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Leading for Good 2024

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Leading for Good 2022

At Leading for Good 2024, we convened to explore "The New Business of Impact." Through cross-sector collaboration and partnerships, we reached new heights of impact in our rapidly evolving world. The day was enriched with exceptional individuals, groundbreaking ideas, and valuable networking opportunities.

Selected Speakers

Our line-up featured incredible innovators, entrepreneurs, executives, and civic leaders.

	Abena Boamah-Acheampong Founder/CEO Hanahana Beauty Co.
	Shermann "Dilla" Thomas Chicago Historian Chicago Mahogany Tours
	Dale Green Global Director, Purpose Marketing Mars Inc.
	Mary Hogue Global Responsibility Lead Starbucks
	Amanda Lamb Global VP, Brand Wilson Sporting Goods
	Michael Strautmanis EVP, External Affairs Obama Foundation

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	Stephen Ban Baumhart Faculty Baumhart Advisory Board Member
	Brandolon Barnett Head of Innovation & Philanthropy Giving Compass
	Nancy Bonges Head of Community Engagement William Blair
	Kathleen Caliento President and CEO Cara Collective
	Chuck Cannon Senior Scientist The Morton Arboretum
	Jonathan Chaparro Executive Director, Innovation & Head of Chicago Region Braven
	Arthur Chow Principal SG2 Ventures
	Shelley Davis Board Chair Albert Pick Jr. Fund
	Kim Evans EVP & Head of Corporate Sustainability, Inclusion & Social Impact Northern Trust
	Jazmin Garcia Account Director, Nonprofits LinkedIn
	Corliss Garner Chief DEI Officer Old National Bank
	Sam Glassenberg CEO and Founder Level Ex
	Paige Graham SVP, Social Impact & Sustainability Edelman
	Mark Ishaug CEO Thresholds
	Carl Jones, Jr. VP, External & Government Affairs Comcast
	Alex Kruzel CEO & Founder Telesto Strategy
	Lisa Laws Chief Operating Officer 1871
	Haven Leeming Sr. Program Manager Builders Vision
	Stephanie Lerdall Head of Coroprate Communications Morningstar, Inc.
	Jonathan McGee Senior Consultant Baker Tilly US
	Dorri McWhorter President and CEO YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago
	Lyneir Richardson CEO Chicago TREND Corporation
	Brittney Robbins Founder and CEO The Gray Matter Experience
	Leeatt Rothschild Founder & CEO Packed with Purpose
	Victoria Rudd Lead Community Affairs Specialist Discover Financial Services
	Jimmy Samartzis CEO LanzaJet
	Sara Ray Stoelinga President & CEO Easterseals (Chicagoland and Greater Rockford)
	Linda Tuncay Zayer Professor and John F. Smith, Jr. Chair in Business Administration Loyola University Chicago
	Karen Weigert Director Baumhart Center
	April Williams-Luster Sr. Manager, Community Affairs Discover Financial Services

Agenda

Attendees enjoyed a day packed with extraordinary individuals, transformative ideas, and opportunities to connect deeply.

