Chicago United, an advocacy organization that promotes multiracial leadership in business to advance parity in economic opportunity, has released its list of ?50 exceptional minority professionals who demonstrate superior business acumen and drive global competitiveness.??
The 2015 Business Leaders of Color were selected from a nomination pool of more than 125 qualified candidates representing a wide variety of product and service industries. Chicago United conducted a survey of CEOs from local corporations to determine the criteria used to select its top 50 featured leaders. When asked to list the qualities and characteristics used to identify “rising stars” within their corporation or candidates to fill board of director positions, the CEO responses were consistent:
??? ???? A proven track record of balanced decision-making and appreciation for multiple perspectives
??? ???? A range of experiences that reflect flexibility and the ability to transcend narrow experiences and issues
??? ???? An ability to respect diverse points of view and varied ways to approach issues and topics
?We are pleased to introduce the 2015 Chicago United Business Leaders of Color, 50 remarkable men and women who drive global competitiveness through demonstrated, effective leadership and who should be considered for corporate board directorships,? Gloria Castillo, president and CEO of Chicago United, told TNJ.com Editor Sergie Willoughby.?
She continued, “One untapped resource that addresses both of these issues is diversity.? Human capital and innovation remain at the top the list of business challenges, not only here in the United States, but globally.? According to a recently published McKinsey & Company report titled Diversity Matters, it is 35 percent more likely companies with ethnically diverse leadership will outperform those that are less diverse.? Chicago United presents this impressive group to the public as well as nominating committees and search executives who seek the benefits diversity delivers to corporate boards. Showcasing these candidates who are ready and able to add significant value to Fortune 1,000 enterprises is one of the many ways our organization works to reduce barriers in increasing multiracial leadership to advance parity of economic opportunity.?
Below, we?ve listed the African American leaders who made the list:
D’Andrea M. Anderson, Executive Director, J.P.Morgan Securities
Cynthia Barginere, Chief Operating Officer, Senior Vice President, Rush University Medical Center
Brenda A. Battle, Vice President, Care Delivery Innovation Urban Health Initiative and Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, University of Chicago Medicine
Kenneth M. Battle, Partner, Quintairos, Prieto, Wood & Boyer, P.A.
Alex Bell, Managing Director, KPMG LLP
M. Michelle Blaise, Senior Vice President of Technical Services, ComEd, An Exelon Company
Lawyer L. Burks III, Vice President and General Manager Commercial Construction North America, Illinois Tool Works
Denise R. Cade, SVP, General Counsel, Corporate Secretary and Chief Compliance Officer, SunCoke Energy
Virginia Clarke, Senior Partner, Executive Search, Knightsbridge Human Capital Solutions
Roger O. Crockett, President, R.O. Crockett Leadership Advisory
Yolanda Daniel, Chief Financial Officer, American Board of Medical Specialties
Angelique Athiena, David Senior Managing Director, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary, Ziegler
Jeffrey Dorsey, Senior Vice President Technology, Tribune Publishing Company
Willard S. Evans, Jr., President, Evans Advisory Group, LLC
Thomas L. Fisher, Clinical Associate of Medicine, The University of Chicago
Sharon T. Grant, Vice President-Customer Contact Centers, United Airlines
Carl A. Jenkins, Managing Director, BMO Financial Group
Oscar D. Johnson, Jr., Senior Vice President, Regional Head of Business Banking, BMO Harris Bank
Leonard McLaughlin, President, Aon Cornerstone Innovative Solutions, Aon
Michael J. McMurray, President, Globetrotters Engineering Corporation
David Nichols, Americas Inorganic Growth Leader, Ernst & Young LLP
Ronald V. Redd, Director, BMO Capital Markets
Max W. Reed, Vice President Program Sales, CDW
Al B. Reid, Divisional Vice President ? Corporate Development, Abbott
Eric S. Smith, CFO ? Middle Market Banking, JPMorgan Chase
Gilda Livingston, Spencer SVP and Deputy General Counsel, Allstate Insurance Company
Jason Spigner, Vice President, Human Resources ? Advocate Condell Medical Center & Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital, Advocate Health Care
Russell Stokes, President & CEO, GE Transportation
Eric Strickland, Senior Vice President, Managing Director ? Corporate Group, Northern Trust
Everett S. Ward, Partner, Quarles & Brady, LLP
Adrienne White-Faines, CEO, American Osteopathic Association (AOA)
