Latest News from The Chicago Network

August 18, 2017

TCN'S VISION STATEMENT

As the preeminent organization for Chicago's leading professional women, we are compelled to:

Connect with each other for professional & personal growth
Advance our civic, business & philanthropic communities
Inspire & support the next generation of leaders

TCN Members in the News

LINDA JOJO ON UNITED'S STRATEGY TO REDUCE OVERBOOKINGS

Linda Jojo, United's Executive Vice President of Technology and Chief Digital Officer, was quoted in an article about United's strategy to reduce overbookings. The company is using data analytics to help manage overbooking situations more strategically, while also helping it target families, business travelers and vacationers with specific offers.

"If we can get to people early, so they can change their travel plans, that's one of the biggest things we do," said Linda Jojo. Read more...

JULIE SMOLYANSKY IN THE NEWS

Julie Smolyansky on Resilience

Lifeway Foods CEO Julie Smolyansky was featured in Forbes' "5 Lessons We've Learned About Resilience From 30 Boss Ladies."

"People who consider themselves survivors in any capacity have a unique set of coping and crisis management skills. I've learned to be able to sit with uncomfortable moments and moments of panic and fear and just let it be and know that things will all work out the way that they're supposed to. Even in the worst of situations, there is a bigger plan," said Julie Smolyansky Read more...

How She Made Kefir A $150m Business

In an interview with Bizwomen, Julie shared how she made Kefir a $150M business. Read more...

Lifeway Foods CEO Julie Smolyansky is Bringing Kefir into the Mainstream

Julie spoke with WGN Radio about her dream to take the Lifeway Foods global, the importance of having access to healthy foods, what she learned about growing a company, their efforts to engage the community, their presence at Lollapalooza and what makes Lifeway Foods a Chicago company. Read more...

MARYAM BANIKARIM ON HYATT HOTELS' NEW VIDEO FOR "WORLD OF UNDERSTANDING" CAMPAIGN

Hyatt Hotels ( Maryam Banikarim and Rena H. Reiss) has introduced the next chapter in its "World of Understanding" campaign platform with a video celebrating 50 years of inclusivity dating back to the chain's Hyatt Regency Atlanta hotel, which opened its doors to civil rights leaders in 1967.

"The message of understanding transcends politics," says Maryam Banikarim, Chief Marketing Officer at Hyatt. "The hotel showed bravery 50 years ago when others didn't. On the eve of the anniversary, shouldn't we as an organization demonstrate the same bravery?" Read more...

DIANE SWONK ON US RETAIL SALES

Diane Swonk, CEO of DS Economics, was quoted in an article about July's strong retail sales that may relieve some of the fears that the real cause of sluggish inflation this year is a weakness in the U.S. consumer.

"The weakness in inflation is not a reflection of weakness in consumer spending," said Diane Swonk. "Consumers are taking advantage of discounts and buying." Read more...

JEANNE GANG-DESIGNED MUSEUM IN NYC TO MOVE FORWARD
The expansion of the American Museum of Natural History's Gilder Center, designed by Studio Gang Architects Founder & Design Principal Jeanne Gang and located in the Upper West Side of New York City, is ready to move forward with construction. Read more...

LEAP INNOVATIONS RECEIVES GRANT FROM CME GROUP FOUNDATION TO SUPPORT STEM EDUCATION IN ILLINOIS

CME Group ( Kathleen M. Cronin and Kim Taylor) Foundation recently announced it will provide strategic support and grants of $2.6 million to 14 organizations in Illinois to support STEM education initiatives from pre-kindergarten through college.

As part of its grants, CME Group Foundation renewed its longstanding support of LEAP Innovations, one of the key organizations in Chicago that is fostering change in the classroom.

"CME Group Foundation understands what it means to be on the frontier of something new and innovative," said Phyllis Lockett, CEO of LEAP Innovations. "High-tech companies committed to the future of our Chicago community have to invest in next-generation thinking, and that is what CME Group Foundation is doing. We never would have gotten off the ground without their support." Read more...

DISCOVER CARD CUTS OFF 'HATE GROUPS'

Discover Financial Services ( Kelly M. Corley and Diane Offereins) said it's ending merchant agreements with extremist organizations that incite violence. Read more...

TCN MEMBER COMPANIES HIGHLIGHTED IN CRAINS SPECIAL REPORT: "JOBS VS. BULLETS"

In a special report, Crain's studied the correlation between joblessness and violence in many Chicago neighborhoods and spoke with business owners who are hiring from the ZIP codes that are most in need of investment.

