Tara Goff Kamradt, Partner, Katten Munchin Rosenman LLP, represents public and private companies in a variety of industries in structuring and negotiating mergers, acquisitions, dispositions, as well as general corporate and transactional matters and their day-to-day legal needs.

She also has signifi cant experience in advising companies in the health care industry in matters relating to establishing joint venture relationships and structuring transactions and commercial arrangements with third parties.

Ms. Kamradt serves as Co-Chair of the Firm’s Women’s Leadership Forum, and is a founder and member of the Board of Directors of the Coalition for Women’s Initiatives in Law Firms. She is also the 2009 Chair of the American Heart Association’s Chicago Circle of Red and a member of the Executive Leadership Team of the American Heart Association 2009 Chicago Go Red for Women Event. In addition, Ms. Kamradt serves on the Board of Directors of the Chicago Center for Family Health and the Board of Directors of the National Kidney Foundation of Illinois.

Ms. Kamradt earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Penn State University and her Juris Doctor degree from New York Law School, where she was editor of the New York Law School Law Review.

Related Practices
• Corporate
• Mergers and Acquisitons
• Health Care
• HIPAA/Privacy
• Private Client Services

Education
• J.D., New York Law School, 1992
• B.S., The Pennsylvania State University, 1989

Bar Admissions
• Illinois, 1995
• New York, 1993

Court Admissions
• U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois

Memberships
• American Bar Association, Business Law Section, Health Law Section

Deb is the Vice Chairman and Regional Managing Partner for Deloitte & Touche USA LLP Midwest Region, which includes offi ces in Chicago, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Omaha, Cedar Rapids, Davenport and Des Moines. With 5,000 professionals, Deloitte is the largest Big Four fi rm in the region. In this role, Deb leads the quality, client satisfaction, growth and human resource initiatives in the region. Deb also serves as advisory partner on a number of the firm’s most signifi cant clients in the Chicago area. During her career, Deb has served a variety of clients, with an emphasis on those in the manufacturing, consumer products, and communications industries. Prior to assuming her current role, Deb was the Regional Managing Partner of Strategic Clients for the Midwest Region. In this role, Deb led the management and development of the fi rm’s national global strategic clients program for the seven offi ces throughout the region. Deb graduated from Duke University with a B.S. in Management Science and Accounting. She is a Certifi ed Public Accountant and a member of several state and national professional societies, including the AICPA and the Illinois CPA Society.

Professional and Civic Affiliations
Chicago Council on Foreign Relations
Chicago Club – Board of Directors
Chicago Network – Immediate Past Chair
Commercial Club of Chicago
Economic Club of Chicago
Executives’ Club of Chicago – Board of Directors
Millennium Park, Inc. – Treasurer
Museum of Science and Industry
World Business Chicago
United Way – 2003 and 2004 Campaign Chair
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
WTTW/Channel 11 – Executive Committee and Treasurer
Northwestern University

Vicki is Principal of V. Kramer & Associates where she brings more than 30 years of leadership experience in workplace issues, human relations and women’s leadership issues, and management to the table. She provides consulting and group facilitation to organizations; provides executive coaching to individuals; and conducts research.

She has served on the board of the Forum of Executive Women, Philadelphia, and has co-chaired its Executive Suites Committee, and she is a founder of and represents the Forum on the board of ION – a national network of twelve regional executive women’s organizations working to increase the number of women on corporate boards and in executive positions. She led a national study to determine whether it makes a difference in corporate governance to have a critical mass of women on a corporate board. The results were published by Wellesley Centers for Women at Wellesley College (Critical Mass on Corporate Boards: Why Three or More Women Enhance Governance), and she has co-authored articles about the study for the Harvard Business Review, numerous corporate governance journals, and a chapter for the 2008 book Women on Corporate Boards of Directors: International Research and Practice. She has spoken about the Critical Mass study to various groups including POWER Chicago. She earned her B.A. from Wellesley College and her Ph.D. from Harvard University. She serves on the boards of The Pennsylvania Prison Society, where she chairs the governance committee, and The Women’s Law Project.

Cheryl Mayberry McKissack is the founder, President and CEO of Nia Enterprises, LLC – a Chicago-based research and marketing services fi rm founded in January 2000. Nia Enterprises, LLC provides opt-in, permission-based marketing data solutions for the growing and specialized area of ethnic markets. As a result of its activities, the company provides the largest Multi-Cultural Consumer Advisory Panel. This opt-in, permission-based panel offers companies a direct link into the buying habits and consumer preferences of the rapidly growing U.S. ethnic population.

Mayberry McKissack is well recognized as an entrepreneur and has been featured in articles of several publications including: BusinessWeek.com, Fortune.com, Crain’s, Ebony, Black Enterprises, Today’s Chicago Women, Chicago Tribune and the Chicago Sun-Times. Ms. Mayberry McKissack recently co-edited The Nia Guide series of books for Black Women including: Achieving Career Success on Your Terms, Balancing Work & Life and Choosing Health and Wellness (Agate Publishing).

Prior to founding Nia Enterprises, Ms. Mayberry McKissack enjoyed a successful 23-year corporate career in technology, which included serving as the Worldwide Senior Vice President and General Manager Open Port Technology. She was also Vice President for the Americas and a founding member of the Network Systems Division for 3Com (formerly U.S. Robotics). Ms. Mayberry McKissack started her technology career with the IBM Corporation where she enjoyed a 14-year career in sales, marketing and management positions. In 2005, Ms. Mayberry McKissack was named an Associate Adjunct Professor of Entrepreneurship at the Kellogg School of Business, Northwestern University.

Ms. Mayberry McKissack, a native of Seattle, Washington, received her B.S. from Seattle University the four-year program in two-and-one-half years and her MBA from Northwestern’s J.L. Kellogg School of Management. Ms. Mayberry McKissack serves on the Board of Directors of The PrivateBanCorp (NASDAQ: PVTB), and as a Director of the Deluxe Corporation (NYSE: DLX) where she is the chair of the Corporate Governance Committee. She is also a Board member and education sponsor for Chicago’s LINK Unlimited organization, Board member for the University of Chicago Hospital, Board member of the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, Board member of the Chicago Library Foundation, Board member of the Shedd Aquarium, member of the Corporate Board Diversity Council, member of Outstanding Directors Advisory Board and a member of the Economic Club of Chicago. Ms. Mayberry McKissack has received several acknowledgements for her leadership endeavors including recognition as one of the 25 Infl uential Black Women in Business by the Network Journal Magazine (2006), one of the 2005 Business Leaders of Color by the Chicago United Organization and the 2006 Leader Entrepreneurship award from the YWCA Metropolitan Chicago. She recently received the 2007 Kellogg Alumni “Rising Entrepreneur of the Year” award, recognized as a 2008 “History Maker” and the 2009 Anti-Defamation League (ADL) Women of Achievement award.

Ms. Mayberry McKissack resides in Chicago with her husband Eric.

Most recently Morrison was Executive Vice President and Chief Information Offi cer for Motorola. In this role, she oversaw all strategic, operational and fi nancial aspects of the company’s information technology architecture, systems, tools, processes and infrastructure. During her tenure, Motorola focused the IT portfolio on expansion of retail channel capability, enabled he transformation to a global single supply chain and successfully integrated many key acquisitions and divestitures. She built a world class IT team that contributed key innovations to growth of key businesses and Motorola products for the Enterprise.

Before joining Motorola in 2005, Morrison served as Executive Vice President and Chief Information Offi cer of Offi ce Depot, Inc., where she was responsible for managing Offi ce Depot’s global information systems, including its highly successful global e-commerce platform. Prior to Office Depot, Morrison served as CIO of The Quaker Oats Company in Chicago. As CIO, Morrison oversaw Quaker’s systems integration with PepsiCo following Pepsi’s acquisition of Quaker Oats in 2001.

Prior to that, Morrison was CIO of GE Industrial Systems, a $6 billion division of General Electric. She began her career at Procter & Gamble, where she held a number of systems management and IT leadership positions.

Morrison attended Miami University, graduating summa cum laude with a bachelor of arts degree in mathematics and statistics and a bachelor of science degree in secondary education. She serves on the boards of SPSS, Inc. and Jo-Ann Stores, Inc., where she chairs the board’s governance committee and on the Board of Governors of Lumity. In 2008, Morrison was elected into the CIO Hall of Fame by CIO Magazine.

Marie C. Wilson is founder and President of The White House Project, co-creator of Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work® Day and author of Closing the Leadership Gap: Add Women, Change Everything (Penguin 2008).

In 1998, while President of the Ms. Foundation for Women, Wilson founded The White House Project in recognition of the need to build a truly representative democracy – one where women lead alongside men in politics, media and business. She left the Ms. Foundation in 2004 after two decades, to devote her full energy to the Project.

Over the past ten years, under Wilson’s direction, The White House Project has lead ground-breaking research and program initiatives that work to fi ll the leadership pipeline with a richly diverse, critical mass of women. In 2004, the organization launched its signature Vote, Run, Lead training program, which engages women in the political process as voters, as activists, and as candidates for political offi ce. In just four years, this program has inspired, informed and equipped thousands of women to take the lead in public life by demystifying the political process for the female half of the population—a constituency that is rarely tapped for positions of political power.

Wilson has also led the organization’s efforts to expand women’s leadership outside the political arena. To combat the dearth of women experts in the media, in 2005 The White House Project launched SheSource.org, an online database that connects high-level female experts to top news media outlets. To bring parity to the business sector, the organization founded the Corporate Council, a group of senior executive women who are active agents of change within their corporations. To bring women’s leadership and perspectives into the debate around national security, Wilson spearheaded the organization’s Real Security Initiative, which was a driving force behind 2007’s International Women Leaders Global Security Summit. And to honor the culture changers who have brought positive images of women’s leadership to the American public through fi lm, television, theater, sports and advertising, The White House Project hosts its annual EPIC (Enhancing Perceptions in Culture) Awards each Spring, in New York City.

A leading advocate and voice on women’s issues, Wilson is the recipient of numerous awards and honors. She is a board member of the Women Donors Network, and also a member of the Women’s Leadership Board at Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government. Wilson is a regularly featured blogger on The Huffi ngton Post and appears frequently as an expert commentator and guest on programs including “Good Morning America,” “The Today Show,” National Public Radio, BBC, MSNBC, Lifetime, CNN, FOX and ABC.

Born and raised in Georgia, Wilson served on the Des Moines City Council. She has five children and four grandchildren, and resides in New York City.

As president and chief executive offi cer, Ms. Thompson is responsible for the overall operation of the University HealthSystem Consortium (UHC), an alliance of 103 academic medical centers and 210 of their affi liated hospitals representing approximately 90% of the nation’s non-profit academic medical centers. Working with UHC’s governing bodies, she oversees corporate operations and performance, formulates and executes the organization’s strategy, and represents UHC to the business and health care communities and the public.

Ms. Thompson joined UHC in 2007, after serving as president and chief executive offi cer of the University of Kansas Hospital Authority for 11 years, where she was instrumental in establishing the hospital as an independent entity. Under her leadership, the hospital experienced a dramatic turnaround in quality of care, patient satisfaction, volume and fi nancial position. Ms. Thompson has also served as a chief fi nancial offi cer for an academic medical center and as an audit partner for a major accounting firm.

Currently, Ms. Thompson serves on a regional affi liate board of the American Heart Association. Previously, she served as board chairperson of UHC as well as the Association of American Medical Colleges’ Council of Teaching Hospitals and Health Systems. She was president of the Kansas City, Kansas, Chamber of Commerce and has also participated on numerous other community not-for-profi t boards.

She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in business from State University of New York and has participated in master’s studies in organizational management at the University of Pennsylvania.

Cynde Hirschtick Munzer is a partner in the Business Organizations and Transactions Group of Arnstein & Lehr. She has more than 20 years of experience representing businesses in a broad range of sophisticated business matters, including asset and stock acquisitions and dispositions, mergers, joint development agreements, license agreements, real estate leases and other real estate matters, distributorship agreements, employment contracts, independent contractor agreements, and non-compete and confidentiality agreements. She handles matters for clients ranging from large publicly-held corporations to middle market businesses and emerging and start-up corporations. In addition, she has represented some of Chicago’s leading financial institutions in the negotiation and preparation of loan documentation for asset-based financing transactions. She recently served as the lead attorney in a $230 million loan syndication involving six major Chicago banks.

Professional Activities and Achievements
Ms. Munzer is the President and a member of the Board of Directors of the Chicago Chapter of the American Technion Society, which supports Technion Institute of Chicago. She is the first woman to serve as President of the Chicago Chapter. Technion is one of the world’s leading science and technology universities and commands a global reputation for its pioneering work in nanotechnology, computer science, biotechnology, water-resource management, aerospace and medicine. As part of her work with Technion, she is building alliances with major Chicago area businesses so that they may benefit from Technion’s pioneering work. Ms. Munzer is also a member of the Executive Leadership team of the American Heart Association’s “Go Red for Women Leadership” initiative.

