Leaders in the tech innovation and financial services spaces to help advance Intersect Illinois’ work to bring economic growth and jobs to Illinois
CHICAGO, IL – Intersect Illinois today announced new appointments to its board of directors: David Andalcio, Wynndalco Enterprises, LLC founder and CEO; Chris Gladwin, Ocient CEO and co-founder; Marianne Markowitz, First Women’s Bank president and CEO; and David Namkung, Clarity Partners founder and managing partner. These four appointments bring a wealth of experience in technological innovation, financial services, and building global companies.
“I am honored to welcome these visionary leaders, whose unwavering commitment to driving innovation and fostering equitable economic growth will empower communities across Illinois,” said Intersect Illinois President & CEO Christy George. “As more companies recognize Illinois as a destination for opportunity, our board of directors remains pivotal in shaping a future where progress is inclusive and momentum benefits all.”
David Andalcio is the founder and CEO of Wynndalco Enterprises, LLC, a rapidly growing certified MBE/DBE/SBE/BEP company with a global workforce. He is a highly accomplished business leader and technology expert with decades of experience driving strategic growth and innovation within the IT sector. Andalcio played a pivotal role in the development of Wynndalco’s Technology Inventory Management Software (TIMS), an advanced platform for comprehensive asset management. Andalcio is a recognized leader in the business community and actively serves on several boards, including the Choose DuPage board, where he champions economic development initiatives. He is the chairman of the Latino Leadership Council and a member of Chicago United, the Illinois Latino Legislative Caucus Board, and the International Bridge, Tunnel & Turnpike Association (IBTTA).
“Intersect Illinois plays a pivotal role in fostering innovation and economic development throughout the state, and I am honored to contribute my expertise in the technology industry to its board,” said Andalcio. “By leveraging Illinois’ diverse communities and establishing robust connections, we can catalyze opportunities, augment productivity, and establish our state as a preeminent destination for business advancement and global competitiveness.”
Chris Gladwin is the CEO and co-founder of Ocient, a company that provides the software platform for the largest data analysis systems in the world. He is also the chair and co-founder of P33, an organization that is helping transform Chicago into a top-tier global tech region, as well as the chair and co-founder of The Forge: Lemont Quarries, a 300-acre park providing recreational experiences along with ecosystem revitalization. In 2004, Gladwin founded Cleversafe, which became the largest and most strategic object storage vendor in the world. He raised $100M and led the company to a $1.4B exit in 2015 when IBM acquired the company. The technology he invented, and Cleversafe commercialized, became one of the 10 most powerful patent portfolios in the world and is used by most people in the digital world every day. Gladwin has an engineering degree from MIT, a PhD from Illinois Tech, and is an owner or co-owner on over 280 patents.
“Decisions will be made in the coming years that will determine the future of technology and business leadership,” said Gladwin. “Intersect Illinois is literally at the intersection of the people and places where those important decisions will be made.
Marianne Markowitz is president and CEO of First Women’s Bank, a women-founded, owned, and led bank and the only bank ever formed to strategically serve the women’s economy and close the gender lending gap nationally. Previously, Markowitz served as acting administrator and regional administrator for the Small Business Administration and as an interim member of President Obama’s Cabinet. Markowitz was appointed by Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel to serve on the City of Chicago’s Small Business Advisory Council. Most recently, Markowitz as managing director at CIBC – US, where she successfully implemented a national SBA program.
“I’m honored to join the board of Intersect Illinois, an organization driving economic growth and innovation across the state,” said Markowitz. “As the only bank in the country focused on closing the gender lending gap, and based in Chicago, First Women’s Bank is excited to partner with this esteemed group to build a more inclusive economy for all communities.”
David Namkung is a founder and managing partner at Clarity Partners, a Chicago-based management and technology consulting firm. Namkung has managed the growth and development of Clarity — which has been included on the Inc 5000 for seven years, appeared on Crain’s Chicago Fast 50 list twice and recognized by numerous organizations as a top workplace — for over 20 years. Namkung is also a co-founder and partner at Kinzie Capital Partners, a middle-market private equity firm, where he is a member of the investment committee and leads technology strategy and resourcing for Kinzie’s portfolio companies. He serves on the board of directors for numerous commercial and civic organizations and is a member of the Economic Club of Chicago. Chicago United recognized him as one of their Business Leaders of Color in 2017 and he received their inaugural BLC President’s Award in 2022.
“Clarity Partners was founded in 2004 with the belief that Illinois was the ideal place to be an entrepreneur and grow a business,” said Namkung. “Twenty years later, I’m thrilled to join Intersect Illinois’ board and a distinguished group of leaders who share that vision. Together, we can continue driving investment and new business development in a state that is second to none!”
Illinois provides an ideal location for companies such as Wynndalco Enterprises, LLC, Ocient, First Women’s Bank, and Clarity Partners to grow. The state’s dynamic innovation ecosystem fosters creativity, collaboration, and growth. It is also home to a skilled workforce, world-class research institutions, and a robust network of incubators and accelerators. The state’s central location offers unparalleled access to the world, making it a strategic base for national and international companies.
“It’s essential that our board of directors comprises a variety of sectors and backgrounds that reflect the breadth of the economic development spectrum in our state,” said Intersect Illinois Chairman John Atkinson. “Our four new board members have tremendous experience building, scaling, and leading at innovative companies, and we are lucky to have them join in our efforts to bring new businesses, jobs, and investment to Illinois.”
Intersect Illinois’ Board of Directors helps guide the organization in its efforts to bring economic growth and jobs to the state. Board members are appointed to the organization to represent a diversity of industries and geographies and approved by a board vote. Intersect Illinois has added more than 35 members to its board of directors since the end of 2023. Board members serve as ambassadors for Illinois, helping to showcase its unique assets to their peers throughout the world.
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INTERSECT ILLINOIS is the statewide economic development organization focused on bringing new jobs and investment to the state. As the state’s business attraction organization, Intersect Illinois collaborates with partners in the public and private sectors to attract new jobs and investment. The organization showcases the state’s advantages including its central location with access to the country and world, its unmatched infrastructure, and its robust workforce fueled by its dynamic higher education system. Intersect Illinois makes it easier for companies to expand in Illinois by providing a range of services to help navigate the site selection process.
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