Latest News from The Chicago Network

December 15, 2017

TCN Members in the News

MELLODY HOBSON ON PROMOTING FINANCIAL LITERACY EARLIER IN LIFE

Ariel Investments ( Mellody Hobson) and Honner, a Australian communications firm , have teamed up to call on the Australian Securities & Investments Commission to promote financial literacy earlier in life.

"If we want to truly address inequality, we need to start helping children become familiar with the concepts early in life, so they are can be comfortable investing on their own behalf by the time they are young adults and have the confidence to seek a job in the financial sector," said Ariel Investments President Mellody Hobson. Read more...

PATRICIA BROWN HOLMES AND Z. SCOTT AMONG MOST INFLUENTIAL MINORITY LAWYERS IN CHICAGO

Patricia Brown Holmes, Partner, Riley Safer Holmes & Cancila LLP, and Z. Scott , Partner, Foley & Lardner LLP, were recognized on Crain's inaugural list of the Most Influential Minority Lawyers in Chicago, which featured 45 women and men who represent an impressive cross-section of the Chicago-area legal community, many of whom have practiced with distinction for decades. Read more...

FIRST HOSPITALITY GROUP, INC. AND NAVY PIER ANNOUNCE NAVY PIER HOTEL TO OPERATE UNDER CURIO COLLECTION BY HILTON BRAND

First Hospitality Group, Inc. (FHG), a leading hotel management, acquisition and development company, and Navy Pier (Marilynn Gardner and
Michelle T. Boone) announced that the highly-anticipated Navy Pier hotel, designed by Jackie Koo, will operate upon opening in 2019 under the exclusive Curio Collection by Hilton .

"The development of this hotel on the lake - the first of its kind in Chicago- serves as a monumental milestone in realizing Navy Pier's Centennial Vision, the framework that has guided us into the Pier's second century," said Navy Pier President and CEO Marilynn Gardner. Read more...

COMED AWARDS SOLAR TRAINING GRANTS

ComED ( Anne Pramaggiore ) recently announced four organizations that have been selected to receive a total of $3 million to develop and conduct solar pipeline training programs made possible through grants funded by the Illinois Future Energy Jobs Act.

"The training programs that will be created by the organizations announced today will ensure that the next generation of energy workers is prepared to take full advantage of the opportunities created by a new clean energy economy," said Anne Pramaggiore. Read more...

LIVE MACARTHUR FOUNDATION $100M GRANT COMPETITION

On Monday, December 11, four finalists competed for a single $100 million grant from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation ( Julia Stasch ) when they presented their proposals in front of a live audience. 100&Change , the first-of-its-kind MacArthur Foundation grant competition, was inspired by a desire to be more focused and more impactful with other money the foundation doles out.

"We asked them to kind of tell their stories in powerful ways. We're capturing those so that we can share them beyond this competition , " said Julia Stasch , President, John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. Read more...

OLUFUNMILAYO OLOPADE ON NEW STUDY AND ITS FINDINGS

Olufunmilayo Olopade, Associate Dean for Global Health, University of Chicago, was quoted in an article about a study, conducted by Olufunmilayo and her colleagues, that found b iannual MR exams are more effective for detecting breast cancer in high-risk younger women than annual mammograms.

"Our point, really, is that we should personalize what women need," said Dr. Olufunmilayo Olopade. "Cancer care is expensive but preventing cancer by optimizing prevention and early detection will not only save lives but will also save on health care costs. Read more...

Olufunmilayo will be one of TCN's featured speakers at the Network's Annual Meeting on June 6th, 2018.

Q&A: LINDA JOJO, UNITED AIRLINES

Buying Business Travel spoke to Linda Jojo, Executive Vice-President of Technology and Chief Digital Officer at United Airlines, to find out more about the airline's investment in technology and the continued development of its app.

When asked about the future integration of technology and travel Linda Jojo noted, "My team faces the challenge of picking things to work on that they think will make things better and continuing to innovate. We don't want to be afraid to try things if there's a chance it'll have a positive impact." Read more...

REFINERY29 FEATURED SHRADHA AGARWAL

Shradha Agarwal, Co-founder and President of Outcome Health, recently spoke with Refinery29 about the problems with sexual harassment in tech, her desire to become a U.S. citizen, and her wish that there were 24 and a 1/2 hours in a day.

"These are difficult times for the American dream, but I am unfailingly optimistic that today's young people are the right stewards of that dream," said Shradha Agarwal. Read more...

MARTHA NUSSBAUM FEATURED IN SERIES ON PHILANTHROPY

Martha Nussbaum, Ernst Freund Distinguished Service Professor at The University of Chicago, participated in a conversation about inheritance, philanthropy, and aging with The Atlantic . Read more...

VICKI ESCARRA PROFILED IN WE MAGAZINE FOR WOMEN

Vicki Escarra, Founder of Vicki Escarra LLC, was profiled in WE Magazine for Women, which highlighted her career journey and her strong ties with the Chicago community.

