Kevin Willer

Bio

Kevin joined New World Ventures as a Venture Partner in May of 2011 to advise on the firm’s seed stage investing and on their current technology industry investments. Currently, Kevin is the President and CEO of the Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center. In this role, he is leading the CEC’s efforts to identify and enable high-potential entrepreneurs to build the next generation of high-growth companies in the Chicago area. Previously, Kevin co-founded the Google Chicago office in late 2000. In his 10+ years with Google, Kevin helped grow this office to more than 400 professionals. In his initial business development role, he created partnerships with large marketers and agencies including Dell, United Airlines, Sears, State Farm, Omnicom, and Publicis. From 2005-2011, Kevin led the Telecom Industry practice where his teams managed the Google marketing partnerships with several of the largest telecommunications corporations including AT&T, Sprint, and Motorola. In his additional Head of Office role, Kevin led the civic development efforts for Google’s Chicago office. Kevin formed partnerships with various stakeholders include city and state governments, universities, non-profits, industry associations and entrepreneurial organizations. Before joining Google, Kevin held sales and business development positions at CMGI, an early internet incubator, and US Robotics, the pioneer in modem technology started in Chicago. Kevin is actively involved in several civic and charitable organizations. He is a Director of The Economic Club of Chicago and is a Trustee of his alma mater, Loyola Academy college prep. He is a member of the 2010 Class of Emerging Leaders at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs and serves on Mayor Richard M. Daley’s Council of Technology Advisers. Kevin also serves on the boards of Children’s Memorial Hospital, WHITIA, World Sport Chicago, Urban Students Empowered, the Illinois Technology Association, TiE Midwest and the Chicago Architecture Foundation. Kevin graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from Boston College, earned his M.B.A. from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, and studied at the London School of Economics.