Ms. Munzer is the recipient of the prestigious Woman of Achievement Award by the Anti-Defamation League for her outstanding achievements in the legal profession and her leadership efforts and accomplishments in the business and charitable communities. She is also a former member of the Board of Directors of the National Association of Women Business Owners (Chicago chapter). Prior to joining Arnstein & Lehr, Ms. Munzer served as a judicial law clerk to the Honorable Robert Chapman Buckley, Justice of the Illinois Appellate Court. Before practicing law, she worked as a broadcast journalist.

Recent Publications and Lectures
Ms. Munzer has presented seminars on topics of interest to emerging businesses, such as succession planning, stock option and phantom stock agreements, employment agreements, confidentiality and non-compete provisions and leasing matters. She is the co-author of the chapter entitled “Equipment Leasing,” appearing in the Secured Transactions textbook published by the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education. She has also published an article dealing with shareholder “buy-sell” agreements.

Education
University of Illinois (B.S)
Chicago-Kent College of Law (J.D. with high honors)

Bar admissions
State of Illinois
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois

Wynona Redmond is Public Affairs Director for Dominick’s Finer Foods, an Oakbrook, Illinois-based chain of supermarkets owned and operated by Safeway, Inc. She oversees the operations of the Public Affairs Offi ce including Public Relations, Local and State Government Relations, Community Relations, Special Events and Corporate Giving. Wynona also serves on the Safeway Corporate Diversity Advisory Board and as an offi cer of the Dominick’s Foundation.

Wynona’s favorite quote is from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: “I have the audacity to believe that people everywhere can have three meals a day for their bodies, education and culture for their minds, and dignity, equality, and justice for their spirits.” Wynona is excited that her position at Dominick’s allows her to live out this vision.

At Dominick’s Wynona has strengthened the organization’s connection to the community through ongoing involvement and special events including the Dominick’s Annual Ministers’ Breakfast. Some of the projects and partnerships that Wynona is actively engaged in include food drives with the Greater Chicago Food Depository, fundraising for various causes including Easter Seals, MDA, Breast Cancer and Prostate Cancer.

Wynona is an accomplished public relations professional with a talent for translating the mission and vision of organizations into tangible programs and communication vehicles. Prior to Dominick’s Wynona served in a public affairs management capacity for several government agencies including the Illinois Department of Children & Family Services, the Chicago Housing Authority and Cook County Hospital.

Wynona is actively involved in the North Lawndale community on the West Side of Chicago where she grew up. She is a member of St. Agatha Catholic Church and a supervisor of the Lawndale Civic and Educational Jr. Girls and Boys Club (both in North Lawndale). She serves on the board of the Greater Chicago Food Depository and the Clear Channel Community Advisory Committee. Wynona prides herself on being a leader and mentor in her fi eld of public relations. She is the president of the National Black Public Relations Society and an advisor to the board of the Black Public Relations Society of Chicago.

Wynona is a graduate of Loyola University of Chicago with a B.A. in Communications. She is a resident of Oak Park, Illinois.

As President, Global Brands for Alberto Culver, Gina Boswell oversees brands, such as VO5, TRESemmé, NeXXus, St. Ives and Noxzema, as well as research & development and consumer insights for the company.

Previously, Gina was SVP & Chief Operating Offi cer of Avon North America, where she was responsible for implementing overall business strategies and transformation for Avon’s largest region

.

Prior to joining Avon, Ms. Boswell was a senior executive at Ford Motor Company, where she held various positions of increasing responsibility, eventually leading the business strategy for Ford’s global enterprise. Earlier in her career, she led mergers & acquisitions, investor relations, and corporate strategy for The Estée Lauder Companies, Inc., following several years as a consultant with Marakon Associates and Arthur Andersen

.

Ms. Boswell currently serves on the Board of Directors for Manpower Inc. (NYSE: MAN) as well as the non-profi ts YMCA USA and Cosmetic Executive Women. Ms. Boswell was named a Henry Crown Fellow of the Aspen Institute in 2005 and in 2007 was recognized as one of the top 15 women in business by the Forte Foundation and Pink Magazine.

Ms. Boswell is a summa cum laude graduate of Boston University and received her Master’s degree from the Yale School of Management.

Since joining ORIX Real Estate Capital in 2006, Margaret has helped establish, in conjunction with the chief executive offi cer, the company’s strategic planning, direction and allocation of resources across all business lines, including asset management, acquisitions, debt and structured fi nance and development. She also chaired the company’s Investment Committee, which approves all capital transactions including acquisitions, debt and development. In addition, she manages the head of Transaction Analysis and Underwriting Group and reviews all underwriting and Board applications. She was recognized for her efforts in Crain’s Chicago Business 2006 list of “14 Under 40.”

Prior to ORIX, Margaret spent three years as executive vice president of Builders Bank, a commercial bank specializing in real estate lending. Her real estate background includes experience working with bankrupt and distressed corporations on acquisition, redevelopment and disposition of their property portfolios.

Margaret earned her bachelor’s of business administration, with majors in real estate and marketing from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. She also studied real estate markets in Japan, Korea and Hong Kong as part of a Pacifi c Rim Inter-session in Southeast Asia, and she met with public offi cials and private-sector executives during her international business study abroad experience at the University of London/London School of Economics.

Kathi is a Managing Director in Navigant’s Disputes and Investigations Practice and leads Navigant’s national Intellectual Property Practice. With over 22 years experience, Kathi performs a variety of economic, business and fi nancial analyses on behalf of clients in intellectual property, licensing and other disputes. She also advises clients on the strategic use of intellectual assets. Kathi has testifi ed as a damages and licensing expert in both Federal and State court as well as before arbitration tribunals. She has consulted on matters before the ITC. Kathi is a frequent speaker and writer on topics involving intellectual property.

Kathi also serves as an adjunct instruction at the University of Chicago’s Graham School of General Studies, where she teaches Financial Accounting. Besides her CPA certifi cation, Kathi has received the Licensing Executive Society’s Certifi ed Licensing Professional (CLP) designation and is Certifi ed in Financial Forensics (CFF) from the AICPA. She serves on the AICPA’s National Forensic and Litigation Services Committee and as an Editorial Advisor for the AICPA’s Journal of Accountancy.

Education & Certification
• May 1986, B.S. in Business Administration (Accounting), Magna Cum Laude – Loyola University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, May 1986.
• September 1986, Certifi ed Public Accountant, Licensed in Illinois. Neither Ms. Kedrowski nor Navigant Consulting provide audit, attest or public accounting services, in this or any other state.

Kristie Paskvan serves as Mesirow Financial’s chief fi nancial offi cer and a member of the firm’s executive committee. Kristie is responsible for the company’s overall fi nancial plans related to financing, acquisition analysis, capital usage, strategic planning and business profi tability. Before her promotion to chief fi nancial offi cer in 1999, Kristie established the planning and analysis department within the fi rm. She joined Mesirow Financial in 1997 through the acquisition of Stein & Company, where she served as chief fi nancial offi cer. She is registered as an Allied Member and holds an FINRA Series 27 license. Kristie has been a member of the FINRA Financial Responsibility Committee since 2004. Currently, she is a member the Illinois CPA Society, and a governing board member of Gilda’s Club of Chicago. Kristie received her master of business administration degree from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, and her Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from the University of Illinois.

As Employee Relations Manager for CareerBuilder, Carla Williams oversees the employee relations needs of the North American employee population. In her role, Williams and her team work closely with senior leaders to develop policy and procedures that are strategically aligned with the goals of the organization. They strive to achieve positive turnover, increase employee satisfaction and engagement, and improve management participation at all levels.

Prior to joining CareerBuilder.com in October 2006, Carla worked with International magazine group Time Out; as Human Resources Manager, and assisted with launching the Chicago based version of the popular regional listings magazine. Prior to that she worked in Human Resources for a large U.S. based REIT, Trizec Office Properties.

Susan brings to the table 28 years’ experience consulting with legal counsel on complexfinancial matters including litigation, damages and fraud investigations as a founder and currently a Managing Director at Huron Consulting Group. She is the former head of Client Relationship Development at the 250-partner Chicago offi ce of Arthur Andersen LLP and the former partner in charge of the professional services and government services industry sector. Prior to that she served on the leadership team for the fi rm’s complex claims and events practice and earned a national reputation in legal markets for her work. She was also one of the founding partners in Andersen’s initiative to attract and retain women and is the founder of the Senior Businesswomen’s Forum, an organization of Chicago’s leading businesswomen.

As a tenacious advocate of women in business, Susan is the founder of the Senior Businesswoman’s Forum and is currently chair of the Board; a member of The Chicago Network; Director and Executive Committee Member of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Chicago; Past Chair, current Board member The Constitutional Rights Foundation; Board member Mercy Hospital and Health System; Board member Erikson Institute. Her past service also includes a position as Executive in Residence for Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame for the 2002 - 2003. She is also a new member of the Women’s Leadership Forum.

Susan received her Bachelor of Business Administration at Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, Indiana and is also a Certifi ed Public Accountant and a member of the American Institute of Certifi ed Public Accountants and the Illinois CPA Society.

Kary is responsible for the strategy and operations of the Chicago arm of a global agency network. Under Kary’s leadership, Y&R has revamped its creative product and was named top 10 “Creative Heavyweights” by Creativity magazine in 2001. In each successive year, Y&R Chicago has lead Y&R globally and WPP North America in creative awards. Besides being a champion of great work and growing a culture of ideas, Kary’s philosophy of making agency life as rewarding as possible has resulted in exceptional growth and exceptionally low turn over. Kary’s experience runs from consumer packaged goods to retail, services, spirits and beer including: Jim Beam, The Great Indoors, Kraft Foods, M&M Mars, Procter & Gamble, Johnson & Johnson, AT&T, Miller Brewing Company, H&R Block, and Sears.

Kary spent time in Brand Planning, developed the discipline for Y&R Chicago and continues to take a consumer-centric approach to problem solving. She is also a veteran of Account Management and New Business Development at Y&R Chicago, Y&R New York and Ted Bates.

She is Chairman of the board of The American Red Cross of Greater Chicago, as well as a board member of Horizon’s for Youth. She serves on the University Council for Bradley University, as well as the leadership team at her son’s school. Kary believes strongly in giving back to the community and her agency does a great deal of pro bono work including National Parks Services, Red Cross, River North Chicago Dance Center and the Ad Council. She is a member of The Chicago Network and was named by Advertising Age as one of the “Women to Watch”.

The McIlwain’s; Kary, her husband John; and their son, Connor; Labrador retriever, Tinker and fighting fish, Rougher live in Oak Park, Illinois

Nancy Pacher, a principal of U.S. Equities Realty, has been the firm’s president since 1993 and the director of the Real Estate Consulting and Brokerage Services group since joining the fi rm in 1984. An attorney, Pacher has gained national recognition for her representation of major space users.

Pacher has acted as chief negotiator in major lease and lease/equity transactions totaling tens of millions of square feet for offi ce space users throughout the United States. Pacher has twice received the coveted “Broker of the Year” award presented by Crain’s Chicago Business, fi rst in 1987 for her work completed during 1986, and in 2005, for transactions consummated in 2004. She has been a fi nalist in four other years. Other professional accomplishments include: Commercial Property News “Top Brokers 2004,” Crain’s Chicago Business “100 Most Infl uential Women in Chicago” in 1996 and Honorary Mention in 2004, Crain’s Chicago Business “Who’s Who in Chicago Business” since 2005, and Today’s Chicago Woman 20th Anniversary Hall of Fame.

Pacher’s clients have included: ABN-AMRO; Altheimer & Gray; American College of Healthcare Executives; the American Hospital Association; Baker & Daniels; Baker & McKenzie; BankBoston; The Boston Consulting Group; Checkers, Simon & Rosner; The Chicago Park District; Chicago Sun-Times; Citadel Investment Group; Comerica Bank; Compuware Corporation; Deutsche Financial Services; Dickinson, Wright, Moon, Van Dusen & Freeman; Drinker Biddle & Reath; Erikson Institute; Freeman, Freeman & Salzman; Hewitt Associates; Hinshaw & Culbertson; IBM Corporation; Illinois Housing Development Authority; Jenner & Block; Katten Muchin Zavis; LaSalle National Bank; Lord, Bissell & Brook; Marsh & McLennan Companies; McCullough, Campbell & Lane; McDermott, Will & Emery; Miller, Canfi eld, Paddock and Stone; Near North National Group; Northwestern Medical Faculty Foundation; Northwestern Memorial Hospital; The Polk Bros. Foundation; Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center; Russell Reynolds Associates; Shefsky & Froelich; Sidley & Austin; The Spencer Foundation; Strauss & Troy; Winston & Strawn; and The YMCA of the USA.

