EWI, headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, announced the appointment of Stephen “Steve” Kelly as its next president and chief executive officer, following a comprehensive national search led by the organization’s board of directors. Kelly is an innovative executive with decades of experience leading organizations in highly competitive and rapidly evolving markets. His background spans early-stage ventures, mid-scale growth organizations, and large, complex institutions.
“Steve emerged as a clear choice because of his ability to connect strategy, innovation, and execution in highly complex environments,” said Greg Moore, chair of EWI’s board of directors. “He understands how to help organizations deliver real-world impact, and he brings the federal and industrial experience, particularly within the defense industrial base and nuclear energy infrastructure, that will be critical as EWI continues to grow. The Board is confident he is the right leader for this moment.”
Most recently, Kelly served as CEO of the Indiana Innovation Institute, where he built a start-up applied research organization from the ground up. Under his leadership, the institute established strong partnerships across industry, academia, and government; secured programs with the DoD Joint Artificial Intelligence Center, DARPA, and the U.S. Navy; and grew revenue from zero to more than $20 million in three years. Through his consulting work, Kelly has supported early-stage defense and advanced technology ventures, commercial firms entering federal markets, and national laboratories and federally funded research and development centers on strategy and performance improvement.
“I’m excited to join EWI at a time when its mission is more important than ever,” said Steve Kelly, president and CEO of EWI. “EWI has a unique ability to translate advanced technology into practical solutions that strengthen U.S. industry and national competitiveness. I’m looking forward to working with the talented EWI team, our clients, partners, and the Board to build on that foundation and expand the organization’s impact.”
Longtime EWI President and CEO Henry Cialone announced his retirement in June 2025 and is staying at EWI until the end of February to ensure a smooth leadership transition.