MBN USA
October 01, 2025
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.
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