SpecialityVice President of Economic Development for the Obama Foundation

Marquis Miller is Vice President of Economic Development for the Obama Foundation. In this role, Marquis is focused on the Foundation’s economic impact commitments to our neighborhoods and civic and community organization partners. Marquis joined the Foundation in 2022 as the Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. A veteran leader of business, civic and community organizations, Marquis has a demonstrated record of success in the field of organizational change management, strategic planning and institutional advancement. Marquis joined the Foundation from the City of Chicago where he served as the City’s first Chief Diversity Officer. He brings to the Foundation decades of experience in business and relationship development, non-profit governance and organizational leadership. Marquis’ values-based leadership and credibility forms his foundation as an active and synergistic team player with a driving passion for the organizational mission in service to the enterprise. As Chief Diversity Officer, in the Mayor’s Office of Equity and Racial Justice, Marquis was tasked with supporting the City’s strategic human resources activities, diverse vendor initiatives, the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities, the Chicago Commission on Human Relations, and the work of the Office of Equity and Racial Justice in policy and systems development. Prior to joining the City, he served as managing principal of The Business Mosaic, LLC, and held vice president and business leadership roles at the National Minority Supplier Development Council, SBLI USA Mutual Life Insurance Company, Inc., Chicago State University, the Chicago Urban League, the United Negro College Fund, and The Ohio State University. As a thought leader in the fields of strategic leadership, diversity and durability, Marquis is a Certified Diversity Professional as recognized by the National Diversity Council, and is a board member or advisor to several community and civic organizations, including the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago; Reading Between the Lines, and Trinity United Church of Christ. He earned his Bachelor of Arts from The Ohio State University, and completed the National Urban Fellows America’s Leaders of Change executive leadership development program at the University of Kansas Public Management Center. Marquis is an ardent supporter of causes that advance economic equity and is excited to be helping promote the Foundation’s mission to inspire, empower, and connect people to change the world. He volunteered to help President Obama win his 2004 Senate election, as well as the historic run for President in 2008 and says being a part of the Obama Foundation is an honor and a privilege. Marquis is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated, a huge House Head, a basketball fan, and an amateur social scientist. He is based in Chicago.