Michael Grady ’15 was selected as the 2018 Department of Technology Young Alumnus. Grady’s spouse, Elizabeth Flood-Grady ’12, graduated from the School of Communications. Currently, Grady is Director of Marketing at sgsco where he works collaboratively with executive and sales leadership teams to develop and execute marketing strategies for integrated package design and digital graphics solutions for global CPGs, retailers, life science companies and printers.

With a specialization in packaging innovation, Grady manages relationships with key technology partners and has been an invited speaker at Idealliance’s INKredible, GS1 Connect, Flexographic Technical Association, and International Metal Decorators Association annual conferences. Mike also leads nutrition label reform projects within sgsco and has participated in the Grocery Manufacturer’s Association SmartLabel and GMO disclosure programs. Additional responsibilities include supporting the implementation of continuous improvement ideas identified through sgsco’s global employee innovation initiative.

Prior to his current role at sgsco, Grady, as global sales integration director, supported the global sales leadership team in closing new business opportunities and mentored his content development team who created sgsco presentations and proposals.

Grady is an advisory board member for Illinois State University’s graphic communications program in the College of Applied Science and Technology (CAST). The graphic communications curriculum prepares students for careers in digital media development, traditional and digital printing, publishing, packaging, and management. Additionally, Mike has a finance degree from John Carroll University’s Boler School of Business.

Grady co-leads the Young Professional Group for Idealliance as a member of the Board of Directors. Idealliance, a global think tank, is a non-profit industry organization with 12 strategically located offices around the world. The Young Professional Group’s vision is to drive education and mentorship opportunities that accelerate the influence of young professionals in the graphic and visual communications industry.