Latest News from The Chicago Network

October 27, 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

HARVARD BUSINESS REVIEW RANKS WORLD'S BEST-PERFORMING CEOS

Harvard Business Review has released its annual list of the 100 best-performing CEOs and for the second year in a row Debra Cafaro of Ventas is one of two women to make the list. Read more...

CAROL ROSS BARNEY: AN UNFINISHED STORY

Carol Ross Barney, who was recently honored with AIA Chicago's 2017 Lifetime Achievement Award, was featured in a Chicago Architect article entitled, "An Unfinished Story: AIA Chicago Awards Carol Ross Barney the Lifetime Achievement Award."

CHICAGO ARCHITECT'S 2017 DESIGN EXCELLENCE AWARDS

Chicago Architect announced its Distinguished Building, Interior Architecture and Divine Detail Awards in its November/December 2017 issue and several Network member design companies were recognized.

Distinguished Building Awards

Citation of Merit: Affordable Veterans Housing - UrbanWorks, Ltd (Patricia Saldana Natke)

Interior Architecture Awards

Honor Award: Shirley Ryan AbilityLab Interior - HDR | Gensler (Nila Leiserowitz) |CWs | EGG Office
Citation of Merit: Morningstar Chicago - Perkins+Will, Inc. (Gina Berndt), David M. Gresham Design, Morningstar, Inc.
Citation of Merit: OCLC Headquarter - Perkins+Will, Inc. (Gina Berndt)

Divine Detail Awards

Citation of Merit: Energy Envelope - Ross Barney Architects (Carol Ross Barney)

UCHICAGO ASTROPHYSICISTS TO CATCH PARTICLES FROM DEEP SPACE ON NASA BALLOON MISSION

A team led by Angela Olinto, Albert A. Michelson Distinguished Service Professor, Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics, received NASA funding to fly an ultra-long duration balloon mission with an innovative ultra-sensitive telescope to pick up cosmic rays and neutrinos coming from deep space. The launch is planned for 2022.

"This program will help us solve the great mystery of where in the universe these highly energetic particles are coming from, and how they could possibly be made," said Angela Olinto. Read more...

VICKY KALOGERA ON CHICAGO TONIGHT

Vicky Kalogera, Daniel I. Linzer Distinguished University Professor, Dept. of Physics & Astronomy, and Director, CIERA (Center for Interdisciplinary Exploration & Research in Astrophysics) at Northwestern University, was one of four scientists on Chicago Tonight that discussed the groundbreaking observation of the colliding neutron stars. To read more or to watch the full clip, click here!

Vicky also spoke with Science Friday to discuss the observation, and what it can teach scientists about the way the universe works. Read more...

HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS SHARE THEIR STORIES VIA HOLOGRAM AT ILLINOIS HOLOCAUST MUSEUM

Susan Abrams, CEO, Illinois Holocaust Museum, was quoted in an ABC7Chicago article about a stunning piece of technology that will allow Holocaust survivors to tell their stories and answer questions long after they've passed on. The Illinois Holocaust Museum's holographic theater of survivors' stories and its "Take a Stand Center" is tentatively set to open October 29. Read more...

ALLSTATE AMONG CRAIN'S MOST INNOVATIVE COMPANIES

Allstate ( Kathy Mabe and Stephanie D. Neely) was recognized on Crain's annual list of the Most Innovative Companies in the Chicago area. The article notes that the insurance business is in the midst of major technological change, whether its using mobile phones, social media, Big Data or drones. Allstate received patents in all these areas last year.

THE 15 COOLEST OFFICES

Crain's released its list of the 15 Coolest Offices. Contenders were evaluated based on the criteria of attractiveness, originality and functionality. The following Network member companies were included on the list:

McDermott Will and Emery (Andrea Kramer)
Jones Lang LaSalle (Christie Kelly and Sheila Penrose)
KPMG (Kathy H. Hannan and Linda Imonti)

MARY LEE SCHNEIDER ON SG360° PARTNERSHIP WITH PRODUCTION PARTNERS CO. PARTNERS

Production Partners Co. (PPC), an innovative print and print-related services company, announced a new partnership with SG360° ( Mary Lee Schneider), an industry-leading print and direct marketing solutions provider. SG360°, owned by certified MBE private equity firm ICV Partners, will serve as the direct mail production partner of PPC. Read more...

LAURA WASHINGTON AND BRIDGET GAINER SUPPORT SECOND ANNUAL YOUNG FEMINIST CONFERENCE

Laura Washington, Columnist, Political Analyst, Chicago Sun-Times, ABC7-Chicago, spoke at "Cause the Effect," the second annual young feminist conference, to talk about what stops change and how to beat those obstacles.

Cook County Commissioner and Aon executive Bridget Gainer started the conference with help from young women to talk about what was happening around them during a 2016 summer that included a contentious presidential election and discussions about campus sexual assault. "We had a conversation around two years ago that it's only the boys who get their voices heard or put in the paper," said Bridget Gainer. "I told them that if they think this is the last time that will happen it's not, but they can do something about it." Read more...

MCA CELEBRATES 50TH ANNIVERSARY WITH RENEWED COMMITMENT TO CHICAGO

Celebrating its 50th birthday, Chicago's Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) ( Madeleine Grynsztejn) gave a gift to the community: a renewed commitment to be a space for learning and engagement with art. In this spirit, the museum held a two-day festival entitled "MCA Hearts Chicago" this past weekend, with free admission and several free events, including a concert highlighting Lupe Fiasco.

To celebrate its 50th anniversary, the MCA opened a new three-part show, titled We Are Here (through January 28), referencing its relationship to the city of Chicago and the intrinsic effect of the city on the Museum's collection, programming, and mission. Read more...

