Ward 3

About Lauren R. Welch

Lauren R. Welch has been appointed to serve as Councilwoman for Cleveland’s Ward 3, representing one of the city’s most dynamic and diverse areas, including Ohio City, the Flats and most of Tremont, Downtown and part of Stockyards.

Drawing on her record of civic leadership, Welch has set clear commitments for her council term that runs until Jan. 5, 2026: remaining accessible to residents, responding quickly to community concerns, and ensuring that ongoing projects move forward without interruption. She approaches her role as both a collaborator in City Council’s collective work and an advocate for neighborhood-level solutions that strengthen daily life in Ward 3.

Welch’s career spans public service, communications, and civic leadership. She has served as Vice President of the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA) Board of Trustees, chairing the Operational Planning & Infrastructure and Civilian Oversight Committees, where she advanced priorities around equity, accountability, and sustainable public transit. Her board service extends to Environmental Health Watch, the Press Club of Cleveland, and other local organizations focused on placemaking, public health, community safety, and more.

Before her council appointment, Welch led communications at Say Yes Cleveland, directing citywide strategies to strengthen support systems and expand postsecondary pathways for Cleveland students. She is also the founder of a boutique firm that advances initiatives shaping civic and social progress.

Her professional record reflects a commitment to improving quality of life for Clevelanders by expanding access to resources, ensuring their inclusion in critical spaces, elevating community voices, and leading with compassion and integrity. Welch has overseen strategies for multiple local ballot levies, including two for the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, advised political campaigns and candidates across Ohio, and served as a precinct leader for Cleveland’s Ward 15-D. She has also worked alongside civic and philanthropic leaders to broaden resources for Cleveland residents, spanning industries such as arts and culture, higher education, K–12, technology, philanthropy, and the nonprofit sector.

A proud graduate of Cleveland Metropolitan School District’s Jane Addams Business Career Center, Welch earned her undergraduate degree from Wittenberg University.