Kristen Reynolds, CDME

Kristen Reynolds is the President and CEO of Choose Chicago, the city's official destination marketing organization. Assuming the role in May 2025, she brings over 27 years of experience in tourism, destination marketing and strategic leadership.

Prior to joining Choose Chicago, Reynolds served as President and CEO of Discover Long Island for nearly a decade, where she led a transformative rebranding initiative and significantly increased tourism revenue in the region. Her career also includes leadership roles in Arizona's tourism sector, including positions at the Arizona Office of Tourism and the Arizona Lodging & Tourism Association.

Reynolds is a Certified Destination Management Executive (CDME) and has held board positions with Destinations International and the New York State Hospitality & Tourism Association. 

As CEO of Choose Chicago, Reynolds is focused on ensuring Chicago's tourism industry flourishes by expanding its global reach and driving economic growth across the city's diverse neighborhoods.

She is a graduate of Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism.