Chris Ronayne Biography

Chris Ronayne set an aggressive agenda for University Circle, Cleveland’s fastest growing employment center, and University Circle Inc. (UCI), the nonprofit development, service, and advocacy organization responsible for the growth of the Circle as a world-class center of innovation in health care, education, and arts & culture. As the seventh president in UCI’s 53-year history, Ronayne is determined to make University Circle a premier urban district that is safe, clean, and attractive for the hundreds of thousands of residents, workers, and visitors to the district.

 

Since joining UCI nearly five years ago, Ronayne has raised more than $30 million for community initiatives such as UCI’s Bring Back Euclid Avenue campaign, for UCI education programs serving more than 20,000 Cleveland students annually, and for University Circle’s new visitor center and destination marketing programs. In addition to overseeing community development for the University Circle education, medical, and arts hub, Ronayne also oversees the University Circle Police Department. 

 

Before joining UCI, Ronayne served the City of Cleveland as the City’s Planning Director, Chief Development Officer, and Chief of Staff. He was the chief architect of the City’s Waterfront District Plan.

 

In addition to his role with UCI, Ronayne is Chairman of the Holden Parks Trust, a member of CEOs for Cities, the American Planning Association, and numerous local boards and foundations. Ronayne was recipient of the Dean’s Distinguished Alumni Award for the Cleveland State University College of Urban Affairs where he holds a Masters of Urban Planning, Design, and Development. He received his undergraduate degree in business from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. 

 

He is married to Natalie Ronayne, executive director for the Cleveland Botanical Garden. They live in Cleveland’s Cudell-Edgewater neighborhood with their daughter Audrey and son Joseph.