Workforce and Talent
The Chicagoland Chamber’s Workforce and Talent Council brings together representatives from various sectors of the workforce, including businesses, educational institutions, and community organizations. These groups will collaborate on strategies to develop and maintain a skilled and diverse workforce. The Workforce and Talent Council serves as a convener and catalyst for collaboration among stakeholders to build a strong and adaptable workforce that can support economic growth and prosperity for Chicagoland’s industries, businesses, and employees.
The Council’s main objective is to identify and address the workforce challenges facing the Chicagoland region, including skill shortages, talent retention, and the need for upskilling and reskilling workers. Workforce trends will be used to also address employee benefits, wellness, DEI initiatives, workplace culture and return to work. The Council will create initiatives and programs that support the development of a talented, adaptable, and competitive Chicagoland workforce that can meet the changing demands of the labor market and future workforce.
Some of the key functions of the Chamber’s Workforce and Talent Council include:
- Developing programs on current and future workforce trends, data, and needs, including employee benefits and wellness, workplace culture, DEI, job training, and talent needs.
- Convening a Council that is invested in topics, trends, and policies related to workforce and talent development, retainment, and growth, including workforce-related legislation and workforce development, and labor regulation issues.
- Building partnerships with employers, educators, and community organizations to align training and education programs with industry needs from talent needs to DEI initiatives, to workplace culture and a multi-generational workforce.
- Bringing organizations into the group to create programming and share opportunities on upskilling and reskilling workers, including apprenticeships, internships, and on-the-job training.
- Developing programs that promote workforce diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Council Members
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois
Dr. Derek Robinson, Chief Medical Officer and Chief, CTCA Division of Gynecologic Oncology
Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce
Emily Cooper, Vice President, Programs
+Intention
Terry Lawrence, Principal, Brand Partner
2nd Watch
Jim Anfield, Principal
Advanced Resources
Pam Schieber, Managing Director
Aerogen
Brian Groskopf, Director Corporate Accounts
Alzheimers Association
Delia Jervier, Regional Leader and Executive Director
Aon
Julie Ruddy, Vice President, Health Solutions
Apple Dental Care
Flavia Lamberghini, Pediatric Dentist
Barnes & Thornburg, LLP
Jason Wallace, Partner
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois
Derek Robinson, Chief Medical Officer and Chief, CTCA Division of Gynecologic Oncology
Cancer Treatment Centers of America
Julian Schink, MD, Chief Medical Officer
DMRI, Inc.
Rick Latella, Co-Founder, President
Employco USA
Paul Michaels, Strategic Business Development
Fifth Third Bank
Ryan Vilnius, Senior Vice President, Team Leader Healthcare
Flight Centre Travel Group
Ilse Mehus, Regional Director of Sales – Midwest
Gallagher
Manny Franco, Area Vice President
Gateway Foundation
Teresa Garate, PhD, Vice President, Strategic Partnerships & Engagement
Gilda’s Club Chicago
LauraJane Hyde, CEO
Greater Chicago Food Depository
Matthew Chicola, Director of Human Resources
Hyatt Regency Chicago
David French, Director of Human Resources
Loyola Medicine
Maureen Pike, Regional Executive Director, Community Health & Well-Being
Loyola University
Pamela McCoy, Associate Dean, Executive Degree Programs
Microsoft
Fareed Muhammad Khan, US Digital & Azure App Innovation Leader
Montrose Behavioral Health Hospital
Kaylaa McGinnis, Director of Business Development
Kristopher McDonald, Assistant Director of Business Development
Novartis
Kurt Anderson, Associate Director, State Government Affairs
Veeral Vyas, Associate Director, Regional Population Health Account Manager
Novo Nordisk, Inc.
Parin Chikani, Senior Account Executive
Todd Hughes, Executive Regional Account Manager
Resilience Home Health Corporation
Chris Gomez, President/CEO
TBI
Mark McNeil, Business Development Manager
TBI
Mark McNeil, Business Development Manager
UnitedHealthcare of Illinois
Tom Kunst, Chief Executive Officer
Versiti
Amy Smith, Area Vice President
West Monroe
Dan Howell, Senior Partner
Healthcare Council Sponsor
Presenting Sponsor
Supporting Sponsor
