June 12, 2015
Quote of the Week
"Thinking big and thinking comprehensively put the people and the pieces together."

- MarySue Barrett (1997),

President of the Metropolitan Planning Council
Members in the News
Crain's
Rona Borre on Tech-Hiring      

Rona Borre (2012), CEO of Instant Alliance, was quoted in a Crain's article this week about Chicago companies that have hired more than 25,000 tech workers from 2010-2013. Several TCN member companies were noted for aggressively hiring over the past few years, including Discover (Kelly M. Corley (2011), Diane Offereins (2008)) and Health Care Service Corporation (Patricia Hemingway Hall (2008) and Colleen F. Reitan (2011)).  

 

"Prior to 2013, the organizations that did the majority of the hiring in the technology were Chicago's big Fortune 100 companies, companies like United Airlines (Irene Foxhall (2014)), Walgreens (Sona Chawla (2012)), and Allstate (Kathy Mabe (2014) and Stephanie D. Neely (2007))," said Rona Rorre. Read more... 

Crain's
UnitedHealthcare and Advocate Heath Care Expand Coordinated Care Initiative      

UnitedHealthcare (Kathryn Sullivan (2009)), the second-largest insurer in Illinois, is expanding a key coordinated care initiative with Advocate Health Care (Gail D. Hasbrouck (2004)). The two entities last year launched a so-called accountable care organization covering about 5,500 patients with a Medicare Advantage plan through UnitedHealthcare. On July 1, the ACO will expand to include more than 80,000 patients who have a UnitedHealthcare plan through their employers. Read more...  

The Giant Magellan Telescope Organization Announces Construction of New Telescope
The Giant Magellan Telescope Organization, chaired by Wendy Freedman (2015), Professor of Astronomy & Astrophysics at the University of Chicago, recently announced that its 11 international partners, which includes the University of Chicago ( Beth Harris (2003)and Susan Sher (1993)) have committed more than $500 million to begin construction of the first of a new generation of extremely large telescopes. Once it is built, the Giant Magellan Telescope is poised to be the largest optical telescope in the world.

Angela Olinto
(2013), the Homer J. Livingston Professor and chair of the Department of Astronomy & Astrophysics at UChicago, was also quoted in the annoucment. "We are excited to play an important role in the development of this extraordinarily powerful telescope for understanding our universe," Angela Olinto said. "Construction of the Giant Magellan Telescope will be an incredible accomplishment, and that's only the beginning." Read more...
To read the Chicago Tribune's coverage, click here.
To read the official press release, click here.
To read CNET Magazine's coverage, click here.
Toni Preckwinkle Approves Contracts 
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle (2011) approved two new contracts with government worker unions that include average pay increases of about 2.2 percent a year as the board prepares to put together a new budget. About 2,650 workers represented by Service Employees International Union Local 73 will get raises totaling 10.75 percent over five years. In exchange, the environmental service workers, medical technicians and Health and Hospitals System administrators and janitors will pay an additional 1 percent toward health care. Read more...
Chicago United Publishes "A Special Report on Diversity and Inclusion in Business" 
In the June issue of its special report, Chicago United (Gloria Castillo (2004)) reflected on its annual meeting during which guest speaker, Michael Finner, senior advisor for economic growth for the State of Michigan, highlighted the successful economic rebound Detroit has undergone. Much like Detroit, Chicago-based companies can make a significant impact on the local and regional economy. The report also discusses the "Top 5 Things You Need To Know About Supplier Development" and how to strengthen the local economy to create jobs. The report was distributed in this week's issue of Crain's.
Carole Brite On Falling Abortion Numbers in Illinois    
Carole Brite (2011), President and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Illinois, was quoted in a Chicago Tribune article about how the annual number of abortions in Illinois is continuing to fall, reflecting a national trend and reaching the lowest point in a decades-long decline. What's shifting the abortion numbers downward, Carole Brite said, is women choosing the most effective forms of birth control such as intrauterine devices and hormonal implants. Illinois Planned Parenthood centers report a 111 percent increase between 2010 and 2013 in the use of IUDs and implants. Read more... 
Walgreens Launches App for Apple Watch    

Walgreens (Sona Chawla (2012)) officially launched its app for Apple Watch that helps people take medications as prescribed through the easy-to-use Pill Reminder and Refill Reminder features. The Walgreens App for Apple Watch is currently one of only a few apps that addresses this issue by prompting users to adhere to medication regimens and reminding them when their prescription is due for refill.

