As a practice director on McKinley’s Organizational Excellence team, George plays an essential role in leading clients to realistic, yet transformative solutions. George joined the firm after 20 years working in the association and higher education fields including leadership positions with the Institute of Food Technologists and Northwestern Pritzker School of Law.
During that time, he focused on continuing education product portfolios and technical training—all while developing a passion for helping others grow and succeed through transformational leadership development experiences. Today, George applies his collective experiences and passions to partner with clients on strategy development, governance, research, membership, and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) projects.
George has a master’s degree in higher education from Florida State University and a bachelor’s degree in business from the University of Evansville. In 2014, he committed to a career in association management by earning the Certified Association Executive credential.
George has been honored with the 2025 John C. Thiel Distinguished Service Award from Association Forum in recognition of his exceptional volunteer contributions to the association community. Throughout his career, he has strengthened the profession through extensive Association Forum committee service, including his current leadership as Chair of the Governance SIG. A respected voice in the industry, George regularly shares his expertise as both a speaker and writer for Association Forum, fostering meaningful conversations and advancing industry standards.
George is an avid open-water swimmer, competing in several swims both at home and abroad—from a marathon swim in Barbados to several local 5Ks on Lake Michigan and beyond!
Read George's Featured Articles and Blog Posts
Association Forum: Optimizing Board Engagement
Association Forum: My Association Leadership Journey
McKinley Insights: Next Level Governance™ - Prioritizing Insights to Drive Change
