October 16, 2025
Craig C. Martin, Chairman, Americas at Willkie, has been elected Chair-Elect of the Board of Directors of Lyric Opera of Chicago. Craig, who will succeed Sylvia Neil, will formally assume the role of Board Chair at Lyric’s Annual Meeting on May 20, 2026.
Craig joined the Lyric Board of Directors in 2006 and its Executive Committee in 2008 and served as Vice Chair and then Chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee since 2009. During his tenure as Chair, he will help guide the institution as it marks two historic milestones: the 100th anniversary of the opening of Lyric Opera House and the 75th anniversary of the Lyric Opera of Chicago.
An active member of Chicago’s Civic Community, Craig currently serves on the boards of the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, the Chicago Urban League, the Chicago Council on Global Affairs and the Aspen Institute. He also holds leadership positions in Chicago’s business community, including the Civic Committee, the Commercial Club of Chicago, the Chicago Council on Global Affairs and World Business Chicago.
“I am passionate about preserving and strengthening the vitality of Chicago’s great institutions, businesses and citizens, and I am grateful to have the opportunity to build on Sylvia’s successes at Lyric,” said Craig. “I look forward to continuing to work closely with the Lyric as we chart the next century of outstanding art.”
Recognized as a “courtroom to boardroom” lawyer, Craig regularly represents clients in their most important strategic, reputational and economic matters in virtually every substantive area of the law. He is a trusted advisor to the Fortune 100, wealthy family offices and private investors, as well as notable business, civic and political leaders.
Learn more here.
Craig joined the Lyric Board of Directors in 2006 and its Executive Committee in 2008 and served as Vice Chair and then Chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee since 2009. During his tenure as Chair, he will help guide the institution as it marks two historic milestones: the 100th anniversary of the opening of Lyric Opera House and the 75th anniversary of the Lyric Opera of Chicago.
An active member of Chicago’s Civic Community, Craig currently serves on the boards of the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, the Chicago Urban League, the Chicago Council on Global Affairs and the Aspen Institute. He also holds leadership positions in Chicago’s business community, including the Civic Committee, the Commercial Club of Chicago, the Chicago Council on Global Affairs and World Business Chicago.
“I am passionate about preserving and strengthening the vitality of Chicago’s great institutions, businesses and citizens, and I am grateful to have the opportunity to build on Sylvia’s successes at Lyric,” said Craig. “I look forward to continuing to work closely with the Lyric as we chart the next century of outstanding art.”
Recognized as a “courtroom to boardroom” lawyer, Craig regularly represents clients in their most important strategic, reputational and economic matters in virtually every substantive area of the law. He is a trusted advisor to the Fortune 100, wealthy family offices and private investors, as well as notable business, civic and political leaders.
Learn more here.
