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Making Positive Change

The American Dream. MacArthur Genius and Harvard Professor Raj Chetty gained renown studying social issues through the powerful lens of economics. “The most-cited economist in the world” recently examined our nation’s economic mobility patterns, finding that children’s earliest experiences—from their kindergarten teachers to their neighborhoods—unlock advancement. Chetty’s work sparks critical questions about disinvestment, racism, and the power of place. Chetty, Harvard’s William A. Ackman Professor of Economics will discuss how data informs scalable policy solutions that will empower families across the U.S. to achieve better life outcomes.

MPC will also recognize one of Chicago’s leading corporate citizens, John W. Rowe, Chairman Emeritus, Exelon Corporation, with the 2019 Champion Fighter Award. This honor is bestowed to those who have made extraordinary civic contributions to the Chicago region, which is embodied by John’s transformative leadership and philanthropy.

Purchase your tickets now

Sponsorships are available! For more information, contact Janet Myers, Vice President of Philanthropy, at jmyers@metroplanning.org or 312.863.6010.


Keynote Speakers

Raj Chetty, the William A. Ackman Professor of Economics at Harvard University and Director of Opportunity Insights

2019 Champion Fighter Award Recipient 

John W. Rowe, Chairman Emeritus, Exelon Corporation

Presenting Sponsor

Host Committee

(in formation)

David Casper, U.S. CEO, BMO Financial Group

Chris Crane, President & CEO, Exelon Corporation

Lester Crown, Chairman, Henry Crown & Company

Chadwick M. Cunningham, Client Executive, Global Client Capital Group, LaSalle Investment Management

Kent P. Dauten, Chairman, Keystone Capital

Joseph Dominguez, CEO, ComEd

Craig J. Duchossois, Chairman & CEO, The Duchossois Group, Inc.

Wilbur H. Gantz, President & CEO PathoCapital, LLC

King Harris, Chairman, Harris Holdings                                   

Edgar D. Jannotta, Chairman Emeritus, William Blair

Mike Keiser, Owner, Sand Valley Golf Resort

Andrew J. McKenna, Chairman, Schwarz Supply Source

Michael G. Rippey, President & CEO, SunCoke Energy, Inc.

Patrick G. Ryan, Chairman & CEO, Ryan Specialty Group

Daniel T. Ryan, Central Region Market Director, JLL

Scott Swanson, President, PNC Bank, Illinois

Edward J. Wehmer, Founder, President & CEO, Wintrust Financial Corporation

Miles D. White, Chairman & CEO, Abbott

Champion Sponsor

The Crown Family 

Lead Sponsors 

Benefactor  

Patron

ArcelorMittal

Steve Baird, Baird and Warner

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois

Booth Hansen

Bucksbaum Retail Properties

Christopher B. Burke Engineering, Ltd.

Ellen Carnahan

CDW

Chicago Building Trades Council

Chicago Federation of Labor

Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters

CIBC

Comcast

Collins Engineers, Inc.

Chris & Cira Conley

Deloitte LLP

Mr. and Mrs. James Denny

DLA Piper LLP (US)

Draper & Kramer, Incorporated

Drinker Biddle & Reath

Edelman

First Midwest Bank

Robert V. Fitzsimmons, II, NGPA/Linnaean

Indiana, Illinois and Iowa Foundation for Fair Contracting

Franczek Radelet P.C.

John S. Gates, Jr., PortaeCo LLC

Gensler

The Habitat Company

HBK Engineering, LLC

Illinois Housing Development Authority

Illinois Institute of Technology

The Joyce Foundation

Karen Z. Grey-Krehbiel and John H. Krehbiel, Jr.

Lavin Family Foundation

John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation

Jim and Kitty Mann

Robert R. McCormick Foundation

Northwestern Medicine

Optima, Inc.

Peoples Gas

Pepper Construction Company

Perkins and Will

Pritzker Traubert Foundation

Pritzker Military Museum & Library

Related Midwest

RW Ventures, LLC

Sam and Dona Scott

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP

Sterling Bay

Ellen and Jim Stirling