Michelle Collins Honored with Daniel H. Burnham Award for Distinguished Leadership

On November 19, 2024, the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce hosted the 33rd Annual Daniel H. Burnham Award Dinner at Chicago Hilton’s Grand Ballroom. Presented by CIBC, this prestigious event celebrated the enduring spirit of civic leadership in Chicago, honoring Michelle Collins, President of Cambium LLC, with the Daniel H. Burnham Award for Distinguished Leadership.

The Burnham Award recognizes individuals whose dedication and vision embody the spirit of Burnham’s famous call to “make no little plans,” honoring transformative contributions to Chicago’s business and civic landscape. Michelle Collins, a distinguished business leader and philanthropist, exemplifies these ideals through her industry leadership, her extensive civic contributions, and her commitment to advancing Chicago’s growth and prosperity.

A Night to Remember

The Burnham Award Dinner was an extraordinary gathering of over 600 business and civic leaders, united to celebrate the indomitable spirit of Chicago and honor Michelle Collins for her exemplary leadership and contributions to the city. The evening showcased the powerful intersection of business, civic engagement, and visionary leadership.

A lively reception set the tone for the evening, offering attendees a chance to connect over cocktails before the program began. The event formally opened with emcee Val Warner of ABC 7 Chicago taking the stage to bring calm to a loquacious crowd.

Next, Jack Lavin, President and CEO of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, captured the essence of Michelle’s contributions, “Her business leadership, entrepreneurship, and tireless work with so many iconic civic and cultural institutions are a true testament to her tremendous impact on our global city.” Lavin connected Michelle’s career and Burnham’s vision for a city built on partnership, “We are here, in the greatest city in the world, and there is no problem we can’t solve when we work together with that delicate dance of partnership, collaboration, and shared purpose.”

The evening featured remarks from Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. Together, they recognized Michelle’s contributions to fostering equity, creating opportunities, and uniting Chicago’s communities. Their collective messages highlighted her dedication to uplifting others and improving the city’s future.

Other speakers, including Shawn Beber, President and CEO of presenting sponsor CIBC Bank USA, and Chicagoland Chamber Board Chair Dan Lynch of United Airlines, praised Michelle’s ability to combine business excellence with a commitment to civic service. Adrienne King, EVP of Americas Talent Management for Bain & Company and Michelle’s younger sister, shared a heartfelt introduction, illuminating Michelle’s lifelong dedication to leadership, service, and inclusion.

A special video tribute featured colleagues and friends like John Rogers and John Svoboda reflecting on Michelle’s remarkable career and the qualities that define her as a leader. Their stories underscored her lasting impact on Chicago’s business and civic communities. Watch the video tribute below!

The convergence of voices—from government officials to family, business leaders, and peers—reinforced the evening’s significance. Together, they underscored the unity between public and private sectors in driving Chicago’s success and celebrated Michelle as a leader who embodies the values of the Daniel H. Burnham Award.

Michelle Collins’ Acceptance Speech

Taking the stage to a standing ovation, Michelle Collins delivered an acceptance speech that was equal parts gratitude and inspiration.

“Thank you for that warm welcome and for this extraordinary honor!” she began, acknowledging her sister’s moving introduction. Michelle also expressed deep appreciation for her mother, Ann Collins, who was in attendance. “My mom spent 30+ years teaching at Yale Elementary in Englewood. She shaped countless young lives and inspired me to understand the disparities that exist within our city,” Michelle said.

Michelle reflected on her upbringing in Jackson Park Highlands, a vibrant and diverse South Side neighborhood. She recounted her experiences as a child, visiting her mother’s classroom and witnessing firsthand the inequities across Chicago’s neighborhoods. “That realization shaped me then and continues to guide my approach to business and civic involvement,” she shared.

Central to Michelle’s speech was her belief in the power of collaboration between business and civic sectors. She highlighted Accelerate U, a program at National Louis University where she serves as board chair. The program provides affordable, rapid-training pathways for first-generation students to secure in-demand jobs. To date, Accelerate U has served over 750 students and generated more than $6 million in new earnings.

Michelle then closed her speech with a hopeful and forward-looking message, urging the audience to continue working together to address Chicago’s challenges. She quoted Daniel Burnham: “Success is not achieved by accident but through careful planning and relentless effort.”

“These are challenging and divisive times,” she acknowledged. “But there are countless examples of Chicago’s business community collaborating with civic organizations to drive positive change. From large-scale projects like Millennium Park to smaller, lesser-known initiatives, this work moves the needle in a positive direction.”

Michelle referenced a talk by writer David Brooks, who spoke about a “civic renaissance” among young people. “I hope that’s true,” Michelle said. “Because Chicago needs our energy, our ideas, and our collaboration now more than ever. Let’s stay inspired and committed to making a difference.”

Looking Ahead

The Chamber extends its heartfelt congratulations to Michelle Collins on receiving the Daniel H. Burnham Award for Distinguished Leadership and thanks all attendees, sponsors, and speakers for making the evening a resounding success. Together, we continue to build a better Chicago—one bold plan at a time.