John Atkinson is a Managing Director at Marsh, leading one of their fastest-growing businesses in the US and Canada, and serves as chairman of Marsh’s Chicago office where he helps lead civic and community engagement for the firm and supports the leadership team in growing Marsh’s business in the Midwest. John is a recognized leader in the risk and human capital space. He has spent his career building companies and teams focused on helping clients navigate complex business problems.

Mr. Atkinson is Chair of the Illinois Economic Development Corporation, appointed by Governor Pritzker in 2023, and serves on the Board of Managers for the Illinois Quantum & Microelectronic Park. He also serves as a board director at One Million Degrees, as well as Argentum, a leading national trade organization serving the senior living industry. He is a member of the Board of Regents of Loyola University Chicago and the Board of Advisors of Catholic Charities of Chicago.

Previously, John served as  chairman of the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) where he led the board’s development of a new equity focused strategic plan called A Thriving Illinois for post secondary education in Illinois. He also served as the Chair of $27 billion State University Retirement System pension fund.

Mr. Atkinson and his wife have four adult children and reside in the suburbs of Chicago.