Tonight... We Celebrate Leaders

Fellows and friends, it’s April 2nd.

Tonight, we would have been Celebrating Leaders at our annual Leadership Greater Chicago event at the Hilton Chicago. Imagine with us... 

Tonight, I close my eyes and I see the crowd in the reception room, feel the bustle of previous years, and I can almost hear the din of chattering, the ring of laughter, the smack of “high fives”, and the squeal of excited greetings! Social distancing has not been the hallmark of our Celebrate Leaders dinner—no! Never!

Tonight, we would have celebrated the 35th Anniversary of the first class of Fellows, the ILLUSTRIOUS LGC CLASS OF 1985. The Class that launched the “LGC Experience”. The Class that proved this social experiment of leadership development indeed worked and put leaders on a trajectory of caring for the greater good, of leading with an awakened heart, leading with intelligence and empathy to ensure we would build an inclusive Chicago.

Here’s to the Class of 1985 and the values they began to infuse into LGC—paying it forward, saying “yes" when asked, extending Fellowship to all Fellows.

Tonight, we would have celebrated and remembered the lives of remarkable Fellows gone too soon, recently MARCA BRISTO (LGC Class of 1992) and DIANE SCIACCA (LGC Class of 2012). We would have had a moment of silence for all, and a moment of reflection for Marca Bristo, a powerful and unflagging advocate for the rights of people with all disabilities and a leader in the movement to draft and pass the civil rights document we know today as the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

Tonight, we would have welcomed last year's honoree and our 2020 CORPORATE CHAIR ALLSTATE to the podium to present this year's CORPORATE CIVIC LEADERSHIP AWARD to JPMORGAN CHASE—recognizing JPMC's efforts to build an inclusive Chicago through its AdvancingCities initiative and investing resources in vulnerable communities on the South and West Sides.

Tonight, we would have recognized the CIVIC CONSULTING ALLIANCE with the CIVIC CATALYST AWARD for being a role model of collaboration across sectors and a driver of private public agents for change. We would have been proud to have their CEO Brian Fabes (LGC Fellow since 2001) accept the award as he hands the mantle of leadership to new CEO Rebekah Scheinfeld. 

Tonight, we would have recognized the body of civic work and the tireless advocacy on behalf of women and families of our 2020 DISTINGUISHED FELLOW SOL FLORES (LGC Fellow since 2011), Deputy Governor of Health and Human Services for the State of Illinois.

Tonight, we would have clapped and cheered for Classes who continue to connect and commit to the mission of LGC as loyal ANNUAL APPEAL SUPPORTERS.

Tonight, we would have singled out the “CLASS SPIRIT” OF THE CLASS OF 2010—a Class committed to each other as a family, even from across the globe, who for 10 consecutive years has rallied together to achieve 100% participation of every single one of their classmates in giving to the Annual Appeal, a much needed fund to support incoming non-corporate Fellows of the Signature program. Hats off to the Class of 2010—thank you for all the good you've done!

Tonight, we would have celebrated the LGC SPIRIT and THE LGC EXPERIENCE, and all who have contributed to our mission to build and strengthen the region's civic leadership pipeline—our Fellows, our sponsors, our partners, our speakers, our supporters, our friends. We would have asked you to join us with a pledge in support towards a generous $40,000 Challenge Gift the LGC Board created, with a goal of matching it by the end of the night. If you are willing and able to make a gift in support of LGC, we would be so grateful: https://lgcchicago.org/donate

Tonight, we would have given thanks for the Named Fellowships sponsored by The  Chicago Community Trust, the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, and The Field Foundation of Illinois for making it possible for a non-corporate leader to fully participate in our Signature Fellows Program and The Daniel Burnham Fellowship. We thank you for investing in building leadership capacity across sectors and throughout our community.

Tonight, we would have thanked our AMAZING AND GENEROUS SPONSORS who supported us once again this year, many of whom also support the candidacy of Fellows every year. Our thanks would have extended to over 100 SPEAKERS and our SCHOOL OF DEANS who share their wisdom and expertise on a multiplicity of topics in support of our world-class  programs, and to the partnership of the LEADERSHIP GREATER CHICAGO and LEADERSHIP FELLOWS ASSOCIATION BOARDS who give of their time, talent, treasure, and testament to serve the LGC mission.

Tonight, when the cheering and applauding of the last honoree had come to an end, we would have continued the celebration by joyfully moving to the MARS WRIGLEY CONFECTIONERY LEADERSHIP LOUNGE for an after party where we would chat, laugh, and dance the night away!

Tonight, we would have taken in the SPIRIT THAT MAKES CHICAGO WORK—the grit and determination mixed with empathy that drives us all to think about what can be and not what is. The spirit that will continue to drive us to become a better and more inclusive Chicago—that spirit is the indomitable spirit of Chicago. The spirit that built a metropolis out of the ashes in 1871, a spirit so precious no other city has, and that spirit which will lead us through and beyond this unprecedented moment in time—together!

Tonight, despite the distance the quieted earth has put beneath our feet, let's close our eyes and COME TOGETHER. For just a moment, let's think about being together tonight and individually, let’s finish this sentence: “Because of LGC, I______________.”

Because of LGC, I give thanks for all of YOU and your amazing will to do good...and change the word!

Just for a moment tonight, let's hear the laughter, let's see the faces we long for, let's close the virtual social distance between us, and let's bask in the warmth of the LGC spirit. Just for a moment...​

Until we see each other again, be safe and be well.