CEOs for Cities: A Vision for the Future Economy

Lee Fisher was selected as President and CEO of CEOs for Cities in May 2011. Lee has since moved their Chicago office to the Harris School of Public Policy at the University of Chicago, with other offices in Cleveland, Ohio, and Washington, DC. Lee has served as an Ohio state legislator, Ohio Attorney General, President and CEO of the Centers for Families and Children in Cleveland, Ohio, and Ohio Lieutenant Governor. In his role as Lieutenant Governor, serving with Governor Ted Strickland, Lee also served as Director of the Ohio Department of Development, Chair of the Economic Growth Council, Chair of the Ohio Third Frontier Commission, and member of the Ohio Venture Capital Authority. During this time, Site Selection magazine awarded its Governor’s Cup to Ohio three consecutive times – in 2007, 2008, and 2009. Site Selection also recognized Ohio with the 2008 Competitiveness Award, recognizing the Ohio Department of Development, under Lee’s leadership, as the top economic development agency in the country.

Can you briefly describe CEOs for Cities?

CEOs for Cities is a national urban organization founded in 2001 by former Chicago Mayor Richard Daley and Paul Grogan, President and CEO of the Boston Foundation. We research, develop, and share smart ideas that make cities more economically successful. We curate best practices, success stories, and creative solutions in urban and regional development. We then connect cross-sector leaders across the country through meetings, conferences, and virtually to identify opportunities for city innovation. Our membership is composed of leaders ranging from business executives and policymakers to academics and philanthropists.

When serving as Lieutenant Governor and Director of Economic Development for Ohio, I focused my efforts on creating a plan that leveraged the strengths and abilities of all three of these sectors. I am convinced that the best and most effective way to improve the quality of life of people is to grow the economy, because it is a rising tide that lifts all boats. When a city and region do well economically, so do the people living in that city or region. Our plan focused on many of the things that I now work on with CEOs for Cities, which is developing, retaining, and attracting talent, creating a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, and investing in regional assets. In many ways, Ohio is made up of distinctive regions and assets. Marketing Ohio as a system of regional economies was much more effective than a one size fits all economy for such a large state.

Our focus at CEOs for Cities is the development of leaders from all disciplines and perspectives that I prefer to call “change makers.” The greatest contribution that CEOs for Cities can make to society is bringing together these change makers and to engage in collective impact.

You created and led the Ohio Economic Development Strategic Plan, which resulted in Ohio winning the prestigious Site Selection magazine Governor’s Cup for three consecutive years (2007-2009). How did you execute your strategy?

Yes, it is something that the governor and I were very proud of. We first focused on telling the Ohio story nationally through publications such as the Wall Street Journal, because Ohio’s image up until this plan was that of an industrial state that most people outside Ohio didn’t understand or appreciate. We communicated that we were “a place where you can build your business and love your life; a state of perfect balance.” We focused on promoting our business services and industrial innovation potential and at the same time focused on the high quality of life that Ohio offered in its rural, suburban, and urban areas.

Can you provide some examples of how CEOs for Cities promotes US competitiveness?

CEOs for Cities is best known for our research and gatherings. We hold semiannual national conferences in cities of all sizes where we bring together ideas and best practices. The organization has brought in leaders from all over the country to share the best ideas on how to make cities more livable. Most recently, we hosted delegations from St. Paul, Minneapolis, Philadelphia, Cleveland, St. Louis, and Indianapolis. We spent our time sharing successes, challenges, and discovering approaches to improve the livability and quality of life of citizens that live in our regions. The organization recognizes the extraordinary potential that lies in the intersection of art, design, talent, and place, and in our conviction that diversity of perspectives spawns creativity and innovation.

There is a trend in the US of increased urbanization. The knowledge economy, in particular, is drawing people to cities that provide environments where people can live, work, and play. What are the biggest challenges facing urban economies seeking to capitalize on this trend?

There are several challenges. I was recently moderating a panel at the Clinton Global Initiative. Speaking on the panel was the President of Iceland, Olafur Ragnar Grimsson. He stated it simply: “The problem with Americans is that they spend way too much time waiting for Washington to act.” He is absolutely right. We are still a nation that is preoccupied with what goes on in Washington, DC and the truth is that change in America is not happening from the top down, but rather from the bottom up. The real challenge is getting leaders from all sectors to focus less on the dysfunction of our federal government and more on the power and potential of cities and regions.

Secondly, we need to end the suburban, rural, urban divide that exists in too many state legislatures around the country. I served in the Ohio legislature for ten years and have worked with state legislators for over 30 years. It remains extremely difficult to convince suburban and rural legislators that their future success rests in large part on the success of core urban areas.

You recently chose Grand Rapids for your 2013 CEOs for Cities National Annual Conference. Being a native Michigander, I was pleased with your choice. What drew you to choose Grand Rapids?   

Grand Rapids is home to a number of our active members from various sectors and professional roles. Their collective enthusiasm for the city became an interest to CEOs for Cities, so we decided to look into Grand Rapids further. Midsize cities like Grand Rapids exist throughout the US and often are overshadowed by larger, more nationally recognized cities. Grand Rapids was an opportunity to provide a more intimate perspective on urban and regional economies for our participants. Our event gathered over 320 cross-sector civic CEOs from over 80 cities to explore the theme “The Art of the Collaborative City.” The event coincided with ArtPrize, which is an incredibly unique and culturally defining annual international art competition held within Grand Rapids that has spurred creativity and an atmosphere of entrepreneurialism. In my opinion, Grand Rapids is one of the most innovative cities in the country and I am very happy that we were able to join in celebrating that.

What impact do you hope to make with CEOs for Cities?

When generations and sectors meet together with a shared vision and a common goal, cities and regions move forward. No city in the world lacks talent, but almost every city in the world lacks an effective vehicle or a mechanism for connecting with leaders and ideas across many cities. The greatest contribution that CEOs for Cities can make is to play a part in making America more competitive globally. This can best be done through cities.

Feature Photo: cc/(hinagiku)