Michael Fassnacht
Distinguished Instructor, University of Chicago Graham School & Chief Growth Officer & President Chicagoland, CLAYCO
understand. engage. lead.
The Chicago Leadership Circle (CLC) is a joint initiative of Crain’s Chicago Business and the University of Chicago Graham School that supports executives in better understanding, shaping, and engaging with the region’s economic and community development.
Upon completing the program, CLC Fellows will have:
- A deeper understanding of the economic and social issues affecting Chicago’s future
- A vision for how to build shared value for their companies and for the region
- A set of meaningful relationships with socially responsible business executives and civic leaders across the region
- A roadmap for simultaneously advancing the aims of their institution and the city
Over the course of nine monthly sessions, CLC Fellows build their network and develop their leadership skills while examining pivotal issues to Chicago’s economy and imagining how business can be part of advancing the city’s prosperous and inclusive future. The Circle is led by journalists at Crain’s and faculty at the University of Chicago who are committed to going beyond the headlines and deeply investigating the issues that matter most to our region.
The Chicago Leadership Circle: Where Business, Policy, and Purpose Meet
What does it mean to lead not just within your organization, but in service of your city? The Chicago Leadership Circle—a collaboration between the University of Chicago and Crain’s Chicago Business—brings together leaders from business, government, and the nonprofit world to explore that very question. Through candid conversations, guest speakers, and a thoughtfully curated cohort, participants examine how their work can contribute to the civic fabric of Chicago.
Program Structure and Schedule
The Chicago Leadership Circle investigates a new topic each month with expert speakers and faculty.
Our kickoff session will take place on October 10th from 8:00 am-4:00 pm CST on the Hyde Park Campus of The University Of Chicago. Subsequent sessions will meet on the first Thursday of each month from 4:00-7:00 pm CT at the University’s Gleacher Center in downtown Chicago (450 N. Cityfront Plaza Drive, Chicago).
Attend an Event
Fireside chat with michael fassnacht
Join us for a conversation with Michael Fassnacht on the key economic and community issues shaping Chicago’s future. The event will also offer a preview of The Chicago Leadership Circle.
The fellows of the Chicago Leadership Circle are a group of accomplished leaders who are committed to realizing [Chicago’s] vibrant future by addressing the challenges facing our region and identifying opportunities to help move us forward.
Jim Kirk Group Publisher and Executive Editor of Crain’s Chicago Business
The conversations within the Chicago Leadership Circle also highlight the diversity of perspectives that exist within the city, reflecting the various needs and aspirations of different communities.
Vic Ramos Former Chicago Leadership Circle Fellow
Chicago is my home, and I’m passionate about ensuring its continued growth and prosperity for future generations.
Allecia Harley Former Chicago Leadership Circle Fellow
I want to ensure I’m helping make a positive impact that serves not just myself, but my fellow community members
Joli Robinson Former Chicago Leadership Circle Fellow
I want Chicago to be a city where all our neighbors and communities can thrive.
Laura Zumdahl Former Chicago Leadership Circle Fellow
Past CLC Instructors and Guest Speakers
Roseanna Ander
Executive Director, The Crime Lab, The University of Chicago
Venkat Atluri
Senior Partner and Global Leader of Tech/Telecom Practice, McKinsey & Company
Ciere Boatright
Commissioner, Chicago Dept. of Planning and Development
Elizabeth Buchanan
President of North America, NielsenIQ
John Mark Hansen
Hutchinson Distinguished Service Professor, University of Chicago
Kathryn Janicek
Founder, Janicek Performance Group
Desiree Rogers
CEO, Black Opal
Juan Salgado
Chancellor, City Colleges of Chicago
Robert Vargas
Professor of Sociology, The University of Chicago
Betsy Ziegler
CEO, 1871
Chicago Leadership Circle Team
Haley Carlson
Director of Events & Partnerships, Crain's Chicago Business
J. M. Conway
Associate Director, Partnerships and Cohort-Based Learning, Graham School
Seth Green
Dean, University of Chicago Graham School
Jim Kirk
Group President, Crain City Brands and Publisher, Crain's Chicago Business
Frequently Asked Questions
Is financial support available for the program?
