Gillian Darlow

Gillian Darlow has led Civic Consulting Alliance’s Economic Growth practice since early 2006.  She specializes in strategy development; large-scale collaborations; assessment of new business opportunities; and program design.   Identifying new approaches to generate investment and economic growth in the city, Gillian has spearheaded a redevelopment plan for Navy Pier; the assessment of a second museum campus themed around conservation; and the exploration of a creative brand for Chicago, highlighting the city’s cultural assets and their role in economic growth.  Gillian also led Mayor Daley’s 21st Century Commission and Governor Quinn’s Taxpayer Action Board, which identified ways to save the State up to $4 billion annually. 

Previously, Gillian held a variety of leadership positions with theaters and arts organizations throughout the country.  As Redmoon Theater’s managing director, Gillian helped the company double in size and launch new, large-scale spectacle theater events, drawing up to 12,000 people in a single weekend.  She has also worked with the Field Museum, Actors Theatre of Louisville, Williamstown Theatre Festival, and Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati, and as a consultant to the MacArthur Foundation, Chicago Children’s Theatre, and the Arts Work Fund, among others. 

Gillian holds an M.B.A. from Stanford Graduate School of Business, an M.A. in education from Stanford's School of Education, and a B.A. in psychology from Harvard University.