Before joining U.S. Equities, Pacher served for four years as a Senior Vice President and principal of Howard Ecker & Co. She began her real estate career in 1975 as the fi rst woman attorney at the Chicago law firm of Katten, Muchin, Gitles, Zavis, Pearl & Galler (now Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP).

Pacher graduated cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Georgetown University and received her Juris Doctor degree from Northwestern University.

Affiliations
American Bar Association – Member
Chicago Bar Association – Member
The Chicago Network – Membership Committee
Chair, 2003-2004
Professional Services Subcommittee Chair, 2001-2003
Board of Directors
Vice Chair/Chair Elect, 2004-2005
Chicago Real Estate Executive Women – Member
City of Chicago Plan Commission – Commissioner, 1994 - present
Commercial Real Estate Organization – Member
The Economic Club of Chicago – Member
Illinois Real Estate Journal – Editorial Advisory Board

Sandra joined United Airlines days after receiving her BA in Communications. During her tenure she held a variety of management positions throughout the organization, including Senior Buyer. As the Manager of Supplier Diversity for United Airlines, she reported directly to the Chief Procurement Offi cer and was responsible for the development and implementation of the company’s Supplier Diversity strategy.

She is an active board member of the Women’s Business Development Center, Women’s Business Enterprise National Council, Chicago Minority Business Development Council, National Minority Supplier Development Council as well as Chicago United.

Sandra’s philanthropic activities include the Women’s Board of the Art Institute, Museum of Science and Industry – Black Creativity Gala Committee and the Advisory Board of the Southside Community Art Center.

Genevieve Bos is a technology entrepreneur, global connector of people and ideas and the founding publisher and co-owner of PINK – the only national magazine, website and events designed exclusively for professional women!

Prior to founding PINK, Genevieve was a technology entrepreneur for 17 years, starting and selling multiple companies. She created business partnerships with the likes of MSFT, Intel, Xerox, Universal Studios and more. She also developed and oversaw highly profitable international sales teams and has extensive international business experience, living in Zurich and conducting deals in Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America. After needing a bit of a break from spending 90% of her time working globally, she returned to Atlanta to publish an award-winning Georgia-based magazine called Business to Business where she produced numerous sold out conferences with Fortune 500 CEOs.

PINK was conceived as the ideal magazine for women who want a beautiful career and a beautiful life – featuring content that some have called “Fortune meets Oprah.” After launching three years ago, PINK is by every measure a huge success, winning multiple national industry awards for both the magazine content, the website and conferences – growing the readership to over 650,000 career women and gaining a passionate national fan base and awareness with America’s most infl uential women. In fact, many of America’s top companies have embraced PINK, and, as a result, Genevieve is sought after speaker for organizations like Cisco, Dell, Morgan Stanley, GE, Ernst & Young’s National Women Partners Meeting, The Home Depot, KPMG, The Coca-Cola Company, Johnson & Johnson, Harvard University, Women’s Foodservice Forum, CREW (Commercial Real Estate Women), Go Red for Women, WBENC (Women’s Business Enterprise National Council), M2W (Marketing to Women Conferences) and more with the mission of inspiring smart women to get even more out of their careers and their lives by being more of who they authentically are and thinking more like an entrepreneur.

Her passion comes in part by being raised by a single mother from the time she was eight years old and being very aware of the career struggles both her mother and other women friends faced navigating their unique challenges in the workplace. She vowed that if she ever had a chance to move the needle for women she would do it. As a result, an important life’s passion has been mentoring career women, and making a real difference for women and men in helping them to think differently to achieve their goals in life – not in spite of their differences, but because of them.

As a successful serial entrepreneur, she also focuses on sharing stories of creative, non-traditional ways to launch and run a successful businesses. She also supports corporations to help their workforces think creatively. These processes and ideas are valuable for both business owners and savvy professionals in corporate America – staying competitive means driving value and finding creative ways to deliver results.

She is involved as an advisory board member with WITI, Women in Technology International and a board member on the Board of Directors Network, whose focus is promoting women to public company boards. She is also on the incoming 2009 board of EO Atlanta – Entrepreneurs Organization – a group of 7000 entrepreneurs globally whose businesses average over $8 million in revenue annually.

Genevieve lives in Atlanta, Georgia with her husband of 11 years, Remco Bos, also an entrepreneur and the CEO of AskRemco.

In 1999, Margaret Garner developed Broadway Consolidated Companies, Inc. with a commitment to go a giant step beyond merely building structures. She pledged to focus on human capital development by partnering with her clients and the impacted communities. Her passion is not just to build buildings, but to build a better quality of life for the people affected by her work. Margaret’s dedication to improving lives wherever she goes has always guided her career path – from top management jobs implementing innovative programs in public housing, to building a multi-
million dollar full service construction fi rm with offices located on Chicago’s near Westside.

Margaret’s philosophy of improving lives in the communities she serves is evident in all her work. Instead of merely contracting with the University of Chicago to participate in the building of Comer Children’s Hospital, Margaret lived up to her philosophy of more than bricks and mortar” by partnering with the University and community to provide jobs.

Broadway Consolidated Companies, Inc. was also successful in participating in the U.S. Small Business Match Making Initiative whereby her company was awarded a fi ve year contract with the Department of the Navy. More recently BCCI was selected as the fi rst African American Woman owned Construction Company to build Chicago’s fi rst Wal-Mart store and the first inner city Wal-Mart store in the country.

Margaret holds degrees in Business and Economics obtained at the University of Pittsburgh. She is affi liated with many professional and faith-based organizations. In 2004, she became the President of the Federation of Women Contractors and holds many awards and honors. She is the proud mother of Margarite.

In 1988, Christy Webber bought an old pickup truck and some lawn mowing equipment and began cutting grass around Chicago’s Wicker Park neighborhood. In the 20 years since, Christy Webber Landscapes has grown into one of the largest landscape contractor fi rms in Chicago, with over 250 employees and an impressive fleet of trucks and equipment.

Today, the company maintains some of Chicago’s most prestigious landmarks, such as Millennium Park, the Museum of Science and Industry and O’Hare and Midway airports. Recent landscape construction projects include Kennedy King College, Millennium Park and the McCormick Place West addition. In addition, the company continues to serve hundreds of residential clients, some of which have been with Christy since her small beginnings.

In 2008, Christy was recognized for her entrepreneurial achievements and lasting impact on Chicago’s business community through induction into the University of Illinois at Chicago’s Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame. Her company has received numerous distinctions as well, such as inclusion on Inc. Magazine’s “Inner City 100” list of America’s fastest-growing urban businesses.

Practice Areas
Corporate & Securities

Practice Description

Ms. Corrado’s cross-border practice includes the coordination and implementation of multi-country corporate transactions and restructurings outside the U.S. specifi cally the implementation of multi-country corporate restructuring projects such as post-acquisition integrations and supply chain restructurings. In addition, Ms. Corrado counsels U.S. multinationals in connection with their international operations and advises U.S. multinationals in connection with the corporate and foreign investment compliance and maintenance of their global corporate portfolio.

Representative Clients, Cases or Matters
Ms. Corrado’s recent experience includes advising:
• U.S. food company with the planning and implementation of a supply chain restructuring covering all European countries (Ongoing)

• Major U.S. medical instruments company with a post-acquisition integration in more than 30 countries in North America, Latin America, Europe and Asia (Ongoing)

• Major pharmaceutical company with a post-acquisition integration in more than 60 countries in North America, Latin America, Europe and Asia (Ongoing)

• French electrical control and distribution equipment company with the first phase of a post-acquisition integration in more than 10 countries (2008)

• U.S. chemical company with the planning and implementation of a supply chain restructuring covering all major European countries (2007)

• U.S. pharmaceutical information company with the implementation of a restructuring creating an Asia Pacifi c headquarter structure (2007)

• Major U.S. media company with a restructuring in preparation of a partial initial public offering of one division and the spin-off of another division involving 12 jurisdictions in North America, Latin America, Europe and Asia (2005)

Professional Affiliations
Ms. Corrado is an active member of the Chicago Bar Association and currently serves on the Executive Committee of the Alliance for Women. Ms. Corrado further is an active member of the Advisory Board of POWER Opening Doors for Women, a not-for-profi t organization dedicated to enhance the networking of professional women. Ms. Corrado is also a member of the American Bar Association, International Law Division.

Awards, Honors & Skills
Ms. Corrado is fluent in German and English.

Education & Bar Admittance
Ms. Corrado is a graduate of the University of Hamburg (Referendar Exam 1985, Assessor Exam 1989) and the University of the Pacific, McGeorge (LL.M, 1990). She is admitted to practice law in California and Illinois.

Practice Areas
Corporate & Securities

Practice Focus
Mergers and acquisitions (domestic and cross-border), commercial agreements and corporate counseling.

Practice Description
Ms. Tyrrell advises clients in the areas of domestic and cross-border mergers, acquisitions and joint ventures, global corporate reorganizations and complex commercial arrangements. Ms. Tyrrell has counseled clients in a number of transactions in the healthcare/pharmaceutical industry. In addition, Ms. Tyrrell represents a large manufacturer in the wind energy industry. She also assists U.S. clients with the general management of their global operations and their commercial agreements.

Ms. Tyrrell has worked in Baker & McKenzie’s Sydney and Barcelona offices.

Representative Matters
2008 – Representing several US public companies in their corporate and tax reorganziations.
2008 – Representing US public company in its potential share exchange with private equity operating company.
2008 – Representing US public company in the drafting and negotiation of a joint venture agreement with a Saudi partner in the cabling business.
2008 – Represented US public company of divestiture of US and French medical device business.
2008 – Represented Spanish public company in potential acquisition via auction of a US public company.
2008 – Represented US private company in auction for sale of US company and two Mexican subsidiaries.
2008 – Represented Spanish company in the potential acquisition of US company.
2007 – Represented Japanese public company in auction for acquisition of several companies in the power products business.
2006 - 2007 – Represented U.S. publicly-traded corporation on the proposed sale of two diagnostic divisions to a U.S. publicly-traded corporation in the healthcare industry.
2006 – Represented U.S. publicly-traded corporation in the drafting and negotiation of the Co-Development, License and Supply Agreement with another U.S. publicly-traded corporation for fixed dose combination products for the treatment of cholesterol.
2006 – Represented U.S. publicly-traded corporation in the drafting and negotiation of its License Agreements with French and Irish companies.
2006 – Represented U.S. private company affi liate of Spanish company in drafting and negotiating multi-million dollar commercial contracts for the sale and maintenance of wind turbines.
2006 – Represented U.S. publicly-traded corporation in its acquisition of two (2) business lines in healthcare industry in forty (40) jurisdictions
2006 – Represented U.S. publicly-traded corporation in public auction in chemicals business in multiple jurisdictions.
2005 – Represented U.S. private company affi liate of Spanish company in drafting and negotiating numerous multi-million dollar commercial contracts for the sale and maintenance of wind turbines.
2005 – Representing U.S. publicly-traded corporation in public auction. 2005 – Represented U.S. private company affi liate of Spanish corporation in drafting and negotiating numerous multi•million dollar commercial contracts for the sale and maintenance of wind turbines.
2005 – Representing U.S. publicly-traded corporation in its disposition of a business line in healthcare industry in multiple jurisdictions.
2005 – Represented U.S. publicly-traded corporation in its disposition of a product line in Japan in healthcare industry.
2004 - 2005 – Represented U.S. publicly-traded corporation with corporate matters, including the dissolution of foreign subsidiaries, following merger of U.S. parent with another U.S. publicly-traded corporation.
2004 - 2005 – Represented U.S. private company in connection with a joint venture arrangement with a Swedish joint venture party.
2004 – Represented U.S. publicly-traded corporation in its disposition of a business line in Italy in the healthcare industry.
2004 – Represented U.S. publicly-traded corporation in its acquisition of healthcare company group in five (5) jurisdictions.
2004 – Represented U.S. publicly-traded corporation in its disposition of a product line in aircraft engine manufacturing industry.
2004 – Represented U.S. publicly-traded corporation in international components of its acquisition of cabling business from a U.S. publicly-traded company in thirty-six (36) jurisdictions.
2004 – Represented U.S. publicly-traded corporation in its acquisition of a business line in aircraft engine manufacturing industry.
2004 – Represented U.S. private corporation in its stock acquisition of U.S. private corporation in construction industry.

Professional Affiliations
• ABA’s Task Force on International Acquisition Transactions, active Editorial Group member 2004 to present – drafting a model asset purchase agreement for use on cross-border transactions.
• ABA’s Task Force on Joint Ventures – Internationalization Project, active Editorial Group member 2004 to present
– analyze and publish commentary on the international aspects of Joint Ventures.
• ABA, CBA, ISBA and the Law Society of Queensland, Australia - member.

