Check Out Kelly Lanser’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelly Lanser

Hi Kelly, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I grew up on the west side of Cincinnati, a part of town where everyone knows your name. It taught me the power of community, traditions and family first.

I received my Masters in Communication with a focus on Community Relations from UC in 2010, where I found the perfect balance of academics and practice. I helped build the PR program for the college, and took full advantage of their opportunities to gain real world experience while in school.

I knew pretty early on that I wanted to focus my work on the non-profit sector. I worked at Big Brothers Big Sisters and then spent 5 years at a startup non-profit called UGIVE. Together, our team built an organization that grew nationally, focusing on volunteerism, social enterprise and helping students find their passion through giving back.

I began working for the Corporation for Findlay Market in 2013 and been here since then. I started out in Events & Promotions and weaved my way through the organization, serving in a number of roles on the Communication team. I was named President & CEO in 2024, an honor and opportunity I am grateful for each day.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Great questions. Part of what has always been easy for me is knowing that I want to love what I do for a job. I want to find fulfillment and joy in my career, which helped me determine that the non-profit world was right for me. As I got older and started having kids, that became even more important for me. If I was going to be dropping my babies off with someone else and going to work, I had to make it count. I also recognized early on with my family that being a role model for all 3 kids, particularly my 2 girls, was a driving force for the decisions I would make moving forward.

As far as smooth road – maybe? Career-wise I wouldn’t say it’s been filled with struggles, but it has required a lot of effort, late nights and taking on challenges despite them being scary. I’m a hard worker and I have tried really hard to put myself in positions to grow, to be seen and to gain the right experience. Starting in college, I began picking up the phone and reaching out to the places that I thought I wanted to work. I remember standing at UC, finding the number for Big Brothers Big Sisters and asking if they wanted a free intern because I loved what they did. That turned into a paid internship and then a real job.

Another critical piece for me on my path was surrounding myself with good and trustworthy people. My boss at UGIVE was later my boss at Findlay Market and we worked together for 15 years. We established an incredible relationship where I was constantly learning from him and he gave me chances to learn, try new things and take some risks He taught me the power of really connecting with people – that being kind, being authentic and just taking the time to have a cup of coffee with someone is what matters. He taught me that leadership is about being strong but collaborative, and that if you show people they can trust you, you are creating a network of people that will have your back down the road.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am the President & CEO of the Corporation for Findlay Market (CFFM). My formal position overview is as followed:

The President & CEO of the Corporation for Findlay Market reports to the Board of Directors and leads the execution of the strategic plan for Findlay Market. Working with and through a leadership team of five directors, the President & CEO has responsibility for strategic leadership, financial leadership, market operations and communications, staff leadership and development, innovation and food entrepreneurship, fundraising and development, and equity and inclusion. The President & CEO must have an authentic connection to the mission and values of CFFM and possess the ability to build strong market and community relationships and to collaborate across public, private and nonprofit sectors.

Fun facts about the Market
-Historic Findlay Market has been around since 1852. Findlay Market is the only surviving municipal market house of the nine public markets operating in Cincinnati in the 19th and early 20th century. The market house is built on land donated to the City of Cincinnati by the estate of General James Findlay (1770 – 1835) and Jane Irwin Findlay (1769 – 1851).
-We are home to more than 100 small businesses, ranging from merchants that are here 6 days per week to weekend farmers (we are home to the region’s largest farmers market).
-We see about 1.4 million visitors this year
-We are an authentic public market, providing fresh food options for people all all backgrounds and for all socioeconomic statues
-We have a shared use incubator kitchen, Findlay Kitchen, that has seen nearly 300 members go through the program since 2016, with nearly 90% of them being women, immigrant or BIPOC owned businesses
-Findlay Market was named a Top 10 Food Market in the World by Newsweek in 2019

Fun facts about my work
-Starting on the Communication Team, I have helped build a wonderful suite of events and activities to support our merchants and our community. Each year, we host more than 20 events, hundreds of live music acts, and dozens and dozens (and dozens) of tours.
-I am a member of the Findlay Market Opening Day Parade Committee, and we plan and put on Cincinnati’s favorite event to kick off Reds Opening Day.
-Our organization has grown significantly in the last decade, going from about 15 staff members to more than 40 people.
-I am proud of the employee policies and programs I have built, including parental time off and a paid sabbatical program.
-I was named a Forty Under 40 in 2023 and a Cincy Magazine Power 100 Rising Start in 2024.
-Some of my favorite fun things that have happened at the market include: each year’s Opening Day Parade but particularly 2024’s parade with Jim Scott as the Honorary Grand Marshal, bringing back the Shillito’s Elves to downtown in 2021, creating our annual Trick-or-Treat event and costume drive for the community, building out a strategic plan, participating in all of the BLINKs with a Findlay Market Zone.
-I am proud to have consulted for and presented to other public markets around the country that look to Findlay Market as the standard for public markets.

What sets me apart?
-I think it helps that I grew up in this organization. I started doing the work on the ground and getting to know everyone everywhere. I think as I moved into leadership positions over the years, people knew that they could talk to me, they could count on me and they could trust me.

Life outside of Findlay Market…
-I would be remiss if I didn’t also share how I also spend my time outside of the office. I have 3 fantastic kids – 10, 8 and 4. They are all wildly talented and smart and lovely. My husband and I coach their sports and spend lots of hours taking them to and from all the things.
-I have been with my husband for half my life. We met in high school, started dating in college and we’ve been married since 2012. He continues to impress and inspire me in his professional life and his dedication to our community.

If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I am the oldest of 4 siblings and they would all say that I am every stereotype of the oldest kid. I liked things done a certain way, it was my way or the highway and I have always liked a plan. I have always been the event planner and the conveyor. I think they would also say, on a positive note, that they could rely on me for anything.

Interest wise I have always been very into sports. Growing up, I played soccer, volleyball, basketball and softball. I loved playing and I loved watching (I still do). I enjoyed the activities but also the bonds that came with team sports. I also always enjoyed art – painting and drawing. I thought maybe I’d end up somewhere in the art space as a profession… but I decided it would be best as a hobby.

Personality – can I call myself friendly? I have been fortunate to have some of the best people in the world as friends since I was a kid and I think that has shaped who I am. I’ve always tried to be a person who makes sure to say the nice thing to someone and to check in.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://findlaymarket.org
• Instagram: @findlaymarket
• Facebook: @findlaymarket
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-lanser/
• Twitter: @findlaymarket
• Youtube: @findlaymarket