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
