Accounting / Consulting

Victor Hernandez, John Kasperek Co., Inc.

Victor Hernandez joined JKC in 2024 as an Associate, after completing a tax internship with the firm. Mr. Hernandez earned his Bachelor's and Master's Degrees of Science in Accounting at Governors State University. A Palos Heights resident, Mr. Hernandez also previously received an Associate of Applied Science Degree from Moraine Valley Community College. He will be applying his knowledge and experience through the firm's auditing practice.

Architecture / Design

Jennifer McDermott, HKS

Global design firm HKS has announced Jennifer McDermott as a Principal and Global Practice Director, Senior Living Interiors. She infuses hospitality elements with the comfort of residential design to create unique signature experiences for seniors. Jennifer immerses herself in the location and lifestyle of the residents that she is designing for and her work has won awards, and been featured in many Senior Living publications.

Banking

Merrilee Rojas, First Bank Chicago

First Bank Chicago, one of the five largest privately held banks in Chicago, is pleased to welcome Merrilee Rojas as Senior Vice President, Managing Director of Franchise Finance. Merrilee is responsible for developing and managing a new franchise banking division focusing primarily on tier one concepts. Merrilee has over 25 years of expertise in the franchise finance industry while working directly with franchisees to accommodate all their financing and treasury management needs.

Banking

Jill Hagan, Lakeside Bank

Jill Hagan is back in Chicago … and joins Lakeside Bank as Senior Vice President, Treasury Management Sales. With over 25 years in the financial industry, Jill brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise. Jill’s Commercial Banking skills, specializing in Treasury Management Sales and Government Banking, will be invaluable as we continue to enhance offerings and support our clients’ growth. Jill and Lakeside Bank have your back!

Construction

Nick Ramirez, W.E. O'Neil Construction

W.E. O'Neil Construction welcomes Nick Ramirez as Director of Business Development.With a proven track record in the AEC industry Nick will be instrumental in cultivating new partnerships, identifying growth opportunities, and driving initiatives to enhance customer satisfaction. His strategic vision, coupled with a deep understanding of industry dynamics, positions us for continued success in the coming years.

Construction Management

Rachel Munkvold, RLE Project Management

RLE Project Management welcomes Rachel Munkvold to their Chicago Headquarters as Project Executive and Interiors Lead. Rachel brings 25-years of construction and design experience with a diverse portfolio of legal, financial, tech, and non-profit clients. She has led several of the largest marquee interiors projects in Chicago, including highly complex HQs, restacks, and relocations. Rachel’s leadership will continue to elevate RLE’s reach and delivery of owner representation.

Education

Adam W. Fischer, Catherine Cook School

Catherine Cook School welcomes Adam W. Fischer as Head of School. Mr. Fischer served as Head of The Rashi School (Greater Boston, MA; PK-8). Under his leadership, the school leapt forward with modernized, engaged academics and a historic $30M+ campaign to establish an endowment. He previously served Kent School (Kent, CT; 9-12) in a variety of roles. He earned a Bachelor's in English from Columbia and Master's in Independent School Leadership at Columbia's Teachers College (Klingenstein).

Entertainment

Robert J. Ryan, Union League Club of Chicago

Robert Ryan was elected the 135th President of the Union League Club of Chicago (ULCC) on Tuesday, June 4. Ryan is a managing director of Felix Global, a specialized consulting firm where he coaches and advises senior execs for career transition and leadership development. Rated the #1 City Club in the Midwest by Club Leaders Forum, the ULCC is a distinguished and inclusive club where members can embrace a more inspired life.

Financial Services

Doug Throneburg and Kurt Funderburg, Byline Bank

Byline Bank welcomes two new members to its Wealth Management group. Doug Throneburg, CFP, CPA, CFA, CIPM, has joined to lead the group as Executive Vice President, Head of Wealth Management. He brings over 30 years of experience in financial planning, investment management, tax strategy and estate planning, most recently as Managing Director – Wealth Advisory at First American Bank. 

Kurt Funderburg joins as Senior Vice President, Chief Investment Officer, to direct the team’s investment strategy and oversee client portfolio management. Kurt has provided investment advice and analysis to high-net-worth clients and institutional investors for over 30 years, previously at First American Bank, Harris Associates/Oakmark and Morningstar.

