• E-mail
• Print
• Comment
• Font Size
• Digg
• del.icio.us
• Discuss article

Chicago United Names Its 2009 Business Leaders of Color

Posted on: Wednesday, 17 June 2009, 08:00 CDT

Individuals recommended to increase diversity on corporate boards

CHICAGO, June 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Chicago United announced the 46 local business people who will be featured in its 2009 Business Leaders of Color Publication. The business advocacy organization recommends this group to Fortune 1000 corporate boards looking to increase diversity among their ranks as a strategic business imperative.

The Business Leaders of Color publication features accomplished corporate and civic leaders who have achieved professional success through a track record of balanced decision making; a range of experiences that reflect flexibility and an ability to transcend narrow experiences; and a respect for diverse points of view and varied ways to approach issues and topics. To introduce Chicago's talented business leaders to enterprises seeking to include more diverse board candidates and business networks, Chicago United has presented the Business Leaders of Color publication biannually since 2003.

These leaders have also demonstrated a strong commitment to public service. While achieving personal success, each has contributed to the cultural, civic and educational life of the city of Chicago. Past BLC members include First Lady Michelle Obama, Ralph Alvarez, President and Chief Operating Officer of McDonald's Corp., Valerie Jarrett, Senior Advisor to President Barack Obama, and many others.

"We are thrilled to recognize the outstanding achievements and personal commitment of these exceptional Chicagoans," said Gloria Castillo, President of Chicago United. "Business success in Chicago, as in most cities, greatly depends on personal relationships and informal networks. Chicago United created this publication in its commitment to develop and expand these networks and to promote inclusion as a business imperative."

More than 160 nominations were received from a wide variety of products and services industries.

The 2009 Business Leaders of Color are:

1. David Andalcio, Managing Director, Hispanic Development Enterprises, LLC
2. Nancy Andrade, President and General Counsel, Mexifeast Foods, Inc.
3. Andrea G. Barthwell, Founder & CEO, EMGlobal LLC, Human Resources Development Institute, Inc. (HRDI)
4. Linda Boasmond, President/General Manager, Cedar Concepts
5. Ramon Cepeda, Senior Vice President - Managing Director, Northern Trust
6. Pedro Cevallos-Candau, Executive Vice President, Primera Engineers, Ltd.
7. Johnathan U. Choe, Executive Vice President, Retail Banking, Fifth Third Bank
8. Michelle Coleman Mayes, Senior Vice President and General Counsel, Allstate Insurance Company
9. Michelle L. Collins, President, Cambium LLC
10. Nelda Connors, President, Tyco Electrical and Metal Products Division Tyco International
11. Billy Dexter, Managing Director, Partner, Heidrick & Struggles
12. Sue Ling Gin, Chairman & CEO, Flying Food Group
13. Quin R. Golden, M.B.A., Associate VP for Strategic Affiliations and Urban Health Initiatives, The University of Chicago Medical Center
14. J.C. Gonzalez-Mendez, President, McDonald's Latin America
15. Wallace Harris, Jr., Senior Vice President, District Executive, Harris Community Banking, Harris
16. Ted Hawkins, Partner, Advisory, PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP
17. Amy Hilliard, Founder, President and CEO, Comfort Cake Company
18. Kim M. Hubbard, Chief Investment Officer, Ernest & Young LLP
19. Robert Johnson, Managing Counsel, McDonald's Corporation
20. Earl Jones, President & Market Manager, Clear Channel Radio Chicago
21. Dolores A. Kunda, President / CEO, Lapiz Hispanic Marketing and Leo Burnett Puerto Rico
22. Deryl McKissack, PE, PMP, President and CEO, McKissack & McKissack
23. Dorri McWhorter, Partner, Crowe Horwath LLP
24. Verett Mims, Assistant Treasurer, The Boeing Company
25. Ray Mota, President and CEO, Mota Construction Co.
26. Linda Nolan, Senior Vice President, Northern Trust
27. Linda O'Bannon, Medical Director, North Central Region, Aetna
28. Nam Hung Paik, Partner, Baker & McKenzie
29. Terry Peterson, Vice President, Government Affairs, Rush University Medical Center
30. Anita Ponder, Partner, Drinker, Biddle & Reath LLP
31. Quintin E. Primo III, Chairman / CEO, Capri Capital Partners, LLC
32. Nazneen Razi, EVP and Chief HR Officer, Jones Lang LaSalle
33. Eric A. Reeves, Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary, Duchossois Group, Inc.
34. Judith C. Rice, Vice President, Director of Government Relations, Harris
35. Brenda A. Russell, Director and Client Relationship Executive in Law Firm Advisory Practice, PricewaterhouseCoopers
36. Gene Saffold, Managing Director National Accounts, J.P. Morgan Chase & Co.
37. Donna Sims Wilson, President, M. R. Beal & Company
38. Michael Sutton, President / CEO, Infrastructure Engineering, Inc.
39. Sheila Talton, Vice President - Chief Global Office, Cisco Systems
40. Nigel F. Telman, Partner, Sidley Austin LLP
41. Shundrawn A. Thomas, President, Northern Trust Securities, Inc., Northern Trust
42. Darryl Tom, Partner, Gonzalez, Saggio & Harlan LLC
43. Jason Tyler, Senior Vice President, Investment Committee & Director of Research Operations, Ariel Investments
44. Neli Vazquez Rowland, CEO, Be! Products, Vice President, A Savehaven Foundation
45. George A. Williams, Senior Vice President, Operations, ComEd
46. James H. Wooten, Jr., Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, Illinois Tool Works, Inc.

About Chicago United

Chicago United is the catalyst driving business leaders to maximize economic impact for all races. Created in 1968, Chicago United was the first group to bring together racially diverse CEOs with a common goal of creating a stronger social and economic climate for everyone in Chicago. To achieve sustainable impact, members focus on multiracial leadership development in corporate governance and executive level management; developing a pipeline of future multiracial executive leaders; and cultivating multiracial business partnerships. Through a fierce brand of constructive conversation, Chicago United fosters inclusion and provides an opportunity for senior executives from all racial and ethnic groups to learn from one another, confront and break down racial barriers and achieve shared objectives.

SOURCE Chicago United

Source: PR Newswire

More News in this Category