September 30, 2026

Good Business Newsletter

September 2026

Insights from Leadership

Tiffany Hamel Johnson

President and CEO Chicago United

LEANING IN

Despite all the challenges going on in this world, the work of Chicago United continues. Remember, Chicago United was born out of a time in 1968, something like the season we are living in right now. As difficult as it is for so many of us, Chicago United was built for a moment like this. We remain the place where business leaders can come to solve problems, to educate, provide invaluable insights on the most relevant topics and issues, and maintain and build powerful connections. We are all trying to figure this out while keeping our wits about us. Our respective work doesn’t stop because we are in this gray season. What we at Chicago United think about daily is how we will continue to provide the advocacy and thought leadership to our members and partners, and how we will continue to uplift the work of inclusion. We remain Determined. Be well,

Chicago United’s 2026 Bridge Awards Celebration: Join Us!

Chicago United’s Bridge Awards Celebration is the premier celebration of inclusive leadership and business excellence. On Thursday, November 19, we will host the city’s most influential business executives, small and mid-sized business owners, and civic leaders from a wide array of industries and sectors at The Geraghty, (2520 S. Hoyne Avenue, Chicago). Sponsorship opportunities are available; please click here to download the 2026 Sponsorship Packet to secure one of the offered levels and benefits. For additional information or questions, contact Gail Arrigo, Executive Vice President, at [email protected].

We CU

Aurora Austriaco, Shareholder of Valentine Austriaco & Bueschel, P.C., a 2019 Chicago United BLC, and Vice Chair of Chicago United’s Board of Directors, received the 2026 Diversity Advocate Award, recognizing attorneys, legal professionals and advocates who have championed diversity and inclusion in the legal profession, from the LAGBAC – Chicago’s LGBTQ+ Bar Association.

2019 Chicago United BLC Nichole Owens has been appointed Chief Operating Officer of Pepco Holdings, effective January 1, 2027.

Suzanne Yoon, Founder and Managing Partner of Kinzie Capital Partners LP and a 2021 Chicago United BLC, is a featured speaker at the Chicago Women’s Leadership Accelerator Signature Lunch Panel.

Fellicia Foster, Chief Human Resources Officer, U.S. Banking at BMO and a 2025 BLC; Aurora Austriaco, Shareholder, Valentine Austriaco & Bueschel, P.C., a 2019 BLC, and Vice Chair of Chicago United's Board of Directors; and Melissa Clark, Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer at Primera Engineers, Ltd. and a 2025 BLC, were recognized by The KNOW Women’s honors of Women to KNOW in Illinois.

Mesirow, a Chicago United Member Company, was named to Crain’s Chicago Business’s 2026 Best Places to Work.