Non-Profit Leaders Reflect on Professional Journeys at Women in Business Luncheon

Stories of professional growth and public service provided an inspiring theme to a Women in Business Luncheon at the Chicago Botanic Garden on Thursday, May 23. Over 140 attendees gathered at the Garden's McGinley Pavilion to hear presentations by Susan Abrams, CEO of the Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center, and Jean Franczyk, President and CEO of the Chicago Botanic Garden. The event was presented by the Northbrook, Deerfield Bannockburn Riverwoods (DBR), Glencoe, Glenview, Highland Park, and Winnetka-Northfield Chambers of Commerce and Chicago's North Shore Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Against the beautiful backdrop of a lagoon at the open-air venue, Susan Abrams reflected on her varied career that began at Goldman Sachs and transitioned to non-profit leadership, culminating in her role as head of the world's third largest museum dedicated to the Holocaust. Jean Franczyk shared her own wide-ranging experiences, including work as a journalist, an advisor to the Chicago Board of Education and Mayor Richard M. Daley, and an executive at leading museums in Chicago and England before taking the helm at the Glencoe's world-renowned "living museum," the Botanic Garden. Each spoke of the challenges of making dramatic professional changes, and the rewards of leading organizations that contribute to improving society.

"We are so happy to be able to offer this exceptional program for professional women in our community," commented Tensley Garris, President of the Northbrook Chamber of Commerce. "We are grateful to Susan and Jean for sharing their remarkable stories, and to the Chicago Botanic Garden for hosting us in this picture-perfect space. I think all the attendees came away feeling energized and inspired by what they heard."

The Northbrook Chamber of Commerce hosts Women in Business networking lunches for its members every other month, along with a variety of other networking, educational, and social events. For more information about Chamber programs and membership, visit northbrookchamber.org.