CEOs For Cities

We are the new CEOs.  Leadership isn’t born of elections or corner offices. Rather than be self-limited by our name, our inclusive definition of “CEO” honors urban leadership where it happens, regardless of rank, title, or sector.

The new CEOs are city changemakers – leaders, planners, mayors, council members, college presidents, bloggers, entrepreneurs, philanthropists, business executives, social advocates, coders, artists, and architects from cities around the country.

CEOs for Cities is a portal for business executives, university leaders, foundation heads, and other civic actors focused on improving American cities and businesses.

It functions as a national alliance that shares strategies, research, and practical tools for urban economic development and quality of life.

CEOs for Cities was founded in 2001 by Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley and Paul Grogan, then president and CEO of The Boston Foundation, a major community foundation in Boston.

Founders

• Richard M. Daley, then mayor of Chicago, was a key political founder who helped launch the organization as a national network of urban leaders.
• Paul Grogan, who led The Boston Foundation, co-founded it as a cross-sector civic initiative to connect mayors, business leaders, university presidents, and foundation heads.