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Danielle Appello, AIA, LEED AP BD+C has been promoted to Design Principal at Wight. With expertise across civic and commercial markets, Danielle is dedicated to creating spaces that inspire and strengthen communities. Her approach combines innovative design, sustainability, and occupant wellness to deliver high-performance architecture. Danielle’s portfolio includes projects that have been recognized for design excellence such as the DuPage County Health Department's Crisis Recovery Center. |
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Gregory Derrico has been promoted to Design Principal at Wight. His extensive experience leading multidisciplinary teams on complex architectural projects reflects a blend of creativity and functional pragmatism. His designs are informed by a deep understanding of place, program, and climate, resulting in impactful and elegant solutions. Gregory continues to influence diverse project typologies and scales, locally in Chicago and beyond. |
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Steven Shearer, LEED AP has been promoted to Design Principal at Wight. His thoughtful leadership drives innovative and efficient design solutions, with expertise spanning educational, civic, and commercial markets, where he focuses on creating forward-thinking environments that adapt to evolving needs. Steven’s collaborative approach ensures that each project positively impacts clients and communities from concept to completion. |
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Artisan Advisors, specializing in strategic consulting, risk assessment, and financial technology services for financial institutions, welcomes Bob Shifflett as Director, Enterprise Solutions. With more than forty years of experience in sales, marketing, and leadership in the financial industry, Bob specializes in providing software and service solutions for fintechs, community banks, and credit unions. Bob will lead business development and counsel clients on a full range of banking issues. |
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First Bank Chicago, one of the five largest privately held banks in Chicago, is pleased to announce Jacqueline Flick has been promoted to SVP/Relationship Banking. In this new role, Jackie will leverage her leadership capabilities and banking expertise, positioning her to lead the Bank’s VP/Market Managers and their corresponding teams. She was previously promoted to SVP/Community Banking Operations in early 2024. Jackie joined the Bank in 2018. |
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Trina Sandschafer, AIA, joins Project Management Advisors, as Vice President and Managing Director - Chicago. With extensive experience in design and business leadership, Sandschafer held previous Executive Vice President and Design Principal roles at multiple notable architecture firms, guiding design strategy and leading expansion. In her new role, Trina will drive PMA’s strategic Midwest growth, strengthen partnerships, champion client advocacy, and advance innovative real estate solutions. |
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Pepper Construction Group has promoted Stephanie Vitner to Chief Financial Officer. With more than 23 years of experience, she has served in roles of increasing responsibility from Senior Financial Analyst to her most recent role as Senior Vice President of Finance. As CFO, Stephanie will ensure the integrity of the company's financial data while streamlining the systems and financial reporting to provide the most meaningful financial information in support of Pepper's strategic and operational goals. Stephanie is a member of the AICPA, the Illinois CPA Society and Construction Financial Management Association. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Illinois State University and a master’s degree from the University of Notre Dame. |
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Skender, one of the nation's largest builders, welcomes Andrew Lehrer as Project Executive in its growing Mission Critical group. With 20+ years of experience in critical and resilient infrastructure, Andrew brings deep knowledge of high-performance, always-on facilities, advanced laboratories and mission-critical environments. His expertise positions Skender as a leader in next-gen digital facilities. Previously, Andrew built and led teams of engineers at ESD and Cannon Design. |
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The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, a leader in art and design education, announced the appointment of Amee Spondike as the next vice president for advancement. Spondike has 20 years of experience as an arts fundraising professional, and previously filled several roles at the Rhode Island School of Design and University of Michigan. She will join SAIC on April 1. |
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Emily Hussey joined Blank Rome as a partner in the Life Sciences industry team and Business Litigation group. She provides strategic business and regulatory advice to healthcare and life sciences clients. Emily helps clients navigate the complex and evolving FDA, DEA, and state regulations that govern their operations and transactions. Her experience also includes assisting clients with mergers and acquisitions, including due diligence, change of ownership, regulatory approvals, and more. |
