CEOs for Cities is a national network of urban leaders dedicated to building and sustaining the next generation of great American cities.

about

CEOs for Cities is a civic lab of today's urban leaders catalyzing a movement to advance the next generation of great American cities. CEOs for Cities works with its network partners to develop great cities that excel in the areas most critical to urban success: talent, connections, innovation and distinctiveness.

Lee Fisher, President and CEO

Lee Fisher is President and CEO of CEOs for Cities.

Fisher has served as an Ohio state legislator, Ohio Attorney General, President and CEO of the Center for Families and Children in Cleveland, Ohio and Ohio Lt. Governor. In his role as Lt. Governor, serving with Governor Ted Strickland, Fisher also served as Director of the Ohio Department of Development, Chair of the Economic Growth Council, and Chair of the Ohio Third Frontier Commission and member of the Ohio Venture Capital Authority which fund high potential technology-based early stage companies.

During the time Fisher led Ohio’s economic development efforts, Site Selection magazine awarded its Governor’s Cup to Ohio three consecutive times – in 2007, 2008, and 2009. The Governor’s Cup recognizes the state with the most new or expanded capital investment projects in the nation.  Site Selection also recognized Ohio with the 2008 Competitiveness Award, recognizing the Ohio Department of Development, under Fisher’s leadership, as the top economic development agency in the country.

Fisher led the creation of Ohio’s first-ever Strategic Plan for Economic Development. The plan is best known for Fisher’s idea, the Ohio Hubs of Innovation and Opportunity, designed to foster urban-based collaborations between businesses, colleges and universities and research institutions.

Staff

Aishika Davis, Director of Operations

Fran DiDonato, National Director of Partnerships and the Talent Dividend

Mark Ebner, Research Associate

Julia Klaiber, Director of External Affairs

Shayna Pollock, Communications Associate

Board of Directors

Nancy Zimpher, Chancellor, SUNY (Board Chair)

Rita Athas, President, World Business Chicago

Henry Cisneros, Executive Chairman, CityView

George Franco, Chairman & CEO, National Financial Corporation

Paul Grogan, President and CEO, The Boston Foundation

Bruce Mau, Chief Creative Officer, Bruce Mau Design

Josh McManus, Co-founder and Creative Strategist, CreateHere

Bob Milbourne, President and CEO, RHM Advisors LLC

Brian Payne, President, Central Indiana Community Foundation

Kim Walesh, Director, City of San Jose, Office of Economic Development