Frank Gihan

Frank Carlos Gihan is a senior consultant for several businesses, government agencies, nonprofit organizations and public relations firms. Among his various assignments are facilitation, media training, communications, organizational restructuring, community development, marketing planning and research, advertising strategies, fundraising, grant-making, workforce development and strategic plan development.

Gihan was previously Vice President at the Flowers Communications Group in Chicago, a marketing and public relations firm that specializes in the African American and Latino markets. He has served at the Chicago Urban League as Executive Vice President – Chief Operations Officer. He has been an Urban League volunteer and has held leadership positions since 1975.

In December 1998, Gihan joined the Chicago Tribune as its first Director, Community Relations, and worked there for seven years. He directed a staff that managed annual corporate contributions, strategic philanthropy, employee involvement programs and volunteerism, cause marketing, community events, tour programs and exhibits, and external community organizational relationships, diversity consumer sales and target marketing. Gihan assisted the president/publisher on special projects. He served as President of the Chicago Tribune Foundation and co-chair of Chicago Tribune Charities, a fund of the McCormick Tribune Foundation where he guided the organization’s five-year strategic plan.

Previously, Gihan was Home Office Director, Public and Community Affairs at McDonald's Corporation. A 20-year veteran, Gihan’s positions have included senior regional marketing/advertising manager in Philadelphia, US communications director, national franchising director and senior community development manager. In 1990, he received the company's prestigious President's Award for his outstanding contributions and service.

Gihan has received numerous leadership and community service awards from such organizations as the Quad County (Aurora, IL) and Philadelphia Urban Leagues, United Negro College Fund, Boy Scouts of America and the NAACP. He served as the board chair of One Hundred Black Men of Chicago and second vice chair of DuSable Museum of African American History, and a board member Deeply Rooted Productions. Gihan is a past chair of the Lincoln University, PA. Board of Trustees and the Quad County Urban League board. He is a fellow of Leadership Greater Chicago and a McCormick Tribune Foundation Fellow.

Gihan has spoken extensively on topics including: cultural diversity, strategic planning, nonprofit board recruitment, development and governance, fundraising and corporate giving, customer service, community development, media relations, networking, mentoring, power dining and crisis management.

He resides on Chicago’s Southside.