Join SEI for a conversation with Vicki Escarra, CEO of Opportunity International, and John Edwardson, '72, on The Promise of International Development through Entrepreneurship.
Event Details
A Conversation with Vicki Escarra, CEO of Opportunity International, and John Edwardson, '72:
The Promise of International Development though Entrepreneurship
Vicki Escarra: As CEO of Opportunity International, Vicki Escarra sets strategic priorities, facilitates relationships with global partners and leads the organization's efforts to empower people-particularly women - to work their way out of poverty, strengthen their families and improve their communities. Since joining Opportunity International in 2012, Escarra has led several major initiatives to create a long-term strategic plan, rebrand the organization, streamline operations and increase global fundraising. Before joining Opportunity International, Escarra served as President and CEO of Feeding America and prior to that, she spent 30 years at Delta Air Lines culminating in her role as Chief Marketing Officer. Escarra is a member of the board of directors for HealthNet Corporation and Roosevelt University. She has been named among America's top 50 most powerful and influential executives by The NonProfit Times for three consecutive years and has been profiled by The Wall Street Journal, Chronicle of Philanthropy, and USA Today.
John Edwardson, '72, is the Chairman of Advance Illinois. He previously served as the Chairman and CEO of CDW, a leading provider of technology solutions to business, government, education, and healthcare organizations. Edwardson joined CDW in 2001 as president and chief executive officer. During his tenure at CDW, the company's revenues grew from $3.8 billion to over $10 billion. Prior to joining CDW, Edwardson served as chairman and chief executive of Burns International Services Corporation, then the USA's largest physical security firm. He also served as president of UAL Corporation and United Airlines. Edwardson earned his bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering from Purdue University, and his MBA from Chicago Booth. He currently serves on the board of directors of FedEx Corporation, ACE limited, and Rockwell Collins, Inc. He serves as a trustee of the University of Chicago, and is Co-chairman of Advance Illinois. Edwardson is also the Chairman of the Chicago Booth Advisory Council and is a Life Trustee of both the Ravinia Festival and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
Please join us following the talk for a networking reception.
Program
6:00 PM-6:15 PM: Registration
6:15 PM-7:30 PM: Introduction and Talk
Speaker Profiles
Vicki Escarra (Speaker)
CEO, Opportunity International
http://opportunity.org/
As CEO of Opportunity International, Vicki Escarra sets strategic priorities, facilitates relationships with global partners and leads the organization's efforts to empower people-particularly women - to work their way out of poverty, strengthen their families and improve their communities. Since joining Opportunity International in 2012, Escarra has led several major initiatives to create a long-term strategic plan, rebrand the organization, streamline operations and increase global fundraising. Before joining Opportunity International, Escarra served as President and CEO of Feeding America and prior to that, she spent 30 years at Delta Air Lines culminating in her role as Chief Marketing Officer. Escarra is a member of the board of directors for HealthNet Corporation and Roosevelt University. She has been named among America's top 50 most powerful and influential executives by The NonProfit Times for three consecutive years and has been profiled by The Wall Street Journal, Chronicle of Philanthropy, and USA Today.
John Edwardson (Speaker) '72
Chairman, Advance Illinois
John Edwardson is the Chairman of Advance Illinois. He previously served as the Chairman and CEO of CDW, a leading provider of technology solutions to business, government, education, and healthcare organizations. Edwardson joined CDW in 2001 as president and chief executive officer. During his tenure at CDW, the company's revenues grew from $3.8 billion to over $10 billion. Prior to joining CDW, Edwardson served as chairman and chief executive of Burns International Services Corporation, then the USA's largest physical security firm. He also served as president of UAL Corporation and United Airlines. Edwardson earned his bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering from Purdue University, and his MBA from Chicago Booth. He currently serves on the board of directors of FedEx Corporation, ACE limited, and Rockwell Collins, Inc. He serves as a trustee of the University of Chicago, and is Co-chairman of Advance Illinois. Edwardson is also the Chairman of the Chicago Booth Advisory Council and is a Life Trustee of both the Ravinia Festival and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
Questions
Erica Phillips
Assistant Director, SEI
773-834-5615