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Rachael Pontikes joined Blank Rome as a partner in the Life Sciences industry team and Business Litigation group. She advises life sciences and healthcare clients on a full range of healthcare regulations. Rachael has notable strength in representing healthcare facilities in high-stakes FDA, DEA, and state agency investigations and related litigation, as well as acting as regulatory counsel for large-scale, high-profile transactions involving major healthcare players in the compounding space. |
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C. Matt Alva joined the Chicago office of Riley Safer Holmes & Cancila LLP as partner in the Product Liability & Mass Torts Practice Team. Alva has 14 years’ experience and is a top talent in the next generation. Matt focuses his practice on product and premise liability matters, class actions, and mass torts. A formidable litigator and skillful negotiator, he also defends businesses in other complex commercial litigation and high-stakes disputes. |
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Real Estate partner James Augustyn has joined Taft. Jay represents private equity sponsors, developers, capital providers, and institutional investors in commercial real estate and real estate finance transactions. He counsels clients in the structuring, negotiating, and documenting of all facets of commercial real estate transactions, including financing, acquisitions and dispositions, joint ventures, leasing, and development of properties across the United States. |
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Jennifer Garner joins Taft as a partner in its Real Estate practice group. Jennifer oversees the acquisition, disposition, leasing, and financing of commercial properties. She has extensive experience representing landlords on office, industrial, and retail leasing matters. Jennifer drafts and negotiates lease documentation and advises clients on issues related to landlord-tenant relationships, including leasehold improvements, assignments and subleases, letters of credit, and tenant defaults. |
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Michael Nutter has joined Taft as a partner in the firm’s Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences Litigation practice. As a registered patent attorney, Michael focuses on small-molecule pharmaceutical patent litigation within the Hatch-Waxman Act and biosimilar patent litigation within the Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act. He advises clients on ANDA-related issues before the FDA, including issues with labeling, API, patent listing disputes, and new drug and marketing exclusivities. |
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Bob McAuliff has joined Taft as an associate in the firm’s Real Estate practice. Bob brings experience representing real estate developers, investors, and corporate clients in a variety of transactional matters, including acquisitions, dispositions, construction financings, and joint ventures. Prior to joining the firm, Bob clerked for the Office of the Cook County Public Guardian and interned for the Champaign County Public Defender’s Office. |
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The American Red Cross of Illinois proudly welcomes Kellie O’Connell as its new Regional CEO. Based at Greater Chicago Headquarters, O’Connell will lead volunteers and staff serving 12.2 million people across Illinois and parts of Iowa and Missouri. With 20+ years in nonprofit and government leadership, O’Connell is dedicated to equity, community engagement, and expanding access to vital resources—values that align closely with the Red Cross mission. |
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Golden Apple, a non-profit committed to preparing, mentoring, and retaining high potential aspiring teachers, welcomes Stacey C. Bolton, Northern Trust Executive Vice President and Chief Risk Officer, Asset Servicing, as Chair of the Board of Directors. With over a decade of service on the board, Bolton will focus on expanding Golden Apple's impact addressing the nationwide teacher shortage to ensure every student can learn from an exceptional educator. |
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Longtime HMC Hospitality Group executive Steve Clement has been elevated to Chief Operating Officer over all Hooters and Hoots locations in the Chicagoland and Tampa Bay regions. Steve began his career with Hooters in 1992 in Florida and soon after moved to Chicago. Prior to his promotion he was the VP of Operations for the Chicago region since 2022. Steve is involved in many aspects, including the Leadership Council and food and beverage committee. He enjoys developing people and giving back. |
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Mike Kieltyka has been named Vice President of Operations for the company’s Greater Chicago Region, which spans Central and Northern Illinois, Northern Indiana and Southwest Michigan. In his new role, Kieltyka oversees field and fulfillment operations in the region to ensure optimal performance with company standards of quality and efficiency. Kieltyka has been with Comcast since 1994, most recently serving as the company’s Regional Director of Operations. |
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