Washington, D.C. — The Baldrige Foundation announced today that Kenny McDonald, a nationally recognized economic development leader and advisor, has accepted an appointment to the President’s Council for Performance Excellence.
The President’s Council for Performance Excellence serves as a strategic advisory council focused on strengthening America’s economy, supporting critical national infrastructure, and advancing leadership systems that enable organizations and communities to thrive. The Council brings together senior leaders from government, business, and civic institutions who share a common commitment: improving economic performance and societal outcomes by strengthening how organizations are led, managed, and sustained over time.
Members of the President’s Council participate in ongoing strategic discussions and help shape how the Baldrige Foundation works with the public and private sectors to advance its mission of supporting leaders, strengthening organizations, and enabling communities to grow, adapt, and compete on a global stage. Council members serve as trusted advisors to the Baldrige Foundation’s President & CEO and leadership team as the foundation expands the reach and real-world application of the Baldrige Performance Excellence Framework nationwide through the expansion of customized programs in the Institute for Performance Excellence.
Over more than a decade as President and Chief Executive Officer of One Columbus, McDonald led the organization from its launch in 2010 through a period of sustained growth and transformation, establishing it as one of the nation’s top-ranked regional economic development organizations. Under his leadership, the Columbus Region executed a nationally recognized growth strategy, strengthened its global competitiveness, and announced some of the largest job creation projects in Ohio’s history.
Today, McDonald serves as a nationally recognized independent advisor as the Founder of Little Dry Consulting, which is focused on working with growing companies, communities, and states to increase their economic competitiveness, location strategies, and long-term growth.
Over a career spanning more than 25 years, McDonald has worked with metropolitan economies in Savannah, Georgia; Albuquerque, New Mexico; and Charlotte, North Carolina. He also spent seven years as a global site location advisor with Fluor Corporation, supporting companies in evaluating and executing location strategies across North America, Asia, and Europe. His experience spans industries including automotive, biotechnology, aerospace, pharmaceuticals, advanced electronics, manufacturing, logistics, headquarters operations, and research and development facilities.
McDonald has been named one of the Top 50 Economic Developers by Economix and was recognized as Small Nonprofit CEO of the Year by Columbus CEO magazine. A frequent national speaker, he is widely regarded as a thought leader in regional economic development and competitiveness. He has served as Chair of the International Economic Development Council and remains active on numerous boards.
“Kenny’s career reflects disciplined leadership, systems thinking, and an unwavering focus on results — the very principles at the heart of the Baldrige Framework,” said Josh Racette, President & CEO of the Baldrige Foundation. “As organizations and regions face increasing complexity and economic uncertainty, Kenny brings a rare blend of strategic clarity and executional insight that will strengthen the work of the President’s Council and help advance leadership systems that connect economic vitality, organizational performance, and community well-being.”
“Sustained competitiveness doesn’t happen by chance — it is the result of intentional leadership, aligned systems, and disciplined execution,” McDonald said. “The Baldrige Framework provides a practical, nonprescriptive way to strengthen those fundamentals across sectors. I’m honored to join the President’s Council and support the Baldrige Foundation’s mission to help organizations and communities compete and thrive in a global economy.”
With McDonald’s appointment, the Baldrige Foundation continues to reinforce its role as a national convener of leadership excellence — connecting economic vitality, organizational performance, and community well-being through a shared, results-oriented framework.
About the Baldrige Foundation and the Institute for Performance Excellence
The Foundation for the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award (Baldrige Foundation) is a nonprofit, private sector partner of the Baldrige Performance Excellence Program within the Department of Commerce, advancing quality, leadership, and performance excellence across all sectors of the U.S. and globally. Through advocacy, education, and strategic partnerships, the Foundation strengthens the competitiveness and resilience of organizations and communities. Its Institute for Performance Excellence serves as the foundation's educational and thought leadership arm, offering access to research, benchmarking, training, custom technologies, and certification programs designed to help leaders and organizations achieve sustainable results through the Baldrige Framework. Together, the Foundation and Institute empower organizations to pursue excellence, drive innovation, advance competitiveness, and create lasting impact for organizations and communities, while equipping them to lead in a global economy.
Learn more about the Baldrige Foundation by visiting www.baldrigefoundation.org.
Learn more about the Institute for Performance Excellence by visiting www.baldrigeinstitute.org.
