Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel met with the second group of Fellows on loan from Chicago area companies to support implementation of Chicago’s Plan for Economic Growth and Jobs. Fellows are at the midpoint of their full-time, three-to-six-month commitment working with World Business Chicago (WBC) on launching initiatives from the Plan’s ten transformative strategies.

“The Plan for Economic Growth and Jobs is an important roadmap for the future success of Chicago’s economy,” said Mayor Emanuel. “I am appreciative of the efforts of these Fellows and the companies they represent in expanding and evolving the Plan to meet the needs of our city.”

The Fellows and the strategies they will implement include (full bios here):

• Steve Thornton, Ernst & Young LLP – Manufacturing
• Yohan Fernando, Comcast – Headquarters
• Malcolm Maier, Coyote Logistics – Transportation & Logistics
• Gregory Karczewski, Mesirow Financial – Infrastructure
• Wesley Prato, CohnReznick – Neighborhood Assets (anchor institutions)
• Peter Robinson, W.W. Grainger – Neighborhoods (Seed Chicago)
• Mohammed Dhedhi, A.T. Kearney – Neighborhoods (Seed Chicago)

The first class of Fellows completed their assignments this past spring, contributing greatly to WBC’s economic development efforts by enacting initiatives including Seed Chicago and the first ever Chicago Logistics Hackathon. Similarly, this group will gain unique access to public and private sector networks and have the chance to greatly impact Chicago as they work with the Plan’s strategy leadership teams. The City and WBC benefit from having access to highly-skilled talent, with the proven ability to enact significant plans and initiatives. Former director of the White House Internship Program, Melissa McNeal, leads the Fellowship Program.

Fellows were chosen after a significant application process. Applications are being accepted through August 2 for the third class of Fellows, who will start in September. Applications can be found on the WBC website. Ideal applicants are manager-level “rising stars” within sponsor organizations, with distinctive overall performance and a graduate degree or three-to-five years of experience in an industry related to one of the strategies.

Sponsor organizations can include corporations and businesses, non-profits, public sector entities, or universities and must commit to an in-kind donation of full-time pro bono support for four-to-six months. For more information about the Fellowship Program, or a copy of the Plan, visit www.ChicagoGrowthAndJobs.com.