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Thursday, December 18, 2025 |
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SEED SPOT, a national nonprofit connecting entrepreneurs to critical resources, has hired Shannon McGhee as CEO. McGhee brings over a decade of experience advancing equitable entrepreneurship and innovation, most recently as VP of Programs and Engagement at mHUB. A former leader at World Business Chicago, she’s been recognized by Crain’s Chicago Business as a Notable Woman in Manufacturing and Notable Executive in HR and DEI, and serves on multiple regional economic development committees. |
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Smith LaCien LLP, a leading Chicago-based personal injury and mass tort law firm, is proud to announce that Matthew S. Leonard has joined the firm as its newest litigation attorney. Leonard, a former three-year law clerk with the firm, focuses his practice on representing individuals and families affected by catastrophic personal injuries and wrongful death. Leonard brings a strong foundation in civil litigation, having supported Smith LaCien attorneys through all stages of complex cases, including pleadings, motion practice, discovery, and trial preparation. He completed his undergraduate studies at Lake Forest College, graduating cum laude with a major in Business and minors in Legal Studies and Philosophy. A former captain of the college football team, Leonard brings the same work ethic and leadership to his legal practice. He is admitted to the Illinois Bar and is an active member of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association. |
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WJW Architects announces Elizabeth Godbold, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, Fitwell Ambassador, and Michelle Sablack, AIA, EDAC, LEED AP BD+C, as new Partners. Godbold brings 17 years of experience in affordable housing, supportive housing, and accessible design, creating dignified spaces for vulnerable populations and expanding access to independent living. Sablack contributes 15 years of expertise in sustainable design and project management across senior living and mixed-use developments, advancing green building strategies. The promotions strengthen WJW's leadership and reflect the firm's commitment to design excellence as it continues its 30+ year mission of creating purpose-built architecture that transforms communities. www.wjwarchitects.com |
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SomerCor, a non-profit Certified Development Company under the Small Business Administration (SBA) 504 program, is pleased to announce Tom Huffman as the new Chairperson of its Board of Directors. Huffman is the President of Wintrust SBA Lending and brings nearly forty years of experience to the table. He has served on the board since 2018. Brian Burke will serve as Vice-Chairperson of the Board of Directors. Burke is Senior Vice President, Business Banking Director at Old National Bank, and brings over twenty years of experience in business banking and has served on the board since 2019. These appointments reflect SomerCor’s strong governance and strategic leadership driving its continued growth. |
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We are pleased to announce that Thomas Mathew has joined JKC, Inc. as the Director of Operations! Tom is a CPA and has experience in multiple industries, from large international CPA firm, Real Estate, Government and Non-profit organizations. Most recently he served as the CFO of a major insurance brokerage company, where he oversaw financial strategy, operational efficiency, risk management initiatives that strengthened company performance and increased shareholder value. |
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Meza Law is proud to announce that Celia Meza, the former City of Chicago Corporation Counsel, has joined the firm as a partner. With more than 30 years of experience in government and corporate counsel roles, Celia strengthens the firm's legal capabilities, particularly in labor law, employment law, contracts, ethics, compliance, and investigations. |
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FGMA has appointed Stacey Doherty as Chief Marketing Officer. Stacey brings more than 20 years of marketing leadership experience in professional services and high-growth consulting firms, most recently serving as Senior Vice President of Marketing at NRI. She has led major rebrands, built high-impact teams and aligned brand strategy with business growth at national and global companies. At FGMA, Stacey will lead firmwide marketing, elevate brand positioning and advance the client experience. |
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Tracy Clarke has been named Chief Human Resources Officer of Erie Family Health Centers, a leading community health system with 14 locations serving 95,000 patients. Tracy brings 20+ years of HR leadership experience in a variety of healthcare settings. In this new role, she will lead strategy to improve talent acquisition and retention, employee engagement and leadership development. Stephanie Smith has been appointed to the role of Chief Financial Officer. She brings deep experience as a financial executive in the healthcare and hospital industry. Most recently, she served as Erie’s Interim VP of Finance. As CFO, Stephanie will lead Erie’s strategy to maintain strong financial systems to support current operations and future growth. |
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Marquette Bank, Chicagoland’s neighborhood bank, has promoted Colleen McKeever-Marszalek to Senior Vice President, Director of Customer Operations and Strategy. Marszalek began her career at Marquette Bank in 1997 in retail operations management. During her 28-year tenure, she has developed expertise in retail operations, alternate delivery channels, products and services, and call center management. In her expanded role, Marszalek will lead the bank's customer strategy and retail operations. |
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Lauren Ferrante, Counsel, has joined Kilpatrick's prominent State and Local Tax Team in Chicago. She focuses her well-recognized practice on state and local taxation - representing clients at all stages of state and local controversy disputes at the audit, administrative, and judicial levels. Ms. Ferrante brings extensive experience defending clients against qui tam (False Claims Act) claims filed in the state tax arena and counsels clients on planning, transactional, and compliance matters. |
