About Michael
Originally from Baden-Baden, Germany, Michael Fassnacht is a world-renowned executive with 30 years of experience at corporations across three continents. He currently lives and works in Chicago as President of the Chicagoland Region and Chief Growth Officer at Clayco—the construction firm behind the Barack Obama Presidential Center.
Michael's journey to this influential position began at Lufthansa Airlines in Frankfurt before he ventured into the dynamic world of Silicon Valley startups. In the early 2000s, he co-founded a successful marketing tech firm before making his mark in Chicago. In 2006, Michael assumed leadership at Foote Cone & Belding (FCB), where he orchestrated a decade of remarkable revenue growth and established the agency as a national and international creative powerhouse.
His Chicago trajectory continued as he took on the role of Chief Marketing Officer for the City of Chicago, followed by a transformative tenure as CEO of World Business Chicago (WBC). Under his leadership, WBC experienced unprecedented growth, facilitating over 400 ProChicago decisions by corporations and cementing its reputation as one of North America's premier economic development organizations.
Michael is equally well-known for investing in his employees’ growth, fostering collaboration, and his eagerness to mentor. Over the years, he has increasingly dedicated his time to helping young professionals succeed.'Beyond the Status Quo' is the culmination of the advice he has shared in one-on-one mentoring sessions, aiming to help even more people by sharing his insights on a broader scale.
Mission
The mission of this project is to provide the next generation of professionals with valuable tips and frameworks to navigate their careers successfully and rise above the status quo.