Marc Bulandr

Marc Bulandr is a mission-driven executive and creative leader with more than 25 years of experience spanning Fortune 500 technology firms, nonprofit governance, and arts advocacy. He has held national leadership roles at IBM, Verizon, NTT, and Black Box, where he guided high-performing teams, built enduring client and partner relationships, and helped drive strategic growth across industries.

Marc holds both undergraduate and graduate degrees in Sociology from Illinois State University, grounding his leadership approach in the principles of social psychology, ethnography, and symbolic interaction. His work is marked by emotional intelligence, people-first mentorship, and an unwavering belief in purpose-driven service.

A passionate supporter of the arts, education, and mental health, Marc served for 23 years on the Illinois State University Foundation Board, helping grow the university’s endowment from $35 million to over $150 million. He has also held advisory and leadership roles with organizations such as Guitars for Vets, Music6s, and the Lakeside Legacy Arts Foundation.

Marc’s creative roots run deep: he is an accomplished musician and storyteller who is currently writing Pay It Forward, Burn It Down, a memoir-performance hybrid exploring career reinvention, healing, and faith after burnout. He was featured in the Wiley-published Women of Color in Tech by Suzanne Tedrick for his leadership in allyship, and continues to mentor emerging leaders across industries.

Marc is honored to support the mission of Give A Note Foundation, combining his lifelong love of music with his deep commitment to equity and access in education. He also serves as the Fundraising Committee Chair focused on creating a sustainability model for Give A Note.