Marianne Markowitz

President and CEO, First Women’s Bank

Marianne Markowitz is the President & CEO of First Women’s Bank, the only bank formed to strategically grow the economy and elevate the role of women within it.

Previously, Markowitz served as the Acting Administrator and Regional Administrator for the Small Business Administration and as an interim member of President Obama’s Cabinet. Markowitz was appointed by Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel to serve on the City of Chicago’s Small Business Advisory Council. Most recently, Marianne was Managing Director at CIBC, US where she successfully implemented a national SBA program.

Before her time at the SBA, Markowitz served as trustee on the Obama for America Board of Directors, CFO for the 2008 Obama for America Presidential Campaign, and for the 2007 launch of the Obama Exploratory Committee. For 17 years Markowitz held leadership roles in finance and treasury at leading global institutions in the U.S., UK, and Switzerland.

In 2023, Crain’s Chicago recognized her as a Women of Note, and in 2024, she was honored with the ATHENA Leadership Award. Markowitz is a member of the Milken Institute Executive Circle, the International Women’s Forum, and the membership committee of The Economic Club of Chicago. She also serves on the boards of World Business Chicago and Intersect Illinois, as well as on the Fast Company Impact Council and the Reclaim13 Advisory Council.

Markowitz received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Missouri and an MBA from DePaul University.