Financial Services

Jonathan Dawson and Wendy Schenker, Wintrust Financial Corporation

Wintrust Financial Corp., a financial services holding company based in Rosemont, Illinois, with more than 170 locations across Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Florida is pleased to announce two promotions. 

Jonathan Dawson was promoted to SVP, Investments at Wintrust Investments. Jonathan celebrated 14 years at Wintrust in July. 

Wendy Schenker was promoted to SVP, Marketing Programs at Wintrust Financial Corporation. Wendy joined Wintrust in 2005.

Health Care

Dr. Edward Kaplan and Dr. Marlon Kleinman, City of Hope®

City of Hope®, a leader in cancer treatment, recently expanded to the North Shore and is pleased to welcome Edward Kaplan, M.D. and Marlon Kleinman, M.D. to a team of 1600+ cancer specialists across the nation. 

Dr. Kaplan, a medical oncologist, and Dr. Kleinman, a hematologist oncologist, bring decades of experience in treating all types of cancer. Dr. Kaplan is also a prolific researcher and sought-after clinical presenter with a longstanding commitment to academic medicine. 

Dr. Kleinman has lectured and served as clinical advisor on a wide range of research topics and is driven by a strong commitment to investigative medicine. 

For more about Drs. Kaplan and Kleinman or City of Hope’s Chicago-area locations, visit cityofhope.org.

Health Care

Benjamin Shobert, Optum

Ben Shobert has joined Optum as their new Senior Vice President of Clinical Data Strategy. In this newly created role, he will be responsible for driving cross-company alignment on strategic clinical data investments and governance. This will include exploration of new business models and work with healthcare data standards organizations and national regulators.

Law Firm

Alex Righi and Randall Kulat, Croke Fairchild Duarte & Beres LLC

Croke Fairchild Duarte & Beres is pleased to welcome Alex Righi as a partner in the firm's finance practice group. Alex focuses his practice on advising a broad spectrum of private investment funds, alternative asset managers, and other corporate borrowers on a variety of debt financing strategies, solutions, and transactions. 

Croke Fairchild also welcomes Randall (Randy) Kulat as counsel in the firm's public finance practice group. With more than 40 years of experience in all types of complex financial transactions, Randy focuses his practice on all aspects of tax-exempt finance, banking, and secured lending matters.

Law Firm

Lawrence Kern, Holland & Knight LLP

Larry Kern is an attorney in Holland & Knight's Chicago office and a member of the firm’s Private Wealth Services Group. Mr. Kern focuses his practice on tax and estate planning matters for ultra-high-net-worth individuals and families, closely held business owners, private equity and hedge fund principals, and charitable organizations. Mr. Kern has a wealth of experience advising clients in connection with the formation and operation of family offices and private trust companies.

Non-Profit

Jason Patenaude, Hephzibah Children's Association

Hephzibah Children's Association, a visionary leader in child welfare since 1897, welcomes Jason Patenaude as CEO. Jason brings three decades of experience at both for-profit and nonprofit organizations, as well as a growth-oriented mindset, and extensive financial, fundraising, and executive leadership experience to the position. He holds a B.A. from Bates College and an M.B.A. from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College.

Non-Profit

Fabrício Oliveira, Lions International

Fabrício Oliveira of Catolé do Rocha, Paraiba, Brazil, was elected as international president of Lions Clubs International in June 2024. Fabrício is a businessman with an MBA from Fundação Getúlio Vargas, a former director of the National Confederation of Shopkeepers in Brazil, and a Lion since 1985. As president, he will oversee global membership growth, support the Lions Club International Foundation and inspire clubs to serve their communities and a world in need.

Retail

Craig Marton and Shawn Kahler, Colony Display

Colony Display, a designer, manufacturer, and installer of highly customized fixtures, exhibits and displays, is growing its leadership team. Earlier this year, Craig Marton joined Colony as Chief Executive Officer, and the company recently welcomed Shawn Kahler as Chief Commercial Officer.

 Marton’s decades of extensive operational and strategic experience are an asset to Colony, where he leads a team of approximately 150 highly-skilled employees and is helping to strengthen the company’s position as an industry leader. 

Kahler brings more than 30 years of experience driving market expansion and profitable growth at both publicly traded and privately held companies, including most recently as Vice President of Vieler International LP.

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