Marc Butiong: From UIC to the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago
UIC Business alumnus Marc Butiong built a career spanning healthcare, consulting, and public-sector strategy before joining the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago.
Marc Butiong: From UIC to the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago
When Marc Butiong (BS ’15) graduated from the University of Illinois Chicago College of Business Administration in 2015, he didn’t have a single career path mapped out. What he carried with him from UIC was a strong foundation in leadership, communication, and intellectual curiosity—qualities that would shape his career.
That foundation would guide him from healthcare in Detroit to consulting roles in Chicago and, ultimately, to the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, where he now serves as a senior strategy change management specialist.
Looking back, Marc sees his career not as a straight line but as a series of experiences that expanded his perspective across industries, graduate education, and public service.
Leadership Foundations at UIC
During his time at UIC Business, Marc was deeply involved in student organizations, serving on the executive boards of the Association of Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA) and Alpha Kappa Psi.
Those experiences gave him early opportunities to organize events, connect with corporate leaders, and represent his peers—experiences that helped shape his approach to leadership today.
“So much of decision-making is about building alignment and building buy-in with key stakeholders,” Marc said. “You have to understand the perspectives of the people in the room and communicate your ideas clearly, concisely, and confidently.”
Decision-making is about building alignment and buy-in with key stakeholders.
His roles as a student leader provided the experience needed to communicate effectively in different settings.
Building a Career Across Industries
After graduating from UIC, Marc accepted a position with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, relocating to Detroit to work as a sales analyst supporting large public-sector healthcare accounts. The role exposed him to the complexity of large organizations, where strategy, compliance, and operations intersect.
“I started to see the bigger picture,” he said. “Understanding an organization’s incentives and business model really changes how you think about strategy.”
The experience gave him a foundation for analyzing complex systems—skills that would later inform his work across multiple industries.
Eager to broaden his strategic experience, Marc later moved into consulting and proposal management roles at CVS Health and the global law firm Baker McKenzie. In these roles, he coordinated cross-functional teams, managed complex proposals, and worked under tight timelines tied to major decisions.
“I think of it as learning different languages across industries,” he said. “Each organization has its own incentives, goals, and ways of operating.”
Over time, Marc found himself increasingly drawn to work that combined strategy with broader public impact.
In 2021, he joined the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, where he found the mission-driven environment he had been seeking. Unlike many private-sector organizations, the central bank’s work is centered on the key mission of supporting financial stability in the economy and serving the public good through data-driven monetary policymaking.
“At the Fed, relationships are your currency,” Marc said. “To move initiatives forward, you need buy-in across teams and stakeholders.”
Returning to the Classroom
Alongside his professional growth, Marc continued investing in his education. He earned an MBA with honors from DePaul University before later completing a Master of Arts in Public Policy at the University of Chicago.
Together, the two degrees expanded how he analyzes organizations and industries.
“Policy is the ultimate disruptor of any business or industry,” Marc said. “Understanding both the business side and the policy side allows you to bring an informed and holistic viewpoint to any discussion.”
Policy is the ultimate disruptor of any business or industry.
That broader perspective also shapes how he approaches leadership and service outside the workplace.
Commitment to Service
Service has remained an important part of Marc’s life.
Since 2017, he has served as a board member of Bayanihan Foundation Worldwide, supporting community initiatives and sustainability projects in the Philippines—continuing the commitment to service he began developing during his time at UIC.
He also volunteers as a Federal Reserve ambassador, hosting educational sessions at the Chicago Fed’s Money Museum and helping visitors understand the institution’s role in the economy.
“Service keeps you grounded,” he said. “It reminds you why leadership matters.”
Advice for UIC Business Students
Reflecting on his career, Marc encourages students not to feel pressured to follow a perfectly mapped path.
“You are not your major,” he said. “Your degree gives you a foundation, but your career can evolve in many directions.”
Curiosity and continued learning have been the common thread connecting each stage of his journey—from UIC to healthcare, consulting, graduate school, and ultimately the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago.
“Careers,” he says, “are built over time through experience, relationships, and continued learning.”