The YWCA’s annual Leader Luncheon honors women and mentors for outstanding achievement in their chosen career fields and one woman for her commitment to racial justice. The YWCA’s Leader Luncheon is one of Chicago’s most prestigious salutes to exceptional leaders. When YWCA Metropolitan Chicago launched Leader Luncheon in 1972, honoring women for their career achievements was a bold, pioneering concept. Today, the life stories of the honorees continue to captivate those who attend the luncheon each year.
2016 Honorees:
- Business – Linda Boasmond, Founder & President, Cedar Concepts Corporation
- Entrepreneurship – Cynthia Rowley, Fashion Designer and Entrepreneur
- Promise – Jessica Malkin, CEO, Chicago Ideas & Co-Director, Bluhm/Helfand Social Innovation Fellowship
- Racial Justice – Valerie Jarrett, Senior Advisor to President Barack Obama, Office of Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs, Chair of the White House Council on Women and Girls
- Trailblazer – Jennifer Pritzker, President & CEO, TAWANI Enterprises, Inc., Lieutenant Colonel, USA (Retired), Philanthropist
2016 Event Chairs:
- Audrey Peeples, Retired CEO, YWCA Metropolitan Chicago
- Julie Scott, President, CEO & Founder, CTS
- Julie Smolyansky, President & CEO, Lifeway Foods