Banking / Finance

Bruce Trant, J.P. Morgan Private Bank

Bruce Trant has joined J.P. Morgan Private Bank in Chicago as Executive Director and Banker. Bruce advises highly wealthy individuals in Chicago and across the Midwest including families, financial professionals and centers of influence who seek the brand reputation and intellectual strength of an industry powerhouse. He is adept at learning each individual’s priorities and goals to lay out a plan for pursuing the future they envision. Bruce joins the firm from Cantor Fitzgerald.

Commercial Real Estate

Cassie Hrtanek, The Inland Real Estate Group, LLC

Cassie Hrtanek was appointed Chief Operating Officer for Inland, one of the nation’s largest commercial real estate and finance groups. Ms. Hrtanek is responsible for human resources, information technology, property tax, risk management, communications, marketing, and purchasing. “Cassie’s invaluable experience, dedication, proven track record, leadership and profound understanding of Inland and its member companies make her a natural fit for the role,” said Tony Chereso, CEO and President of Inland.

Financial Services

Karmen Conrad, Byline Bank

Byline Bank welcomes Karmen Conrad as SVP, Head of Marketing. She oversees integrated marketing strategy and communications, including customer acquisition and campaign development, for all of Byline’s consumer and commercial lines of business. Previously, Karmen led marketing for U.S. deposits and private wealth at BMO Bank. Before that, she spent 20 years in consumer packaged goods, leading brand management for iconic names like Oreo, Doritos and Jimmy Dean. Byline Bank is a Member of FDIC.

Financial Services

Karolina Pawlak-Daracz, Byline Bank

Byline Bank welcomes Karolina Pawlak-Daracz as SVP, BSA/AML & Fraud Director. As a Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist, Karolina brings 17 years of regulatory compliance experience in the financial services and tech industries, most recently serving as the Head of Anti-Money Laundering at Meta. Karolina holds Master’s degrees in law and international relations and affairs from the University of Warsaw.

Financial Services

Mike Faulhaber, Lakeshore Financial Group

Lakeshore Financial Group is excited to announce Mike Faulhaber, CFP® as our new Managing Director, leading our expansion into the Rocky Mountains region. With nearly twenty years of experience at Mutual of Omaha and Northwestern Mutual, Mike brings extensive expertise in financial planning for individuals, families, and businesses. Mike Faulhaber is a Registered Representative and Investment Adviser Representative of Equity Services, Inc. www.lsfgchi.com for details. TC142440(0624)1

Financial Services

Matthew Hammer and Caterina Aiello, Wintrust Financial Corporation

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

Matthew Hammer was promoted to SVP, Division Manager, Commercial Banking at Village Bank & Trust, N.A. Matthew joined Wintrust in 2013. 

Caterina Aiello was promoted to SVP, Head of Retail, Retail Branch Management at Schaumburg Bank & Trust Company, N.A. Caterina will celebrate 21 years at Wintrust in August.

Insurance

Zisan Tekin, Oncourse Home Solutions

Zisan Tekin, Oncourse Home Solutions' SVP Partnership Development & Expansion, spearheads initiatives to maintain and grow OHS’s relationships with key water & utility partners, along with over 1M customers. OHS protects customers’ homes through various home protection products and services. Zisan’s experience in companies like Angi, Handy, Bain & Co., BNP Paribas extends across go to market, sales, operations, & product functions. Zisan earned her MBA from the Wharton School & BA from METU.

Insurance Brokerage

Rob Livingston, CAC Specialty

CAC Specialty, a leading insurance brokerage and advisor, has appointed Rob Livingston as Executive Vice President. Bringing three decades of industry experience, Livingston will enhance client service efforts and drive business development. His deep understanding of client needs and proven track record in delivering tailored risk management solutions, with a focus on Cyber, D&O, E&O and overall balance sheet protection, will strengthen CAC Specialty’s capabilities in these key sectors.

Law Firm

David A. Axelrod, Coplan + Crane

Coplan + Crane welcomes David A. Axelrod as Of Counsel. With over 41 years of trial experience and more than $100 million secured in compensation for his clients, David specializes in medical malpractice, catastrophic injury, and commercial disputes. His record includes a $31.35 million verdict in Marston v. Walgreen Company and a $10 million medical malpractice settlement. David has long admired Coplan + Crane’s dedication clients and is excited to join the firm.

Legal

Charles M. McMahon and Andrew J. Meyer, Benesch

Charles M. McMahon has joined Benesch as a Partner in the firm's Intellectual Property Practice Group. He is a first-chair litigator who focuses his practice on patent, trademark, copyright, trade secret, and unfair competition law. He has represented domestic and multinational clients in more than a dozen federal district courts and before the Patent and Trademark Office, the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB), the International Trade Commission (ITC), the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, and the Supreme Court. 

Andrew J. Meyer has joined Benesch as an Associate in the firm's Corporate & Securities Practice Group. He focuses his practice on general corporate and transactional law.

Marketing

Kevin Drew Davis, Cramer-Krasselt

Cramer-Krasselt (C-K), one of the nation’s largest independent advertising agencies, has hired Kevin Drew Davis as the new Executive Creative Director. This hire continues C-K’s expansion of its leadership over the last 15 months. Davis is a true digital pioneer and brings with him extensive experience producing award-winning work for clients like BMW, McDonald’s, Nike, Volkswagen and more. He will lead creative work across C-K’s existing clients, including Porsche and Tropicana.

Non-Profit

Myriam Del Angel, Illinois Humanities

Illinois Humanities is proud to welcome Myriam Del Angel as a new board member. She is the Vice President of HR for North America at Randstad Sourceright and brings over twenty years of experience in HR and Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. Myriam is a published author of "Latinas in Corporate: Overcoming Cultural Obstacles While Juggling a Career and a Family" and a co-author of "Latinas Rising Up in HR, Volume 1."

Non-Profit

Aarón Díaz Bianco, Illinois Humanities

Illinois Humanities is pleased to announce Aarón Díaz Bianco, JD/CFA as a new board member. Aarón manages Sonora Investment Partnership and boasts an extensive background in finance and law, with academic credentials from Princeton, the University of Chicago, and UC Berkeley Law. His prior roles include attorney and investment analyst. Aarón is a member of American Mensa and actively contributes to several advisory boards.

Non-Profit

Nakea West, Illinois Humanities

Illinois Humanities is excited to announce Nakea West as a new board member. Nakea is the Chief Equity and Diversity Officer at IFF, where she leads efforts to cultivate an inclusive and anti-racist organizational culture. Her experience extends to managing resource development and strategic fundraising for notable civil rights organizations. Nakea holds a political science degree from The University of Chicago.

Non-Profit

Amy Alvarado Tinucci, Uniting Voices

Amy Alvarado Tinucci has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer at Uniting Voices Chicago (formerly Chicago Children’s Choir). With 15 years in philanthropy, Amy has led the development team at Uniting Voices to secure the largest contribution in the organization's nearly 70-year history. Previously at Lyric Opera of Chicago, she excelled in building relationships and driving fundraising efficiency. Amy is a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE), and serves on the AFP Chicago Board.

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