MEMBERSHIP

A corporate membership organization, Chicago United’s members range from emerging businesses to Fortune 500 corporations and represent some of the City’s brightest leaders. Whether large or small, all companies have a shared investment in the City’s diverse workforce and leadership.

As a member of Chicago United you are among the nation’s thought leaders in developing sustainable diversity in a way that strengthens the corporate community, the broader economy and the society as a whole.

• You associate your brand with the most forward thinking and inclusive values while strengthening your position as an employer and as a business partner in both the consumer and b-2-b environments.
• You network with, work with and partner with your peers who understand the critical nature that sustainable diversity in the business infrastructure plays in the larger economic fabric of Chicago and the nation.
• You belong to an advocacy organization that brings together the collective strengths of people like yourself who affect this issue, not individual leaders or individual organizations, but as a collective of leading voices strengthening Chicago.

A challenge for many companies and individuals alike is the ability to “step outside” their environment and see issues from an objective point of view. By participating in Chicago United, members are part of a group of diverse minds who together are able to:

• Identify issues that affect the City and its corporations
• Measure and benchmark the status of the issues
• Create alternatives and identify solutions
• Share information with constituencies and advocate policies for positive change

It is through this leadership that Chicago United members are able to influence the City’s business agenda, maximize the human potential of their own company and improve the economic and social climate for the next generation.

Chicago United’s membership includes the CEO Council and the Leaders Council:

CEO Council

Comprised of member companies’ top leadership (typically CEO or President) who set the strategy and determine the execution plan of CU’s vision. The mission of the CEO Council is to promote diversity as a CEO issue among their peers.

Leaders Council

Consists of the member companies’ senior management (up to 3-4 representatives) who participate in carrying out the strategy and executing CU programs and initiatives.