Collette earned a bachelor of business administration in finance from Cleveland State University. She is a member of the 2008 class of Leadership Cleveland and was honored as a Crain’s Cleveland 2008 Woman of Note.

A leader in the community, Collette served as a Trustee of the Rainbow Babies & Children’s Foundation (2105 – 2024); as president from 2020 – 2022; served on the Karamu House Board and Executive Committee; former president of the board of Cleveland Public Theatre and served the Boards of the Alzheimer’s Association Cleveland Area Chapter; Cleveland State University Alumni Association; Fairfax Renaissance Development Corporation; and first Chair of the Go Red for Women Open Your Heart Committee.

Collette and her husband Daryl reside in Pepper Pike and have three adult children: Blake, Leah and Noelle.