Committees & Programs
Ms. Tyrrell is a member of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee and the Women’s Affinity Group of Baker & McKenzie’s Chicago office.
Ms. Tyrrell is leading the formation of Baker & McKenzie’s Chicago office’s Alumni Program

.

Pro Bono & Community Involvment
Ms. Tyrrell is a member of the Board of Directors and Treasurer of Kaleidoscope, Inc. and is currently a volunteer with Lawyers in the Classroom at McCutcheon Elementary School.

Publications & Speeches
Speech: Legal Aspects of Australian Regional Business Climate, Wisconsin World Trade Center Association, Milwaukee, WI, July 2004.
Article: Better Deal Management for Buyers: Don’t Let the Deal Do You!, President & CEO Magazine, April 2003.

Teaching Experience
Ms. Tyrrell was a part-time lecturer at the Queensland University of Technology from 1998 until 2001 in the following courses: Accounting, Financial Accounting Theory, Company Law; Legal Issues in E-Business, Liquidations and Receiverships

.

Education & Bar Admittance
• Loyola University Chicago J.D., 2004
• Queensland University of Technology, L.L.B., Magna Cum Laude, 2001.
• Queensland University of Technology, Bachelor of Business (Accountancy) Magna Cum Laude, 1998.
• Queensland University of Technology – Awarded University Medal, 1998.

Admitted: Illinois, USA and Queensland, Australia.

Michele Coleman Mayes is vice president and general counsel of The Allstate Corporation and senior vice president and general counsel for Allstate Insurance Company and is a member of the Allstate senior management team.

As Allstate’s chief legal offi cer, Michele is responsible for guiding Allstate’s strategy to ensure sound compliance of governance practices, fostering a healthy legal, legislative and regulatory environment.

From 1976 through 1982, Michele served in the United States Department of Justice as Assistant United States Attorney in Detroit and Brooklyn, eventually assuming the role of Chief of the Civil Division in Detroit.

In 1982, she entered the corporate sector as managing attorney of Burroughs Corporation. Her career continued to evolve as Burroughs and Sperry Corporation merged, creating Unisys Corporation, for which she was appointed staff vice president and associate general counsel for Worldwide Litigation. In February 1992, she joined Colgate-Palmolive Company as vice president and associate general counsel U.S. In 1993, she was promoted to vice president of Human Resources and Legal for North America. She next became vice president, deputy general counsel and assistant secretary, and effective May 2001, she was promoted to vice president, legal and assistant secretary, and elected a corporate offi cer. In 2003, she assumed the position of senior vice president and general counsel at Pitney Bowes. She joined Allstate in 2007

.

Michele has received many awards and accolades, including the Margaret Brent Award from the American Bar Association Commission on Women in the Profession and the Trailblazer Award from the Minority Corporate Counsel Association. She has also been identifi ed as one of America’s top African-American lawyers. Michele has been actively involved and serves on the Board of Legal Momentum, the nation’s oldest nonprofi t organization of advocates for women and girls.

Michele is a passionate mentor. She credits her mother as her fi rst mentor, and one who was instrumental in helping her set the course for her career path.

She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan and her JD from the University of Michigan Law School.

Mary Ann Hynes was appointed as vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary of Corn Products International, Inc. in 2006. She came to Corn Products with a wealth of experience in the role of vice president, general counsel, chief compliance offi cer, and chief regulatory (environmental) offi cer as she has served at IMC Global Inc. from 1999-2004, Sundstrand Corporation from 1998-1999, and Wolters Kluwer U.S. Corporation from 1996-1998. Mary Ann began her career with CCH Incorporated and rose to Vice President and General Counsel in 1979 and continued until it was acquired by Wolters Kluwer in 1995.

Mary Ann serves on the board of directors for The Doctor Scholl Foundation (where she is Chair of its Audit and
Governance Committee), The Chicago Board of the Mexican-American Chamber of Commerce and the Women’s Bar
Foundation. Most recently, Mary Ann was appointed as a Trustee of John Marshall Law School as well as Treasurer and
Audit Chair. She is a member of many professional associations and is an active volunteer.

Mary Ann received a bachelor’s degree from Loyola University of Chicago, a Juris Doctorate degree in 1971 and a Legal
Letters Master’s degree in Taxation in 1975 from John Marshall Law School in Chicago, IL, and an executive master’s in
business administration (MBA) from Lake Forest Graduate School of Business in Chicago, IL. She was admitted to the
Illinois Bar in 1971. She resides in Niles, Illinois.

Gloria Santona is the chief legal offi cer of McDonald’s Corporation, the world’s largest quick service restaurant company, with over 31,000 restaurants in more than 100 countries. In this role, she leads McDonald’s worldwide legal, compliance, regulatory and corporate governance functions. As part of McDonald’s senior leadership team, Ms. Santona is also actively involved in the company’s strategic direction and growth. Ms. Santona has fostered the legal department’s diversity efforts and on-going engagement in pro-bono legal services, which have garnered the McDonald’s Legal Department awards in recognition of the legal and educational services it has provided to underserved communities

.

Ms. Santona joined McDonald’s as an attorney upon her graduation from the University of Michigan Law School, and subsequently held a number of management positions in the legal department. She became the company’s corporate secretary in 1996 and has served as general counsel since 2001. She is a member of the Board of Directors of Aon Corporation, serving on its Audit and Governance Committees and as Chairman of its Compliance Committee. In addition, Ms. Santona serves on the Boards of the Association of Corporate Counsel and the Constitutional Rights Foundation of Chicago, and as a trustee of Rush University Medical Center. Ms. Santona is a member of several professional organizations and is a frequent speaker and panel member on a variety of diversity, legal, compliance and corporate governance topics. She was named one of the 100 Most Infl uential Hispanics by Hispanic Business Magazine and has received numerous awards, including the Women with Vision Award from the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois, the Excellence in Corporate Practice Award from the Association of Corporate Counsel, the Women of Achievement Award from the Anti-Defamation League and the National Hispanic Woman of the Year Award from the Mexican American Opportunity Foundation. In addition, Ms. Santona has been recognized as one of America’s Top General Counsel by Corporate Board Member magazine.

Felicia serves as the Dean of Student Affairs of Kendall College. As Dean of Student Affairs, Felicia is responsible for creating and maintaining a safe, healthy, and supportive environment and culture that synthesizes the intellectual, physical, social and emotional development of the college’s students.

Felicia is an award winning professional with a passion for performance. She has over 20 years of professional experience with a successful track record in hospitality, public service, higher education administration, training & development and management.

Felicia sits on the Advisory Boards of Coppin House and is a member of Leed Council Chicago’s Board of Directors.

Felicia received an AAS in Culinary Arts and BA in Hospitality Management from Kendall College, a Masters in Public Administration from IIT and has pursued post-graduate studies at the University of Chicago.

Lisa began her career in the restaurant industry in 1989 as a server to put herself through college. At the time, Lisa was studying to become a court reporter. Lisa felt a connection to the industry and after she completed her degree, became a manager for Bob Chinn’s Crab House. She grew her career with the company until 1998 when she joined Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants and Shaw’s Crab House.

Lisa started her tenure at LEYE working in operations as a manager with the Shaw’s team. Within two years, she was appointed General Manager with Shaw’s Crab House. She stayed in operations management roles until January 2005 when she joined the Lettuce Corporate team as a Recruiter for all of the LEYE concepts.

In her recruiting role, Lisa is very active with all of the divisions and concepts primarily focusing on recruiting for salaried positions in the restaurants as well as corporate level recruiting. She is also involved in recruiting for LEYE’s summer college intern program for both Chicago and Minneapolis and is the point person for the college campus visits. Her current role is truly a blend of all of her professional experience over the years coming together under one area of responsibility. Lisa is excited to be a part of recruiting talented people into a fi eld that is so rewarding.

Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago’s Director of Catering, Monika Lotter oversees all of the functions that will take place in Trump’s breathtaking event spaces.

After receiving her undergraduate degree in international business and marketing at the University of Colorado in Boulder; she eventually moved back to her hometown of Chicago to launch DQS, a company based in Frankfurt, Germany, in the U.S, in 1996. Lotter went on to plan some of Chicago’s most glamorous weddings, she moved on and began to work with Levy Restaurants organizing events at The Ravinia Festival and the Private Dining Rooms of Spiaggia. She next moved to Navy Pier and handled seated events for up to 1,500 people.

A career turn as a caterer saw Lotter working events that ranged from city-wide to private affairs. During this time, she also earned her MBA in general business administration from the Lake Forest School of Management, after which she became the catering sales manager at The Peninsula Hotel in Chicago. She spent more than three years there before accepting a position at the Hard Rock Hotel Chicago as director of catering.

Most of Lotter’s events will be held on the sixteenth and seventeenth fl oors of the Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago, where one can take in views of all parts of the city—the Wrigley Building, the Hancock Center, the Chicago River and Lake Michigan.

Andrea Moroney is Corporate Counsel for Hyatt Hotels Corporation. She has nearly ten years of experience with Hyatt and focuses her practice on general operational matters and corporate contracts and advises members of senior corporate management and fi eld executives regarding operational liabilities and protections. Ms. Moroney is a member of the ACC and the Corporate Law division of the CBA. Prior to joining Hyatt’s Legal Department, Ms. Moroney served as a judicial law clerk to the Honorable Paul E. Plunkett and subsequently served a second term as a judicial law clerk to the Honorable Wayne R. Andersen, both in the U.S. District Court of Illinois. She was Recruitment Editor for the Journal of Computer and Information Law at The John Marshall Law School and graduated with honors from Vanderbilt University. She is also an alumna of Teach For America an organization devoted to expand educational opportunities for urban or rural students living in underprivileged and under resourced public school systems.

Laurel Rhoads McCarthy, has been in the hospitality industry for the last 20 years, and is currently been employed by the Krisam Group, a National Sales Organization representing independently owned hotels since 2003.

Prior to Laurel’s employment with Krisam Group, she was with the Sagamore, a resort based in upstate NY, where she was employed for 13 years, and held management positions in both Conference Services and Sales for this hotel.

Laurel received her Bachelor of Science, with a concentration in hospitality management from the University of South Carolina and received her graduate degree from SUNY Plattsburgh, and earned her CMP (Certifi ed Meeting Planner) designation in 1995.

Laurel is currently serving as the MPI-Chicago Area Chapter President and has served on the Board of Directors for this Chapter for the last four years. Laurel enjoys the opportunity to give back to her industry and has found her volunteer work with this association to be extremely rewarding both personally and professionally. MPI (Meeting Professionals International) currently serves a membership of just over 24,000 while the Chicago Chapter remains the largest of 60 chapters with a little over 1300 members.

In her spare time, she loves to travel, and recently had the opportunity to visit New Zealand and Australia.

Carla is Executive Vice President and General Counsel and Director of Government Affairs for Leo Burnett Worldwide. She has legal responsibility for the Leo Burnett and Arc Worldwide global networks, as well as government and community/industry affairs. As a member of the Leo Burnett Worldwide Global Leadership Council, Carla provides counsel on all aspects of legal issues affecting the advertising industry and business. She is recognized as one of the industry’s foremost legal authorities on a broad scope of issues pertaining to commercial speech, intellectual property and communications. She has spoken to many gourps around the world, and is proud to have organized the fi rst global meetings of self regulators to discuss advertising self-regulation in the 90’s, and was fi rst to meet with the White House and EU representatives to discuss the government issues related to online advertising.

Carla’s served as chairman of both American Advertising Federation and the National Advertising Review Council. She remains on the Boards of both of those organizations as well as on the Boards of The International Advertising Association, Athena International, the House of the Good Shepherd, Junior Achievement of Chicago, and DePaul University Trustees. She is an IAA vice president for government affairs, and is Vice Chairman of the United States Council for International Business Marketing committee. Carla is a member of The Chicago Network, is a past board member and current member of The Economic Club of Chicago. She has received numerous honors, including the Justinian Award for Excellence, the DePaul Outstanding Service to the Profession award, as well as being named Ad Woman of the Year, and to the Today’s Chicago Woman Hall of Fame,.

Carla received her Bachelor of Arts in political science as well as her Juris Doctor from DePaul University. She is a member of the Chicago, Illinois and American, and Justinian Bar Associations, as well as being a founding member of the ISBA Fellows and is an ABA Fellows.

Over the last 10 years, Sarah has built up a strong background in advertising and marketing across a variety of industries in the process. Most recently, she has been leading the way on Leo Burnett’s efforts on OCLC, a library advocacy campaign funded by the Gates Foundation, along with heading up the Delta faucet and KraftMaid cabinet businesses.

