Chefs and restaurateurs, by their very nature, are hospitable creatures. They are naturally programmed to receive and tend to others, to entertain strangers. It’s just what they do. So it should come as no surprise that when there’s a natural disaster or a man-made tragedy, the hospitality industry dives right in to provide aid. Sadly, […]
In the 20th century, spectacular advances in medicine — from lifesaving vaccines to cures for deadly diseases — ushered in a golden age in public health. Yet, in the 21st century, new public health challenges have emerged. With increased globalization, air travel carries once isolated diseases in a matter of hours. Chronic, non-communicable — and often preventable […]
Investing in the community has always been part of the culture of William Blair, a global financial services firm and wealth advisor. It’s a tradition that began 82 years ago when Chicagoan William McCormick Blair founded the firm. Mr. Blair served as president of the Art Institute of Chicago, a trustee of the University of […]
When Andrew Youn, co-founder and executive director of One Acre Fund, was a student at the Kellogg School of Management in 2005, he traveled for the first time to Kenya. There he met two farm families facing very different realities. One farmer was yielding two tons of grain per acre, and her family was thriving. […]
One of my favorite days of the year is coming up this Friday when UNICEF USA hosts the UNICEF Chicago Humanitarian Awards Luncheon. It’s a time when we honor extraordinary fellow Chicagoans who are leaders in improving children’s lives here in Chicago and around the world. This year, we will be honoring Maria Woltjen, Suzanne Akhras Sahloul, Zaher Sahloul and Steve Lehmann. Their work inspires us all to reflect on […]
Sitting on the couch of their Lincoln Square home, Chris and Lesley Duffy look like any other young couple managing two very busy toddlers, surrounded by a room full of colorful toys and puzzles. But life for them has been anything but ordinary. Just a little over two years ago, Lesley, who was 28 weeks […]
When Rivers Casino opened its doors in Des Plaines in 2011, they made a promise to the community that they would give back. To the surprise and delight of many, the Rivers Gives Foundation has consistently over-delivered on their word — donating thousands of employee volunteer hours and more than $9 million since its inception. […]
As President of the Metropolitan Planning Council, an independent, nonpartisan nonprofit serving our civic needs, for the past 21 years, MarySue Barrett has been leading the organization’s strategic work with government, business and community leaders to foster best practices and public policies that improve life and business throughout the Chicago region. Some of their recent […]
To recognize people in the community for acts of great bravery, dedication and service, the American Red Cross of Chicago & Northern Illinois hosts the annual Heroes Breakfast. Last year, the people who were honored at the Heroes Breakfast changed lives. The audience learned about a man who channeled his grief after losing his father by launching […]
Nine years ago, Ron Levin and Ben Kovler formed Invest For Kids (IFK) with three goals in mind: to bring together highly regarded investment managers to present their best investable ideas, to create a community for Chicago investors, and to support under-resourced Chicago youth. Inspired by New York’s Ira Sohn Investment Research Conference, Kovler and […]
