CHICAGO, IL – Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC) has elected four new Board members, added three new members to its Executive Committee and appointed two new Resource Board members.
Inclusive representation is imperative to our work. Under the leadership of MPC Board Chair Todd C. Brown, we’ve continued to increase the diversity of our Board of Governors and our other dedicated core of volunteers.
“Last year, we attracted the most diverse team of Board and staff members in our 83-year history,” says MarySue Barrett, President of MPC. “And I'm proud to say that we've continued to ensure that our organization is more representative of the region and communities we serve.”
MPC’s Board is comprised of senior business and civic leaders who lend their expertise and influence to advance the organization’s priorities. In 2018, MPC priorities include spearheading a set of recommendations that reduce segregation and create a more equitable future; pushing for the creation of long-term, innovative sources of transportation revenue; and releasing a new, comprehensive data analysis the health and well-being of the Chicago region and its residents.
MPC is excited to welcome the following four people to our Board of Governors for a 2018 to 2020 term:
Jack Catlin, Partner, LCM Architects. Catlin is one of three founding partners of LCM Architects. He has devoted his professional career to creating environments for all people, including those with disabilities. He co-chaired the committee that developed the City of Chicago’s first comprehensive accessibility code as part of the revisions to the Chicago Building Code. Building on his knowledge of the accessibility codes and standards, Catlin is a leader in incorporating the principles of universal design into the built environment.
Francesca DeBiase, Chief Supply Chain and Sustainability Officer, McDonald’s. DeBiase seeks to further embed sustainability into the way McDonald’s does business around the world. Applying her corporate experience to the company’s sustainability priorities, she challenges her team to set increasingly higher targets that grow the business by making a positive difference in society. DeBiase is also responsible for overseeing the global supply chain for the company. Her team's work continues to drive safety, quality and sustainability leadership in the food and beverage industry.
Laritza Lopez, Founder & CEO, Purple Group. Lopez is the founder and CEO of Purple Group, a full-service, award-winning strategic marketing communications and advertising firm that provides Hispanic marketing, multicultural marketing, and total market expertise. She has over 25 years of marketing communications, advertising, management and operations experience. Her experience extends both domestically and internationally, with an excellent track-record of building brands, developing new markets, rebuilding business sectors, growing business units, and developing systems, operations and marketing infrastructures.
Shawn Reigsecker, Founder & CEO, Centro, Inc. Riegsecker founded Centro, Inc. in 2001, with the intention of developing software to fix the inefficient operations in the media industry, making it easier to buy, sell and deliver digital media. He has spent his nearyl three-decades-long career serving in the confluence of publishing, advertising and technology. His leadership, commitment to innovation, and modernized approach to culture and employee happiness have led Centro to receive many accolades.
MPC's Board transitions also include the appointment of three new members to the Executive Committee:
Juan G. Moreno, President, JGMA. Moreno is an award winning architect. He has been creating provocative architecture for more than 30 years. His portfolio consists of a diverse set of public and private work spanning typologies in education, government, research, commercial, urban planning, product design and graphic design.In 2010, he founded JGMA (Juan Gabriel Moreno Architects). His firm is one of the most highly-acclaimed architecture studios in Chicago, with a portfolio that includes the UNO Soccer Academy, Instituto Health Sciences Career Academy, The Cube at Westfield’s Old Orchard, and the Northeastern Illinois University El Centro Campus.
Melissa Y. Washington, Vice President of External Affairs and Large Customer Services, ComEd. Washington leads the External Affairs and Large Customer Service organization in continuing to build strong relationships with municipalities and communities, as well as large customers. Before returning to ComEd and taking the role as Vice President of External Affairs and Large Customer Services, Washington served as the Vice President of Corporate Affairs for Exelon Corporation, where she oversaw the day-to-day outreach in Washington, D.C., for the successful merger between Exelon & Pepco Holdings Incorporated.
Jessica Droste Yagan, CEO, Impact Engine. Droste Yagan is the CEO of Impact Engine, a fund that invests in early-stage businesses solving social and environmental challenges and runs an impact investor network. Her role at Impact Engine builds on a career of leveraging private markets for positive social impact, including most recently leading sustainable sourcing for McDonald’s Corporation. Droste Yagan has been an impact angel investor since 2005, and has co-authored two Harvard University case studies on public-private partnerships.
MPC recognizes two long-standing Board members who have transitioned to our Honorary Board:
Joseph A. Gregoire, Senior Vice President, Wintrust Financial Corporation. Gregoire, a lifelong Illinois resident, has served in a number of key banking leadership roles during his more than 40 years in banking industry and 28 years with PNC and its predecessors in Northeastern Illinois. During his tenure at PNC, he served in a number of roles, including Regional Pesident, Managing Director of Private Client Group, and President and CEO of the Kankakee affiliate. He has served as a member of MPC's Board of Governors since 2005.
John M. McDonough, Former Partner, Sidley Austin LLP. McDonough is a former Partner at Sidley Austin Brown & Wood. During his tenure, his work focused on estate planning, probate administration and charitable foundations. He has been active in civic and charitable activities in Chicago for more than 40 years, including the Metropolitan Planning Council, where he served as President from 1982 to 1984 and has served as a member of the Board of Governors since 1977.
MPC also thanks former Board members who concluded their service in 2018: George Bilicic, Head of U.S. Midwest Investment-Banking Business, Lazard (who continues as a MPC Executive Advisor); Derek Douglas, Vice President for Civic Engagement and External Affairs, University of Chicago; and Kathy Hannan (retired), National Managing Partner, KPMG LLP.
Appointed by the Chair of the Board of Governors, members of the Resource Board bring specialized expertise on issues, geographic areas, contacts and other resources important to the success of MPC’s initiatives.
MPC sends a warm welcome to the two new appointees to our Resource Board:
Leroy Allala, Executive Director, Chicago Sister Cities International. Allala is the Executive Vice President of World Business Chicago and the Executive Director of Chicago Sister Cities International, a division of World Business Chicago. His area of expertise is in corporate, international and governmental relations and program management. His work at World Business Chicago helps drive regional economic growth and job creation, support business, and promote Chicago as a leading global city. He is also a fellow of Leadership Greater Chicago, the region's premiere civic leadership development organization.
Lisa Duarte, Partner, Forde Law Offices LLP. Duarte is a Partner in the Government Affairs Group of Forde Law Offices and has extensive experience in government affairs in the state of Illinois. She also provides guidance to Illinois American Water company’s management team and assists in driving the strategic initiatives of Illinois American Water. Duarte previously served in the Office of the Mayor for the City of Chicago, as the Chief of Staff to the Mayor's Economic Council. During that period, she supported the rollout of the Mayor’s economic agenda focusing on job growth, neighborhood development, infrastructure, and the City's finances.
For more information, contact Emily Blum, MPC Director of Marketing and Communications, at 312.863.6018 or eblum@metroplanning.org. Photos are available upon request.
About Metropolitan Planning Council
For more than 80 years, MPC has provided sound, urban planning solutions to our region’s toughest challenges. Through research, technical assistance, and advocacy, we have been an independent and trusted change agent to make our region more equitable, sustainable and prosperous.