Michael Nicolai

Chief Administrative Officer

Michael Nicolai is the Chief Administrative Officer for The Chicago Lighthouse, leading the organization’s compliance, facilities, human resources and information technology areas.  Prior to assuming this position, Mike joined The Lighthouse in 2023 as our Chief Human Resources Officer, heading the talent acquisition, employee engagement and workforce development initiatives for the organization’s social service and social business enterprise operations.

Before joining The Lighthouse, Mike was the Chief Human Resources Officer at The Art Institute of Chicago and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, overseeing benefits, talent acquisition and other workforce areas, including employee relations, engagement and acquisition for the organization’s nearly 2,000 employees.

Mike has spent the majority of his career working for mission-based nonprofits like The Chicago Lighthouse. In addition to seventeen years at The Art Institute and its related School, Mike has worked for St. Anthony’s Hospital in Michigan City, Indiana, and Weiss Memorial Hospital in Chicago. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Indiana University and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Notre Dame Law School. He is an avid reader, enjoys cycling and taking in the night sky.