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Ferlillia V. Roberson joined Blank Rome’s Chicago office as partner in the Intellectual Property Litigation group and Technology industry team. She is a Chambers-ranked trial attorney with deep experience handling complex patent, trade secret, competition, and technology disputes across diverse industries. Her vast industry knowledge paired with her technical background in chemical engineering, enables Ferlillia to represent leading companies in high-stakes commercial and technology litigation. |
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Justin Choi joins Parts Town Unlimited as Chief Legal Officer. He will lead legal strategy and oversee compliance and strategic business development initiatives as the company accelerates its global growth and industry leadership. With extensive experience supporting manufacturers and distributors, Justin will help drive key initiatives, strengthen operations, and support long-term international expansion. Justin joins Parts Town Unlimited from CommScope. |
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BMO Wealth Management is proud to announce the appointment of Matthias Mackay, CEPA, as Head of Philanthropy and Impact. Based in Chicago, Mackay brings more than a decade of expertise at the intersection of philanthropy and financial services. In his new role, Mackay will focus on the firm’s family office segment while broadening its philanthropic capabilities across all client segments, empowering clients to give with purpose and lasting impact. |
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| Information / Data Technology Services |
Circana, a leader in technology, AI, and data for consumer goods companies, manufacturers, and retailers, announced that Ian Hamilton has been appointed President of General Merchandise. Hamilton oversees global general merchandise operations and leads growth and innovation initiatives. He brings more than 18 years of experience at Circana and The NPD Group and previously led the Technology and Hardlines sectors. He holds a master’s degree in entrepreneurship from San Diego State University. |
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Jennifer Tian has been elected a partner at Latham & Watkins LLP in Chicago, effective January 1. A member of the Investment Funds Practice, she advises private equity sponsors on regulatory matters, including compliance with the Investment Advisers Act and Investment Company Act, investment structuring, SEC examinations and enforcement, M&A transactions involving registered investment advisers, and ongoing reporting requirements. |
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Michael Zucker has been elected a partner at Latham & Watkins LLP in Chicago, effective January 1. A member of the Transactional Tax Practice, he advises private equity firms and public and private companies on the tax aspects of commercial transactions, including M&A, joint ventures, debt and equity financings, tax-free reorganizations, and energy transition matters such as renewable energy tax credits. |
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Ali Beidoun has been promoted to counsel at Latham & Watkins LLP in Chicago, effective January 1. A member of the Investment Funds Practice, he advises private fund sponsors, investors, and joint venture participants on all aspects of forming, investing in, and operating private investment funds across multiple investment areas and asset classes, including buyout funds, credit and debt, growth equity, fund of funds, real estate, energy and power, and infrastructure. |
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Daniel Bop has been promoted to counsel at Latham & Watkins LLP in Chicago, effective January 1. A member of the Executive Compensation, Employment & Benefits Practice, he advises privately held and publicly traded companies, private equity sponsors, and executives on compensation and benefits matters, including issues arising in M&A, IPOs, employment and separation agreements, equity-based compensation, and deferred compensation arrangements. |
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Joseph Sung has been promoted to counsel at Latham & Watkins LLP in Chicago, effective January 1. A member of the Banking & Private Credit Practice, he represents financial institutions, private equity firms, and corporate borrowers in leveraged finance transactions, including acquisition financings, recapitalizations, working capital financings, and domestic, cross-border, and multicurrency financings. |
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Honigman welcomes Patrick Johnson as the firm’s chief business development & marketing officer. He joins from Cooley LLP and brings more than two decades of experience leading marketing and business development programs across the professional services and legal industries. In his role, Johnson will directly contribute to the development and implementation of strategic initiatives across Honigman’s marketing and business development functions, as well as other high priority firmwide projects. |
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Skender, one of the nation’s top building contractors, congratulates Ashlee Pforr on her promotion to Vice President, Interiors. Pforr has led Skender construction teams since 2010, overseeing the firm’s largest and most complex interiors projects. The Chicago-based general contractor is continuing to invest in its core markets—multifamily, healthcare, office & interiors—while accelerating strategic growth in Indianapolis, mission critical, and other sectors. |
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Skender, one of the nation’s top building contractors, congratulates Brian Bukowski on his promotion to Chief Operating Officer. A Skender veteran since 2007, Bukowski most recently co-led the mission critical and interiors groups. The Chicago-based general contractor is continuing to invest in its core markets—multifamily, healthcare, office & interiors—while accelerating strategic growth in Indianapolis, mission critical, and other sectors. |
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Skender, one of the nation’s top building contractors, congratulates Andy Halik on his promotion to President. Halik joined Skender in 2011 and has nearly 20 years of construction industry experience, most recently leading Skender’s mission critical and award-winning interiors groups. The Chicago-based general contractor is continuing to invest in its core markets—multifamily, healthcare, office & interiors—while accelerating strategic growth in Indianapolis, mission critical, and other sectors. |
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