" I will always be committed to leaning in and building up women in business and entrepreneurship. I believe that women can add a unique perspective to the marketplace and can provide valuable leadership direction when placed in positions of influence. By working together, we can ensure that this perspective is not only heard but respected, and that young women today can reach important roles in management," said Vicki Escarra. Read more...

Women on Boards

SALLY BLOUNT TO JOIN ULTA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Sally Blount, Dean, Kellogg School of Management Northwestern University, will join Ulta Beauty's ( Mary Dillon) Board of Directors as an independent director.

"We are delighted to welcome Sally to Ulta Beauty's board of directors. She is an internationally recognized thought leader in management, negotiation and behavioral decision-making. Her expertise in organizational behavior, finance and governance will be of great value to Ulta Beauty as we execute our strategies to drive long term shareholder value," said Mary Dillon, CEO, Ulta Beauty. Read more...

CAROLE BROWN APPOINTED TO ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Carole Brown, CFO, City of Chicago, has been appointed to the Securities and Exchange Commission Fixed Income Market Structure Advisory Committee. The committee, whose initial focus will be on the corporate bond and municipal securities markets, will provide advice to the Commission on the efficiency and resiliency of these markets and identify opportunities for regulatory improvements. Read more...

NILA LEISEROWITZ JOINS
WORLD BUSINESS CHICAGO'S
BOARD

Nila Leiserowitz, Regional Managing Principal, Gensler, joined the board of World Business Chicago, the public-private, non-profit partnership that drives inclusive economic growth and job creation, supports business, and promotes Chicago as a leading global city. Nila will be working with Andrea Zopp, President and CEO, World Business Chicago, and other prominent leaders who guide the progression of Chicago's business climate.

New Roles

VALERIE JARRETT TO JOIN THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO LAW SCHOOL

Valerie Jarrett, who served as a top adviser to former President Barack Obama, will be a distinguished senior fellow at the University of Chicago Law School. "With a rich history, a world-class interdisciplinary program, and a vibrant student experience, I can't think of a better location to continue my own lifelong learning than the University of Chicago," said Valerie Jarrett. Read more...

Awards

CAROLE BROWN HONORED AS TRAILBLAZING WOMAN IN PUBLIC FINANCE

Carole Brown (pictured far left) has been named as a 2017 recipient of the Public Sector Freda Johnson Award presented by Northeast Women in Public Finance (NEWPF) and The Bond Buyer. Named for Freda Johnson, whose highly successful career in public finance has inspired so many women in the municipal bond industry, this award recognizes women serving or who have served in public finance and exemplify the qualities that Freda brought to our industry as a "trail blazer," leader, innovator, and mentor. Read more...

ROBIN KELLY RECEIVES PRESTIGIOUS ABRAHAM LINCOLN AWARD

Robin Kelly , U.S. Congresswoman (IL02), United States Congress , received the prestigious Abraham Lincoln Award by the Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence (ICHV.) ICHV is the nation's oldest and largest statewide organization working to prevent the devastation caused by firearms. Read more...

CIBC BANK USA RECEIVES 2017 CORPORATE AMBASSADOR AWARD

CIBC Bank USA ( Karen Case ) received the 2017 Corporate Ambassador Award at the annual Chicago Consular Corps Gala on December 8 at the Hilton Chicago. The award honors a company that has helped to raise Chicago's profile as a premier global business destination and has contributed to the economic growth of the city.

Andrea Zopp, President and CEO of World Business Chicago, shared her thoughts on the recognition: "We are thrilled to recognize CIBC as one of Chicago's leading corporate citizens. CIBC continuously demonstrates its dedication to strengthening the city and its neighborhoods. By committing to Chicago's growth and development, CIBC is helping put the city at the forefront of the global economy." Read more...

Announcements

CME GROUP VETERAN, POST-TRADE HEAD KIM TAYLOR TO RETIRE AT YEAR-END

Kim Taylor will retire from the world's largest exchange group at the end of the year. Kim, who serves as President, Clearing and Post-Trade Services, is one of the CME Group's longest-serving executives and a member of the management team. She first joined the CME Group in 1989 and has held various roles in post-trade risk management. Read more...

DORRI MCWHORTER: DOING GOOD IS EVERYBODY'S BUSINESS

Dorri McWhorter , CEO of the YWCA Metropolitan Chicago, recently gave a talk at TedX Chicago, where she spoke about the importance of doing good to help address the huge challenges facing our society. Her TedX talk also highlights Uber Chicago, Rumi Spice and McDonald's Corporation as examples of effective social enterprise. Watch here...

ROHINI DEY FEATURED IN JAMES BEARD FOUNDATION 30-EPISODE DIGITAL SERIES

To celebrate its 30th anniversary, the James Beard Foundation shared an exclusive 30-episode digital series, "3 0 Years in 30 Days," featuring noteworthy chefs and culinary icons who help tell the story of the Foundation's history. The 28th installment of the series featured restauranteur Rohini Dey, who in 2012, joined forces with JBF president Susan Ungaro to launch JBF's Women in Culinary Leadership program. Click below to watch!