Before these accounts, Sarah managed efforts on the Exelon, ComEd and The Coca-Cola Company accounts. Sarah has had valuable experience in trade group advocacy work as she led Burnett’s endeavors with ProtectingAmerica.org and the Grocery Manufacturers of America. She was also an integral team lead on the Philip Morris USA and EarthLink businesses.

Sarah has also worked in the Interactive marketing space and managed accounts for General Motors and United Airlines.

When not building brands at Leo Burnett, Sarah enjoys spending time with her husband, Lance, and 3 year-old daughter, Stella. The three live on the north side of Chicago. An Iowa native and a Hawkeye at heart, Sarah received her BA and MBA from the University of Iowa.

As Vice President, Integrated Marketing Communications, Lisa is responsible for consumer communications for all business units of Allstate Corporation, including brand standards and guidelines, advertising, direct marketing and interactive communications, collateral, promotions, sponsorships and consumer public relations.

Lisa joined Allstate in January 2000 as Assistant Vice President, Marketing Communications for the Allstate Financial business unit. She has been in the marketing and advertising industry for 32 years, with experience in advertising agencies, marketing services companies, and corporate and public relations.

She began her career at Ogilvy & Mather Advertising, beginning in media and migrating to client service and account management where she rose to senior vice president. While at Ogilvy, she handled a variety of blue chip accounts including Sears, RC Cola, Kodak, Marriott and Cessna.

After 12 years at Ogilvy & Mather, she went on to become vice president of marketing and new business development at Schwarz Worldwide, where she expanded their marketing services capabilities to include promotion, point-of-sale, packaging and creative services; adding clients such as Sears, Gatorade, Snapple, Motorola and The Gap.

Just prior to joining Allstate, Lisa spent one year in academia at Northwestern University, where she directed Corporate Relations university-wide.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Missouri, with a concentration in advertising and an advanced marketing certifi cate from Northwestern University.

In 2008, Lisa was named Ad Woman of the Year by the Chicago Advertising Federation. She is on the Board of Directors of the Ad Council and the Association of National Advertisers, where she directs the Agency/Client Relations Committee. She is also a trustee of the Marketing Science Institute, and a board member of the Camp Nicolet Foundation. Lisa is married to Cary Cochrane and they have two children, Christopher, 26 and Kate, 24.

Executive Vice President Catherine Guthrie is responsible for the management and oversight of all of Leo Burnett’s multinational accounts. Additionally, she serves as one of the four members of the agency’s global lead team, charged with integrating and streamlining the company’s efforts.

A native of Connecticut, Catherine attended the University of Colorado at Boulder, where she earned her B.S. in Journalism and a B.A. in Communications in 1977. Upon graduation, she began working at the Colorado Daily newspaper, where she remained until 1981.

Since joining Burnett in February of 1981, Catherine has lent her time and talents to a range of clients including: P&G, Philip Morris, M&M/Mars, United Distillers, Heineken and Coca-Cola. She has also been the General Manager of LB Hong Kong and Managing Director of LB Taiwan. Upon her return to the US in 1989, Catherine and her husband Warren ran the agency’s Retail Business Unit. Before becoming the worldwide president of multinational accounts, Catherine ran the worldwide P&G account for fi ve years, wrking in four offi ces around the world (Chicago, Tokyo, Hong Kong and Taiwan) working directly with 30+ global offi ces on a daily basis.

Catherine and her husband Warren (whom she met in 1981 at Burnett) have three sons, Andrew, Tyler and Sean and live in Winnetka, IL. When Catherine is not working or traveling for work, she enjoys traveling for fun, skiing and playing golf.

Sherren Leigh is founder and president of Leigh Communications, Inc., publishers of Today’s Chicago Woman magazine. In addition to her duties at the magazine, Sherren is also the founder/president of the Today’s Chicago Woman Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charity that has provided grants to over 100 local charities that assist women and children in crisis situations. Sherren began her career in advertising and was Advertising Woman of the Year in 1988.

Marlena Peleo-Lazar was born and raised in Detroit. (Yes, she does know all of the lyrics to all of the Motown songs.) After receiving degrees in English and Media Studies, she set her sights on becoming the next Barbara Walters in television. On her way to “stardom” she was recruited by Leo Burnett to be a copywriter. And, it is there she spent her formative years, rising through the creative ranks to become a global creative director on such notable Brands as Procter & Gamble and Kellogg’s. In 1997, she clicked the heels of her ruby slippers and became the creative leader of Ogilvy & Mather/Chicago working on such accounts as Sears, Kimberly Clark, Illinois Lottery, and Unilever.

Today, Marlena is the Chief Creative Offi cer/Vice President of McDonald’s Corporation where she is responsible for all of the advertising for Brand McDonald’s. She was instrumental in the creation and implementation of the current business-building, creative, award-winning “i’m lovin’ it” advertising campaign for McDonald’s. In 2004, her career and efforts on behalf of McDonald’s were honored with the Chicago Advertising Woman of the Year Award. Subsequent to this, Marlena also received the Illinois Infl uential Women in Business Award and the McDonald’s Women’s Leadership Network Award.

When not helping to polish the “golden arches”, Marlena is active in the Chicago advertising community. In 2006 and 2007, she served as President of the Chicago Advertising Federation. She is often a featured speaker at industry events and at schools throughout the country. Additionally, Marlena mentors many people seeking careers in advertising and marketing.

Marlena is married to John Lazar and is kept “forever young” by her two college age sons, Christopher and Brendan.

Paula Cozzi Goedert is a partner in the Chicago offi ce of Barnes &Thornburg LLP where she chairs the Associations and Foundations Practice Group. She concentrates her practice on the representation of non-profi t organizations, including professional societies, trade associations, charities, and private foundations.

Ms. Goedert serves as general or lead counsel for many national associations including the American Architectural Manufacturers Association, the American College of Surgeons, the National PTA, and the American Library Association. She is a frequent lecturer and has authored many articles on non-profi t and association topics including copyright issues, tax implications of business transactions, lobbying by exempt organizations, human resource issues, legal status of chapters, and the unrelated business income tax.

Ms. Goedert was the recipient of the John C. Thiel Distinguished Service Award from the Chicago Society of Association Executives (Association Forum) and was also named Associate Member of the Year. She also received the President’s Award from the Association Foundation Group. She has served on the Association Forum’s board of directors and the board of the Foundation of the American Society of Association Executives. She served as a faculty member of DePaul University’s association management program and a member of the Oak Park Hospital board of directors. She also serves as a member of the Guild Board of the Lyric Opera.

Ms. Goedert earned her B.A. summa cum laude from Mundelein College in 1973 and her J.D. magna cum laude from Northwestern University in 1976 where she was named to the Order of the Coif and served as special projects editor for the Northwestern Law Review. She is admitted to practice in the state of Illinois.

Barbara Talisman is President of Talisman Associates, Inc. Talisman Associates, Inc. is a full service consulting fi rm working with public benefi t corporations. The fi rm provides hands-on fund development assistance and leadership training to non-profits.

Barbara has been in the development fi eld since 1983. Her experience ranges from corporate sponsorships and special events to board/membership development, grant writing and major gift solicitation as well as volunteer and staff development and training. Barbara teaches a variety of fundraising topics and has been a guest speaker at conferences in North America, Europe the United Kingdom and Australia. Barbara began her development experience on the campaign trail for national and local political candidates. Her fund development experience began at the American Heart Association and continued at the Anti-Defamation League.

Barbara has published articles in the Fund Raising Management, Fundraising Success, Association Forum, Fund Raising Institute, Advancing Philanthropy and Clout. She shares resources, information and inspiration on her blog, Talisman Thinking Out Loud and Twitter and is an Expert author on EzinesArticles.com. Barbara has been profi led in Entrepreneur Magazine, Today’s Chicago Woman, Crain’s Chicago Business and Chicago Tribune.

Barbara holds a Bachelor’s degree from Case Western Reserve University. She has continued her education through workshops and classes at BoardSource, The Institute for Charitable Giving, Vanderbilt University, Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) regional and international conferences and Indiana University School of Philanthropy.

In 2008, Barbara was certifi ed as a Master Trainer by AFP upon completion of the Faculty Training Academy.

She is proud to be a member of AFP and received the President’s Award from the AFP Chicago Chapter for outstanding service to the chapter and fundraising profession. She also serves on a number of AFP international committees and as a mentor. She serves on the Gardens Committee and Foundation Board for the Greater North Michigan Avenue Association (GNMAA), the Civic Committee of the Executives Club of Chicago, the Membership and Sponsorship Committees of the Professional Women’s Club of Chicago (PWCC) and volunteers at Metro Achievement Center tutoring a 5th grader.

Amina J. Dickerson, senior director of global community involvement for Kraft Foods, leads Kraft’s global community involvement initiatives, including all of company’s charitable giving, humanitarian aid and employee involvement programs. With her 7 member staff and an $18.3 million budget, Dickerson guides international programs in hunger, health and wellness, sustainability and community engagement, including the arts. She brings to this post three decades of experience with non-profi t institutional development, arts, education and cultural programming with an emphasis in museums, and public/private collaboration.

Previous to her appointment to Kraft in 1997, Dickerson held senior appointments for the Chicago Historical Society, the DuSable Museum of African American History, the Afro-American Historical and Cultural Museum of Philadelphia and Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of African Art and numerous boards, panels and consultancies. Currently, she is a board member of the Harris Center for Music and Dance at Millennium Park, co-chair of the Peer Network for International Giving of the Donor’s Forum of Chicago and Vice Chair of the International Committee of the Council of Foundations. In 1996 Dickerson was a Distinguished Visitor with the MacArthur Foundation and was appointed a Class XVI Kellogg Fellow. In 2002 she was named Chicago’s Professional Grantor of the Year, and in 2004 received the 10th Annual Sor Juana Award from the Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum and a legacy award from eta Creative Arts Theater, both in Chicago. Joined by four other funders, Amina was named Chicagoan of the Year by the Chicago Tribune in 2005 for the partnership to advance jazz she helped to initiate. She received the Timuel Black Award for Community Service from the Jazz Institute of Chicago in 2006. She is a frequent speaker and panelist on various philanthropy, arts and education, non-profi t and community issues in Chicago and nationwide.

Most recently she was the 2009 recipient of the Handy L. Lindsey Award for Inclusiveness in Philanthropy. She delivered an electric, thought-provoking and inspiring lecture entitled “Keeping the Tradition: Honoring the Path of Our Forbearers. Through two central points, “Bearing Witness” and “Making Way for the Future”, Dickerson delivered a landmark lecture that is a model for leadership transitions within the philanthropic sector and beyond. She is a 2009 recipient of The Network Journal 25 most infl uential Black Women in Business award.

Additionally, on May 2, 2009, Dickerson will receive the Association of Black Foundation Executives eighteen James Joseph award at the annual Council on Foundations.

Ms. Dickerson holds a M.A. in arts management from the American University in Washington, DC, and was named to their Alumni Hall of Fame in 2005. She studied theater arts at Emerson College and holds a certifi cate from the Harvard University program in Arts Administration. She resides in Chicago with her husband, Julian Roberts.

Sunny has been the Executive Director of The Richard Driehaus Foundation since 1992. The Driehaus Foundation makes grants primarily to organizations working in Chicago to enhance the urban environment and to the arts. The Foundation also supports efforts to help working families become more economically and socially secure. Recently, programs in support of cultural museums and in investigative reporting were launched.

Sunny has consulted for many other foundations including The Joyce Foundation (where she developed funding programs to raise immunization rates in Chicago’s neighborhoods and to help more immigrants through the naturalization process), She has also worked with many non-profi ts directly, and in workshops or conferences, on fund-raising, board development, and program issues. From 1997-1999, she directed the City of Chicago/Cook County Welfare Reform Task Force.

As founding executive director of one of the fi rst private women’s foundations in the country, The Sophia Fund, she was also the co-founder of the Chicago Foundation for Women. She served as the co-chair of Chicago Women in Philanthropy and chaired the fi rst study, called Shortchanged, of foundations’ contributions to women’s organizations. In the late ’80s, she co-chaired the board of the National Network of Women’s Funds. As a consultant, she has worked with several women’s funds on start-up, program development, and growth.

Numerous organizations have honored her for her work in philanthropy, anti-violence activism, and anti-poverty work, including the Association of Fundraising Professionals (Professional Grantor Award), the Women’s Funding Network, and the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy, which gave her its “Point of Lightning” award. She also received the Perlman Humanitarian Award from Jewish Women International, the “Champion of the Public Interest” award from Business and Professional People for the Public Interest, and recognition from Rape Victims Advocates and Illinois Center for Violence Prevention. Sunny also was honored by Archeworks in 2007 for her work in promoting architecture and design.

