Month: October 2012

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Leah Marshall

Director of Development, Chicago Ideas Week

Leah is thrilled to bring her passion for social entrepreneurship to Chicago Ideas Week as Director of Development. After a decade of work in the education reform sector at the classroom, charter management, and administrative levels, Leah comes to Chicago Ideas Week with a deep belief that through CIW, we’re democratizing access to thought leaders and visionaries, and in doing so we’re creating a more just, prosperous, and vibrant Chicago.  Prior to Chicago Ideas Week, Leah led Government Affairs and Corporate and Foundation Relations for Teach For America – Chicago. In this capacity, she oversaw competitive grants, corporate sponsorships, and the planning and execution of special events.  Outside of work, Leah enjoys bicycling, trapeze, and is working to do stand-up comedy for the first time before the end of 2012.

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Kristin Lewis

Public Affairs Specialist, U.S. Cellular

Kristin Lewis works to advance the position of the company as a responsible corporate citizen by supporting core community relations initiatives nationwide. In this role, Kristin is project manager for the company’s signature million-dollar philanthropic campaign, Calling All Communities, as well as the associate matching program. As a committed team member she has a supporting role in non-profit board appointments, large scale volunteerism, phone donations and in-kind donations. Kristin provides creative support and strategic direction in developing communications to tout the company’s commitment to community via presentations, social media, uscellular.com and internal communications. A native of Cincinnati, Ohio she graduated from Loyola University of Chicago and now lives in Wicker Park with her rescue dog, Steve.

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evolving philanthropic programming

Date:

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Time:

Reception: 8:00 a.m.
Program: 8:30 a.m.
Adjourn: 9:30 a.m.

Speaker:

Kristin Lewis,Public Affairs Specialist, U.S. Cellular

Kristin Lewis will discuss U.S. Cellular’s rationale for shifting from a traditional grant giving program to grass roots community involvement, and its connection to the bottom line.  Moving from an established giving focus to a new idea can be difficult on any company’s culture and established community relationships.  This presentation will touch on the reasoning behind evaluating and changing to better connect to your customer base and raise brand awareness.

Now in its 4th year, “Calling All Communities” is a corporate giving strategy that focuses on education and the pressing needs of schools through an annual signature program engaging community members in choosing the awardees.  Through Calling All Communities, U.S. Cellular has awarded $3 million to 38 schools throughout the nation, impacting more than 20,000 students since 2009.  This year, U.S. Cellular will once again donate another $1 million to 18 schools – that’s $150,000 for the school with the most votes and $50,000 each to the following 17 schools with the most votes.

Along with discussing U.S. Cellular’s transition to this signature giving program, Kristin will walk through connecting other giving initiatives to tie with the revised giving focus as well as maintaining established nonprofit partnership.

 Host:

ArcelorMittal
1 South Dearborn Street
13th Floor
Chicago, IL 60603

Please RSVP to Colleen Coughlin by Friday, October 26 at irishcdc@sbcglobal.net or at colleen@crgroup.org, or by calling 312-666-2776.  Your name and your guests’ names must be on the guest list and remember to bring a photo ID.