NAWBO Chicago names new executive director

The Chicago chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners has named Wendy Bensley Jaehn as executive director.

The appointment marks NAWBO Chicago's first full-time executive-level position and was inspired by the organization's growing influence within the greater Chicago business community, which includes more than 300,000 women business owners. NAWBO Chicago is devoted to advancing the economic, social and political interests of women-owned firms.

Through a regional membership plan, Jaehn will carry forth NAWBO's vision to expand member engagement throughout Chicago and the suburbs. Jaehn will also focus on short and long-term strategic planning, increasing partnerships with organizations that support women business leaders, and greater sustainability through innovative programming that creates collaborative forums for women business owners.

A native of Rochester, N.Y., Jaehn has lived in Chicago for the past 15 years.

She has served as vice president, Midwest energy efficiency line of business leader for ICF International, a publicly held technology, policy and management consultancy. There, Jaehn bolstered revenue and expanded reach. Prior to that, she served as executive director of the 8,000-member Chicago Area Runners Association where she re-engaged members and increased sponsorships. One of her signature achievements was growing the Road Scholars program, which benefits at-risk youth, by 300 percent. Jaehn earned a master's degree from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and a bachelor's degree from Cornell University.

Jaehn's personal is a nine-time marathon runner, including three stints in the Boston Marathon.

"Wendy and NAWBO Chicago are coming together at this critical juncture to continue NAWBO's legendary reputation of moving the needle forward for women business owners," said NAWBO Chicago President Michele Katz, founder of Advitam IP, an intellectual property law firm.