Michael Nishi

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

Michael Nishi is the Chief Operating Officer for Chicago Event Management. Michael’s expertise ensures every Chicago Event Management production is not just a spectacle and unforgettable experience, but a catalyst for lasting community benefit and environmental improvement.

Since 1990, Nishi has partnered with Carey Pinkowski as General Manager and Executive Race Director of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon, respectively. With his extensive operational knowledge, Nishi was integral in guiding a local road race of 6,000 participants to a world-class event that saw over 48,500 marathon finishers in 2023.

In addition to his work on the Chicago Marathon, Nishi is a driving force in increasing the exchange of ideas and best practices among events of all size and scope. Nishi saw a need for better communication and collaboration among event organizers, so he founded the Race Management Program 13 years ago. This intimate forum has become a valuable resource for event directors and industry professionals from around the world. As an active leader in the endurance industry, he continues to advocate for greater safety & security, not only for Chicago Event Management clients but also for events around the world. Michael is currently part of the National Center for Spectator Sports Safety & Security’s (NCS4) Marathon & Endurance Events Advisory Committee.

Nishi is also deeply committed to sustainability and community. Chicago Event Management’s focus on sustainability allows them to provide training, education, and real-life application, giving individuals the skills they need to make a difference in their own communities. An avid runner and cyclist himself, Nishi sits on the board of Girls on the Run Chicago, serves as the secretary on Running USA’s board, and is part of the AIMS: Association of International Marathons board.

Nishi and his wife Dona, and their two daughters, live in Chicago where they are active community members in their Little Italy neighborhood