Born in New York City, Sunny received her B.A. in English from Hunter College of the City University of New York. Her Masters degree is from the University of Chicago’s School of Social Services Administration. Among her volunteer commitments are serving on the Boards of the National Public Housing Museum and Education Center, the national Family Violence Prevention Fund and the Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law. She also serves on the Visiting Committee for the University of Chicago’s School of Social Service Administration and Columbia’s Ellen Stone Bellic Institute for the Study of Women and Gender in Arts and Culture.

As executive director of Chicago Foundation for Women, Kelly White oversees one of the largest women’s funds in the world. The Foundation’s core issues are comprehensive access to health services and information, freedom from violence and economic security. Since 1986 the Foundation has awarded nearly $16 million in grants.

Kelly White is a native of western Kansas and a graduate of the University of Kansas. She began her career as an occupational therapist working with children with developmental disabilities but quickly realized her real interest lay in fi guring out how to make agencies “work” and, for the past 25 years, that is exactly what Kelly has been doing.

As executive director of the Developmental Preschool and Daycare in Laramie, Wyo., her energies were focused on programs that assisted families and children in crisis. In 1988, she moved to Denver, Colo. to become executive director of SafeHouse for Battered Women. She was successful in moving the shelter into a renovated mansion, and she increased agency budget and service statistics by 300 percent over four years.

From July 1993 until December 2003, Kelly was the executive director of SafePlace in Austin, Tex. She began her position as the executive director of the Center for Battered Women and helped guide the organization through the merger process as they joined the Austin Rape Crisis Center to become an agency that provided services to all who experience personal violence. During her tenure, the organization more than quadrupled in size, with the staff increasing from 44 to 160 and the annual operating budget growing from $1.4 million to $8.4 million. She also led the agency through two major building and capital campaigns that included the funding, planning and building of a 40-unit transitional housing apartment community, a 24,000 client resource center, a 105-bed family shelter, an on-site shelter school and a child development center. All land and construction was completely paid off prior to Kelly’s stepping down as executive director. In addition, Kelly led the development of a Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO) as a subsidiary corporation to SafePlace, and the funding and construction of a 184-unit tax credit affordable housing apartment complex.

Under Kelly’s leadership, SafePlace became known as a national leader in providing services to those who have been victims of violence. Groups and individuals from as far away as Japan, Pakistan and Belgium have visited the new shelter site. The Transitional Housing apartment community, which helps homeless families make the transition to self-suffi ciency, has been recognized as a national model program. Additionally, the agency has developed several curriculums and trainings designed to help teach people how to prevent abuse and violence, including the school-based Expect Respect program and Disability Services Stop the Violence Break the Silence curriculum, both of which have also been recognized as national model programs.

Kelly stepped down from her position as SafePlace executive director in order to run for offi ce, a race she lost by a heartbreaking 147 votes. She then served as interim executive director at Annie’s List, a state political action committee dedicated to electing progressive women to statewide and down-ballot races.

A 1996 graduate of Leadership Texas, Kelly was the inaugural recipient of the United Way/Capital Area Agency Executive of the Year Award. She has received the Austin Community Foundation Executive Director of the Year award, the SafePlace Guardian Award, Leadership Austin’s Essential Alumni Award and Boston’s ROSE Foundation award. She has been a guest on Good Morning America, The Montel Williams Show and many other local and regional programs.

In addition, Kelly is a formerly battered woman who strives to bring a human face to a problem that has been hidden behind closed doors and shrouded in shame and secrecy for too many years. She has lived most aspects of domestic violence programs—having stayed in a shelter, dealt with the criminal justice system’s response to battered women and juggled the many competing priorities a single mom faces. She brings this experience into her work, trying to never forget the fear and hardship, as well as the resilience of the human spirit, that have brought her to where she is today. In her honor, the SafePlace Family Shelter building was named the Kelly White Shelter in 2003.

Marguerite H. Griffi n is a Senior Vice President at The Northern Trust Company, Chicago. As National Director of Philanthropic Services, Marguerite is responsible for the delivery and growth of Northern Trust’s philanthropic services to Personal Financial Services clients. She specializes in administering charitable trusts and private foundations and counsels clients regarding charitable giving and grantmaking practices.

Marguerite was most recently a Senior Trust Administrator and Relationship Manager in the Personal Trust Administration Department where she was responsible for the administration of large, complex trusts for individuals and families, including irrevocable trusts, charitable trusts and supporting organizations. Her duties involved working with sophisticated estate plans, sensitive family situations and complex property transfers.

Prior to joining Northern Trust as a Vice President in November 1999, Marguerite was a Vice President and Trust Administrator within the Private Clients Division of First Chicago, Bank One. Before joining First Chicago, Bank One, she practiced law as an Associate with Vedder, Price, Kaufman & Kammholz where she specialized in estate planning, nonprofi t organization law, charitable trusts and private foundations.

Marguerite received a B.A. degree from Washington University in St. Louis and a J.D. degree from Northwestern University School of Law. She is a member of the Chicago Bar Association, the Chicago Council on Planned Giving and the Chicago Estate Planning Council. Marguerite is admitted to practice before the Illinois Supreme Court.

Marguerite has received recognition from Chicago United as a 2007 Business Leader of Color. She is an active volunteer, advisor and board member with several charitable and cultural institutions, including the Art Institute of Chicago, The Chicago Symphony Orchestra, The Chicago Community Trust, The Ravinia Festival, WFMT/WTTW Planned Giving Committee and the Donors Forum.

Consuella Brown joined the Woods Fund of Chicago staff as the Program Director in September 2006. Prior to Woods, Consuella spent 5 years as a Program Offi cer at the Grand Victoria Foundation. As a Program Offi cer, Consuella designed and developed a $2.7 million workforce development initiative that aimed to increase the economic self-suffi ciency of low-wage/low-skill incumbent workers in central Illinois. She also served as co-chair of the Chicago-area Affordable Housing Funders Group and Grantmakers Concerned with Poverty.

Her philanthropic experience is further enhanced by several years with the Peace Corps, fi rst as a volunteer in the Marshall Islands and Lesotho and then as a staff member in Swaziland and the Gambia. As an Associate Director for Administration, she helped establish the fi rst Peace Corps program in the Republic of Zambia. In the late 1990s, Consuella completed her tour with the Peace Corps and joined the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs as the County Director in Malawi. In this capacity, Consuella worked closely with members of parliament, political parties, and targeted segments of Malawi’s civil society to encourage more transparency within the legislative process.

Returning to the U.S. in 1997, Consuella served as a community development fellow at the Chicago Housing Authority, directing most of her attention to employment and family self-suffi ciency strategies. Prior to joining Grand Victoria Foundation, Consuella organized an effort through Duke University’s Center for International Studies to build intellectual and social capital amongst Africanists in the Triangle Area in North Carolina.

A native of Los Angeles, Consuella holds a master’s degree in political science from Illinois State University and a bachelor’s degree in legal studies/women’s studies from Scripps College. Consuella recently completed a two-year spiritual director certifi cate program at the Institute for Spiritual Leadership in Hyde Park.

Director of Corporate Community Involvement for Kraft Foods, leads Kraft’s philanthropic initiatives which provide cash contributions of $18.3MM to fund hunger-relief, healthy lifestyles, humanitarian aid and employee involvement programming. Nicole leads a 6 member staff to deliver programming in partnership with NGOs across the US, Asia Pacifi c, Europe, Middle East, and Latin America. Nicole’s specifi c responsibilities include strategic planning, program development, research, and measurement and evaluation efforts across all programs. Nicole brings a unique mix of business acumen as well as non-profi t sector accomplishments to philanthropy as an advocate for affordable housing, women’s rights and other social justice issues. Over the years, Nicole has served as a volunteer, board member and speaker to numerous organizations. Nicole has an MBA from DePaul University of Chicago and is a graduate of Loyola University’s Philanthropy and Non-Profi t Sector Program. Nicole is a 2007-2008 fellow with the Association of Black Foundation Executives. She also serves on the Corporate Committee of the Chicago Consortium to Lower Childhood Obesity in Chicago and the Council on Foundation’s Committee on Corporate Grantmaking.

From pennies to planned gifts describes my personal philanthropic path. The habit of sharing my personal resources was instilled early on in my family, and raising money and managing charitable gifts has been part of my various careers. I have been a university teacher and administrator and done fundraising and organizational development for land conservation, business ethics, elderly care and secondary education organizations. Currently I am on the board of directors and on the development committee of the Young Women’s Leadership Charter School which inspires urban girls to engage in rigorous college preparatory learning in a small, single-sex school that is focused on math, science and technology, and that nurtures their self-confi dence and challenges them to achieve.

Patricia Dondanville, partner in the Chicago office of Schiff Hardin LLP, concentrates her practice in corporate and finance matters. Ms. Dondanville provides ongoing strategic and legal counsel for a number of energy industry clients. She has been identified by clients as a member of the BTI Consulting Group’s Client Service All-Star Team for Law Firms.

At the request of the Edison Electric Institute (EE) and the National Energy Marketing Association, Ms. Dondanville organized and co-chaired for many years an industry-wide committee that drafted a standardized master contract for the purchase and sale of wholesale electric power (EEI Master Contract). The committee assisted the International Swaps and Derivatives Association (“ISDA”) in developing the ISDA North American Power Annex, and continues to meet to address issues facing the wholesale electric markets, to draft additional optional provisions to supplement the EEI Master Contract, and provide ongoing training for industry participants.

Ms. Dondanville is a frequent speaker and panel member on programs dealing with corporate finance, derivatives risks and energy marketing.

In addition to her private practice, Ms. Dondanville served for a number of years as a Deputy General Counsel for a Fortune 500 energy holding company. In that role, she managed an in-house legal staff, had budgetary responsibility, and selected and supervised outside counsel representing the company and its subsidiaries.

Complex Corporate Transactions
Ms. Dondanville represents public and private companies in mergers, acquisitions and divestitures. When appropriate, she assists clients with strategies to streamline multiple transactions, and to reduce costs by using consistent and complementary business and legal teams. She also counsels clients on integration issues arising from these transactions, and helps address indemnification issues (sometimes through mediation and arbitration).

Practice Areas
Energy and Public Utilities
Finance
Corporate and Securities

Education
University of Virginia School of Law (J.D., 1981) University of Notre Dame (B.A., magna cum laude, 1978)
Phi Beta Kappa

Bar Admissions
Illinois
Indiana

Memberships
American Bar Association

Public Utility, Communications and Transportation Law Section
Membership Chair and former Council Member
Business Law Section
Law Practice Management Section
Chicago Bar Association
Alliance for Women
Economic Club of Chicago
Energy Bar Association
National Center for the Laity
Notre Dame Club of Chicago Scholarship Foundation
Vice President
Universit y of Notre Dame Alumni Association
Former Member, Board of Trustees

Reneé Amoore, a force to be reckoned with, has made her presence known within the Philadelphia region, throughout the state of Pennsylvania, and on both national and international levels. As founder and president of The Amoore Group, Inc., a conglomerate consisting of four thriving
entities, Amoore has earned a reputation as a knowledgeable and hard-working entrepreneur, healthcare advocate, and political advisor. As with all entrepreneurs, Amoore remains on a continuum for making things happen.

In December 2007, she made her debut into the literary world as a published author with her latest work, “The Elevator of Achievement: Determination Requires a Choice.” She knows all to well the importance of advancing your career through education for individual and organizational growth. Joining forces with a team of United States Marines turned business professional’s, Amoore continues to be inspired to lead the business marketplace into a greater state of excellence by providing the needed strategies that lead to optimal performance management. Developing the project to support the world of executive education, her work promotes performance management for personal enrichment and organizational leadership using an “elevator” as a metaphor to explain what it means for women to take the ride of opportunity to the top! By centering on vision, leadership and attitude, Amoore’s voice provides a blueprint for succeeding in a competitive world.

Amoore first struck out on her own in 1996 with Amoore Health Systems, Inc. (AHS), a company designed to contribute significantly to the improved delivery, service, and quality of healthcare in the United States. AHS has taken its mission abroad with the implementation of progressive health programs in Johannesburg and Cape Town, South Africa. In 1999, Amoore expanded her enterprise with the creation of 521 Management, Inc., which has grown to become one of Pennsylvania’s premier strategic communications firms. 521 Management’s mission is to provide services in government affairs, media and public relations, grassroots and community outreach, and corporate training. By 1999, Ramsey Educational Development Institute, Inc. (REDI) was on the scene. A non-profit agency, REDI provides a variety of services to children and adults throughout southeastern Pennsylvania. Programs focus on job readiness skills, social survival skills, and early intervention services for children. The fourth operation, Liberty Services, offers full-service construction, comprehensive facility, mechanical maintenance, engineering, and environmental services.

A longtime advocate of clinically-appropriate and cost-effective alternatives to expensive healthcare, Amoore began her foray into the medical field as a registered nurse with training at Harlem Hospital School of Nursing. A recipient of a bachelor’s degree from Antioch College and a master’s degree from Antioch University, Amoore has taken innovative approaches to assist individuals with behavioral health issues, addictive disorders, and mental retardation.

