Lori Healey

Executive Director

In December 2020, Lori Healey joined the Obama Foundation as Senior Vice President, Executive Project Officer for the Obama Presidential Center (OPC). She leads the ambitious endeavor to build and operate the OPC, a 19.3-acre campus in Jackson Park, housing the Presidential Museum, a Forum Building, and a new Chicago Public Library branch.

Previously, Lori served as President of Clayco’s Chicago Business Unit, overseeing development, design, and construction in the greater Chicago area. As CEO of the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority, she contributed to the development of the Wintrust Arena and the Marriott Marquis.

Lori’s distinguished career includes leadership roles with Tur Partners LLC and the John Buck Company. She played crucial roles in organizing the 2012 NATO Summit in Chicago and co-leading Chicago’s bid for the 2016 Summer Olympics and Paralympics Games as President of Chicago 2016.

She held senior positions for the City of Chicago, including Chief of Staff and Commissioner of the Department of Planning and Development under Mayor Richard M. Daley. Lori’s diverse experiences include time as a principal at Perkins + Will and Deputy Director of the Illinois Department of Commerce & Community Affairs.

A dedicated public servant, Lori Healey began her journey as a policy aide to former Governor John Carlin of Kansas in 1983. She holds a B.A. in Economics and an M.S. in Public Administration from Kansas State University and serves on multiple boards in Chicago.