ComEd ( Anne R. Pramaggiore ) and the University of Chicago Medicine ( Sharon O'Keefe ) were among the companies highlighted in the report.

Working with local nonprofits such as Cara ( Maria Kim ) and Skills for Chicagoland's Future, U of C Medicine has hired nearly 200 people for entry-level positions. ComEd launched Construct in 2013, which is an 11-week curriculum which recruits and trains people for construction-related jobs. As of 2016, 220 people have graduated from the program. Read more...

CARALYNN NOWINSKI COLLENS ON JOBS IN ADVANCED MANUFACTURING

Caralynn Nowinski Collens, CEO at UI Labs, home to the digital manufacturing institute whose members include Boeing, Caterpillar and Illinois Tool Works, was quoted in an article about a new report that identifies 165 jobs in advanced manufacturing that could exist in the future and the skills those workers will need.

"If we can't describe what skills those workers need, then we don't know how to prepare them." Read more...

COMED'S ICEBOX DERBY FEATURED ON ABC 7 CHICAGO

Launched in 2014, ComEd's Icebox Derby, designed to educate and empower young women to explore opportunities in STEM, was featured on ABC7 Chicago News ( Jennifer L. Graves ) in a segment with ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore. Read more...

Women on Boards

PNC APPOINTS DEBRA A. CAFARO TO BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The PNC Financial Services Group Inc. has appointed Ventas Inc. Chair and CEO Debra A. Cafaro to its board of directors, effective immediately. Named by Harvard Business Review as one of the world's best-performing CEOs for the last three years and by Forbes as one of their 100 most powerful women, Debra is widely acclaimed for her strategic vision in both healthcare and real estate. Read more...

SUSAN WHITING JOINS KEMPER CORPORATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Susan Whiting has been appointed to the Kemper Corporation Board of Directors. Susan served as Vice Chair of Nielsen Holdings plc until 2014. She held numerous executive positions during her 35-year career with Nielsen, including President, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Nielsen Media Research , as well as Global Executive Vice President. Susan currently serves on the board of directors for Alliant Energy Corporation, Moxie Software and PageVault. Read more...

AZITA SALEKI-GERHARDT JOINS ENTEGRIS BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Azita Saleki-Gerhardt will join the Entegris Board of directors in the post of non-executive director. She serves as the Senior Vice President of Operations at AbbVie and is a member of the executive leadership team reporting to the CEO. Read more...

RUTH ANN M. GILLIS RECOGNIZED AS AN NACD BOARD LEADERSHIP FELLOW

The National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) recently recognized Ruth Ann M. Gillis as an NACD Board Leadership Fellow. NACD Fellows, who earn NACD Fellowship-The Gold Standard Director Credential® - stand within the highest echelon of those committed to excellence in the boardroom.

To learn more about NACD Fellowship , visit NACDonline.org/Fellowship .

Announcements

CEO ANN DRAKE JOINS TRANSPORTATION TASK FORCE

DSC Logistics CEO Ann Drake was invited to join the Civic Committee Transportation Task Force. An affiliated organization of The Commercial Club of Chicago, a membership group of senior leaders in the business, education, cultural and philanthropic realms, the Civic Committee focuses on change in state finance, education and transportation.

The charge of the Transportation Task Force is to develop an action agenda to ensure transportation remains a driver of economic vitality in the Chicago region, building on successful efforts in expanding and modernizing O'Hare Airport.

O'Hare is a critical economic engine for the Chicago region, and the Civic Committee recognized the need to retain Chicago's position as a leading transportation hub and international gateway.

Ann and other Chicago-area leaders are providing guidance and input as the Task Force makes key decisions, formulates recommendations and engages the Commercial Club and Civic Committee membership in working to have the recommendations implemented. Read more...

ADELA CEPEDA MODERATOR AT CHICAGO INVESTORS CONFERENCE

Adela Cepeda, Managing Director PFM Financial Advisors LLC, was a moderator at the Chicago Investors Conference on August 9, 2017.

JULIE SMOLYANSKY KEYNOTE SPEAKER AT HEALTHCONNECT ONE'S 30TH ANNIVERSARY GALA

Julie Smolyansky, CEO of Lifeway Foods, was honored and keynote speaker at HealthConnect One's "30 Years of Making Waves" Gala at the Museum of Contemporary Art o n June 15th. Read more...

APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN FOR THE 2018 LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) 25 Advancing Leadership Institute is seeking qualified emerging leaders with disabilities who are passionate about increasing their civic engagement, network of support, and leadership skills. Candidates applying by September 19 will be guaranteed an interview.

For more information, click here!

To view the application, click here!