Our Leadership

Brian Kelsey is Vice President of Programs and Strategy at Heartland Forward, a non-profit, policy think-and-do tank focused on accelerating economic growth, changing the narrative about the middle of the country, and generating $500M of economic impact to the heartland by 2030. In his role, he leads Heartland Forward’s impact areas in regional competitiveness and talent pipeline.

Brian has worked in economic development for more than twenty-five years. Prior to joining Heartland Forward, Brian was in EY’s Economic Development practice, advising public and private sector clients in heartland states such as Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas. He’s also held senior roles at the Economic Development Administration and the National Association of Development Organizations in Washington, DC.

Local public service has been a thread throughout Brian’s professional life. He started his career in county government and has worked for mayors in Nashville, Tennessee and in the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas. He’s also been an instructor at the University of Texas at Austin, helping to recruit the next generation of heartland economic developers to the field.

Brian has a master’s degree in public affairs from UT-Austin and a bachelor’s degree in economics and history from UNC-Chapel Hill, where he graduated with highest distinction.