POSITION PROFILE President & CEO World Business Chicago Chicago, Illinois ABOUT WORLD BUSINESS CHICAGO World Business Chicago (‘WBC’) is a critical force in Chicago’s economic LEARN MORE: development engine. worldbusinesschicago.com As Chicago’s public-private partnership agency, WBC’s fundamental mission is to drive inclusive economic growth and job creation, support business and promote Chicago as a leading global city. World Business Chicago was formed as a privately funded organization by the Civic Committee of the Commercial Club and the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce in 1999. Today, it functions as an independent nonprofit entity that works in close partnership with the City. Mayor Lori Lightfoot is Chair of the WBC Board and Mellody Hobson, Co-CEO & President, Ariel Investments serves as Vice Chicago is one of the largest Chair. and most diverse economies in Under Mayor Lightfoot, the core focus of World Business Chicago is to help existing businesses thrive and attract new companies to Chicago to build a the United States. Last year, prosperous and equitable economy across all 77 neighborhoods. To support Chicago’s gross regional product business development, WBC is also focused on sharing Chicago business success stories nationally and globally to drive a positive narrative for Chicago as a (GRP) was the third largest in the destination for business growth and innovation. United States. In the 2020 Global Key to the success of WBC is its Board of Directors, which is comprised of over Financial Centres Index Chicago 70 of Chicago’s most prominent business and civic leaders. These leaders are charged with helping contribute to the economic landscape, including promoting ranked as having the sixth most the benefits of doing business in the Chicago area to their peers worldwide. competitive financial center in The WBC Board includes 70+ of Chicago’s most influential business leaders representing companies such as Motorola, Boeing, Hyatt, United Airlines, Exelon, the United States and 20th most JPMorgan Chase, Ulta Beauty and Loop Capital among others. A complete list of competitive financial center in the board members can be found on WBC’s website. world. Chicago is a key player in Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s administration has been committed to inclusive economic development through an equitable lens by focusing on bringing business every sector of business and topped opportunities to all 77 neighborhoods in Chicago. In October 2019, the Lightfoot the list of metropolitan U.S. cities Administration spearheaded the pioneering community economic improvement collaborative initiative, INVEST South/West, which is attracting public and private in the Fortune 500 by cumulative investments for 10 target neighborhoods. In its first year, the City invested more revenue at $842.2 billion for 2019. than $70 million in public resources into 12 commercial corridors and catalyzed more than $300 million in corporate and philanthropic commitments. Building on this commitment to economic development, Mayor Lightfoot envisions WBC will play an expanded, pivotal role in partnerships with investors. President & CEO, World Business Chicago 2 ABOUT WORLD BUSINESS CHICAGO President & CEO, World Business Chicago 3 ABOUT WORLD BUSINESS CHICAGO WBC’s efforts are focused on: 1. Inclusive and equitable growth of the Chicago regional economy through targeted business attraction, retention and expansion efforts; 2. Promoting Chicago on a global scale as an international, inclusive and equitable center of products, services and ideas, especially for the city’s high growth industry verticals (Technology, TDL, Manufacturing, Health Care & Life Sciences, Food & Agriculture); 3. Leading the collection, analysis and dissemination of data critical to WBC’s clients and partners; and 4. Leading, hosting and coordinating engagement opportunities between the business community, the Mayor, and the Mayor’s Office to support economic growth. WBC is a not-for-profit economic development organization. Its budget is projected to be around $5 million in 2021. The budget is funded by membership dues ($50,000 per member), city contributions, grants and an annual gala. WBC has a staff of around 30 full-time employees. In 2013, Chicago Sister Cities International formally joined WBC, a merger that is complimentary and cost- effective for both organizations. Rising to Mayor Lightfoot’s challenge to rebuild the economy, WBC is working in partnership with the business community and other stakeholders to leverage Chicago’s tremendous resources to attract companies and encourage job growth and economic development in neighborhoods throughout Chicago, especially in light of the critically important recovery efforts for the city post