The Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce today announced the finalists for the 2017 James Tyree Emerging Business Leadership Award, which is given annually to an up-and-coming Chicago entrepreneur and includes a $50,000 reward, compliments of Mesirow Financial and The PrivateBank.
The finalists for the 6th Annual Tyree Award are:
- Sharon Hoyer, The Dill Pickle Food Co-op
- Jason Volmut, CPURX
- Wendy Serrino, North Shore Exchange
- Dan Mahoney Sr., Fort Knox Studios/2112 Chicago
- Roman Kuropas, Inverom/Innova UEV
- Mawi Asgedom, Mawi Learning
The top 12 semi-finalists were narrowed to six via an audience vote during a live pitch event on April 12 at Mesirow Financial. The semi-finalists were selected by Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce staff out of a diverse pool of applicants from a variety of industries.
Next, a panel of judges will meet to independently review and score the finalists’ original applications to narrow the field to three. The recipient of the award will be announced at the Chamber’s 113th Annual Meeting on Tuesday, June 6, at the Hyatt Regency Chicago.
The Tyree Award is given annually to a fast-growing Chicago business with philanthropic values. The Chicagoland Chamber and Mesirow Financial launched the Award in 2012 in memory of Jim Tyree, former Chairman and CEO of Mesirow Financial and Chairman of the Chicagoland Chamber from 2007-2010.