A Warm Welcome to our New Leaders!
Like any non-profit organization, the Chicago Public Library Foundation is comprised of many different leaders and advocates and today we extend a warm welcome to our newest Board members!
As community leaders, it is the responsibility of the Board to oversee the achievement and impact of the Library Foundation’s mission to help shape the cultural fabric of the city of Chicago through programs supported by private Foundation funding. As stewards of the Foundation’s private donor dollars, their expertise and guidance is tantamount to achieving each year’s goals and maximizing the impact that can be reached with the help of the larger Chicago community. With this powerhouse group, their pedigree speaks for itself – but we wanted to share a little more about our diverse newcomers!
Michael Wilson, Principal, Risk Consulting, KPMG LLC
Michael Wilson is the U.S. lead partner for KPMG’s Enterprise Rise Management network. He previously served as a Board member with the Children’s Museum of Houston and holds a BA, MPM, and MBA from the University of Alberta.
“Being new to Chicago, I was anxious to get involved in the local community in a way that combined the interests of my family (my wife and I have four daughters), as well as being consistent with my firm’s Citizenship efforts that are targeted on lifelong learning. KPMG’s Family for Literacy (KFFL) is my firm’s flagship Citizenship program with a mission to eradicate childhood illiteracy by putting new books into the hands of children in need and developing the next generation of young leaders through reading. This combination of our personal interests and ongoing support my firm provides the library through KFFL made it a natural and easy choice to get involved in the Library Foundation.”
Jennifer Friedes, Screenwriter, Filmmaker, and former attorney
Jennifer Friedes is an award-winning screenwriter, independent filmmaker and former attorney. Ms. Friedes was the original writer of Iron Jawed Angels, produced and aired by HBO starring Hilary Swank and Angelica Huston. She holds an Emmy nomination, named a Humanitas Prize Finalist, winner of the Silver Ace Award, and Pen USA Literary Award recipient. She holds an English degree from the University of Michigan and JD from Cornell Law School.
“As a reader and a lifelong learner, I am thrilled to join the CPLF board. Early education initiatives, homework help, digital learning spaces for teens, technology tutors and internet access, all provided free of charge to hundreds of thousands of people, mostly kids–how could I resist?! Our world class library system is a huge credit to the City of Chicago, and I am honored to help support the programs that address so many of the things we need to move our citizens forward through the 21st century and beyond.”
Adam Hoeflich, Partner, Barlit Beck Herman Palenchar & Scott LLP
Adam Hoeflich has a national reputation as a courtroom lawyer and strategic advisor to organizations and high net worth individuals in the litigation process. Mr. Hoeflich is a Professor of Practice at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law and previously was a Lecturer in Law at the University of Chicago Law School. Hoeflich is a trustee of the Civic Federation and of the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center; he is on the board of directors of the Northwestern Memorial Foundation.
Mark Sproat, Executive Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary, Follett Corporation
As EVP, General Counsel, Secretary, and member of the Executive Committee at Follett Corporation, Mr. Sproat is responsible for legal strategy and all legal functions, and providing legal support for all business requirements. Mr. Sproat has held positions with AonHewitt as EVP, Commercial Portfolio Management and VP, Global Chief Counsel, AonHewitt (General Counsel for AonHewitt). Mr. Sproat has a B.S. and B.A. from Eastern Illinois University, an M.B.A and J.D from Loyola University.
Michelle Rindt, Vice President Customer Service, Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas
Michelle Rindt is responsible for customer service strategy, metering, meter reading, billing, credit and collections, revenue projection, energy efficiency, commercial and industrial customer strategy, customer care centers and customer communications. She is currently on the Advisory Board for After School Matters and earned a bachelor’s in business administration from the University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh. Ms. Rindt will be serving as a co-chair of the 2018 Carl Sandburg Literary Awards Dinner.
In addition to the above five philanthropists, we’d also like to welcome:
- Kate Boege, Executive VP, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, Wintrust Financial;
- Cherryl Thomas, President and CEO, ArdmoreRoderick Associates, LLC;
- Roger Liew, Operating Partner, Impact Engine;
- Francia Harrington, Executive Leadership, Civic Engagement and Strategic Partnerships, Fifth Third Bank; and
- DeLu Jackson, VP Precision Marketing, Conagra Brands.
Each of them have made great contributions in their professions, communities and passions, and we look forward to seeing their leadership help craft the future of the Foundation and, more holistically, its contribution to all Chicagoans who depend on the critical education resources offered at our Chicago Public Library.
To learn more about the annual impact our supporters, staff, volunteers and donors help make possible through the Chicago Public Library Foundation, view our Annual Report. To learn more about the innovative, free programming the Foundation brings to the city of Chicago, visit our homepage.