Kenneth Stapleton

Biography: With over 30 years of urban revitalization and economic development experience, Ken provides urban economic development program strategy, training, and project management services related to university-community partnerships, innovative urban safety programs, public health initiatives, urban mobility projects, urban place management, place branding, and urban redevelopment strategies to a variety of public and private clients throughout the United States and Canada. Ken is also the President and CEO of the award-winning SafedesignTM Institute, an organization providing innovative design services, communications strategies, training, program evaluation, and organizational development guidance related to real and perceived safety in urban environments. He speaks regularly at national and international conferences about the topic. A University of Miami Fellow of the Knight Program in Community Building, Ken previously served as Senior Economic Development Advisor and Executive Director of the award-winning University Park Alliance for The University of Akron; Senior Vice President of Planning, Safety and Design for the Downtown Cleveland Partnership; and as a redevelopment expert in several South Florida communities. Ken holds a master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Illinois and is a full member of the Urban Land Institute - where he serves as a management committee member and chairs the Technical Advisory Panel program for Southeast Florida. Ken is also an active member of the International Downtown Association, City Parks Alliance, Florida Redevelopment Association, and the International CPTED Association.