Ann Harlan has extensive business and legal experience in consumer products and manufacturing business segments and has a reputation as a trusted advisor in the Boardroom. In her board appointments on both public and private company boards, she has led strategic planning initiatives and c-suite succession planning.
Since 2009, Ann has served as a director of the NYSE listed Gorman Rupp Company (ticker: GRC) where she has been lead director since 2016. Ann currently serves on the Compensation Committee, having previously served on both the Audit Committee and the Nominating and Governance Committee. Gorman Rupp designs and manufactures a broad line of fluid management systems across diversified industries.
Since 2021, Ann has served as a director of privately held Unison Risk Advisors, one of the nation’s largest independent insurance brokerage and risk management firms.
Ann also served as a director of the NYSE listed Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. (ticker: CLF) where she sat on the Audit Committee. Cleveland Cliffs, founded in 1847, is among the largest vertically integrated producers of differentiated iron ore and steel in North America.
Her prior private company board experience includes FlavorX Corporation as well as Eatem Foods Corporation, positions she held until the sale of each of those investments to strategic purchasers. Her advisory work with companies in rapidly changing business segments continues with her role, since 2009, as a member of the Advisory Board of Gates Group Capital Partners, an investment partnership providing equity capital in the logistic and transportation industries.
In addition, Ann served as a Director of University Hospitals Health System, Inc., from 2009 until 2022. University Hospitals Health System, Inc., is one of the nation’s largest integrated health care systems. During her tenure, she chaired the Compensation Committee and served on the Audit Committee, the Executive Committee, and the Nominating and Governance Committee.
From 1998 to 2011, Ann was a member of the senior management team at The JM Smucker Company (ticker: SJM), a Fortune 500 Company listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Smucker is a manufacturing and marketing company of leading food and pet food brands in North America. As Vice President, General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary, Ann served on the Executive Strategy Counsel and was instrumental in the development and implementation of corporate strategy.
Prior to joining Smucker, Ms. Harlan was a partner in a large midwest law firm where her practice focused on mergers and acquisitions and commercial finance.
Ann is a frequent speaker on corporate governance and related board subjects, including the role of the board in succession planning and corporate culture development. She is an alumna of the DirectWomen Class of 2011 and a member of the DirectWomen Advisory Board from 2012 – 2015 as well as a past Co-Chair of the DirectWomen Midwest Alumnae group. Ann also served as the Co-Chair of the Northeast Ohio Chapter of Women Corporate Directors.
Ann is an active leader in numerous civic and philanthropic organizations including the Presidents Advisory Committee of Case Western Reserve University, the Visiting Committee of Case Western University School of Law, and the past Chair of the Board of The First Tee of Cleveland.
Among her recognitions, she was named the DirectWomen Alumnae Honoree Distinguished Alumna Award in 2021. Ann was also recognized as a Woman of Professional Excellence by the YWCA, Chair of the Society of Benchers, and is a member of Leadership Cleveland Class of 2007.
Ms. Harlan received her undergraduate B.A. degree from Skidmore College, her J.D .from Case Western Reserve University School of Law, and also completed an Executive Education Program at Harvard Business School.