WORLD BUSINESS CHICAGO ANNOUNCES “LEADING THE WAY” — A POWERFUL NEW SERIES SPOTLIGHTING CHICAGO’S MOST INNOVATIVE WORKFORCE LEADERS

World Business Chicago, Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, Corporate Coalition, and Origami Works launch Leading the Way to drive inclusive, employer-led workforce solutions

CHICAGO — April 29, 2025 — World Business Chicago today kicked off Leading the Way, a new three-part event series designed to shine a spotlight on how Chicago companies are reimagining workforce strategies—from recruitment and hiring to upskilling and long-term talent development.

Developed in partnership with the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, the Corporate Coalition of Chicago, and Origami Works— this invite-only series brings together middle-market leaders and board-level employers for candid conversations and tactical deep dives. Rather than showcasing polished case studies, each session will unpack the “how” behind Chicago’s most innovative hiring initiatives: how executives secured internal buy-in, funded programs, and built models to scale equity and inclusion in real time.

“Our goal is to move beyond awareness into action,” said Arantxa Valverde, Director of Gender Equity & Venture Partnerships, World Business Chicago. “These events are designed to foster a peer-to-peer environment where leadership stories inspire leadership moves.”

Each session runs approximately 2.5 hours and features:

• Community Building (30 mins): Breakfast or cocktails with peers and partners
• Speaking Program & Panel (60 mins): Spotlighting employer-led workforce innovation
• Tactical Breakouts (30 mins): Facilitated discussions focused on what to do next
• Open Networking (30 mins): Building new connections and collaborations

Series Schedule:

• Tuesday, April 29 – State of the Chicago Workforce
• Wednesday, June 11 – Innovation in Hiring
• Thursday, September 25 – Future of Work: Upskilling & Retention

Confirmed speakers for the first session include:

• Lou Meshulam, Chair of the Advisory Board, Discovery Partners Institute (DPI)
• Mandee Polonsky, Director of External Partnerships, Northwestern Medicine
• Laticia Holbert, Senior Manager, Workforce Development, ComEd

Business leaders have signaled a clear need for initiatives like Leading the Way—bringing middle-market and board-level employers together for candid conversations and tactical deep dives into how to secure internal buy-in, fund new programs, and scale models of equity and inclusion across Chicago’s workforce.

“As we embark on this exciting series, we are not just discussing workforce innovation—we are actively shaping the future of tech talent in Chicago through initiatives like DPI’s Tech Talent Accelerator,” said Lou Meshulam, Chair of the Advisory Board, Discovery Partners Institute. “This series is a testament to our commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce that drives meaningful change. I am deeply honored to be part of this discussion and look forward to the impactful conversations ahead.

‘Chicagoans have high expectations for our business community,” said Brian Fabes, Managing Director, Corporate Coalition of Chicago. “According to a recent Corporate Coalition-ChicagoSpeaksTM poll, the vast majority of Chicago residents believe it is important for our business leaders to provide good-paying jobs, invest in employees, and hire from disinvested communities. But only about one in five believe Chicago business leaders are doing this well today. Leading the Way can be a step towards filling this important gap between expectation and reality in our city.”

Space is limited and reserved for leaders ready to influence culture, expand access, and drive lasting change in how we hire and grow talent. To request an invitation or to learn more, email Arantxa Valverde at avalverde@worldbusinesschicago.com

Media contact:
Andrew Hayes
312-823-4333
ahayes@worldbusinesschicago.com