On Thursday, July 21, 2022, Leadership Greater Chicago (LGC) announced the 2023 Class of its Signature Fellows Program, the area’s premier civic leadership development program. These 53 accomplished and diverse individuals represent a cross-section of professionals from the corporate, nonprofit, government and education sectors. During the 10-month program, with the city as a classroom, they will be immersed in major socioeconomic issues facing the region through full-day seminars, neighborhood site visits, conversations with subject matter experts and cultural events.
“The landscape of civic leadership is shifting, and it demands a shared responsibility across sectors to advance meaningful, sustainable change,” said LGC Chief Executive Officer Maria Wynne. “We applaud the sponsors of the LGC Class of 2023 for embracing this approach to civic engagement and for investing in the ability of these leaders to change the world. On behalf of the LGC Board of Directors, I congratulate our newest Class and look forward to their contributions to ensure an inclusive future for all who call Chicago home.”
Selection into the LGC Signature Fellows Program is based on a record of professional accomplishment, evidence of leadership skills, the potential to influence positive change and a commitment to the region. This year’s Class advanced through a highly competitive process that included a written application, an online assessment and, in some cases, an interview with graduates of the LGC Signature Fellows Program. Those selected for the 2023 Signature Fellows Program share the organization’s commitment to lead bold, transformative change in the community.
More than 1,300 leaders have successfully completed this world-class civic leadership development program, and 83% of those individuals still reside in Illinois. A new class of leaders is selected each year, with the approval of the LGC Board of Directors.
About Leadership Greater Chicago
Leadership Greater Chicago (LGC) is the region’s premier civic leadership development organization, providing the knowledge and network to lead bold, transformative change. LGC convenes, connects and mobilizes the area’s most promising leaders around key socioeconomic issues through dynamic education and experiential activities. These diverse individuals represent the most prominent corporate, nonprofit, government and education organizations.
Since its founding in 1983 by The Chicago Community Trust, LGC has developed more than 1,300 leaders through its Signature Fellows Program – an intensive 10-month program that provides the foundation for a lifelong commitment to civic engagement. The Program equips participants with the resources they need to understand how decisions are made, how complex policies are shaped and how to influence meaningful change. Using the city as a classroom, leaders learn through interactions with private, public and nonprofit decision makers, and work as a group to develop critical thinking, analytical, governance and leadership skills.
LGC Fellows are a distinguished group that includes former First Lady Michelle Obama, Managing Partner of Emerson Collective and former U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, former Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner, former Executive Chairman of Urban Partnership Bank David Vitale, General Partner of Henry Crown & Company Steve Crown, Managing Partner, Cleveland Avenue Andy Zopp, Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx, Chairman, Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities Rachel Arfa, Co-CEO and Chief Investment Officer of Ariel Investments John W. Rogers, Jr., President of United Airlines Holdings, Inc. Brett Hart, Chancellor of Chicago City Colleges and MacArthur Genius Juan Salgado, President and CEO of Metropolitan Family Services Ric Estrada and President and CEO of Access Living Karen Tamley.
Most recently, LGC launched The Daniel Burnham Fellowship, an accelerated civic onboarding experience for senior executives. While beneficial to any executive, it is especially beneficial for those who are new to Chicago and provides a rich introduction to an executive new to their role and with market facing responsibilities. The Fellowship is designed to inspire these leaders to mobilize and exert their combined influence and intellect to positively impact Chicago, its future and the continued economic progress of the region. To date, nearly 100 C-suite executives have participated in this innovative leadership experience.
Leadership Greater Chicago is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. To learn more about LGC, visit lgcchicago.org. To learn more about the LGC Signature Fellows Program, visit lgcchicago.org/signaturefellowsprogram.