pandemic. Key to Chicago’s post pandemic recovery is a focus on a swift reopening of the city and clear focus on high priority growth areas. The full Recovery Task Force Plan & Report is available on the City’s website. A list of WBC’s Board and more information on the organization and its work can be found at www.worldbusinesschicago.com. President & CEO, World Business Chicago 4 THE OPPORTUNITY The President & CEO (‘CEO’) of World Business Chicago is a highly visible leader responsible for continued development and oversight of the organization as it furthers its mission of attracting businesses, creating jobs in Chicago, promoting engagement between City government and the business community, and contributing to inclusive growth across Chicago’s 77 neighborhoods. The CEO serves an influential member of the Mayor’s broader economic team. The position reports to the Mayor, and WBC’s Vice-Chair, currently Mellody Hobson, Co-CEO & President of Ariel Investments. This leader works directly with Deputy Mayor Samir Mayekar and the City’s Chief Marketing Officer, Michael Fassnacht. President & CEO, World Business Chicago 5 THE OPPORTUNITY Keys for success include: • Serving as the primary representative of WBC to the business community, international community, governmental entities and other key constituent groups; • With the input of WBC’s Board, developing and instituting strategies to further WBC’s mission; • Serving as the leader of the organization, setting goals and objectives and leading reassessment efforts when necessary; • Engaging with existing Chicago’s business leaders to help their companies to thrive across all neighborhoods; • Driving business development efforts to attract new companies to Chicago, especially in selected growth industry verticals; • Spearheading selected initiatives for WBC and Chicago as appropriate; • Supporting the Mayor’s Office Recovery Taskforce Initiatives to position Chicago as a business friendly and inclusive growth- oriented city; • Close coordinating with the Mayor’s Office to ensure the implementation of the Mayor’s economic vision and strategy; • Building a wide network of strong relationships with key business leaders and associations across the country and internationally; • Collaborating with the Chicago’s Sister Cities team to foster key international relationships for our +29 Sister Cities and beyond; • Raising funds and other support to further the mission of WBC; • Ensuring the effective management of WBC, including overseeing the day-to-day leadership of the organization and staff; • Working with WBC Vice Chair and Board members to recruit new members for the Board; and • Other duties as necessitated or as directed by the Board. President & CEO, World Business Chicago 6 CANDIDATE PROFILE The ideal leader of WBC will have the following professional and personal qualities, skills and characteristics: An Ambassador & Business Developer The CEO will have the character and confidence to work fearlessly to in a highly visible role and to interact effectively with a broad range of constituents. As the business development lead for Chicago and WBC, the CEO will be a ‘closer’ who can bring initiatives to a successful conclusion, furthering business development for Chicago and growing revenues for WBC. As a critical voice for the city and WBC, it is important that this leader bring strong communications and media skills. The CEO will be an effective communicator with a dynamic, energetic and credible personality who will represent Chicago globally to CEOs, Boards of Directors, governmental officials and other stakeholders. This leader will clearly articulate WBC’s value and possess an inherent ability to ‘sell in a boardroom’ as well as other environments. The CEO will understand the leadership challenges of high-profile environments and will be politically adept. A Relationship Builder & Influencer The successful CEO will be a persuasive ambassador for Chicago and the mission of WBC, a collaborator and a skilled relationship builder. They will have strong interpersonal skills with the gravitas to develop positive and productive relationships on all levels, including the senior-most levels of business leadership. To thrive in this role, they will need to demonstrate emotional intelligence and nurture authentic connections. In addition, the successful leader will understand the importance of being a key civic leader on economic development initiatives that drive inclusive growth while not engaging in advocacy. The CEO will be inclusive and have the ability to facilitate best approaches to building consensus among multiple stakeholders. President & CEO, World Business Chicago 7 CANDIDATE PROFILE A Dynamic Leader The CEO is a results-oriented self-starter and finisher who is resourceful and entrepreneurial,