Director Spotlight: A Conversation with Rob Kerr

Executive Director of Innovation & Opportunity

As Innovate Springfield reflects on a milestone year and begins 2026, Executive Director of Innovation & Opportunity Rob Kerr looks back on his journey, the evolution of Innovate Springfield, and what innovation has come to mean for the Springfield community.

From Chicago to Springfield

Rob grew up and attended college in the Chicago area, but his path ultimately led him to Springfield—both personally and professionally.

After getting engaged, Rob and his fiancée (now his wife of more than 30 years), who grew up in Springfield, made the decision to move back to her hometown. As a political science major, Rob saw Springfield as a natural place to begin his career. Shortly after graduating, he relocated and began building what would become a long and rewarding professional journey rooted in the city.

“I really created my career here in Springfield,” Rob shared. “It’s been incredibly rewarding.”

Chicago vs. Springfield: The Power of Community

While Chicago will always feel like home to Rob, Springfield’s sense of community stands out as one of its greatest strengths.

“Springfield’s ecosystem is something that has always impressed me,” he explained. “Because it’s smaller, it’s easier to make connections, and those connections can support you in many different ways. In a larger city like Chicago, it can feel overwhelming.”

That close-knit ecosystem allowed Rob to build both his career and his family, supported by relationships that continue to shape his work today.

Why Innovate Springfield?

Rob’s professional background spans higher education, public service, and economic development. After earning his MBA, he became deeply interested in economic development and took on a leadership role at the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, where he served as Deputy Director for Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Technology.

“I loved the work,” he said, “but I missed higher education.”

That intersection—between economic development and education—eventually brought him back to UIS. When the opportunity to lead Innovate Springfield arose, it felt like a natural next step.

“This role connects everything I love to do,” Rob said. “It truly feels like a dream job.”

Lessons Learned Along the Way

Reflecting on his career, Rob pointed to two guiding principles that continue to shape his leadership.

The first is a quote attributed to President Harry Truman: “It’s amazing what you can get done if you don’t care who gets the credit.”

“When you’re trying to solve big, complex problems—what we often call ‘wicked problems’—no single person or institution can do it alone,” Rob explained. “Success comes from teamwork and making sure credit flows to the people doing the work.”

His second lesson is equally important: don’t hold grudges.

“I’ve seen projects fail because people couldn’t let things go,” he said. “You never know what someone else is carrying with them. Holding onto anger doesn’t move you closer to your goal.”

A New Chapter at Horace Mann

One of the changes Rob is most proud of is Innovate Springfield’s move from 15 S Old State Capitol Plaza to the Horace Mann building.

“The old space was iconic, and I loved working there,” Rob said. “But it was limiting what we could do.”

The Horace Mann space offers natural light, flexibility, room to grow, and expanded opportunities for programming and collaboration. While the move came with challenges—including navigating a complex public-private partnership—Rob believes it was a necessary reset.

“In just a few months, we’ve already seen renewed energy and engagement,” he said. “People are coming back, and now it’s our responsibility to meet that momentum with strong programming.”

Looking ahead, Rob sees 2026 as a pivotal year for Innovate Springfield’s growth.

An Evolving Mission

Over the past decade, Innovate Springfield has expanded beyond traditional business incubation. While supporting startups remains central, Rob has focused on deepening connections with the UIS campus and strengthening talent development.

“My goal has been to formalize how faculty and students engage with this space,” he explained. “That’s how we amplify innovation across the university.”

He also emphasized the importance of workforce and talent pipeline development. Economic development, Rob noted, requires both strong businesses and access to world-class talent—and those two goals must grow together.

Advice for the Community

When asked what advice he would give to community members interested in innovation but unsure where to start, Rob offered a clear message: innovation isn’t just for entrepreneurs.

“People often think a business incubator isn’t for them if they don’t want to start a company,” he said. “But entrepreneurship is just one piece of innovation.”

Innovate Springfield aims to support anyone interested in creative problem-solving—whether they’re business owners, state employees, students, or professionals looking to build new skills.

“I like to think of Innovate Springfield as an alternative front door to the university,” Rob said. “You don’t have to want a degree or a startup. If you’re curious, if you want to improve, if you want to innovate—we want to help.”