 

"Walgreens apps and services are designed to provide customers with ultimate access, choice and convenience - we want to help remove friction and make the customer experience as simple as possible," said Sona Chawla. Read more... 

YWCA Metropolitan Chicago and Uber Launch Drive to Thrive partnership
This week, YWCA Metropolitan Chicago CEO Dorri McWhorter (2015) announced a partnership with Uber, designed to recruit 5,000 women drivers to the Uber platform. On Tuesday, June 9, a press conference was held to announce the collaboration, which is the first local partnership Uber has developed in concert with their global initiative of recruiting 1 million women drivers on their platform by 2020. Through Drive to Thrive, the YWCA will connect women to the flexible and equitable earning opportunities provided by Uber. Read more...
Top Children's Hospitals     

Four Illinois hospitals ranked among U.S. News & World Report's top children's hospitals in the nation. Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital (Michelle Stephenson (2014)) in downtown Streeterville, University of Chicago Medicine Comer Children's Hospital (Sharon O'Keefe (2015)) in Hyde Park and Advocate Children's Hospital (Gail D. Hasbrouck (2004)), which has two campuses, made the publication's Best Children's Hospital list for 2015-16. Lurie also was the only Illinois hospital named to an honor roll that singled out 12 hospitals with high scores in three or more specialties, such as cancer, cardiology and orthopedics. Read more...  

Sally Blount On Women in the C-Suite      

Sally Blount (2011), dean of the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, visited the White House on Wednesday to discuss ways to get more women into the C-Suite. She met with Valerie Jarrett, senior adviser to President Barack Obama, and deans from 14 other American business schools to share ideas on how to make the workplace more family-friendly. That involves helping women get into traditionally male-dominated careers.

 

"While we're trying to make sure women get into science and technology, they're also underrepresented in business careers," said Sally Blount. Read more...
Studio Gang to Design New Campus For the Academy for Global Citizenship        
The Academy for Global Citizenship has announced that it has selected Studio Gang to design its new 60,000-square-foot campus on the city's southwest side. Chicago's Studio Gang Architects led by Jeanne Gang (2006) has multiple high-profile projects, including the Wanda Vista tower in Streeterville in the works and a twisting, 40-story tower for San Francisco. This new major project is set to become the "first net positive school campus in the Midwest." Read more...
New Roles  
Susan Credle to Become Global Chief Creative Officer at FCB on January 1st
Susan Credle (2015) is leaving her post as chief creative officer at Leo Burnett Chicago to become global chief creative officer at FCB. Susan will become the top creative within the FCB global agency network, which employs nearly 8,000 people worldwide. She will become the creative partner to FCB Worldwide's CEO, Carter Murray. Susan's new position is effective Jan. 1, 2016. Read more...
Kary McIlwain Becomes Vice President of Marketing at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago 
Kary McIlwain (2003) has accepted the position of Vice President of Marketing at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago. Since 2002, Kary served as President and North American Managing Partner of Y&R, leading efforts in brand strategy, team building and marketing innovation.
Awards and Announcements 
La Rabida Wins Prestigious Construction Award 
The Chicago Building Congress (CBC) recently awarded La Rabida Children's Hospital (Brenda J. Wolf (2012)) its Merit Award for the hospital's Outpatient Center, which celebrated its grand opening in 2014. La Rabida was chosen from among four finalists for construction projects under $15M by a juried competition with judges representing professional construction associations, architecture, general contractors, consultants, attorneys and engineering fields. Click here for the official press release. 
Rona Borre Recognized in the Techweek100 
Techweek100 identifies leaders who have made a significant impact on the technology and the innovation ecosystem in the Chicagoland area and Rona Borre (2012), CEO of Instant Technology LLC, was recognized among the Techweek100. Techweek100 is not a ranking, but rather an annual list of the 100 most distinguished technology organizations and their leaders selected by the Techweek community, Techweek Advisory Boards, and the Techweek team. Click here to read for the full list.
Theresa E. Mintle Honored by WBAI and Rotary Club of Chicago
Last week, Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Theresa E. Mintle (2015) was honored at the Women's Bar Association of Illinois VIP President's Reception for being named to the Crain's Chicago Business list of The 20 Most Powerful Women in Chicago Business 2014. The first female CEO in the Chamber's 111-year history, she came in at number eight on that list. Next week, Theresa will be honored at The Rotary Club of Chicago's third annual Chicago Woman of the Year luncheon at the Union League Club of Chicago. The event is held to celebrate the contributions of women who "Light Up" the Chicago community. She is being recognized for her work in strengthening and fostering growth in Chicago's business community.