Women on Boards

JANET FOUTTY APPOINTED TO BRIGHT PINK® BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Bright Pink®, a national breast and ovarian health non-profit, announced that Janet Foutty has been appointed to the organization's Board of Directors. Janet Foutty is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Deloitte Consulting, LLP. Over her 25-year career, Janet has worked closely with her clients to deliver insights and innovative solutions to address their toughest issues. Read more...

STEP UP SEEKING BOARD MEMBERS

Are you passionate about helping teen girls break barriers and take their seat at the table? Step Up, the mentoring organization that inspires women to inspire girls, is currently seeking board members to serve on the Chicago Chapter board. In the 2017-2018 school year, Step Up will help 540 teens from under-resourced communities in Chicago to become confident, college-bound, career-focused, and ready to join the next generation of professional women. Mentors in Step Up programming have the unique opportunity to participate in high-capacity, group mentoring opportunities that are flexible with work and life commitments. Learn more at www.suwn.org.

Successful board members are passionate about propelling teen girls to fulfill their potential and gain access to college and careers, excited to make connections for Step Up to corporate and individual supporters, and eager to engage in the programs you're helping support. Board terms begin in January 2018, and initial terms are 2 years. Interested candidates may contact Step Up Managing Director Cassandra Gaddo at [email protected].

For further details, click here!

New Roles

ANDREA ZOPP NAMED CEO OF WORLD BUSINESS CHICAGO

Andrea Zopp will become CEO of World Business Chicago effective November 6. Andrea has held the post of deputy mayor and chief neighborhood development officer of the City of Chicago since May 2016. Her move to World Business Chicago, a public-private economic development engine chaired by Mayor Rahm Emanuel, will build on the mayor's efforts to drive economic growth in the city's neighborhoods. Read more...

MARRIOTT APPOINTS RENA REISS AS EXECUTIVE VP AND GENERAL COUNSEL

Marriott International, Inc. announced the appointment of Rena Reiss as Executive Vice President and General Counsel, reporting to President and Chief Executive Officer Arne Sorenson and serving as a member of the company's executive team. Rena, who was most recently Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary at Hyatt Hotels Corporation, will officially start on December 4. A Marriott veteran, having served in the company's Law Department from 2000 to 2010, Rena last held the position of Senior Vice President and Associate General Counsel.

"I have a special place in my heart for Marriott - the company that introduced me to hospitality - and am thrilled to be coming back to help navigate the company during such an exciting time in its evolution," said Rena Reiss. Read more...

Awards

ILENE S. GORDON TO RECEIVE CHICAGOLAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE'S DANIEL H. BURNHAM AWARD

Ilene S. Gordon , Chairman, President, and CEO, Ingredion Incorporated, will receive the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce's Daniel H. Burnham Award for Distinguished Leadership. The Burnham Award, now in its 26th year, pays tribute to a prominent business leader who works tirelessly to advance the Chicago region's business climate while making significant civic contributions. Ilene will receive the honor on the evening of Wednesday, November 8th at the Burnham Award Dinner at the Ritz-Carlton, Chicago. More information about the award, and tickets and group tables to attend the dinner can be found by clicking here .

TINA TCHEN TO BE HONORED AT PERSONAL PAC'S 24TH ANNUAL AWARDS LUNCHEON

Tina Tchen, Partner, Buckley Sandler LLP, will be honored by Personal PAC's at its 24th Annual Awards Luncheon on Monday, October 30. Personal PAC fights to preserve reproductive rights in Illinois. For more information, click here!

Announcements

TCN MEMBERS AND TCN CEO PARTAKE IN 7TH ANNUAL BOOTH WOMEN CONNECT CONFERENCE

Bridget Gainer, Susana Vasquez, Laura Washington, Donna Zarcone and TCN President and CEO Kate Bensen spoke at the sold-out 7th annual Booth Women Connect Conference, where more than 1,200 attendees gathered for an extraordinary day of bold ideas, spirited discussion, practical insights, and impactful networking with a community of leading women professionals.

A RESIDENT'S GUIDE TO THE FY2018 COOK COUNTY BUDGET

From Bridget Gainer:
Every October, the Cook County Board begins our annual budget season. This year, with the repeal of the Soda Tax, we will be working to fill an approximately $200 million gap that the tax was forecasted to raise.

I am committed to approaching the FY2018 budget line-by-line to find alternative ways to close this anticipated $200 million gap.

To learn more about the County budget, including breakdowns of all costs and services, please see this Citizen's Guide to the FY18 Cook County Budget I created for my constituents.

Join me over the coming weeks as I host town hall meetings throughout my district to hear your ideas and concerns. If you cannot attend, please feel free to share your ideas in this electronic form.

IWF CHICAGO NAMES NEW 2017-2018 LEADERSHIP TEAM

IWF (International Women's Forum) has announced the new 2017-2018 leadership team and the following Network members were included:

New executive committee officers elected to serve in 2017-2018 includes Lynne Nelleman, President's Advisory Board, Governor's State University.

Ana Dutra, CEO, The Executives' Club of Chicago, will serve as immediate past president.

Joyce Simon, Executive Vice President/Chief Financial Officer, John G. Shedd Aquarium, will continue in her role as an executive committee officers.

Chicago executives elected as new Board Members for 2017-18 includes TCN members Pamela Forbes Lieberman and Laurel Bellows.

Continuing directors are Lynn Osmond and Kathleen Yosko.

In all, more than 45 volunteer leaders, including officers, directors and committee members, comprise the IWF Chicago leadership team. To view the full leadership team, click here!