July 15, 2021

Leading in Color Newsletter

July 2021

Our new 2021 Business Leaders of Color: Ready for the Opportunity

Talented. Innovative. Strategic.

Chicago United is once again proud to present diverse leaders who embody these characteristics and are highly qualified to serve in board rooms and C-suites. Our 50, new 2021 Business Leaders of Color (BLC) are decision-makers who can help lead organizations to higher profits and increase shareholder value.

They join the ranks of past Chicago United Business Leaders of Color, 420 diverse executives who dispel the myth that there aren’t enough qualified and talented executives of color who can meet the challenge of the corporate board directorship. Indeed, since BLC was launched in 2003, these men and women have held more than 300 corporate board seats.

It is no secret that high-performing boards are comprised of a diverse group of leaders with naturally different perspectives. The Business Leaders of Color, one of our key programs, continues to provide solutions to institutions that are serious about DE&I accountability in corporate governance.

Most likely, you know at least one person among our new selection of Business Leaders of Color.

Please congratulate them and give them encouragement as they prepare for the next level of contribution to the corporate sector.

View the full list of our newest Business Leaders of Color here. We will officially introduce them at Chicago United’s Bridge Awards Dinner, “A Movement, Not a Moment,” to be held Thursday, Nov. 18 at the Hilton Chicago at 5:30 p.m. Please mark your calendars and make plans to join us!

Dorothy Abreu, a Chicago United Leaders Council member, has been promoted to SVP and relationship manager for PNC Public Finance. She will help lead the provision of capital solutions and tailored financial services to public sector and non-profit clients.

Chicago United 2017 Business Leader of Color José Luis Prado, Executive Advisor Partner with Wind Point Partners and former CEO of Evans Food Group, was appointed to the board of the planned National Museum of the American Latino in Washington, DC.

Also from the 2017 BLC, Rudy Juarez was promoted to Vice President of LATAM and Specialty Businesses at W.W. Grainger.

Several Chicago United supporters were recently named as new fellows of Leadership Greater Chicago. Congratulations to our board secretary Nichole Owens, Vice President, Customer Channels, ComEd; 2021 Business Leaders of Color Lizette Williams, Global Head of Vertical Solutions Marketing, Facebook, and Regina S. Cross, Vice President, Goldman Sachs; and Diversity Officer Roundtable member Fellicia Foster, Vice President, Head of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, BMO Harris Bank.

Two Chicago United Corporate Inclusion Institute (CII) Fellows recently received promotions: Vicki Williams of Nicor Gas was promoted to Supplier Diversity Manager and; Paulette Grant of ComEd was elevated to Manager, Distribution Electric Operations. Congratulations! Your promotions demonstrate the goal of CII!