Leading for Good 2024

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.