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SIPA Faculty
Kevin G. Kelly
International Affairs Building, 13th Floor
Adjunct Associate Professor of International and Public Affairs
Phone: 212-854-3213
kgk13@columbia.edu
Biography:
Kevin Kelly serves as deputy commissioner of NYC Business Customer Service in the NYC Mayor’s Office. He is responsible for designing and implementing a robust customer support model for New York City businesses that leverages 311 and online resources, and for coordinating multiple Citywide systems replacement and integration efforts in order to enable more businesses to apply and pay online for even more licenses, permits, and certifications. He is also developing a robust business customer portal that will aggregate statuses and other relevant information in a coherent and comprehensive fashion – enabling businesses to better manage their relationship with the City – and also provide them with useful information to better manage the resources acting on their businesses’ behalf, such as architects, engineers, contractors, and other licensed professionals.
Prior to his current position, Kelly was deputy commissioner of the Business Development Division at the New York City Department of Small Business Services (SBS). He oversaw NYC Business Solutions, Business Incentives, the Business Outreach Team, and the SBS Customer Service Center. These programs help businesses start, operate, and expand in New York City. Kelly also led SBS Strategic Planning & Strategic Operations in his capacity as deputy commissioner.
Before leading the Business Development Division at SBS, Kelly served as assistant commissioner of NYC Business Express, an effort that transformed the way businesses interact with government. NYC Business Express, an award-winning online application, enables business owners and entrepreneurs to start, operate and expand a business through a single online point of contact. He also served as assistant commissioner of Operations and Technology, building and deploying SBS’ operational and technological resources to support New York City's economic development objectives.
Kelly joined SBS in February 2004 as executive director of Strategic Operations for the Workforce Development Division, where he revamped operations and implemented new systems in the NYC Workforce1 Career Centers. These improvements enabled New York City to dramatically increase the number of jobseekers hired by businesses seeking qualified labor, provided customers with better service, and increased staff and system capacity.
Prior to joining SBS, Kelly worked in the private sector as a management consultant, devising and implementing working capital improvement strategies for Fortune 500 companies. He lived and worked overseas for many years, primarily in Latin America and Europe, with a career that includes public service with the Peace Corps in Costa Rica and the New York City Transit Authority. Kelly serves on the Board of Directors of Upwardly Global.
Kelly received a BA in urban studies from Columbia University; an MA in international studies from the University of Pennsylvania; and an MBA with distinction from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.