Michael J. Sacks, chairman and CEO of GCM Grosvenor, has spent more than three decades building an international investment firm from Chicago. But his influence reaches far beyond the boardroom, extending into education, public safety, and cultural institutions across the city. On November 18, the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce will recognize that broad civic record with the Daniel H. Burnham Award for Distinguished Leadership.
Expanding Educational Opportunity for Chicago Students
Education has been a central pillar of the Sacks family’s philanthropy, with a particular focus on opening doors for students from Chicago Public Schools. In 2021, Michael and Cari Sacks announced a $5 million gift to Northwestern University to establish endowed scholarships at the Kellogg School of Management and the Pritzker School of Law. The scholarships cover tuition, books, fees, and living expenses, helping to reduce the financial barriers that often stand between talented students and graduate study.
That gift brought the couple’s total contributions to Northwestern’s “We Will” campaign to $13.3 million. At the time of the announcement, 89 students had received a Sacks Family Scholarship, including 41 graduates of Chicago Public Schools. Sacks, who earned both his law degree and MBA from Northwestern in 1988, also serves as a university trustee.
Supporting New Approaches to Community Safety
Sacks has also invested in efforts to strengthen public safety leadership. In 2022, he contributed $2.5 million to the University of Chicago Crime Lab to help launch its Community Safety Leadership Academies. The initiative brings together police department leaders and community-based violence intervention organizations to improve management skills, data use, and operational decision-making.
By focusing on organizational leadership, the program reflects a belief that effective management is a critical part of reducing violence and building trust between communities and public safety institutions.
A Presence Across Chicago’s Key Institutions
Beyond individual gifts, Sacks has maintained leadership roles with several of the city’s most prominent organizations. He serves as a trustee of the Art Institute of Chicago and is a founding board member of the Obama Foundation, which is developing the Obama Presidential Center on Chicago’s South Side. His civic involvement also includes service with Intersect Illinois and eight years as vice chairman of World Business Chicago.
Building a Global Firm from a Chicago Base
Sacks joined GCM Grosvenor in 1990 and became its CEO in 1994. Under his leadership, the firm grew into a global asset management platform with approximately $97 billion in assets under management as of the second quarter of 2026. Although GCM Grosvenor now has offices across North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia, its headquarters remain in Chicago — a connection that has kept Sacks deeply engaged with the city’s business and civic communities.
Recognition of a Long-Term Civic Commitment
The Daniel H. Burnham Award, created in 1992, honors business leaders for both their economic influence and their civic contributions. Sacks will become the award’s 35th recipient at the 35th Annual Daniel H. Burnham Award Dinner, held Wednesday, November 18, 2026, at the Hyatt Regency Chicago, 151 E. Wacker Drive. The reception begins at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m.
The honor highlights a career shaped by the belief that business success carries an expectation of giving back. From supporting Chicago students and public safety leaders to serving major cultural institutions and economic development organizations, Sacks has maintained a civic presence that matches the scale of his professional achievements.