About Michael Sacks
Business Leadership
In his role as Chairman and CEO, Michael has led GCM Grosvenor through decades of growth and evolution, helping shape the firm’s strategic direction and global investment platform. He joined the firm in 1990, when it employed just six people, serving as Managing Partner before becoming Chief Executive Officer in 1994. Since then, he has overseen the firm’s expansion into one of the world’s leading diversified asset management firms.
Under his leadership, GCM Grosvenor manages $97 billion in assets for a global client base of individual and institutional investors. Today, the firm invests across private equity, infrastructure, real estate, credit, and absolute return strategies.
The firm has also distinguished itself through its commitment to responsible investing. GCM Grosvenor maintains a Sustainable Investing and Impact Policy and actively partners with its clients to design sustainable and impact investing solutions across alternatives. The firm draws upon more than 20 years of responsible investing experience, combined with a returns-first approach to impact.
The firm’s investment impact includes $11 billion of assets in energy transition and climate solutions, $3 billion of assets focused on workforce standards and labor impact. In addition, the firm has invested and committed more than $18 billion to women- and minority-owned alternative investment managers, helping broaden access to capital across the alternatives industry. GCM Grosvenor is an active sustainability and impact leader across the alternatives industry. The firm was a founding signatory of the United Nations-supported Principles for Responsible Investing (PRI) and is a frequent collaborator with other industry organizations. The firm’s annual SEM Consortium conference also serves as a marquee event for the next generation of alternative investment managers, notably those owned by women and minorities.
Civic Engagement
Michael complements his business leadership through service to civic, educational, healthcare, and cultural organizations. Through board memberships and leadership positions, he has helped support institutions that play an important role in Chicago’s development and civic life.
Today, he is a Founding Board Member of the Obama Foundation and serves as a Trustee of Northwestern University and the Art Institute of Chicago. He also serves on the boards of Northwestern Memorial Healthcare, the Illinois Economic Development Corporation, and After School Matters, and is a member of the Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago and the Economic Club of Chicago. He previously served as Chair of the 2024 Democratic National Convention Host Committee.
From 2011 to 2019, Michael served as Vice Chairman of World Business Chicago under Mayor Rahm Emanuel, where he played a leading role in advancing the city’s economic development strategy. During his tenure, the organization advanced Chicago’s Plan for Economic Growth and Jobs, helped establish the Digital Manufacturing Design Lab, which received a U.S. Department of Defense award, launched the Global Cities Economic Partnership with Mexico City and the Gateway Cities Agreement with China, instituted the Supply Chain Innovation Network, and launched the Greater Chatham Initiative to support economic mobility across Chicago’s South Side.
Public Policy
Throughout his career, Michael has worked with elected officials, policymakers, and community leaders to help advance public policy initiatives that promote stronger schools, safer communities, economic growth, and equal opportunity. His work has included both formal advisory roles and advocacy for legislation that has shaped communities.
In addition to his work with World Business Chicago, Michael served on Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s Economic Council, contributing to city budget strategy, strengthening and reforming Chicago’s employee pension funds, and the renegotiation of Chicago’s parking meter lease. He was also instrumental in the creation of Chicago’s innovative Neighborhood Opportunity Fund, which leverages downtown development to finance commercial projects and support small businesses on the city’s South and West Sides.
His broader public policy work has included advocacy for marriage equality, reproductive health, evidence-based school funding, and gun violence prevention. He helped advance the state’s landmark 2017 evidence-based school funding legislation, which has since contributed more than $3 billion in additional state funding for Chicago Public Schools. He also supported the successful legislative effort that led to Illinois’ assault weapons ban in 2023.
Michael has remained actively engaged in civic participation and the democratic process. Together with Cari, he has supported Democratic candidates and causes and, as Chair of the 2024 Democratic National Convention Host Committee, helped raise more than $90 million to support the convention’s planning and operations.
Education
Michael is a proud graduate of Niles West High School. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Tulane University and completed the General Course in political economy at the London School of Economics. He later earned a Master of Business Administration from the Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management and a Juris Doctor from Northwestern University’s Pritzker School of Law. He was admitted to the Illinois State Bar Association.
Awards & Recognition
Michael has been recognized for his leadership in business and public service. In 2025, he was named Crain’s Chicago Business Executive of the Year. Other recent honors include the Chicago Cares Lifetime Achievement Award in 2026, the Navy SEAL Foundation Patriot Award in 2025, the Better Government Association’s Daniel L. Goodwin Watchdog Award in 2023, the Addams-Palmer Award for Exemplary Civic Involvement by a Chicago Institution in 2019, and the Equality Illinois Business Leadership Award in 2015.