Chicago Business Leaders Reaffirm Commitment to Chicago Pledge Ongoing Support for Equitable Recovery Initiative

CHICAGO (February 25, 2021) – Leaders from some of Chicago’s largest businesses and civic organizations released a letter today to reaffirm their commitment to the city and pledged to be collaborative partners with all of its stakeholders to ensure an equitable and inclusive recovery, in partnership with The Chicago Community Trust and its initiative, Together We Rise: For an Equitable and Just Recovery.

The letter, which was drafted and first circulated by Chicago-based investment firm The Vistria Group, includes signatures from nearly 60 executives representing a variety of organizations in the city’s law, nonprofit, health, consulting, and finance industries, among others.

“We believe in Chicago and the individuals who signed this letter are just a reflection of the many that are already engaged in an effort to help their community.  We’re certain more will be signing on as Chicago continues to rise,” said Kip Kirkpatrick, co-CEO of The Vistria Group. “Those represented by this letter today, as well as the many more who will be represented in the future, welcome the task and challenges that lie ahead and will be partnering with the City and The Chicago Community Trust on the initiative, Together We Rise: For an Equitable and Just Recovery. Together, we will build back in an equitable way.”

Citing racial strife, the economic downturn and ongoing COVID-19 health crisis, the signatories emphasize the need for partnership amongst business, government, civic, religious, and nonprofit organizations to build a better future. Through in-kind or financial contributions, the signatories are aligned with efforts to increase employment, strengthen small business, and spur catalytic development in underdeveloped neighborhoods.

“Chicago is the greatest city in the world and that’s thanks to its people,” said Marty Nesbitt, co-CEO of The Vistria Group. “As residents and civic leaders, we are committed to partnering with our city and state leaders, our partners in the business community and our civic organizations to ensure a robust and equitable recovery. We commend Mayor Lightfoot for her steadfast leadership throughout this turbulent time.”

The letter builds on the Together We Rise: For an Equitable and Just Recovery initiative, which was announced last October to unite partners across the Chicago area to tackle the disproportionate impacts of COVID-19 and the deep-seated inequities amplified by the pandemic.  Led by The Chicago Community Trust, the initiative consists of three complementary parts:

• A $37 million plus philanthropic fund for making catalytic grants and investments;
• Galvanizing private-sector actors to adopt equitable business practices; and
• Identifying public policy and systems changes to achieve and sustain results that advance equity in our region.

“In this city of broad shoulders, we are inspired by the commitment of these business leaders to align their practices to advance inclusive opportunity,” said Gloria Castillo, director of the Together We Rise: For an Equitable and Just Recovery initiative at The Chicago Community Trust. “Our work to advance equitable economic growth requires partnership across philanthropy, business and communities and we look forward to working with these business leaders to reimagine our city’s future.”

Signatories of the letter as of February 24, 2021 include:

• Kip Kirkpatrick Co-CEO, Senior Partner, The Vistria Group
• Martin Nesbitt, Co-CEO, Senior Partner, The Vistria Group
• Alan Cramb, President, Illinois Institute of Technology
• Andrew Clarke, Global President, Mars Wrigley
• Arnim Whisler, Principal Owner and Chairman, Chicago Red Stars
• Brad Henderson, CEO, P33
• Brenda B. Asare, President and CEO, The Alford Group
• Catherine Game, Executive Director, Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods
• Cheryl Howard-Neal, Principal, Engagement Group LLC
• Chris Kempczinski, President and CEO, McDonald’s Corporation
• Daniel Ryan, President, Central Region, JLL
• Dave Casper, CEO, BMO Harris Bank
• David W. Hanfland, Partner and Head of Americas, Kearney
• Danny Wirtz, CEO, Chicago Blackhawks
• Dean M. Harrison, President and CEO, Northwestern Memorial HealthCare
• Eric Smith, Vice Chair, BMO Harris Bank
• Gary Conkright, CEO, PhysIQ
• George H. McCaskey, Chairman, Chicago Bears
• Ghian Foreman, President and CEO, Emerald South Economic Development Collaborative
• J.P. Gallagher, President and CEO, NorthShore University HealthSystem
• James Coleman, Senior Managing Director, Accenture
• Jeff Adkins, President and CEO, Energy BBDO
• Jerry Reinsdorf, Chairman, Chicago White Sox
• Joe Mansueto, Owner and Chairman, Chicago Fire Football Club
• John Holmes, CEO, AAR
• John Rogers, Chairman, co-CEO, CIO, Ariel Investments
• Jud Snyder, Managing Partner, Chicago Office, EY
• Kathy Scherer, Managing Partner, Chicago Office, Deloitte
• Keith Parrott, CEO, AMITA Health
• Larry Barden, Chair of the Management Committee, Sidley Austin LLP
• Laura Hoey, Managing Partner, Chicago Office, Ropes & Gray LLP
• Linda Imonti, Managing Principal, Chicago Office, KPMG LLP
• Lisa Davidson, Vice Chairman and Chief Diversity Officer, Savills
• Lori Dimun, CEO, Harris Theater for Music and Dance
• Margaret Mueller, President & CEO, Executives’ Club of Chicago
• Martin Cabrera Jr., CEO, Cabrera Capital Markets
• Melissa Werneck, Global Chief People Officer, The Kraft Heinz Company
• Mellody Hobson, President and co-CEO, Ariel Investments
• Michael Albers, Director, Sales, American Airlines
• Michael Alter, Principal Owner, Chicago Sky
• Michael O’Grady, Chairman and CEO, Northern Trust
• Michael Reinsdorf, President and COO, Chicago Bulls
• Michael Sacks, Chairman and CEO, Grosvenor
• Morton Schapiro, President, Northwestern University
• Neill Jakobe, Head of Global Private Equity, Ropes & Gray LLP
• Omar B. Lateef, Medical Center President and CEO, Rush University Medical Center
• Paul Lambert, Mid West Division Executive, Merrill Lynch Wealth Management; President of Chicago, Bank of America
• Renee Blissett, Founder, Bliss Fit LLC
• Richard Price, Chairman and CEO, Mesirow Financial
• Rob Rubin, President, RSR Management Inc.
• Robert Snyder, Founder & President, Innovation Elegance dba Sky Consulting, LLC
• Roberto R. Herencia, Chairman and CEO, Byline Bancorp
• Roger Hochschild, President and CEO, Discover Financial Services
• Samuel K. Skinner, Co-Chairman of the City of Chicago Recovery Task Force, Greenberg Traurig
• Stefano Pessina, Executive Vice Chairman and CEO, Walgreens Boots Alliance
• Teresa Wilton Harmon, Managing Partner, Chicago Office, Sidley Austin LLP
• Thomas P. Fitzgerald, Chairman, Winston & Strawn LLP
• Tina Sanders, CEO, Phalanx Family Services
• Tom Ricketts, Executive Chairman, Chicago Cubs
• Tom Shanley, MD, President and CEO, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago
• Tricia Van Eck, Director, 6018North
• Valerie Jarrett, President, The Barack Obama Foundation
• Rockwell “Rocky” Wirtz, President, Wirtz Corporation