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October 01, 2025

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Seals most recently served as CEO of Intersect Illinois

The Chicago Minority Supplier Development Council (ChicagoMSDC) has named Dan Seals as its next president and CEO.

He was selected after a rigorous national search led by the ChicagoMSDC Board’s Search Committee in partnership with Koya Partners.

Seals succeeds interim President and CEO Debra Jennings-Johnson, who has guided the organization since 2022.

Seals most recently served as CEO of Intersect Illinois, where he transformed the organization into a key driver of statewide economic growth. Under his leadership, Intersect Illinois delivered more than 5,000 new jobs and nearly $4 billion in investment, launched its first national campaign to attract business, and built the strongest project pipeline in its history.

Seals’ career spans the public, private and nonprofit sectors, including serving as chief operating officer of the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity.

He has also held senior marketing positions with the American Medical Association, GE Capital and T-Mobile.

“We proudly welcome Dan as the next leader of ChicagoMSDC,” said Gregorio Salinas, board vice chair of ChicagoMSDC and strategic partners manager at Burns & McDonnell. “With a proven history of success and a clear vision for the future, he steps into this role with the full confidence of our board leadership and key stakeholders. His arrival signals the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the Council.”

Interim President and CEO Debra Jennings-Johnson added, “It has been an honor to lead ChicagoMSDC during this pivotal period of stabilization and renewal. I am proud of the progress we’ve made together, and I know Dan will continue to strengthen the organization and its impact in the years ahead.”

Since assuming the interim role in 2022, Jennings-Johnson has leveraged over 30 years of experience advocating for diverse businesses. A respected voice in supplier diversity, she led bp America Inc.’s efforts for over two decades as senior director of supplier diversity and has served on multiple boards, including the Women’s Business Development Center and the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council.

Widely recognized for her leadership, Jennings-Johnson has earned national honors for her commitment to expanding opportunities and driving impact for minority-owned businesses.

ChicagoMSDC now enters its next chapter, propelled by Jennings-Johnson’s contributions – well-positioned for continued growth, even stronger partnerships and expanded influence.

“I’m honored to join ChicagoMSDC at such a pivotal time,” Seals said. “We have a great opportunity to build Chicago's minority businesses, the local supply chain and Chicago's economy. It's exactly what we need right now."

He will work closely with ChicagoMSDC’s board, staff and stakeholders to set a forward-looking agenda and shape his vision for the Council’s future.

Details on his priorities and initiatives will be shared in the weeks and months ahead.