Michael Sacks

Michael J. Sacks’ Biography

Michael Sacks serves as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of GCM Grosvenor, a global alternative asset management firm, where he has led its growth for more than three decades. Since joining GCM Grosvenor in 1990 and becoming CEO in 1994, he has helped transform the organization into a diversified alternative asset management firm serving a global client base, overseeing more than $90 billion in assets under management across private equity, infrastructure, real estate, credit, and absolute return strategies.

Beyond his work at GCM Grosvenor, Michael is active in civic engagement and economic development across Chicago. He is a founding Board Member of the Obama Foundation, a Trustee of Northwestern University and The Art Institute of Chicago, and a Board Member of Illinois Economic Development Corporation. Previously, from 2011 to 2019, he served as Vice-Chairman of World Business Chicago, helping advance initiatives focused on economic growth, workforce development, and innovation. During that time, he also served on Mayor Rahm Emanuel's Economic Council.

Michael’s philanthropic... Michael Sacks serves as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of GCM Grosvenor, a global alternative asset management firm, where he has led its growth for more than three decades. Since joining GCM Grosvenor in 1990 and becoming CEO in 1994, he has helped transform the organization into a diversified alternative asset management firm serving a global client base, overseeing more than $90 billion in assets under management across private equity, infrastructure, real estate, credit, and absolute return strategies.

Beyond his work at GCM Grosvenor, Michael is active in civic engagement and economic development across Chicago. He is a founding Board Member of the Obama Foundation, a Trustee of Northwestern University and The Art Institute of Chicago, and a Board Member of Illinois Economic Development Corporation. Previously, from 2011 to 2019, he served as Vice-Chairman of World Business Chicago, helping advance initiatives focused on economic growth, workforce development, and innovation. During that time, he also served on Mayor Rahm Emanuel's Economic Council.

Michael’s philanthropic efforts focus on educational equity, economic opportunity, and expanding access to arts and culture. Together with his wife, Cari, he established the Sacks Family Scholarship Fund to support Chicago Public Schools students attending Northwestern University, and he partnered with Northwestern Medicine to launch the GCM Grosvenor Discovery Program, which helps create healthcare career pathways for Chicago Public Schools students. He also serves as a Board Member of After School Matters, a Chicago nonprofit dedicated to providing transformative opportunities for young people.

Michael earned a B.A. in Economics from Tulane University and completed a general course certificate at the London School of Economics. He later received his M.B.A. from the Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management and his J.D. from Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law. READ MORE VIEW LESS

Michael J. Sacks’ Newsfeed

Analytics Insight

Across Chicago Institutions, Michael J Sacks Maintains a Broad Civic Presence

Michael J. Sacks’ Background

GCM Grosvenor

Chairman & Chief Executive Officer

1994 - Present

Chicago, IL, USA

GCM Grosvenor is a global alternative asset management solutions provider with over $90 billion in assets under management across private equity, infrastructure, real estate, credit, and absolute return investment strategies.

GCM Grosvenor

Managing Partner

1990 - 1994

Chicago, IL, USA

Board Positions

Obama Foundation

Founding Board Member

2014 - Present

The Obama Foundation is a nonprofit organization established by Barack and Michelle Obama to inspire and empower people to create positive change in their communities. Through leadership programs, educational initiatives, and civic engagement efforts, the foundation works to support the next generation of leaders and strengthen democratic participation worldwide.

Northwestern University

Trustee

2007 - Present

Evanston, IL, USA

Northwestern University is a private research university established in 1851 and the oldest chartered university in Illinois.

The Art Institute of Chicago

Trustee

2010 - Present

Chicago, IL, USA

Based in Chicago's Grant Park, The Art Institute of Chicago is a private, nonprofit art museum, known as one of the oldest and largest art museums in the United States.

Northwestern Memorial Healthcare

Board Member

2025 - Present

Chicago, IL, USA

Northwestern Medicine is the healthcare system of Northwestern University, and includes research hospitals, acute care facilities, and academic centers with Northwestern Memorial Hospital as its flagship hospital.

Illinois Economic Development Corporation

Board Member

2024 - Present

Chicago, IL, USA

The Illinois Economic Development Corporation is a statewide, public-private partnership focused on bringing new businesses, jobs, and capital investments to the state.

After School Matters

Board Member

2013 - Present

Chicago, IL, USA

A prominent Chicago-based nonprofit organization that provides high school teens with paid after-school and summer programs.

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Previous Advisory Roles

World Business Chicago

Vice Chairman

Chicago, IL, USA

World Business Chicago (WBC) acts as a bridge between the city government and businesses, and is the city’s official public-private economic development agency. WBC is focused on driving inclusive economic growth, job creation, and corporate relocation and expansion.

Mayor's Economic Council

Member

Chicago, IL, USA

Mayor Rahm Emanuel's Economic Council was an advisory group made up of business, civic, and policy leaders that provided strategic guidance on major economic and fiscal issues affecting the City of Chicago. The council advised the mayor on priorities such as economic growth, job creation, workforce development, education funding, pension reform, infrastructure, and the city's long-term fiscal strategy.

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Philanthropy

Sacks Family Scholarship Fund

Founder

2013 - Present

Created by Michael Sacks and his wife Cari, this fund provides “no loan” scholarships to Chicago Public Schools students to attend Northwestern University.

GCM Grosvenor Discovery Program

Co-Founder

2022 - Present

Michael and GCM Grosvenor, in partnership with Northwestern Medicine, created the GCM Grosvenor Discovery Program, which provides career and technical education for CPS high school students, enabling them pathways to careers in the medical field.

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Media

Michael Sacks may be the most connected person in Chicago. He’s also our Executive of the Year.

Article

Feb 2025

Chicago, IL, USA

Michael was named Crain's Chicago Business Executive of the Year in 2025.

Memberships

Economic Club of Chicago

Member

Chicago, IL, USA

At the heart of the Economic Club of Chicago is the desire to foster meaningful connections, encourage dialogue, and nurture the next generation of civic leaders in the region. The organization does this through spotlighting thought leaders, with diverse perspectives, challenging ECC members professionally, personally, and socially.

Chicago Council on Global Affairs

Member

Chicago, IL, USA

A nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing knowledge and engagement in global affairs, the Chicago Council on Global Affairs empowers its growing membership community through open dialogue of diverse, fact-based perspectives, covering a broad range of global issues.

Awards & Recognition

Chicago Cares Lifetime Achievement Award

Winner

2026

Michael was recognized for his long-standing philanthropic efforts and collaborative community leadership across Chicago.

Crain’s Chicago Business Executive of the Year

Winner

2025

Named Crain’s 2025 Executive of the Year, Michael was recognized for his pivotal role in bringing the 2024 Democratic National Convention to Chicago, his extensive influence on the city’s business and civic landscape, and his leadership and connectivity.

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Bar Admissions

Illinois State Bar Association

Founded in 1877, the Illinois State Bar Association is the premier legal association in the state. As a voluntary organization, the Association's primary focus is to assist Illinois lawyers in the practice of law and to promote improvements in the administration of justice.