Sean T. O’Kelly
CEO
Meetings & Events International
Sean is a seasoned executive with a diverse background spanning over 20 years in information technology, consulting, and operations, primarily within financial services and insurance sectors. Currently serving as CEO at Meetings & Events International, he previously held the role of Chief Information Officer at the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, where he focused on IT modernization, cloud adoption, digital transformation, and emerging technologies. Sean's passion for innovation extends to blockchain technology, which he believes will revolutionize internet operations across industries in the future.
Known for his compassionate, empathetic, and values-driven leadership style, Sean is deeply committed to delivering meaningful customer value and driving organizational success. He possesses a clear vision, creative and strategic thinking, and a problem-solving mindset, fostering a team culture built on trust, authenticity, and high achievement. With a keen focus on people empowerment and complex change management, Sean excels in operational excellence, product development, and effective capital allocation.
Sean holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration in Management and Strategy from the Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He has also pursued continuing education in Biology/Biological Sciences at Northwestern University. Sean earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Education, with a focus on Social Sciences and Economics, from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and an Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts from Harper College. His diverse educational background, coupled with his extensive leadership experience across various sectors, positions him as a versatile and dynamic leader capable of driving impactful change and innovation.