We are committed to reducing financial barriers to ensure the cohort reflects a meaningful blend of areas of lived experiences and backgrounds. We have limited scholarships available, and individuals can indicate the need for financial assistance in their application.
Where are these sessions held?
Our kickoff session will take place on October 10 from 8:00 am-4:00 pm CST at the Rubenstein Forum in Hyde Park (1201 E. 60th Street, Chicago). Subsequent sessions will meet on the first Thursday of each month from 4:00-7:00 pm CT at the downtown Gleacher Center (450 N. Cityfront Plaza Drive, Chicago).
What is the Capstone experience like?
Fellows create a capstone project envisioning a specific initiative or project that simultaneously advances the aims of their company/organization and the city’s economic and community development goals.
Capstone presentations are 5–7 minutes exploring:
- What will you and your institution do to help to address this issue in a meaningful and sustainable way?
- Why the issue matters to you, to your institution, and to the future of Chicago?
- How can this issue be addressed in a meaningful way based on what you have learned and your own analysis?
How do I start the application process?
The early application is currently open. The deadline for the early application is July 20th.
When does the fellowship begin?
The first session starts on October 10, 2026; monthly sessions then run through June 2027.
What are program fees for the Chicago Leadership Circle?
The cost of the program is $9,500. Program fees are nonrefundable.
What is the Chicago Leadership Circle?
The Chicago Leadership Circle (CLC) is an executive fellowship and joint initiative of Crain’s Chicago Business and the University of Chicago Graham School. The program supports executives in better understanding, shaping, and engaging with the region’s economic and community development through monthly sessions led by Crain’s journalists, University of Chicago faculty, and local business leaders.
Who is the Chicago Leadership Circle for?
The Circle is designed for executives across business, government, and the nonprofit sector who are committed to Chicago’s future and want to play a more active role in shaping it. Fellows come from a range of industries and bring a mix of lived experiences and backgrounds.
What will Fellows gain from the program?
By the end of the program, CLC Fellows will have a deeper understanding of the economic and social issues affecting Chicago’s future, a vision for how to build shared value for their company and the region, a set of meaningful relationships with business executives and civic leaders across Chicago, and a roadmap for advancing the aims of their institution alongside the city’s.
How long is the Chicago Leadership Circle?
The program runs from October 2026 through June 2027 and includes nine monthly sessions. Fellows attend one full-day kickoff session followed by eight evening sessions.
Is the program in person or virtual?
The Chicago Leadership Circle is an in-person program held in Chicago. The kickoff takes place on the University of Chicago’s Hyde Park campus, and monthly sessions are held at the University’s Gleacher Center downtown.
What topics does the program cover?
Each monthly session investigates a different issue shaping Chicago’s economy and civic future, with expert speakers and faculty leading conversations that go beyond the headlines. Topics span economic development, business and policy, and the role of leaders in building a more prosperous and inclusive region.
Who partners with the University of Chicago on this program?
The Chicago Leadership Circle is a collaboration between the University of Chicago Graham School and Crain’s Chicago Business.
About the University of Chicago
For more than 125 years, the University of Chicago has forged its own path. This has led to new schools of thought and a transformative education for students, and laid the groundwork for breakthroughs across the sciences, medicine, economics, law, business, history, culture, the arts, and humanistic inquiry.
We shape and define fields
UChicago scholars are driven by intellectual debate and a search for new evidence.
We believe freedom of expression is fundamental
Free and open discourse is the foundation of a transformative education and world-changing research.
We tackle the world’s most pressing issues
Through research, discovery, and community partnerships, UChicago scholars and students are tackling complex problems—from solving crime at scale to combating climate change.
About Crain’s Chicago Business
ChicagoBusiness.com is the top source of news, analysis and information on business in metropolitan Chicago for decision-makers in the private and public sectors. In addition, Crain’s publishes a weekly business magazine, Crain’s Chicago Business, that provides deeper analysis, commentary, special reports and features. Crain’s also produces databases, live events and sponsored content, all with the aim of deepening readers’ understanding of local business.