Michael Akin is the President of LINK Strategic Partners. He received a 2006 GW Award—George Washington University’s highest honor—for advancing GW’s mission in the Washington community with competence, integrity, and good will. In 2011, the Greater Washington Urban League recognized Michael with the Chairman’s Award for his work in advancing the League’s mission, and the DC City Council adopted a formal resolution naming “Michael Akin Day in the District of Columbia” to acknowledge his contributions to positive and collaborative community action. Michael was honored as Young Entrepreneur of the Year by the DC Chamber of Commerce in 2015, and in 2017 he received the prestigious Laura Lisner Award from the Lisner Louise Dixon Hurt Home for his work and advocacy on behalf of DC’s senior citizens. In 2018, the Washington Business Journal named him a 40 Under 40 honoree, and Michael received a Communitas Award for his pro-bono and service efforts. In 2019, Michael was selected by the Washington DC Economic Partnership to serve as a WeDC Ambassador to represent the city at professional conferences nationally. In 2021, Michael was deeply honored to be presented with the Ally Award at the PR News Diversity Awards. In 2022, Michael was named a “Rebel with a Cause” in the Giving Issue of DC Modern Luxury magazine for his philanthropic efforts. Most recently, Michael was included in the 2022/2023 Winter Issue of Inc. Magazine as part of a piece featuring leadership lessons from 35 CEOs, including Oprah Winfrey, Reid Hoffman, Robert F. Smith, and Jeff Bezos.

Michael’s community activities include serving as Chairman Emeritus of the Greater Washington Urban League board of directors, and Chairman of the American Experience Foundation. He also serves on the boards of the Greater Washington Board of Trade, The International Town Gown Association, Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership (HOBY), Destination DC, Cultural Tourism DC, and Think Local First DC. Michael serves as a Leadership Council member for Raise DC, a Founding Member of the Second Chance Hiring Alliance, a Founding Member of the Washington Business Journal Leadership Trust, a member of the Community Council for WAMU 88.5 FM (Washington’s NPR station), the Dean’s Council at George Washington University School of Business, and as Committee Member on the DC State Fair Advisory Committee. Michael previously served as Board President for St. Mary’s Court, a non-profit independent living facility in Washington, DC for seniors or individuals with accessibility needs.

Michael has an MBA from The George Washington University, where he also graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in political communications.