Michael Nicolai

Chief Human Resources Officer

Michael Nicolai is the Chief Human Resources Officer for The Chicago Lighthouse, leading talent acquisition, employee engagement and workforce development initiatives for the organization’s social service and social business enterprise operations. Mike was most recently 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 also an avid cyclist and an amateur astronomer.