Michael Sacks

Board Member

Michael Sacks is Chairman and CEO of GCM Grosvenor, a global alternative asset management firm headquartered in Chicago. Since joining the firm in 1990 and becoming CEO in 1994, Mr. Sacks has led the firm’s growth into one of the world’s leading diversified alternative investment platforms, serving institutional investors across private equity, infrastructure, real estate, credit and absolute return strategies. 

 Mr. Sacks has served as a board member of the Obama Foundation since its inception. He also serves as a trustee for Northwestern University and the Art Institute of Chicago, and is on the boards of Northwestern Memorial Healthcare, After School Matters and Intersect Illinois. He previously served as chairman of the 2024 Democratic National Convention, and from 2011-2019 served as vice chairman of World Business Chicago and on Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s Economic Council from 2011 to 2019, where he co-chaired the Mayor’s Plan for Economic Growth and Jobs. Mr. Sacks has supported neighborhood-focused economic development initiatives with a focus on expanding economic opportunity and strengthening local communities, including founding the Greater Chatham Initiative, as well as increased investments in public education and scholarships for Chicago Public Schools students.

 A native of Chicago, Michael J. Sacks received a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Tulane University in 1984, a general course certificate in Political Economy from the London School of Economics in 1983, a Master of Business Administration from the J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University in 1988 and a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1988.