Chicago Philanthropy: A Brave New World
Moderated by Joshua Hale
Featuring Lindsay Avner, Deborah Liverett, and Jim Parsons
Tuesday, Nov 24, 2015
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Speakers
Lindsay Avner
Lindsay Avner is no stranger to breast and ovarian cancer. She watched her mother fight both diseases when she was only 12, and lost both her grandmother and great-grandmother to breast cancer before she was born. At the age of 23, Lindsay tested positive for a mutation on the BRCA1 gene, significantly increasing her risk for breast and ovarian cancer. She bravely opted for a risk-reducing double mastectomy with reconstruction, becoming the youngest patient in the country to undergo that surgery. During her experience, Lindsay was frustrated by the lack of resources for young women. So, armed with optimism and dedication, Lindsay founded Bright Pink in January 2007 to share resources with the 52 million young women across the US who, like her, have the power to be proactive. Today, Bright Pink is a national non-profit on a mission to save women’s lives from breast and ovarian cancer by empowering them to live proactively at a young age. At Bright Pink, Lindsay oversees a $2.5million+ budget, 17 full-time staff members, and an innovative portfolio of education and support programs serving hundreds of thousands of women nationwide. These programs include Brighten Up® Educational Workshops on breast and ovarian health basics and Emerging Medical Professional Workshops – case-based education to train medical residents specializing in female patient care on risk stratification and risk management strategies for their young female patients.
Deborah A. Liverett
Deborah A. Liverett is a Senior Vice President at The Northern Trust Company, Chicago. Deborah manages the Community Affairs Division, which is responsible for Northern Trust’s philanthropic initiatives and funding globally. In this role, she is also responsible for the development and coordination of board placements for senior and executive management as well as employee volunteerism efforts in civic, cultural, educational, social service and community development activities. Since assuming the role of Director of Community Affairs in 2004, Northern Trust's has given in excess of $100 million dollars to some of Chicago’s neediest individuals as well as underserved areas around the globe. Deborah currently serves on the Executive Committee for the Women In Leadership initiative and has served on the Northern Trust Black Business Resource Council (BBRC) as the Vice President of Professional Development. She is also a board trustee for Rainbows for All Children. Deborah joined Northern Trust as an Officer in July 1993, was named a Second Vice President in January 1995, and a Vice President in July 1999. Previously, she was associated with Cole Taylor Bank and First of America Bank. Deborah received a B.S. degree from North Carolina Central University where she graduated magna cum laude.
Jim Parsons
Jim Parsons is the President of The Brinson Foundation, a private family foundation which supports educational and scientific research programs. Jim is the immediate past chair of the Board of Directors of the Donors Forum, where he continues to serve on the Resource Development and Strategy and Policy Committees. Jim is also a member the Board of Trustees of the Chicago Architecture Foundation; the Board of Directors of King-Bruwaert House, a continuous care retirement community; and a life trustee and former Board chair of The Community House, a social services agency located in west suburban Chicago. He is a member of the Leadership Council of the Chicago Public Education Fund; the Illinois Attorney General’s Charitable Advisory Council; and the Board of Advisors of the Morton Arboretum. He previously served on the Board of Trustees of Denison University. Prior to his career in philanthropy, Jim practiced law for 26 years at the Chicago law firm of Gardner, Carton & Douglas (now Drinker, Biddle and Reath) where he also served as Managing Partner. Jim received his law degree from The University of Chicago and his undergraduate degree from Denison University.
Joshua D. Hale
Joshua D. Hale is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Big Shoulders Fund in Chicago, Illinois. The Big Shoulders Fund has been in existence for more than 27 years providing support for inner-city Catholic schools located in Chicago’s most underserved communities. The Big Shoulders Fund raises $18-20 million annually and has a $42 million endowment to support 90 schools (75 elementary and 15 high schools) serving nearly 24,000 students. Annual distributions are focused on scholarships, capital, professional development programs, health/wellness, an adopt-a-school program, and general operations. In 2010, Mr. Hale was recognized by Crain’s Chicago Business Journal as one of Chicago’s “40 Under 40.” This prestigious list highlights the top 40 next generation leaders in Chicago’s business, civic, and philanthropic organizations. He is also involved with numerous professional and philanthropic organizations. He was a fellow in the Leadership Greater Chicago program and an inaugural member of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs’ Emerging Leaders Program, through which they published a report “No Free Money: Is the Privatization of Infrastructure in the Public Interest?” Currently, Mr. Hale serves on the Executive Committee of the School Board for the Archdiocese of Chicago, a Chair on the Membership Committee of the Economic Club of Chicago, and is on the Board of Directors at The Irish Fellowship Club of Chicago. Mr. Hale is also a visiting lecturer at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. Having attended Marquette University, upon graduation Mr. Hale entered the Jesuit Volunteer International program and spent two years as a volunteer educator in the Republic of the Marshall Islands. Mr. Hale resides in Chicago with his wife and their two sons.
