Gil Fonger

Gilbert Fonger joined Marklund in February, 2011, as president and chief executive officer, after serving for more than 20 years in a number of positions in the nonprofit field. As chief development officer at Little City Foundation in Palatine, he oversaw all fundraising, marketing, communications and business development. Prior to Little City, he held various executive positions with the YMCA of Metro Chicago, and served as a pastor for more than 10 years. He had also served as an officer in the U.S. Coast Guard.

A Licensed Nursing Home Administrator, Fonger earned his MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern in 2006. He also holds a master’s degree from Duke University and an undergraduate degree from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. He was awarded the certified fundraising executive credential through CFRE International in 2007, and was recertified in 2010. He and his wife Paula have a daughter, Jacquelyn, with special needs, and a married son, Kyle.