Latest News from The Chicago Network

November 10, 2017

TCN Members in the News

MELLODY HOBSON: DIVERSITY ISN'T ABOUT DO-GOODERISM - IT'S ABOUT THE BOTTOM LINE

In an interview with Yahoo Finance, Mellody Hobson, President, Ariel Investments, LLC, stressed diversity at companies is not being about do-gooderism, but being about the bottom line. "If you want to be world class, if you want to have a workforce that represents all the customers you're going to have and all the ideas that are going to be important to them, I think you need to make sure that everyone's in the room," said Mellody Hobson. Read more...

MARTHA NUSSBAUM DISCUSSES NEW BOOK ON AGING

Martha Nussbaum, Ernst Freund Distinguished Service Professor, The University of Chicago, and Saul Luvmore, Professor of Law, and former Dean of the University of Chicago Law School, were featured in an article about their new book, Aging Thoughtfully: Conversations About Retirement, Romance, Wrinkles, & Regret. Read more..

FIFTH THIRD BANK MAKES SEVEN-FIGURE DONATION TO NAVY PIER

Fifth Third Bank has made a seven-figure, multiyear financial commitment to Navy Pier (Michelle Boone and Marilynn Gardner). The Fifth Third Family Pavilion at Navy Pier, expected to open around Memorial Day, will include 200,000 square feet of new retail spaces, kiosks and a staircase that leads to the pier's Crystal Gardens. Read more...

ANGELA OLINTO LEADS FIRST-OF-ITS KIND BALLOON MISSION

Angela Olinto, Homer J. Livingston Professor & Chair University of Chicago, is leading a first-of-its kind mission to launch a $7 million telescope on a super pressure balloon with the goal or learning more about mysterious cosmic rays coming from beyond our galaxy. Read more...

DIANE SWONK ON TAX OVERHAUL AND NEW FEDERAL POLICY

Diane Swonk, Founder & CEO DS Economics, was on Chicago Tonight to discuss tax overhaul, and what the new federal policy could mean for the U.S. economy. To watch, click here.

ANDREA ZOPP ON ATTRACTING BUSINESS AND DEVELOPMENT TO CHICAGO

Andrea Zopp, CEO of World Business Chicago, a nonprofit agency that operates on public and privately raised funds to bring economic growth to the city, spoke with Chicago Tonight about her plans to attract business and development to Chicago. Read more...

EMPOWERING A BILLION WOMEN ANNOUNCES BILLION DOLLAR FUNDERS CIRCLE

Empowering a Billion Women by 2020 (EBW2020) ( Tina Tchen, board member) hosted its inaugural EBW Global Summit November 6-7 in Austin, Texas and announced the public opening of a new funding accelerator platform for women, The EBW Billion Dollar Funders Circle. The new program is aimed at demystifying and democratizing access to financial resources for women worldwide. The goal of this platform is to work with funding partners and corporations to get $1B into the hands of women by 2020 through debt, equity, and corporate supplier diversity opportunities. Read more...

SHRADHA AGARWAL JOINS PANEL WITH MARK CUBAN

On November 6, Shradha Agarwal, President & Co-Founder, Outcome Health, spoke on a panel, moderated by Mark Cuban, star of the television series "Shark Tank" and owner of the Dallas Mavericks, about how startups across the country are using Salesforce to innovate and move quickly. Read more...

GWENDOLYN H. BUTLER ON WOMEN IN REAL ESTATE

Gwendolyn H. Butler, Vice Chairwoman and CMO Capri Investment Group, spoke at New York University's Schack Institute's first national symposium of Women in Real Estate. Gwendolyn shared that her best growth periods occurred when she took jobs no one else wanted and advised the audience to use their differences as advantages.

"Recognize that you have to work harder than your male peers in order to get the same level of recognition but don't get caught up in the emotions related to that," said Gwendolyn Butler. Read more...

ROHINI DEY AND CARRIE NAHABEDIAN AMONG CHEFS AND RESTAURATEURS MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Rohini Dey, Vermilion (Chicago and New York), and Carrie Nahabedian, NAHA and Brindille (Chicago), were among seven chefs and restaurateurs featured in a Make it Better article on how they are making a difference inside and outside the kitchen. Read more...

New Roles

GAIL BOUDREAUX NAMED CEO OF ANTHEM

Gail Boudreaux has been named CEO of Anthem, the nation's second-largest health insurance company, effective November 20.

"Gail Boudreaux is a decisive leader with deep expertise in the health care industry and an outstanding track record of driving results throughout her impressive career, the Anthem Board is confident Gail will draw from her extensive experience to deliver strong operating performance, excellent financial results and a laser focus on customer experience and shareholder value. In an evolving industry, Gail brings the right skills for the times," said George A. Schaefer, Jr., lead independent director on Anthem's board. Read more...

KATHLEEN SAVIO NAMED CEO OF ZURICH NORTH AMERICA

Kathleen Savio has been named CEO of Zurich North America as of January 1, 2018. Kathleen was previously Head of Alternative Markets since 2012.

