Lee Concha, MA

Executive Vice President for University Strategies and Chief of Staff

lee.concha@rosalindfranklin.edu

Lee Concha, MA, is the executive vice president for university strategies and chief of staff. She provides administrative oversight for the Division of Marketing and Brand Management and also guides and supports the efforts of the Division of Institutional Advancement, which includes philanthropic and alumni engagement, stewardship, and corporate and foundation relations. She oversees the development of the university’s strategic plan and assists in its implementation and integration across the institution. She co-leads real estate optimization efforts and the revitalized focus on campus safety. As chief of staff for the president, she is charged with a priority focus on board relations and board communications, as well as overseeing the operations of the president’s office.

Named vice president for marketing and brand management in 2015, Ms. Concha oversaw the creation of the university’s integrated marketing program, which included community relations, digital strategy, and marketing and communications. The Division of Marketing and Brand Management executes a cohesive marketing program that focuses on lead generation and provides counsel, production, support and resources, continuing to raise the university’s profile with key audiences.

Ms. Concha, who joined Rosalind Franklin University in 2011 as executive director of marketing and communications, provides oversight of the government relations strategy and guidance for the institution’s PR practice, brand management, reputation management and advertising programs. She provides strategic communications counsel to key administrators and serves as a member of the crisis communications team.

As associate vice president for digital strategy in 2014, she oversaw the redevelopment of the university’s website, social media efforts and digital initiatives in support of the university’s strategic objectives. Prior to being named executive vice president for university strategies in 2023, she served as senior vice president for university enhancement, a role that increased critical collaborations between marketing and strategic enrollment management, expanded RFU’s PR and external engagement programs, supported the growth of philanthropic strategies, and guided the development of governmental and legislative agendas that advance the university’s priorities.

Previously, Ms. Concha was the vice president for public relations and communications at the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago, one of the largest human services organizations in the Chicagoland area. While with the YMCA, she managed a two-year public relations campaign to celebrate the Y’s sesquicentennial, which culminated in raising a record-setting $1 million in one evening. While leading the association’s public relations, social media and web development initiatives, she also provided strategic counsel and media training to Y executives and local center staff.

Ms. Concha began her career in government, serving the State of Illinois through positions with the Office of the Governor and the Office of the State Treasurer. She earned a master’s degree from the University of Florida and undergraduate degrees from the University of Miami.