Tuesday, May 6, 2025 | 10:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile
540 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611
Each year, this inspiring event honors a woman who has made a profound impact in philanthropy. Thanks to your incredible support, we raised over $150,000 at the 2024 Luncheon, enabling us to deliver programs that empower women to boldly advocate for themselves and their communities. The luncheon is also a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with friends, build new connections, and celebrate the collective power of our work.
Members $150 | Non-members $175
Since 2018, Z Scott has served as the 12th president of Chicago State University. A passionate advocate for equity in higher education, she developed and co-chaired the Equity Working Group designed to address Black student access and success in Illinois higher education. Previously, President Scott, an attorney, was an equity partner in a global law firm and spent 16 years as a federal criminal prosecutor. She also served as Illinois' first Executive Inspector General for the Agencies of the Governor and its Public Universities. Read more.
In her current role at Cleveland Avenue Ms. Zopp leads the organization’s work investing in and supporting minority and women entrepreneurs and their companies. Previously she served as President and CEO of World Business Chicago, where she led the organization’s mission of inclusive economic growth, supporting businesses, and promoting Chicago as a leading global city. Prior to joining WBC, she served as Deputy Mayor, Chief Neighborhood Development Officer for the City of Chicago. Read more.
CSU was founded in 1867, providing access to higher education for students of diverse backgrounds and educational needs.
Judge Patricia Holmes, Riley Safer Holmes & Cancila
Joe Cancila, Riley Safer Holmes & Cancila
Michael Harris, Beverly Bank & Trust
Liz Thompson, The CAFE Group
D'Andrea Anderson, Values Based Business Solutions
Peggy A. Montes, Bronzeville Children’s Museum
Kimberly Evans, Northern Trust
John C. Robak, Chicago State Foundation
Leslie Anderson-Rutland, BMO
Audrena Spence, Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network
.png)
.png)
2024 - Sharon Bush, President, Grand Victoria Foundation
2023 - Elizabeth 'Liz' Thompson, President, Cleveland Avenue Foundation for Education (The CAFÉ Group)
2022- Unmi Song, President, Lloyd A. Fry Foundation
2021 - Dr. Ngozi Ezike, Director, Illinois Department of Public Health
2020 - Barbara Bowman, Founder, Erikson Institute
2019 - Connie L. Lindsey, Executive Vice President, Northern Trust
2018 - Grace Hou, President, Woods Fund Chicago
2017 - Elizabeth Dozier, Managing Director, Chicago Beyond
2016 - Evelyn Diaz, President, Heartland Alliance
2015 - Dr. Melissa Gilliam, Professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Pediatrics and Chief of Family Planning at the University of Chicago
2014 - Julia Stasch, Vice President of U.S. Programs, John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation
2013 - Maria S. Pesqueira, President & CEO of Mujeres Latinas en Acción
2012 - Aurie Pennick, Executive Director and Treasure of the Field Foundation of Illinois
2010 - Adele Simmons, Metropolis
2009 - Amina Dickerson, Kraft Foods
2008 - Desiree Rogers, CEO of Johnson Publishing Company (previously President of Peoples Gas)
2007 - Anna Roosevelt, Boeing Company
2006 - Gigi Pritzker
