Kelwin Harris, Executive Director

Kelwin is a vibrant young leader with both excellent academic credentials and impressive work experience.   He is a former Assistant to Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley and served as the Mayor's primary liaison for the Chicago Housing Authority’s Plan for Transformation.  In addition, Kelwin served as an Acting Deputy Chief of Staff for Human Capital in the Mayor's Office where he managed a host of city departments and development projects.  Kelwin has worked as an urban planner charged with modernizing dilapidated courthouses and state universities in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and as an environmental impact consultant in West Los Angeles.  In addition, Kelwin worked on the expansion of campus housing and athletic facilities for Harvard’s planning and real estate entity.  Most recently, Kelwin founded an e-commerce company with a professor and investor at Harvard.  He is a graduate of Cornell University's Department of City & Regional Planning and Harvard University's Graduate School of Design.

Kelwin has lived and studied in such world centers as: Rome, Paris, Milan, Madrid, and Shanghai, to name a few.  He is well-versed in the main ingredients that go into making communities successful.  His master planning analysis has been published by Harvard Design School Press, while some of his other work has been preserved in the archives of Cornell University.

Kelwin was a finalist for People Magazine and Major League Baseball's 2009 "All-Stars Among Us" award.  He is also a mentor at Perspectives/Calumet Chicago Public School and a member of the Chicago Chapter of The Association of Fundraising Professionals.

Kelwin says, “As someone who grew up in the community, I personally understand both the abundant resources as well as the untapped potential in our people.  I am excited about the opportunity to make some long heartfelt dreams a reality.  I look forward to working with anyone serious about taking the community in a new direction".