Lee Concha, MA

Executive Vice President for University Strategies, Chief of Staff and Secretary to the Board

Lee Concha, MA, serves as executive vice president for university strategies, chief of staff and secretary to the board at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science (RFU). She leads the development of the university's strategic plan and oversees its implementation, integration and reporting across the institution. As chief of staff and secretary to the board, she advises the president on board governance and strategy, supports the board chair and committee leadership, assists with trustee onboarding, and oversees operations of the president's office. She also works closely with the president and university leadership to advance institutional priorities and coordinate executive initiatives.

Ms. Concha oversees Marketing and Brand Management, Community and Campus Outreach, and Government Relations, and guides and supports the work of Institutional Advancement. Her responsibilities also include organizational planning and policy analysis, helping university leadership evaluate emerging issues and inform institutional decisions. She provides executive oversight of the university's Title IX compliance and response functions.

Since joining RFU in 2011, Ms. Concha has played a significant role in advancing institutional priorities across three presidential administrations. She established the university's integrated marketing program, strengthened collaboration among marketing, strategic enrollment management and institutional advancement, and helped guide the university through presidential leadership transitions.

In overseeing government relations, Ms. Concha works with university leadership to assess federal, state and local policy developments, evaluate their implications for RFU, and establish governmental and legislative priorities. She also provides strategic counsel to senior leaders on sensitive institutional issues, reputational matters and crisis management, including communications strategy and response. She co-leads the university's revitalized focus on campus safety.

Ms. Concha serves on the board of directors of North Chicago Community Partners, whose work to advance educational equity and strengthen communities through schools aligns with RFU's commitment to the health and well-being of its surrounding communities.

Previously, Ms. Concha was vice president for public relations and communications at the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago, where she led public relations, social media and web development initiatives and managed a two-year sesquicentennial campaign culminating in a record-setting $1 million fundraising event.

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