Kelly Kozlowski Named COO at Detroit’s TechTown, Assistant Vice President for Economic Development at Detroit’s WSU

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Kelly Kozlowski
Kelly Kozlowski // Photo courtesy of TechTown Detroit

Kelly Kozlowski has been named COO at TechTown Detroit and the vice president for economic development at Detroit’s Wayne State University.

“Kelly’s impressive resume of advocating, managing, and leading change related to business operations makes her the ideal candidate to join our team of innovative professionals,” says Ned Staebler, vice president for economic development at WSU and president and CEO at TechTown. “The relationships and partnerships she’s built with elected officials, businesses, and foundations in Detroit will serve TechTown and Wayne State as we move forward our vision of an entrepreneurial landscape that’s open to all Detroiters.”

Kozlowski will be overseeing the strategic development and execution of operations and programming at TechTown. She will also be responsible for ensuring successful implementation, cultivation, and maintenance of programs, systems, processes, and services for TechTown, the Wayne State Industry Innovation Center, and future neighborhood workspaces.

“Having spent much of my career in the business incubator and accelerator world, I am thrilled to be joining an organization that continues to innovate the model,” Kozlowski says. “Economic development is one of the most important levers we have in working toward equity across Detroit communities, and TechTown is driving that work in a meaningful way.”

Kozlowski previously served as COO for the Downtown Detroit Partnership, where she oversaw day-to-day operations of the company. Prior to joining the partnership, she served as senior director of Automation Alley.

She also serves as president of the Oakland University Sail Board and volunteers as a journalism and public relations mentor to one of Michigan’s FIRST robotics teams. She is a member of the Oakland University Women in Philanthropy Grant Investment Committee and teaches journalism courses at the school.

Kozlowski holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a Master of Public Administration degree from Oakland University, as well as a diversity and inclusion certificate from Cornell University.