John Holden
Media Relations Manager

John Holden is a communications professional with more than 20 years of experience in media, finance and government. He was a core member of the communications team during the first two terms of Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley's administration, responsible for all financial and business-related news management. During this period, Chicago established a reputation as a fiscally well-managed city in both the popular press and financial press. Holden also handled community outreach and crisis communications projects for the City. He later promoted the redevelopment of Chicago's public school infrastructure, garnering national and international attention, including a visit by President Bill Clinton. Holden also has served as communications director for the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, where he managed internal communications and promoted the Exchange's products and services to international audiences. He began his career as a certified public accountant working both as an independent auditor and in internal audit for a Fortune 500 company. He later became a reporter with the City News Bureau of Chicago, where he covered a wide range of beats. He also wrote for American Medical News, the leading socio-economic journal for the U.S. medical profession. Additionally, he served as Midwest bureau chief for The Bond Buyer, a national daily newspaper covering the fixed-income securities market. At the same time he was a contributing writer at numerous other publications including the Chicago Tribune, Crain's Chicago Business and the Chicago Reader. A resident of Chicago's Uptown community, Holden is active in numerous community improvement organizations. He joined DePaul's staff in 2006.