TCN Names Kate Bensen New Executive Director
Monday, March 22, 2010
Chicago, March
18, 2010 – The Chicago Network announced today that Kate Bensen has been
selected as its new executive director, effective April 19, 2010. Bensen was
previously a vice president at Conlon Public Strategies where she directed the
firm’s strategic planning, board development and project management services.
She has been a partner at Schiff Hardin LLP where she was the highest-ranking
woman in their Public Finance group.
"Kate comes to us with a unique combination of professional experience, personal
leadership qualities and commitment to develop empowering connections for women
that make her an ideal choice as the new executive director of our
organization,” said Cheryl Francis, The Chicago Network board chair. "Her broad experience in professional service,
the non-profit arena, board leadership and member driven organizations provides
the range of skills and understanding we need to move The Network forward.”
She succeeds Amy Osler, who is retiring after 29 years as executive
director of the Network,
Chicago’s leading organization of professional women. "Amy has been a constant
presence for The Network, connecting members to one another, raising the
profile of our organization and always working to get more women into senior
leadership positions,” said Francis. "We would not be where we are today
without her knowledge, class and perseverance.”
Bensen’s extensive non-profit leadership experience includes serving as chair
of the University of Chicago Women’s Board, as president of the Chicago Finance
Exchange and as president of the University of Chicago Alumni Board of
Governors. In each of these roles, she
was directly involved in strategic planning, membership development and
programming that increased member involvement.
"I’m thrilled to be joining The Chicago Network, the preeminent
organization of Chicago’s women leaders. I look forward to working closely with our
members and Chicago-area companies and nonprofits to increase the impact of
women on their organizations and the community at large,” said Bensen.
Bensen also serves in leadership positions in a number of other non-profit
organizations, including on the President’s Advisory Council at Governors State
University and on the boards of the National Public Housing Museum, the Guild
of the Chicago History Museum and the Joffrey Ballet Women’s Board. A long-time resident of Chicago, she holds a JD degree from Loyola
University of Chicago School of Law and an undergraduate degree in economics from
the University of Chicago.
Media Contacts:
Anne Tucker,
312-795-3556 /
atucker@mtconsultants.com
Richard Melcher,
312-795-3550 / rmelcher@mtconsultants.com
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