About

Joe Cordella

Joe Cordella is Vice President of Operations for the Historic South Initiative (HSI), where he helps lead efforts to revitalize Toledo’s Old South End through housing development, commercial redevelopment, and educational partnerships. At HSI, Joe works closely with residents, schools, and local organizations to expand affordable homeownership, improve community health, and strengthen opportunities for families.

Prior to HSI, Joe served as Executive Director and School Leader of SunBridge Schools from 2017–2024. He guided the schools through significant growth, overseeing strategic planning, budgeting, and community programming. During his tenure, he launched after-school and summer learning opportunities, introduced new academic systems, and built partnerships that connected students with sports, co-curricular programs, and neighborhood resources.

Joe’s career has been rooted in education and community leadership, with earlier roles in Toledo and beyond that gave him experience in school administration, student support, and program development. Locally, he is an active member of the Broadway Corridor Coalition, collaborating with neighborhood stakeholders to reimagine one of Toledo’s most historic districts as a place of opportunity and pride. He also serves as the Chair of the Education Committee of the BCC.

Through every role, Joe has focused on bringing people together to solve problems, invest in families, and build stronger, more vibrant communities.

Outside of his work, Joe and his wife Sami are raising their three daughters in Perrysburg, along with their dogs Piglet and Tex. He enjoys cooking, board games, and rooting for the Lions. He values any time spent with family — whether on a roadtrip, around the dinner table, or supporting local community events.