disruptive inclusion 2015 Year in Review Vision from the Chairman Mark F. Furlong Retired President and Chief Executive Officer BMO Harris Bank N.A. (Diamond Status/ Five Forward Program) As I reflect on 2015, the vital importance of the strategic In 2015, we welcomed several new members including initiatives of Chicago United has become even more evident Astellas, US, LLC, The Chicago Zoological Society, Franczek given what has transpired in our city since last fall. At the Radelet P.C., Grant Law, LLC, Hendrick & Struggles, LSL core of its program and product offerings is Chicago United’s Healthcare Inc., Northwestern University, and RME (Rubinos mission to promote multiracial leadership in business to & Mesia Engineers, Inc.). We also have 2016 membership advance parity in economic opportunity. commitments from Dinsmore & Shohl, LLP, Morgan Stanley, and People’s Gas and North Shore Gas. Businesses must be intentional to incorporate best-in-class inclusive practices to develop their workforce and the pipeline In addition to our increasing membership, 2015 was a to management as a part of their business development record breaking year across the board. Attendance at the strategy. To advance parity of economic opportunity, the Chicago United Annual Meeting increased 160%, due, in single most impactful statement for corporations is to part, to combining the Annual Meeting presentation with intentionally focus their purchasing with local minority the Leadership Summit. The Chicago United Bridge Awards owned businesses to provide them the opportunity to build Dinner exceeded expectations as a stand-alone event and scale. These local job creators employ significant numbers of raised in excess of $877,000, exceeding last year’s total. people of color, who will then be empowered to buy their goods and services. Thank you for your continued engagement and support of Chicago United. As we look ahead to 2016, we are excited Chicago United members get it. I’m encouraged by to work alongside our members, Chicago’s businesses most the growth in numbers and engagement within our committed to diversity and inclusion, to enhance economic membership. The success of Chicago United can be opportunity for all in the Chicago region. attributed to the passion of our members who have continued to put diversity and inclusion at the forefront of conversations within corporate Chicago. The Business Leaders of Color and Corporate Diversity Profile publications, Five Forward, and thought leadership programming like the Transformative Inclusion Member Forums continue to drive awareness of the need to increase and sustain multiracial leadership in corporate governance, the leadership pipeline, and business partnerships. 2 Message from the President and CEO Gloria Castillo President and Chief Executive Officer Chicago United Human capital and innovation remain at the top of the list of at “CID” Talks, featuring a diverse group of transformational business challenges, not only here in the United States, but business leaders who disrupt the traditional way we think globally. One resource that addresses both of these issues is about diversity and inclusion. Media partner, ABC 7 filmed diversity; and Chicago United is here to support our members these thought provoking talks to make them available to a as they develop their talent resources and expand innovation broader audience on the internet. through diversity. The session with Frans Johansen, presented by PwC, produced Chicago United members explored the nexus of diversity and an explosion of ideas taking participants to the intersection innovation in a special session with Frans Johansson, author of concepts, cultures, industries, and disciplines, the basis for of The Medici Effect. They examined concepts shared by our disruptive innovation. speakers during the Transformational Inclusion Forums which provide tactical, strategic, and big, bold ideas intended The Annual Bridge Awards Dinner, presented by BMO Harris to inspire new ways of thinking about inclusion. The best- Bank which drew in record breaking sponsorship support, in-class diversity and inclusion practices they employ are recognized our Business Leaders of Color, one of the most some of the most needed and most impactful disruptive powerful groups of diverse business leaders in the country. innovations taking place in business; our members are establishing disruptive inclusion practices furthering The advocacy of Chicago United moves from big ideas meaningful advancement of diversity and inclusion. to big action. The Five Forward Initiative™ enlists the commitment of CEOs of mid- to large-sized corporations in I am proud that Chicago United has emerged as THE thought the Chicago metropolitan area to establish or expand business partner to businesses