As president and chief executive officer of United Way of Metro Chicago, Sean is leading long-term regional transformation by collaborating with donors, community leaders, and residents to ensure our neighbors can meet their basic needs such as food, shelter, and safety and that neighborhoods are built stronger and more equitably through our place-based initiatives such as the Neighborhood Network and United Neighborhoods Equity Fund. Sean believes that neighborhood change happens when community voices are amplified and organized to unlock the positive changes that live in every single one of our communities. 

Since joining United Way of Metro Chicago in 2018, Sean has secured the largest corporate gift in organization history, $10 million from BMO for our Austin Neighborhood Network, as well as $25 million from MacKenzie Scott. Under Sean’s leadership, United Way of Metro Chicago—in partnership with the City of Chicago and Cook County—launched 211 Metro Chicago. United Way has also expanded the Neighborhood Networks from 10 to 17, deepening the organization’s commitment to local, place-based community transformation. In 2020, Sean spearheaded the launch of the Chicago Community COVID-19 Response Fund. This fund was developed in partnership with the City of Chicago and the Chicago Community Trust and raised $35 million, which went directly to 400 nonprofits serving on the frontlines in Chicago neighborhoods. Sean was at the forefront of Chicago Connected, where United Way of Metro Chicago worked in partnership with Kids First Chicago, Chicago Public Schools, and other funders to provide four years of free internet service to 100,000 Chicago families. 

Prior to joining the Metro Chicago team, Sean served as the executive director of United Way of Central Carolinas in Charlotte, North Carolina. Before that, he held several positions with United Way Worldwide, including vice president of development. He started his career as a community fellow at United Way of Dane County Wisconsin and also served in the major gifts department at United Way of Metro Chicago. 

Sean is a member of the Economic Club of Chicago, Commercial Club of Chicago, and Executives' Club of Chicago. He is also a member of the leadership team for the Corporate Coalition of Chicago and is a CEO Perspectives Fellow and Burnham Fellow. He earned his bachelor's degree in accounting and management from Georgetown University and his MBA from the Kellogg School at Northwestern University. 

Though Sean has enjoyed living in a variety of cities throughout the country, he and his wife, Emily, a banker with J.P. Morgan Capital Corp., are delighted to be back in Chicago with their two sons. Sean is an avid runner, accomplished grill master, and sports enthusiast.
 

Connect with the Board:

• Email:  commissioners@chicagoparkdistrict.com
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• Phone:  (312) 742-5034