"Kathleen is precisely the type of new-thinking people-focused business leader we need to lead our North American operations in this next phase. She understands what it takes to grow a successful insurance business, has direct experience with various business models, and drives an unrelenting performance culture among her teams. She'll be a welcome addition to our global executive management team," said Mario Greco, Group CEO. Read more...

Women on Boards

MELLODY HOBSON TO SERVE AS LUCAS MUSEUM OF NARRATIVE ART BOARD CHAIR

Mellody Hobson, President Ariel Investments, LLC, will serve as The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art Board Chair. The museum, set to break ground in Exposition Park in Los Angeles in January, will make art accessible to young people of diverse backgrounds.

"We really want to take a page out of LACMA's book in terms of how accessible they've made their museum. People from all walks of life - age, race, everything - coming to learn and enjoy it. That, to me, is the ultimate success," said Mellody Hobson. Read more...

US FOODS ANNOUNCES ANN ZIEGLER TO BOARD OF DIRECTORS

US Foods announced Ann Ziegler, SVP & CFO CDW, has been appointed to its Board of Directors. US Foods is one of America's great food companies and a leading foodservice distributor.

"Ann is a highly accomplished senior executive with nearly 30 years of leadership experience across multiple industries, including technology, consumer packaged goods, and the food industry. Her background as a public company chief financial officer and her ten years of experience as a senior leader at a well-respected business-to-business value-added distribution company will be an asset to our board," said Pietro Satriano, President and Chief Executive Officer of US Foods. Read more...

SALME HARJU STEINBERG APPOINTED TO PATRICK G. AND SHIRLEY W. RYAN OPERA CENTER BOARD OF DIRECTORS

In June, Salme was appointed to the board of directors of the Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center at the Lyric Opera.

THE ARTS CLUB 2017 ANNUAL MEETING

TCN member Michelle Boone was elected as a director of the Arts Club at the 2017 annual meeting, and Kate Bensen was elected to chair the audit committee. Michelle joins Laura Washington, Leslie Hindman and Kate as directors. Also at the meeting, Margaret McCurry was elected as a Life Member of the Club, and Sophia Shaw, former Arts Club President, was named an Honorary Board Member.

Awards

EMILY BARR TO RECEIVE GOLDEN MIKE AWARD

Emily Barr, President & CEO Graham Media Group, will receive the 2018 Golden Mike Award from the Broadcasters Foundation of America on Monday, March 5, 2018 at the Plaza Hotel in New York City.

"It is an honor to receive this award from the Broadcasters Foundation of America, and I am grateful to the Board for their commitment to our colleagues in need. This year, the Broadcasters Foundation rose to the challenge of helping so many of our colleagues who were impacted by hurricanes, floods, and wildfires. With the generous support of broadcasters across the country, the Foundation can continue to make a difference in the lives of those who find themselves in devastating circumstances," said Emily Barr. Read more...

Announcements

STEPHANIE IZARD ON IRON CHEF SHOWDOWN PREMIER

The Food Network's 10- episode Iron Chef Showdown premiered Wednesday, November 8 and Stephanie Izard, Executive Chef & Owner Boka Restaurant Group, was one of the six iron chefs featured on the show. Read more...

MARY MEG MCCARTHY CHAIRED AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION COMMISSION MEETING

National Immigrant Justice Center Executive Director Mary Meg McCarthy chaired a meeting of the American Bar Association (ABA) Commission on Immigration in the Rio Grande Valley with the ABA President-Elect Bob Carlson and ABA members. The meetings and tours, including of a shelter for immigrant children, provided ABA members with a unique perspective and insight as to the complexities facing border communities and the need for fair and humane immigration policies. Read more...

ABA President-Elect Bob Carlson (2nd from left), NIJC Executive Director Mary Meg McCarthy (middle), and ABA members

ROBIN STEANS AT FORUM ON CHICAGO'S EDUCATIONAL PROGRESS

Robin Steans, Chair of the Steans Family Foundation, participated at The Spencer and Joyce Foundations' "What's driving Chicago's Educational Progress?" forum. Robin solicited audience suggestions on ways to move forward with policy, practice, and research. The forum featured top researches, policy experts, and educators discussing the research and initiatives that have led to Chicago's rapid academic gains. Read more...

MARILYNN PRESTON'S ALL IS WELL AMAZON BEST-SELLER; RELEASES PROMO VIDEO

In late April, Marilynn Preston started to grow an audience for her book, All is Well. In August, it blossomed into an Amazon best-seller. To celebrate, a promo video was organically produced.

RECOMMEND BOOKS THAT INFLUENCED YOUR LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

The Center for Values-Driven Leadership at Benedictine University regularly publishes lists of books related to the center's mission of developing values-driven leaders so they can build flourishing companies that transform business and society. The lists for women in leadership (find them here and here) are traditionally some of the most visited posts on our website.

This year, we want to incorporate more voices.

Here's the ask: would you consider contributing? We would like to have your (TCN members') personal recommendations of a book you've found meaningful for your own leadership development.

What we mean by this is outlined below. The deadline for submission is Friday, November 17.

What do I need to provide to contribute? And how do I contribute it?