who are intentionally creating a relationships with five current and/or new local minority culture of inclusion. The programs and products presented firms. It is, unquestionably, our most successful effort to create by Chicago United are a product of engaged and committed opportunity that allows Chicago area MBEs to grow in scale members. For example, the Annual Meeting and Leadership and generate economic output and jobs within the region. Summit, co-developed and presented by KPMG, was the most attended Annual Meeting to date, having more than As the gaps in employment equity and in contracting double the attendees than last year. The Summit delivered opportunities are taking a toll on our region, now is the time inclusion insights loaded with actionable strategies in to increase action. Moving into 2016, it’s imperative that we three tracks: business imperatives, talent management, and continue to initiate and explore best-in-class practices that procurement. leverage diversity and disruptive inclusion to create quantum change through direct and intentional action. The Chicago United Leadership Conference, hosted by the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, presented thought- provoking innovative ideas in Culture, Inclusion, and Diversity 3 2015 Year In Review – Disruptive Inclusion Board of Directors Drives Strategic Direction The Chicago United Board of Directors has continued to enhance the programs and products that support the organization’s unique three-tiered platform that historically advances a culture of inclusion in business and contributes to a more prosperous community. The Chicago United Board of Directors met four times in 2015: • Exclusive, high-level discussions among peers with shared values at CEO Council Strategy Sessions, Diversity Officer Hosted by: BMO Harris Bank Roundtables, and Leaders Council Forums that provide February 3, May 14, August 13, and October 28 exploration of critical issues facing leaders responsible for developing corporate culture. Chicago United delivers advocacy in action through primary research and programs that promote multiracial leadership • Signature programs and products include Five Forward, in corporate governance and executive level management, the Business Leaders of Color publications, the Corporate the pipeline of future multiracial leaders, and in multiracial Diversity Profile publications which include an inclusion business partnerships. Toolkit, The Transformative Inclusion Member Series, the Chicago United Leadership Summit, the Chicago United Chicago United serves as a unique thought partner in Leadership Conference, and The Bridge Awards Dinner. corporate inclusion strategy by providing: In aligning our refined vision to our programming, the • Exposure to national thought leaders in diversity and Board ensures that the organization remains a relevant, inclusion research and practice like Frans Johansson, differentiated, and effective resource. founder and CEO, Medici Group. Johansson demonstrated how the most innovative companies use their existing diversity as their most powerful competitive advantage to strategically drive growth and profitability. 2015 Board of Directors Officers: Board Members: Chairman Treasurer George Burciaga Tameka Morton Mark F. Furlong Robert L. Aguilar Managing Director of Global Partner Retired President and Chief Operating Officer Municipal Development Ernst & Young LLP Chief Executive Officer Cabrera Capital Markets, LLC & Innovation BMO Harris Bank N.A. CIVIQ Smartscapes John C. Robak Secretary President Vice Chairman Kip Kelley John W. Daniels, Jr. Greeley and Hansen Kevin B. Brookins President Chairman Emeritus Senior Vice President, Aon Affinity Quarles & Brady LLP William Santulli Strategy and Administration Executive Vice President & COO ComEd, An Exelon Company Stan Deans Advocate Health Care President, Retail Channel Immediate Past Chairwoman & US Package Operations Monica Walker Patricia Hemingway Hall UPS CEO and Chief Investment Officer President and Holland Capital Management LLC Chief Executive Officer Michael F. DeSantiago Health Care Service Corporation CEO & President, Energy Gordon G. Werkema & Built Environment Payments Strategy Director Primera Engineers, Ltd. Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago Albert R. Grace, Jr. President Loop Capital 4 Chicago United’s CEO Connecting in the Community and in Media Chicago United’s President and CEO Gloria Castillo has gained a reputation in the community as a passionate advocate and diversity thought leader who is frequently asked to speak at various business and nonprofit events. Below is a summary of the ways Castillo represented the organization in the community and in the media in 2015. JANUARY: Castillo contributed to an article titled “8 Reasons