Kate Lieto, MBA, CDME
Vice President of Marketing
aka Collaboration Queen
“Connecting the dots” is what Kate does best. As a Certified Destination Management Executive (CDME), she brings both strategic insight and deep industry expertise to her role as Vice President of Marketing. Kate leads the marketing team at Experience Grand Rapids, setting vision, strategy, and budgets while mentoring a growing staff of talented professionals. Her journey with the organization began as an intern, and her rise through the ranks reflects her passion for the destination and her commitment to its success. She collaborates closely with community partners to make Grand Rapids a vibrant, welcoming place for visitors and residents alike. Among her many accomplishments, Kate played a key role in launching initiatives like Attraction Pass GR and the Beer City Brewsader® passport—programs that not only enhance the visitor experience but also strengthen the local economy.
Watching the Grand Rapids area evolve as a destination is one of my favorite parts of my job.
Bio Bits:
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Inspired by her husband and two young children, she’s set on growing Grand Rapids as a must-visit destination for families.
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Represented Experience Grand Rapids in over 200 media interviews and nearly 100 community presentations, serving as a trusted voice for the destination and its tourism initiatives.
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Earned her Certified Destination Management Executive (CDME) credentials from Destinations International in 2025, demonstrating her commitment to excellence and leadership in the tourism industry.
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Was awarded the CVB Star of the Industry honor at the 2016 Pure Michigan Governor’s Conference on Tourism, and was a member of Destinations International’s 30 Under 30 Class of 2017.
Kate Lieto, Vice President of Marketing
Photo by Mod Bettie for Experience GR
“Watching the Grand Rapids area evolve as a destination is one of my favorite parts of my job,” she says. “I enjoy meeting the people behind the city’s growth and helping them understand how they fit into the tourism puzzle.”