Amoore has always found it important to be an active participant in shaping her community. She became the first African American ever elected to the Upper Merion (PA) School District, serving as the board’s vice president for four years. An energetic and inspiring leader, Amoore has spent much of her adult years serving on numerous professional and community organizations. In addition to her appointments to the Franklin Institute Board of Trustees, she currently sits as a Trustee on Drexel University’s Board and Chair of the Personnel Committee.

Because of her ability to motivate an audience with stirring and lively speeches, Amoore is often in demand to appear on television and radio, sharing her insight on politics, economy, the state of healthcare, and women’s issues. Strong-willed and a proven leader, Amoore made history in 2004 when she became the first female and African American ever to chair a Pennsylvania delegation to the Republican National Convention. Her business savvy and positive standing within her community are just two reasons she continues to be a go-to person for government officials and business executives.

Amoore has been married to her husband, Joseph, since 1980. The couple has one daughter, Cherie.

Boards and Organizations
• The Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation
• The Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce Executive Committee
• The Valley Forge Chamber of Commerce
• The Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce
• Schuylkill River Development Corporation (SROC)
• Federal Reserve Bank Advisory Board
• Heritage Society Board
• Nova Bank
• Drexel University Board of Trustees

Accomplishments and Awards
• 2001: Amoore accepted an invitation from Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao to sit on the President’s Committee on 21st Century Skills Gap, which works to ensure that all American workers have fulfilling and rewarding careers
• 2002: George W. Bush, the 43rd President of the United States, named Amoore to the National African American Museum of History and Culture Commission, which laid the foundation for the creation of a national museum of African American history in Washington, D.C.
• 2003: The Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, recipient of the Paradigm Award
• 2004: Allstate Foundation’s “The Prestigious Sankofa Bird Award” (the highest public honor awarded for community service)
• 2004: Girl Scouts of Southeastern Pennsylvania “Take the Lead Award”
• 2005: Amoore chosen as one of seventeen CEO’s to participate with Drexel University’s “The CEO Agenda,” understanding the reasons why certain companies are very well suited to meet competition and to be global leaders, where others are falling apart
• 2005: The Pennsylvania League of Women Voters awarded Amoore with their Civic Leadership Award
• 2005: Recognized by Drexel University’s LeBow College of Business, University’s leadership Award
• 2005: The Philadelphia Tribune’s Philadelphia’s Most Infl uential African American Award
• 2005: The Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.’s Woman of the Year Award
• 2007: Member, Pennsylvania Heritage Society Board (advocacy and fundraising association for PHMC)
• The Republican Women Leaders Forum’s Evelyn McPhail Award for political activism
• The Coalition of 100 Black Women’s Madame C.J. Walker Award
• The Euro-American Women’s Council of Greece Artemis Award
• The Advocacy of Services to Children and Families in Need, CORA Award for Advocacy
• The Valley Forge Chamber of Commerce, Carl A. Beck Award for Entrepreneurial Excellence
• The Philadelphia Business Journal ranked The Amoore Group “one of the Top 25 minority-owned businesses”
• The Philadelphia Tribune’s Philadelphia’s Most Infl uential African American Award
• The Ebenezer Methodist Church’s Excellence in Education and Achievement Award

Aurora Abella-Austriaco, Principal of Austriaco & Associates, Ltd., concentrates her practice in the areas of commercial and real estate transactions, commercial and real estate litigation, construction litigation, mechanic’s liens, mortgage foreclosure, mortgage fraud, title insurance claims and other special chancery remedy cases. Prior to forming her own firm, she was with the firm, Peck Bloom Austriaco & Koenig, LLC. Aurora also worked as Corporate Counsel and Managing Attorney for the Indiana operations for Attorney’s Title Guaranty Fund, Inc. Aurora graduated from De Paul University with a B.S. in Finance (1987) and J.D. (1990).

Aurora currently serves as Secretary of the Chicago Bar Association, an organization of over 22,000 lawyers and is recently elected Treasurer for the 2009-2010 bar year. She served on the board of the Chicago Bar Foundation for 9 years. She is Vice-President of the Center for Confl ict Resolution (CCR) and served as the first female and minority President of the Illinois Real Estate Lawyers’ Association (IRELA), an organization of approximately 1,200 real estate lawyers throughout Illinois. She is a founding board member of the Filipino American Bar Association, past board member and current member of the Asian American Bar Association and the ISBA Real Estate Section Council. Aurora also served as board member of the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois (WBAI) and was recently elected to the Board of Directors of Attorneys’ Title Guaranty Fund, Inc., a bar related title insurance company. Aurora is the first female minority elected to the ATG board.

Aurora is serving her 2nd year as Chair of the Tellers Committee of the ABA House of Delegates. She is an appointed member to the ABA Standing Committee on Lawyers Title Guaranty Fund as well as an appointed member to the ABA Standing Committee on Meetings and Travel. She is serving her 2nd year as Chicago Bar Association delegate to the ABA House of Delegates.

In addition to her bar association involvement, Aurora is also active in the community. She is currently serving her seventh term as Chair of the Cook County States Attorney Asian Advisory Council and her ninth year as Commissioner for the Cook County Human Rights Commission. She also serves as a Commissioner for the Park Ridge Building and Zoning Commission. Aurora recently served as President of the Asian American Institute and was elected to the Board of Governors of the Catholic Lawyers Guild of Illinois. She is a member of the Attorney General Asian Advisory Council and Illinois State Treasurer’s Asian Advisory Council. Aurora was a 2004 Fellow of the Leadership Greater Chicago. She served as a member of the Filipino American Voters League from 1996-98 and as Treasurer of the League of Women Voters of Chicago. Aurora recently got appointed to the Board of Hubbard Street Dance of Chicago.

Aurora is a frequent speaker and lecturer and has spoken at various CLE conferences with the CBA, ISBA Real Estate Section, ISBA General Practice Section and ABA Real Property Section. She was the key note speaker for the 2009 DePaul APALSA banquet dinner on the topic of “Affirmative Action-Are we There Yet?” She co-authored the House Closing Repairs article published in the July 1998 issue of the ABA Journal and the Dream Home Nightmares article published in the February 2004 issue of the ABA Journal. Aurora also authored The New Federal Lead Based Paint Regulations, which was published in the 1996 Dec/Jan issue of the DCBA Brief.

Aurora was named twice as one of 100 Women Making a Difference by Today’s Chicago Woman. In May 2006, Aurora received the CBA Alliance for Women “Alta Mae Hulett” award, a prestigious award given to women lawyers who have significantly contributed to the advancement of women in the profession. In the same year, Aurora also received the 2006 Philippine Chamber of Commerce “Excellence in Law” award. Aurora also received a “Distinguished Service” Award from Cook County States Attorney, Richard Devine for her service as Chair of the Asian Advisory Council. Aurora also received the ABA Council on Legal Education Opportunity (CLEO) “Legacy Justice Fund” Award on June 5, 2008. The CLEO award recognizes members of the legal community whose efforts and activities serve to advance the cause of diversity within the legal profession.
On April 18, 2009, Aurora was recognized by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce as one of the “Ten Most Outstanding Filipino American Businessmen” and on April 22, 2009, Aurora was one of the recipients of the CBA “Vanguard Award.” Aurora also became the 2010 Asian American Coalition Event Chair which is being hosted by the Filipino Community.

In February 2008, Aurora became the Democratic Nominee for Illinois State Representative, 65th District.

Aurora is fl uent in Tagalog. She is married to Dr. Jerome Austriaco and they have 2 girls, Danielle and Isabelle.

Dorothy Brown made history when she was elected as the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County in November 2000, becoming the first African American to hold that Office. Re-elected to a second term in November 2004, she won both elections by overwhelming margins, illustrating voter confidence in her abilities. As the official keeper of records for all judicial matters brought into one of the largest unified court systems in the world, Clerk Brown is responsible for managing an annual operating budget of over $100 million and has a workforce of over 2,300 employees.

Born and raised in the small, southern town of Minden, Louisiana, Clerk Brown rose to her current position of prominence from humble beginnings. Her parents were poor and uneducated; however, they instilled in their eight children the value of sacrifice, self-discipline, and obtaining a good education. Clerk Brown enthusiastically followed her parents’ advice and acquired excellent educational credentials. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in 1975, and became a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in 1977. In 1981, she received her Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) degree with honors from DePaul University in Chicago. Fifteen years later in 1996, Clerk Brown became an attorney, earning her Jurist Doctorate of Law degree with honors from Chicago-Kent College of Law. Building on her solid educational foundation, Clerk Brown has maintained an impressive record of obtaining and excelling at high-level occupations, including serving as the General Auditor of the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA). In addition, she worked for one of the major accounting firms, a large utility company, a leading Chicago bank and assisted in creating a minority CPA firm

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In an atmosphere described as “Professionalism over Politics,” Clerk Brown’s incisive analysis, innovative thinking and creative approaches to decades-old challenges have redefined the fundamental purposes of the Clerk’s Office. She has leveraged her experience and leadership skills to bring the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County into the 21st Century, improve customer service, promote employee development and training, increase operational efficiency and ensure financial accountability. Local and national media, judicial members and the general public consistently acclaim Clerk Brown’s many accomplishments in the Clerk’s Office.

Clerk Brown is a past President of the National Woman’s Political Caucus of Greater Chicago and has served as Treasurer for both Working in the Schools (WITS) and the Illinois Chapter of the American Association of Attorneys and Certified Public Accountants. She founded the Dorothy Brown Scholarship and Community Development Fund, an organization developed to secure funding for college bound students. Her professional memberships include the Cook County Bar Association (Board Member), the Chicago Bar Association, the Black Women Lawyers’ Association, the Illinois Society of Certified Public Accountants, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the National Association of Black MBA’s and the National Association of Black Accountants. She has established an illustrious record of professional and public service that continues to be lauded and recognized by institutions, organizations and community groups. Among numerous accolades, Clerk Brown was awarded the 2002 Hillary Rodham Clinton Leadership Award from the Illinois Democratic Women, the 2003 Marks of Excellence Award from the National Forum for Black Public Administrators, the 2003 Women of Achievement Award from the Anti-Defamation League, the 2004 NAACP Medal of Freedom from the Proviso/Leyden Township in Illinois, the 2005 National Association of Black Accountants’ National Achievement in Government Award and the 2005 “Voice of Freedom Award” from the Harriet Beecher Stowe Fine & Performing Arts Academy

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Clerk Brown is a member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and the King of Glory Tabernacle Church of God in Christ. She has a daughter, Detris, who graduated from Howard University.

Patricia Brown Holmes is a partner in the Chicago office of Schiff Hardin LLP. Patricia is an experienced trial lawyer who concentrates her practice in general litigation, including contract disputes, franchise and distribution litigation, shareholder derivative actions, and securities fraud. She also conducts internal investigations and counsels corporations and individuals in a wide variety of matters involving the federal government, particularly those pertaining to regulatory and compliance issues.

Patricia joined Schiff Hardin in 2005 from the Circuit Court of Cook County, where she had been a trial judge since 1997. Prior to becoming a judge, she was the Chief Assistant Corporation Counsel for the City of Chicago, supervising a staff of attorneys practicing in chancery and municipal court. Earlier, Patricia honed her skills in federal court having tried over 26 complex felony cases and argued numerous times before the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois. She also gained significant trial and appellate experience as an Assistant State’s Attorney for Cook County, Illinois.

Patricia has been an adjunct professor of law at the Northwestern University School of Law and the Loyola Institute for Paralegal Studies. She also was an instructor at the Attorney General’s Advocacy Institute - Criminal Trial Advocacy Section of the U.S. Department of Justice. Patricia is a member of and has held leadership positions in numerous professional and service organizations. These include the Illinois Judges Association, Illinois Judicial Council, National Bar Association, American Bar Association, Chicago Bar Association, Chicago Committee on Minorities in Large Law Firms, Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater Chicago, Inc., Seventh Circuit Bar Association, and Just the Beginning Foundation, Inc. She has been selected to serve on U.S. Senator Dick Durbin’s bipartisan screening committee to assist in selecting Federal District Court Judges, U.S. Attorneys, and U.S. Marshals for the State of Illinois. Patricia has received numerous awards for her outstanding contributions to the legal community as well as recognition for her many contributions to multiple civic endeavors.

Patricia received her undergraduate degree from the University of Illinois and her law degree from the University of Illinois College of Law. She is admitted to practice in Illinois, as well as before the U.S. District Courts for the Northern and Central Districts of Illinois and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.

Regional Administrator Women’s Bureau, U.S. Department of Labor Nancy Chen leads the Midwest regional office of the Women’s Bureau, the only federal agency designated by Congress to address issues and concerns of working women. She directs and develops the regional programs promoting better jobs, better earnings and better livings for working women in the states of Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin.

