Staff
Staff:
President & CEO: Kelly R. Lee
Kelly Lee is the President & CEO of Innovation Philadelphia, a non-profit technology based economic development organization founded in 2001 to grow the wealth and workforce of the Philadelphia Region. Ms. Lee leads Innovation Philadelphia’s efforts to support economic growth in the Philadelphia Region through the development of the region’s creative economy as a global hub for creative enterprises, services, and talent; the attraction and retention of young professionals ages 25-34 vital to economic growth; and fostering entrepreneurism that will define Philadelphia’s future growth.
Ms. Lee, a specialist in the for-profit creative economy, has been invited to speak nationally and internationally on best practices in creative industry growth. She has recently presented at the following conferences: Creative Cities Summit 2.0 in Detroit, MI; RE:inventing the City in Sheffield, England; Americans for the Arts 2008 in Philadelphia, PA; 2008 Issues Summit in Buffalo, NY; and Creative Clusters in London, England. Ms. Lee shared tactics and Innovation Philadelphia’s successful efforts to establish the for-profit creative economy as a leading source of jobs and wealth within the Philadelphia Region.
Prior to joining Innovation Philadelphia, Ms. Lee was Regional Director of Economic and Business Development, PECO Energy, with responsibility for marketing the region to attract businesses to relocate or expand within the Greater Philadelphia Region.
Ms. Lee joined PECO in 2000 after serving as Director of Communications for the Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority from 1996-2000. During this time, Ms. Lee was part of the communications team promoting Philadelphia at the President’s Summit for America’s Future, the 2000 Republican National Convention and Philadelphia 2000’s PoliticalFest.
A native of Philadelphia and a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, Ms. Lee serves on many Boards and committees in the Philadelphia community. She serves on the board of the Charter High School for Architecture and Design and on the advisory boards of the Center City Proprietors Association, the Philadelphia Fellows and the Headhouse Farmers Market. Ms. Lee is also on the Board of Directors for Philly Startup Leaders. She chairs the executive committee of the Delaware Valley Innovation Network and serves on the fundraising committee of InLiquid Art/Design Network.