Saint Ursula Academy President Lelia Keefe Kramer '77 is again listed among the Cincinnati Power 100, a list of the city's most influential leaders. Sponsored by Cincy Magazine, the editors do research and take a personal, engaging look at the region’s leaders across all major industries. The Power 100 leaders are selected based on extensive contacts in regional business circles, and interviews, culminating in a highly selective biographical guide to the people who really run Cincinnati.
Mrs. Kramer is a 1977 graduate and the third president of Saint Ursula Academy. She started in this role in June 2011. She immediately set several goals for SUA and in just months began to make significant progress in her work to reach them.
Lelia has worked hard to keep tuition affordable and less of a burden for parents. She identified the need for additional financial assistance to help more deserving young women attend Saint Ursula. During her tenure, the Saint Ursula endowment has grown more than 1000%, providing more financial assistance to students who qualify.
“It was wonderful to see how many of our alumnae and past parents stepped forward to support this important initiative,” said Kramer. “This group realizes how special this place is and how it shaped who they and their daughters are. They really want to pay it forward.”
Another big impact of her leadership, Kramer is committed to ensure all of the students, faculty and staff know and understand the importance the school's Mission, Vision and Core Values, rooted in the teachings of St. Angela Merici. She is also committed to creating a culture of authentic sisterhood, where girls can support and care for one another.
“We all work to do the best we can every day, whether it’s something big or something small like trying to make a classmate smile when she’s having a hard day,” said Kramer. “In the end, it’s the little things that can end up being the big things and that’s why lifelong friendships are formed here."
Kramer recognizes the importance of having a welcoming, respectful and diverse school community and works to make sure every student feels she belongs at SUA.
Lelia Kramer is a leader, mother, wife, sister, volunteer, and so much more! She lives with her husband Mac and has four children, Hannah, Madison, Charlie and Henry. She has a twin sister, Ruthie, who also graduated from SUA.