Under Nancy’s leadership, the regional office promotes non-traditional occupations for women including science, technology and engineering careers, financial literacy and workplace fl exibility through outreach and education.

Nancy’s career highlights public and community service in Illinois and Washington, D.C. Prior to joining the Women’s Bureau, Nancy served as Director of Asian Pacific American Outreach at the Office of Presidential Personnel in the Clinton White House. Before that, Nancy was Director of U.S. Senator Paul Simon’s Chicago office overseeing the Senator’s legislative and constituent program relating to Chicago and northern Illinois for six years.

Nancy currently serves on the Board of Counselors at the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute. She is also a member on the Gender Equity Advisory Committee for the Illinois State Board of Education. Nancy is founder and past president of the National Women’s Political Caucus of Greater Chicago from 1992 to 1994. She was a member of the Illinois Advisory Committee to the United States Commission on Civil Rights for over ten years.

Tammy Duckworth currently serves as the Director of Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs. Since her appointment in November of 2006, she and Governor Blagojevich have implemented cutting edge programs for veterans, especially in the areas of health care, mental health, housing and employment. With over $70 million in new initiatives for Illinois veterans over the last 2 years, Illinois has become a leader in state benefits for its service members.

A Major in the Illinois Army National Guard, Duckworth served in Iraq and fl ew combat missions as a Black Hawk helicopter pilot. During a mission in 2004, a rocket-propelled grenade struck the helicopter she was co-piloting and as a result of the attack, Duckworth lost both of her legs and partial use of one arm. She received many decorations for her service in Iraq, including the Purple Heart and the Air Medal.

Since her recovery at Walter Reed, Duckworth has dedicated her life to public service. She serves as a national advocate on behalf of other veterans, regularly addressing a wide variety of issues facing veterans today. She has testified before both the U.S. House and Senate regarding medical care and employment for returning veterans. In 2006, Duckworth ran for U.S. Congress in the 6th District of Illinois, losing to her Republican opponent by only percent of the vote.

Duckworth served as the Manager for the Club and District Administration Department for Rotary Internationals Asia-Pacific Region, with direct supervision over employees in five regional offices in Japan, New Delhi, Sydney, Seoul and Chicago. She speaks fl uent Thai and Indonesian and is a published author on the connection between environmental radon and lung cancer. She has declined her medical retirement to continue her service in the Illinois Army National Guard. Duckworth and her husband MAJ Bryan Bowlsbey, currently reside in Hoffman Estates, IL.

Ann Lata Kalayil is a Director of Client Services and Support in Networking Services and Information Technologies at the University of Chicago, where she has been employed for the past 16 years. She is co-director of the South Asian American Policy and Research Institute (www.saapri.org). She has taught Asian American Studies at DePaul University, Loyola University and the University of Illinois-Chicago for seven years. Currently, Ann is a Board of Director of the Indo-American Center, a Board of Director of the Indo-American Democratic Organization, a Board of Director of the Illinois Women in Leadership, and a Board of Director of the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform. Ann was on the Governor’s Immigrant Policy Council and the Illinois Hate Crimes Commission. She chaired the Asian American transition team for Attorney General Lisa Madigan and currently serves on the AG’s Asian American Advisory Council. She is a Leadership Greater Chicago Fellow (2001).

Her experience in politics includes being: President for four years of the Indo-American Democratic Organization; member-at-large delegate for the Democratic National Committee (1997-2001); Obama at-large delegate (2008); campaign manager for State Representative and Judicial races; testified during redistricting process in Illinois; co-chair of Obama’s Asian Pacific American Leadership Council for the Presidential Campaign; member of the Social Innovation and Technology for the Presidential transition group.

Norma I. Reyes is a highly motivated leader with 30 years of progressive accomplishments in public service. In November of 2008, Reyes was appointed by Mayor Richard M. Daley as Commissioner of a newly formed Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP).

As Commissioner she oversees the licensing of Chicago businesses and public vehicles. She is responsible for the development of business and consumer education programs to support the growth of businesses in Chicago. In addition, Reyes oversees the regulatory enforcement of business and consumer laws that protect consumers and businesses from unfair marketplace practices.

Prior to her appointment, Reyes served as Commissioner of the Department of Consumer Services for more than 4 years serving Chicago’s consumers and public vehicle industry. Reyes helped to modernize the department by implementing innovative measures to help regulate the public vehicle industry and protect consumers from fraud and deceptive practices while promoting fair business practices.

Reyes successfully led a settlement agreement between the City of Chicago and a cable provider valued at over $52 million for defaulting on its franchise agreement and defaulting on payments owed to public access station CAN-TV. While Commissioner, she also developed an online alert system for recalled toys to alert consumers.

Reyes previously served as Commissioner of the Department of Buildings and as Deputy Chief of Staff of Public Safety in the Mayor’s Office. Reyes is an attorney who has practiced law in Chicago for 20 years, served as prosecutor in the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office and later was the Deputy Corporation Counsel for Municipal Prosecution.

Reyes also serves as Chicago’s Cable Commissioner, and serves on a five member Cable Commission panel. She was appointed by Mayor Richard M. Daley to the Advisory Council on Closing and Digital Divide. She is a member of the International Association of the Transportation Regulators and The National Association of Telecommunication Officers and Advisors. She is a member of the Chicago Bar Association, and served as President of the Puerto Rican Bar Association.

Reyes received a bachelor’s degree in government and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Notre Dome.

Eileen has over 15 years in philanthropy and has lead the Motorola Foundation and global Corporate Contributions for the last four years in its mission to benefit the communities in which it operates around the world, by making strategic grants, forging strong partnerships, fostering innovation, and engaging stakeholders. Eileen joined Motorola from the Inkindex Corporation where she was Chief Executive Officer. Inkindex is an online company that obtains resources for non-profit groups. Before that, Eileen served as director of Civic Affairs for United Airlines where she was responsible for global corporate philanthropy, employee volunteerism, and employee giving. During her tenure at United, she launched the Mileage Plus Charity Miles program which to date, has collected over half a billion miles for charity.

She is a founding member of the National Science Advisory Committee for the Girl Scouts of the USA, and currently sits on the boards of Working in the Schools, Chicago; Project Exploration, Chicago; Victory Gardens Theater, Chicago; the Women’s Power Network, and is on the National Advisory Council for the Dream Foundation and a founder of the North Lawndale College Prep Charter High School of Chicago. Eileen represented U.S. business on the national steering committee for the United Nations International Year of Volunteers, 2001 and is the immediate past-Chair of The Contributions Council of the Conference Board.

Eileen received a bachelor’s degree in education from Loyola University and a Masters in Education from Harvard Graduate School for Education with a focus on building strategic business-education partnerships.

A great grandniece of Thomas Edison, Sarah Miller Caldicott has been engaged in creativity and innovation throughout her life. Inspired by a family lineage of inventors dating back five generations, Sarah began her 25-year career as a Marketing executive with major brand-driven firms including Quaker and the Helene Curtis subsidiary of Unilever. Sarah worked in both domestic and international management capacities in bringing innovative products to market globally including Degree, Finesse, and Suave.

Concerned that America was losing its competitive edge just as the new millennium dawned, Sarah began examining Thomas Edison’s innovation methods. Following three years of research at Rutgers University with Dr. Paul Israel – the world’s leading expert on Edison today – Sarah released a groundbreaking new book offering a first-ever analysis of Thomas Edison’s world-changing innovation methods. Entitled Innovate Like Edison: The Five-Step System for Breakthrough Business Success, Sarah’s book identifies the Five Competencies of Innovation™ which spurred Edison to generate a record-breaking 1,093 U.S. patents, and pioneer 6 new industries in less than 40 years. Sarah’s book reveals how individuals, teams, and organizations can use Edison’s timeless innovation methods to create competitive advantage today.

Innovate Like Edison has been featured in The New York Times, and endorsed by Fortune Small Business, USA Today, Investor’s Business Daily, 800-CEO-READ, and the National Press Club. It has also been translated into 3 languages, and serves as a textbook at leading universities including Northwestern University, the McCormick School of Engineering, and the Illinois Institute of Technology.

Sarah is President of her own Chicago-based consultancy, The Power Patterns of Innovation, offering guidance to companies seeking innovation success in the global economy. Power Patterns works with individual project teams and divisional groups to initiate change in the broader organization. The resulting grassroots shifts in innovation mindset and behaviors yield long-term, more sustainable outcomes.

In addition to her guest appearances on PBS television, the Fox Business Network, and NPR radio affiliates, Sarah has been featured in the New York Times. Sarah has recently hosted the 14th annual Edison Awards•, a series of honors recognizing today’s top Innovators as well as product Innovations in 10 categories mastered by Edison himself. The Edison Awards are intended to reinspire America’s innovation leadership in the global economy.

As award-winning speaker, Sarah has inspired audiences nationwide with her message about advancing America’s innovation competitiveness, including: Google; Microsoft; Motorola; Coldwell Banker; Hewitt Associates; The Brookings Institute; the Society of Manufacturing Engineers; CPA America; Innovate Michigan; the American Marketing Association; the National Association of Electrical Distributors; the Society of Human Resource Managers; National Association of Female Executives (NAFE); the Association for Women in Communication (WIC); the Chicago Executive Learning Exchange; the University of Chicago Booth School of Business; Northwestern University; the Illinois Institute of Technology; the McCormick School of Engineering, and Chautauqua Institution.

Sarah received her BA from Wellesley College, where she was named a Wellesley Scholar. Sarah also holds an MBA from the Amos Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth. She has two college-age boys, Nicholas and Connor, and resides in Oak Park, Illinois

Renu Kulkarni is a global innovation and strategic alliances professional. Renu has a deep understanding of the high tech and consumer electronics ecosystems with 22 years of industry experience. She has expertise in building open innovation capabilities, strategic alliances, business and technology strategy, R&D portfolio optimization, business development and operations. She is committed to creating value by bridging ideas, people, and businesses to enable incubation, technology transfer, and commercialization.

Most recently, Renu was VP, Technology Partnerships at Motorola where she drove strategic technology-based partnerships with leading companies, key customers, premier universities, and government research centers around the world to achieve break-through innovation and business results. Notable alliances included: Microsoft, IBM, SUN, France Telecom, British Telecom, NTT DoCoMo, Fox Mobile, Stanford, MIT, South Korean Ministry of Communications, and the Singapore Economic Development Board.

In addition, Renu is active in promoting STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) in young children.

She holds an MBA degree from Goizueta Business School at Emory University and a BS in Industrial Engineering/ Management Science from the Georgia Institute of Technology.

Ellen Rozelle Turner serves as the president of Blackwell Consulting Services, one of the largest minority owned companies in the United States. Ellen is in charge of the executive management of day-to-day operations with a specific emphasis on client facing operations including sales, marketing and delivery solutions. Ellen is responsible with expanding the Blackwell customer base as well as leveraging her experience in the public sector to amplify the company’s presence in the market.

Before joining Blackwell, Ellen was one of the founders and managing partners of Clarity Partners, LLC a Chicago-based management and information technology consulting firm.

Ellen served as the managing partner responsible for business development and marketing for Clarity. Ellen has over 17 years experience servicing both private and public sector clients and has a solid track record of helping clients solve complex business problems and delivering superior customer service.

Prior to Clarity, Ellen held senior level positions with Blackwell Consulting Services, served as an Assistant Commissioner at the City of Chicago Department of Business and Information Services and briefl y worked in the Office of the Mayor. Before working in public sector Ellen held senior management positions running the day-to-day operations of two private sector firms.

Education and Associations
Ellen studied Journalism at the University of Missouri-Columbia and holds a certificate in Human Resource Management from DePaul University. Ellen serves as a director on the Loretto Hospital Foundation Board and is a board member for the League of Black Women. Ellen is the corporate advisor to the National Forum for Black Public Administrators. Ellen also holds memberships with the Rotary Club of Chicago, the Executives Club of Chicago, the Urban League of Chicago, Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Black Data Processing Association, and City Club of Chicago. She is a member of the Illinois State Treasurers Women’s Advisory Council and on the advisory board to POWER: Opening Doors for Women.

Ellen provides charitable work to the Anti-Defamation League of Chicago Women of Achievement Committee and has served as co-chair for the annual fundraisers. In 2007, Ellen was one of the recipients of the Anti-Defamation Leagues distinguished Women of Achievement Award. Ms. Turner received the NFBPA Corporate Award at the Marks of Excellence Program in 2008.

Ellen also served for five years as chairperson and president of the Local School Council and PTA at Shoesmith Elementary School, a Chicago Public School located in Hyde Park, where the technology lab is named in her honor. Ellen, her husband Donald and three children reside in Chicago’s Hyde Park neighborhood in Illinois.