The Executives' Club of Chicago

The Executives’ Club’s 2026–2027 season is here! From executive conversations and industry insights to leadership experiences designed for real-world impact, this season is built for professionals who want to stay ahead, challenge their thinking, and lead with greater impact. The newly announced lineup features conversations on geopolitics, sports and culture, hospitality, talent, higher education, economic growth, wellness in the workplace, and more — alongside book talks and leadership-focused experiences with influential voices across industries. And this is just the beginning. Additional programs, timely conversations, and leadership experiences will continue to be announced throughout the year. Explore the season and register today: https://bit.ly/4nF3pno #ExecClub #Leadership #ChicagoBusiness #ExecutiveLeadership #ProfessionalDevelopment #BusinessLeadership

Trust is the operating system behind every decision, partnership, and result in the workplace. And here's the thing: being trustworthy doesn't automatically equate to being trusted. The gap between credibility and genuine confidence from the people around you is exactly what our upcoming workshop is designed to close. On Wednesday, May 20, join us for Trust: Four Behaviors to Create Enduring Professional Relationships, a hands-on session facilitated by Trish Kendall, Managing Partner of Enduring Success Strategies. Senior executives and organizational leaders will leave with actionable steps to deepen connections, strengthen credibility, and build trust across teams, partners, and stakeholders — starting immediately. Executives’ Club members also receive a private 1:1 coaching session with Trish as part of their registration! Join us: https://bit.ly/48V1ghh #exectake #leadershipdevelopment #chicagobusiness #trustinleadership

Culture isn’t a perk. It’s infrastructure. As AI accelerates and trust gets harder to sustain, leaders can’t afford accidental culture. The question isn’t whether culture exists — it’s whether it’s designed with intention. On The Executives’ Exchange, Jason L Zimmerman of 3Fold Collective joins Dorri McWhorter for a candid conversation on what it takes to build trust, design work, and lead through complexity. This is culture as a competitive advantage. 🎧 New Episode. Subscribe now. https://bit.ly/3QVVbeq #ExecutivesExchange #Leadership #FutureOfWork #AI #OrganizationalCulture

Our Money in Motion panel just keeps getting bigger and better! On Tuesday, May 12, we’re deep-diving into all things private equity. And I’m really excited for this conversation, because it includes some of my very favorite people discussing some of my very favorite brands! The panel of heavy hitters includes Tracy Britt Cool of Kanbrick, Alexander Abell of RCP Advisors, Henk Hartong of Brynwood Partners, and Shundrawn Thomas of The Copia Group (aka some of my very favorite people), who currently and formerly represent brands like Pillsbury, Chef Boyardee, Pampered Chef (aka some of my very favorite brands), and more. Executives’ Club board member, Houlihan Capital CEO, and fellow heavy hitter Rodger Howell will moderate the discussion covering the full PE arc: from capital deployment to long-term operating discipline to building companies that stand the test of time. I hope you can join us! https://bit.ly/4nfemvA

Introducing Beyond the Loop. Fast. Sharp. Built for now. This new series brings the Executives’ Club’s own leaders to the forefront — driving timely conversations on the issues shaping business today. New voices. Fresh perspectives. Always moving. This is leadership insight at the speed of relevance. First episode drops May 26. ▶️ Follow, watch, and stay ahead. https://bit.ly/4daVrNM #BeyondTheLoop #Leadership #BusinessInsights #Chicago

The Executives’ Exchange is back soon — and it’s not background content. Hosted by Dorri McWhorter, this is where leaders speak candidly about the decisions shaping business and civic life today. No scripts. No shortcuts. Just real conversations with the people in the room where it happens. This is depth, perspective, and insight you won’t find anywhere else. 🎧 Subscribe now before we launch on May 12, and step inside the conversation. https://bit.ly/4teWAtG #ExecutivesExchange #Leadership #ChicagoBusiness #PodcastLaunch

Happy International Jazz Day! Today, the world celebrates jazz. 🎷🎼🎺🎶 And this year, the world is looking at Chicago! The greatest city in the world (maybe we're a little biased) has been selected as the Global Host City for International Jazz Day 2026 And, honestly, could there be a more fitting city? From Chicago's deep roots in the blues, to the world-class stages, to the neighborhoods that have always made room for artists to push boundaries and tell truth, this city has music in its bones. Tonight, the International Jazz Day All-Star Global Concert will be live-streamed to more than 190 countries! That's the kind of cultural reach and Chicago-style leadership we love to see! 🤩 Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gGprsc3y #internationaljazzday #jazzday #chicago #chicagostyleleadership #exectake

Thank you to everyone who joined us the other week for Iconic Leadership: A Conversation with Mary Dillon. This wasn’t just about replaying a career highlight reel. It was about pressure-tested decisions, real-time reinvention, and what it actually takes to lead when the stakes are high and the path isn’t clear. Mary Dillon, Former CEO of Foot Locker & Ulta Beauty, brought the kind of clarity and conviction that doesn’t come from theory — it comes from doing the work. In conversation with our own Dorri McWhorter, we got an unfiltered look at how leaders build, evolve, and leave a mark that lasts. We’re also grateful to our sponsors who make this work possible and help us keep building this platform for leadership in motion. Thank you to our Nexus sponsors, Aspiration Catalyst® and Croke Fairchild Duarte & Beres, and our Featured sponsor, Point B. Check out the event photos and see who’s building what’s next. https://bit.ly/4w1NBPt Join us at an upcoming program and stay close to what’s shaping leadership right now. https://bit.ly/48TMfMA

AI is here, and it's reshaping everything. 🖥️✨ You can watch it happen, or you can leverage this world-changing tool to your advantage. We recommend the latter. Join us and our partners at Chicago Innovation on Wednesday, April 29, to hear from top experts about the latest in AI, including opportunities, risks and breakthroughs for 2026 and a guide to what’s real vs. what’s hype. Speakers: - Hardik Bhatt (moderator) - Elise Awwad - Deepika Duggirala - Matthew Hafter - Kristian Hammond 🕔: 5 p.m. 📍: Salvage One Events: 1840 W. Hubbard St. 🔗: https://bit.ly/4sTqnIu

Every executive has a reputation. The question is whether you're shaping it or letting it shape you. Join us on Tuesday, May 5, for Defining Your Executive Brand: Clarifying Who You Are & What You Stand For, the first session in our new Executive Communication Intensive series, led by Amy Cheronis and Heather Torreggiani of The Scratch Collective. This session reframes executive reputation as a strategic leadership asset, not a marketing exercise. Through guided frameworks and The Scratch Collective's Reputation Design® methodology, participants will develop the narrative architecture needed to lead with clarity, credibility, and authority. The full Executive Communication Intensive is a three-part experience covering executive brand, leadership voice, and high-stakes presence, running May through July. Register for the series and save. Join us: https://bit.ly/4u0sQl4 #exectake #executivepresence #leadershipdevelopment #chicagostyleleadership