Chris Ronayne

Chris Ronayne (born 1968) is the President of University Circle Inc. in Cleveland, Ohio, a community development corporation responsible for the growth of the University Circle with a focus on health care, education, and arts & culture.

Ronanye was born in Chicago, Illinois. He attended Bay High School in Bay Village, Ohio and earned his bachelor's degree at the Miami University School of Business Administration and a Masters of Urban Planning from the Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs at Cleveland State Universitywhere he presently serves on the university visiting committee for the Levin College. He is married to Natalie Ronayne,Chief Development Officer of the Cleveland Metroparks. They live in Cleveland's Cudell-Edgewater neighborhood.

Ronanye was the campaign manager for Jane L. Campbell's successful bid to become the mayor of Cleveland in 2001.He served as Cleveland's Planning Director, Chief Development Officer, and Chief of Staff, where he led numerous revitalization projects, including the Avenue District, the Flats East Bank, Battery Park, and Steelyard Commons. He was the chief architect of the City's Waterfront District Plan expected to transform eight miles of Cleveland shore with larger beaches, new marinas, housing, retail businesses, and offices.

• Recipient of the 2006 Smart Business Pillar Award for Nonprofit Executive Director of the Year.
• Ronayne was named to Crain's Cleveland Business 40 under 40.
• Recipient of the Dean's Distinguished Alumni Award for the Cleveland State University College of Urban Affairs and the Ohio American Institute of Architects award for the Cleveland Waterfront District Plan.
• He is a member of the Leadership Cleveland Class of 2007.
• Named 2014's Power 150 by Crain's Cleveland Business
• Recipient of the 2017 Life Changers Award
• Named 2018 Power 100: Leaders of Northeast Ohio
• Named 2019 Power 100: Top 30 Leaders of Northeast Ohio by Cleveland Magazine