Marcia Lee Kelly

Marcia Lee Kelly is an accomplished executive leader with over three decades of experience in operational leadership, strategic execution, and organizational transformation across the White House, Fortune 500 partnerships, and the corporate and nonprofit sectors. She is currently the Co-Founder of Genrae, a real estate fintech company, and a Senior Leadership Fellow at Florida International University’s Adam Smith Center for Economic Freedom.

She held the most senior White House appointment, Assistant to the President, a title reserved for only 25 officials across the Executive Office. In that capacity, she oversaw a $169 million budget, managed the care of 3,000+ staff, and led emergency preparedness and continuity of government initiatives in coordination with the U.S. Secret Service, National Security Council, and senior military officials. She also oversaw numerous offices, including the White House Visitor’s Office, the Executive Residence, IT, and Finance. Additionally, she served as Senior Advisor to the First Lady.

As President & CEO of the 2020 Republican National Convention, Kelly reimagined the event amid the COVID-19 crisis. She overcame unprecedented logistical, health, and political challenges to deliver a nationally televised, multi-city convention under a $75 million budget. Her leadership extended to the Office of the 45th President and included directing four Republican National Conventions and contributing to two presidential transition teams.

A catalyst for civic engagement and high-profile public events, Kelly began her career directing the NYC Mayor’s Office of Special Events-leading global productions, including the NYC Millennium Celebration, United Nations 50th Anniversary, World Cup Host Committee, and the Yankees’ Ticker Tape Parade. She also produced the post-9/11 “A Prayer for America” memorial at Yankee Stadium, for which she earned a Daytime Emmy nomination.

She has also served as Chief Philanthropic Officer for several organizations, including Mercy Healthcare System, and advised clients such as Rockefeller Center, Time Warner, and Prada. Her expertise has been featured in Fortune, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, FOX News, and international media outlets.