The Northridge Group Presents the State of Customer Service Experience 2015 

The rise of new technologies and channels for communication is transforming the way that companies interact with their customers. In The State of Customer Service Experience 2015, The Northridge Group ( Therese Fauerbach (2004)) found that companies are struggling to meet consumer expectations for a seamless and effortless omni-channel customer service experience. Please enjoy the study, available here.

For more information about The Northridge Group, click here.
Marilynn Preston's University of Well Being Commencement Speech Featured in Energy Express
In her nationally syndicated Energy Express column, Marilynn Preston's (1979) included the Commencement Speech she gave to the 2015 graduating class of the University of Well Being. Her last line states, "You are now free to toss your caps high into the air, along with your robes, and run naked to the sauna." To read the full column, click here! 

Access Living Gala 

On Monday, June 1, Access Living (Marca Bristo (1995)) hosted the 2015 "Lead On!" Gala at Navy Pier's Grand Ballroom. More than 800 guests attended the event, celebrating the 35th Anniversary of Access Living and the 25th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. At the gala, Access Living honored President Bill Clinton for his work to implement and enforce the Americans with Disabilities Act. Access Living also honored Shirley Ryan of Pathways Awareness Foundation for her impact on the independence and inclusion of people with disabilities.     

 

Under the leadership of Corporate Chair Ron Gidwitz, and Event Chair and Board Member Kareem Dale, the 2015 Gala was a tremendous success, raising $1.2 Million in support for Access Living Programs and Services.    

Brooke Wiseman Elected 126th President of Union League Club of Chicago  

Brooke M. Wiseman has been elected President of the Union League Club of Chicago, a 136-year-old non-partisan civic, cultural and philanthropic organization. Brooke, a Woodridge, Illinois resident, is the National CEO of Blessings in a Backpack, a non-profit organization recognized by People as its Charity of the Year in 2012, for its work of feeding 77,000 hungry children in 46 states on weekends by sending home a backpack full of food. The Club's members are men and women who are active proponents of the Club's commitment to community, country and culture through a broad range of public, civic, cultural and philanthropic activities that impact the Chicago metropolitan area, the state of Illinois, surrounding states and the nation.

 

Click here for the official press release.  

Vicki Escarra to Serve as Panelist

Vicki Escarra (2009), global CEO of Opportunity International, will be a panelist at Women as Global Growth Generators, a discussion sponsored by Citi Commodities and Corporate & Investment Banking  June 19 in London. The discussion - which also features Katrina Landis, executive vice president, BP PLC, Ann Cairns, president of International Markets, MasterCard, and Tina Fordham, chief political analyst, Citi-will focus on ways to generate real-world economic value by closing the gender inequality gap in the global labor force. Click here for more information. 
MarySue Barrett Interviews J.B. Pritzker at Metropolitan Planning Council's Annual Luncheon
J.B. Pritzker, founder of the high-tech incubator 1871 and philanthropist, called for risk-taking and revolution to create Chicago's "next big thing" at the annual luncheon of the Metropolitan Planning Council on Wednesday. MarySue Barrett (1997), president of the Planning Council, who interviewed Pritzker, said his comments are "reinforcement for MPC" because "thinking big and thinking comprehensively put the people and the pieces together." She referred to MPC's Great Rivers Chicago project, which redesigns the river system, from improving water quality to expanding the river walk to bringing together the right mix of businesses and residences along the river. Read more...
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