Kela Lester

COMMUNICATIONS STRATEGIST

Kela is a creative strategist who calls her career one big research project. Deeply curious about the positive ways cities and communities will evolve, Kela is tapped for projects that strengthen connections between people and places – using brand strategy, marketing, events, and operations as tools. Her experience spans and merges industries like events/hospitality, tech, non-profit, and economic development. For instance, as a Placemaking Consultant for multiple Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) in Washington DC, Kela leads community events that attract 100,000+ attendees annually. Her leadership as Executive Chair of DC Design Week reversed the festival’s financial trajectory by overhauling its brand, sponsorship, and partnership strategies—earning her a proclamation from Mayor Muriel Bowser and securing collaborations with industry giants like Adobe and NASA, expanding the event’s influence. Kela is also a published author in Harvard Business Review and Harvard’s People, Process, and Business, where she shares insights on leadership and the experiences of first-generation professionals.