Leaders from Google, Advocate Health, Northwestern University, The Will Group, and SNtial Technologies, Inc., join Illinois EDC’s board of directors.
CHICAGO, IL – The Illinois Economic Development Corporation (Illinois EDC) today announced new appointments to its board of directors: Henry Bienen, interim president of Northwestern University; Joshua Davis, president and CEO of The Will Group, Sandeep Nain, president and founder of SNtial Technologies, Inc., Dia Nichols, president of Advocate Health Care; and Karen Sauder, president of Global Client and Agency Solutions at Google.
Illinois EDC leverages its board of directors and executive advisory council to accomplish its mission of attracting and retaining corporations, capital, and talent to Illinois by partnering with a diversity of public, private, and civic leaders throughout the state.
“Illinois is in a special place right now, as 2025 has been one of the most productive and successful years for economic development to date,” said Illinois EDC Chairman John Atkinson. “From higher education to advanced technologies, Henry, Josh, Sandeep, Dia, and Karen are all highly respected and accomplished Illinois leaders in their own right. I am proud to welcome them, as the organization will benefit greatly from their expertise and guidance, as we seek to build on this year’s momentum.”
Henry Bienen, Northwestern University
A nationally recognized leader in higher education, Henry Bienen stepped into his role as interim president of Northwestern University on September 16, 2025. During his tenure as president of Northwestern from 1995 to 2009, he led the university to increased academic prominence, research prowess, financial strength, and athletic success. Additionally, Northwestern faculty and students received numerous academic awards, the endowment quintupled, applications for admission skyrocketed, and the university’s reputation grew both nationally and internationally. Prior to his appointment at Northwestern, Interim President Bienen was the James S. McDonnell Distinguished University Professor and dean of the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University (now called the School of Public and International Affairs).
“Higher education and research contribute greatly to the economic health of our state and community, and I am eager to partner with Illinois EDC to elevate and advance the important work we are doing. I look forward to the partnerships that will develop from this collaboration,” said Bienen.
Joshua Davis, The Will Group
Joshua Davis serves as president and CEO of The Will Group, a family of diverse companies providing a full range of products and services to the construction and utility industries, including supply, engineering, and program management. A purpose-driven, people-first leader, he is committed to honoring his family’s legacy and carrying forward their core values of integrity, pride, hard work, and economic empowerment. Davis currently serves as chair of the Finance Committee for Tuskegee Next and as a board member of Youth Guidance, the Cook County Workforce Innovation Board, and the DuPage Airport Authority. He has been recognized by Crain’s Chicago Business 40 Under 40 and The Electrical Distributor’s 30 Under 35 awards, and is a member of YPO Chicago, The Commercial Club of Chicago, The University Club of Chicago, and The Executives’ Club of Chicago.
“I am honored to join the Illinois EDC Board and contribute to advancing economic growth and opportunity across our state,” said Davis. “As a second-generation leader in a family-built organization rooted in service and community impact, I look forward to supporting initiatives that empower businesses, develop talent, and create long-term prosperity for the communities we serve,” said Davis.
Sandeep Nain, SNtial Technologies, Inc.
Sandeep Nain is the president and founder of SNtial Technologies, a Chicagoland-based IT consulting company. As a systems integration and custom application development company, SNtial Technologies, Inc. has provided clients with solutions crafted to meet strategic goals for over 25 years. SNtial was listed in the Inc. 5000 list of top private companies in the U.S. for two years in a row. Sandeep has received multiple honors for his leadership, including being a Leadership Greater Chicago Daniel Burham fellow, a Business Leader of Color by Chicago United, and an inductee of the University of Illinois at Chicago’s Chicago Area Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame. Sandeep is an active civic leader, serving on the boards of the IL Workforce Development Board, Leadership Greater Chicago, Thresholds, SIM Chicago, and the South Asian American Policy Research Institute.
“I am honored to be nominated to the Illinois EDC board and grateful for this opportunity. For 25 years, SNtial has brought innovative technology solutions to higher education, nonprofits, and corporations, and we are fully committed to advancing economic development across Illinois,” said Nain. “I look forward to working collaboratively with my esteemed fellow board members to shape bold strategies that strengthen our economy, foster business growth, and create brighter opportunities for the workforce and communities of tomorrow.”
Dia Nichols, Advocate Health
Dia Nichols is a seasoned executive and inclusive, solutions-driven leader. He serves as president of Advocate Health Care, one of the largest private employers and the largest health system in Illinois, overseeing 11 hospitals and more than 200 sites of care. Nichols previously served as the president of Advocate Lutheran General Hospital and the Central Chicagoland Area for Advocate Health Care. Prior to joining the organization, he held various leadership positions at HCA Healthcare. He is a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and a member of the National Association of Health Services Executives. Additionally, he sits on the Ravinia Festival Association Board, the Illinois American Cancer Society Board, and the Illinois Health and Hospital Association Board, where he chairs the finance committee.
“I’m honored to join the Illinois Economic Development Corporation and support its mission to strengthen the state’s business climate and expand opportunities for Illinois communities,” said Nichols. “As the leader of Illinois’ largest health system, I understand how closely the state’s economic vitality is connected to the health and stability of its residents. I look forward to working with my fellow board members to advance strategies that position Illinois for sustained growth.”
Karen Sauder, Google
As president of Global Client and Agency Solutions at Google, Karen leads a diverse organization of sales, marketing, product, and tech specialists working with Google’s largest customers. This $50+ billion enterprise is strategically positioned at the convergence of a rapidly changing consumer environment and the advanced development of AI technology. She also oversees Google’s expanding presence in the Midwest as site leader for Chicago, engaging in community development and policy leadership. She is the chair of the Medical Board of Lurie Children’s Hospital, a member of the Civic Committee, and a board member of the Economic Club of Chicago.
“I’m incredibly energized to join the inspiring leaders on the Illinois EDC board. Our state has immense talent and a dynamic ecosystem, and Illinois EDC plays a vital role in connecting those strengths with companies looking to expand,” said Sauder. “I am eager to collaborate with this team to accelerate the economic momentum across Illinois, ensuring we simplify the path for innovation and growth.”
“As Illinois’ public-private economic development organization, we depend on the vitality of cross-sector collaboration to unlock investment, jobs, and opportunity. Hailing from a diversity of industries, backgrounds, and regions, our board of directors injects valuable perspective and passion into the organization,” said Illinois EDC President and CEO Christy George.
Illinois EDC’s board of directors helps to guide the organization in its mission to attract more investment, jobs, and economic opportunities to the state. Representing a diversity of industries, geographies, and backgrounds, board members serve as ambassadors for Illinois, helping to showcase the state’s unique assets to their peers throughout the world.
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