Can you provide us with some information about your background? Your education and career?
I am a native Chicagoan—born and spent most of my life around the Chicagoland area. I recently moved to the Vail Valley in Colorado—a big change! Neither of my parents had the opportunity to go to college, so being a first-generation college student meant a lot to me and my family. I came to the U of I because of its reputation and earned a degree in business finance. I got my MBA at Michigan focusing on marketing and international business. So, I am a Big Ten girl. I spent time in Texas working in the banking industry and after that in a family construction business. I then spent ten years working for the Leo Burnett advertising agency.
I retired from corporate America after that to focus on my family and to contribute to my community in meaningful ways. I have held volunteer leadership roles in the areas I am most passionate about: education and healthcare. We were one of the founding families for a public charter school in the Englewood community in Chicago, and I remain supportive and am involved in their foundation. I have served on school and parent boards. I am also committed to quality community mental health care and support organizations in both Illinois and Colorado that work to increase and enhance community mental health services.
Can you tell us more about how you have stayed connected to the University of Illinois since your time as a student?
This is an interesting question. I suppose there was a period of less connectivity in the early years after I graduated, but I was always a donor, even though my contributions were small at first. It turns out that my husband and I were at U of I at the same time, though we didn’t know each other then. It was after we met that we got reconnected to our alma mater. He was regularly invited back to be a guest lecturer for a finance class, and I often came back with him. Over the years, my cousin, my nephew and then my son attended U of I. So, we have had a generational family connection that keeps me tied to the University.
Giving to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is clearly important to you. Can you explain what compelled you to give and keep giving? What do you hope your philanthropy accomplishes for the University?
Education is the one thing that no one can take from you, and access to sound education opens up so many opportunities. I grew up in a moderate household. I am a product of the public schools of Chicago and Illinois’ public university. I received a solid, high-quality education at the University of Illinois, and equal access to that kind of quality education is tremendously important to me. I feel compelled to pay it forward to future generations.
What advice can you share about how to make a lasting impact at the University of Illinois?
I have been very fortunate in my life, particularly around school and education, and whether you give your time or your money, it is important to give back to your community. So, my husband and I have made it a priority to give back to Illinois. Some of our philanthropy supports scholarships to be given for immediate student support, but we have also endowed a scholarship and a professorship so that we can keep giving even after we are gone. We can provide support to students and their educations now and in the future.
What is your favorite University of Illinois memory?
I am not a spectator sports person. My husband is—he follows all of the Illinois sports teams. Not me, but I LOVED being a part of the Block I during football games. My senior year was the year the football team went to the Rose Bowl, and I just remember that being such a thrill. It was just a really fun place to be part of a group.