8:00 a.m.	Registration and Breakfast
8:20 a.m.	Doors Open + Ideas Exchange
9:00 a.m.	Power of Impact Talk: Building The Unseen: Mindset of a Changemaker Abena Boamah-Acheampong Our 2024 event began with Abena Boamah-Acheampong and the extraordinary story of building a global social enterprise right here in Chicago. As Founder and CEO of Hanahana Beauty Co., a consciously clean skin care, beauty, and wellness brand, Abena is on a mission to bring humanity to the skincare industry. Her story and impact inspired attendees throughout the day.
9:15 a.m.	Welcome
9:35 a.m.	Opening Plenary: AI For Good: Tool For Transformation Brandolon Barnett, Chuck Cannon, Sam Glassenberg, and Lisa Laws Artificial Intelligence is transforming the business landscape and society at large. As we look to the fast arriving future, there are ways AI can be a force for good. Attendees heard from leading practitioners on harnessing AI to build a better world for all – leaving no sector or community behind.
10:35 a.m.	Reflection Period
10:55 a.m.	Breakout A: Pipelines of Purpose: Hiring and Building the Teams of Tomorrow Jonathan Chapparo, Shelley Davis, Jazmin Garcia, and Britney Robbins Every organization is built with teams – and the workforce today has more complexity and diversity than ever. While creating an inclusive environment has shown to improve work performance, increase creativity, and give companies a competitive edge, how can that be delivered? Our panel explored how to open pathways to all talent, building truly high performing and inclusive teams. Breakout B: The New Chicago Way: Investment in Every Neighborhood Nancy Bonges, Johnathan McGee, Lyneir Richardson, Carl Jones Jr., and Michael Strautmanis Financial investments combined with support structures create new jobs, opening lifelines for families and pathways to generational possibilities. Join this critical discussion on high impact approaches delivering investments, jobs and economic opportunity across Chicago’s neighborhoods. Breakout C: Progress and Peril: Communicating Impact in 2024 Corliss Garner, Dale Green, Stephanie Lerdall, and Linda Tuncay Zayer In recent years, communication around impact, specifically Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Initiatives, has been fast-changing and often challenging. Attendees heaed from current practitioners on navigating communication in 2024 and beyond.
11:55 a.m.	Lunch
1:00 p.m.	Innovator Awards Presentation Laura Zumdahl, Jon Cohen, Matt Knott, and Sara Ray Steolinga Attendees enjoyed an inspirational lunch with the Innovator Awards, a nationally significant award series recognizing organizations at the forefront of social and environmental impact. Attendees also heard directly from three thought provoking CEOs on what drives their organizations’ ongoing impact.
1:30 p.m.	Innovator Awards Panel
2:00 p.m.	Breakout A: Deep Dive on Innovator Awards with Social Impact Awardee Katheleen Caliento, Leeatt Rothschild, and Laura Zumdahl Organizations thrive when they bring transformational pathways to community opportunities. The 2024 Social Impact awardee and other panelists shared their unique work growing leadership and growing possibilities for all.  Breakout B: Deep Dive on Innovator Awards with Environmental Stewardship Awardee Jon Cohen, Kim Evans, Alex Kruzel, and Jimmy SamartzisNow more than ever, companies are committed to sustainability efforts worldwide with a deepening focus on measurable climate action. The Environmental Stewardship awardee and other panelists reviewed concrete actions for a healthy planet. Breakout C: Deep Dive on Innovator Awards with Parkinson Purpose and Profit Awardee Arthur Chow, Paige Graham, Matt Knott, and Haven LeemingThe great challenges of our times require visionary plans linked to scaled investments and detailed implementation across sectors. Attendees heard from the 2024 Parkinson Purpose and Profit awardee and other panelists about transforming investment and impact across sectors.
2:40 p.m.	Afternoon Fireside Chat: A Pathway to an Equitable Workforce: The Discover Chatham Customer Care Center Stephen Ban, April Williams-Luster, and Victoria Rudd In 2024, the Discover Chatham Customer Care Center is slated to employ 1,000 people from Chatham and surrounding neighborhoods. With community at the top of mind, it is an extraordinary example of meeting the needs of communities and companies. This fireside chat explored the formation of the center and its commitment to the community.
3:00 p.m.	Power of Impact Talk: Innovation and Impact in Our Roots Shermann “Dilla” Thomas We invited attendees to change their understanding of local impact and collaboration with Chicago’s Historian Shermann “Dilla” Thomas. “Dilla” is a Chicago social media sensation deepening our connection to our rich history. Co-founder of Chicago Mahogany Foundation, which is committed to preserving and disseminating the rich history and culture of the city of Chicago, “Dilla” reminded us that innovation has always been in the DNA of Chicago.
3:15 p.m.	Closing Plenary: High Impact Strategic Partnerships Mary Hogue, Mark Ishaug, Amanda Lamb, Dorri McWhorter, and Karen Weigert Partnerships across sectors, often between unexpected allies, can create real, long-lasting change in communities. Through collaboration, vision and open conversations about shared goals, new ways of working become forces for good. Leaders from the YMCA, Wilson Sporting Goods, Thresholds, and Starbucks explored the pathways to partnerships and the benefits to all involved.
4:15 p.m.	Call to Action 2024
4:30 p.m.	Networking Reception Guests enjoyed appetizers and drinks as they mingled, networked, and continued to explore opportunities for cross-sector collaboration and partnership.