Ethan Gillman serves as the Manager of Strategic Initiatives at the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. In this role, he leads the development, launch, execution, and communication of cross-functional strategic projects that support both Polsky Center and broader University of Chicago priorities across the innovation and commercialization continuum.

Previously, Ethan served as a project manager and the director for business, economic, and neighborhood development for the City of Chicago, where he advanced major citywide initiatives, including management of the $1.7 billion Chicago Casino project. He played a key role in driving the Mayor’s economic development agenda, overseeing critical development projects on Chicago’s South and West Sides, supporting elements of the City’s housing portfolio, and contributing to the Cut the Tape initiative to streamline development processes.

Before joining City Hall, Ethan was a transfer pricing analyst at Ernst & Young, where he supported global engagement teams in pricing and monitoring intercompany transactions involving intangibles, products, and services.

Ethan holds a BA in Economics and Political Science from the University of Wisconsin–Madison.