Eighteen prominent business leaders, all with ties to Northern Illinois University and many of them alumni of the university, will provide their expertise and vision to the university as the first members of the NIU Presidential Advisory Council. Seven of those selected earned degrees from the NIU College of Business.
As NIU focuses efforts on the ongoing growth, development and enhancement of the university, the council will be instrumental in near and long-term efforts to advance NIU’s growth as an engine for innovation, creativity and social mobility. The council’s input will help inform strategies that continue to empower students, faculty and staff as they make positive impacts in the community.
“As we build plans for the opportunities and challenges ahead, it is a tremendous asset for us to have this group of talented and accomplished business leaders, who are willing share their expertise with us,” said President Lisa Freeman. “They all have a deep affinity for NIU. The diversity of perspectives of the council membership will play a key role in our efforts to achieve a broader, more objective viewpoint on university issues.”
Members of the council will advise President Freeman and the senior leadership team on the development and maintenance of collaborative relationships with individuals, corporations and foundations.
The vast professional networks of the council can connect the university with possible collaboration opportunities and identify resources to support initiatives and programs.
Wilbur You, who earned a bachelor of science degree in computer science from NIU, is the CEO and founder of Youtech, one of the fastest growing integrated marketing and development agencies in the world, says he is excited to have been asked to serve on the council and welcomes the opportunity.
“NIU has given me so much, and I want to return the favor,” You said. “I have a lot of experience in managing the new wave of workers, as we hire more young college students than most places and put them in a position for success at Youtech. It’s great to see how many people NIU has impacted in their careers. I’m honored to be part of that group of successful individuals.”
Membership of the NIU Presidential Advisory Council includes:
• Cynthia Au, Vice President Human Resources, Cabrera Capital Markets, LLC, BS in Human Resources from NIU
• Ray Banks, Senior Partner, Red Crown Energy Consulting, MS in Geology/Earth Sciences from NIU
• Deb Brucker, Vice President, Global Servicing Learning Network, American Express, BS in Human Resources Management/Personnel Administration from NIU
• Matt Dye, President, Mitutoyo America Corporation
• Jim Eberhart, President, COO and Treasurer, Omron Management Center of America
• Amy Fahey, Board Chair, First Woman’s Bank, BS in Information Technology from NIU
• Kyle Holen, M.D., Vice President, Therapeutic Area Head for General Medicine and Infectious Diseases, AbbVie
• Terry Jimenez, Former CEO, Tribune Publishing, BS in Accountancy from NIU
• Leslie Krohn, Chief Communications Officer/Senior Director of Communications and Public Affairs, Argonne National Laboratory
• Natasha Miller-Williams, Diversity and Inclusion Head, Ferrara, BS in Marketing from NIU
• Kimberly Moore, President and Founder, KDM Engineering, BS in Electrical Engineering, MS in Sound Engineering and PhD in Electrical Engineering from NIU
• Cherilyn Murer, President and CEO, CGM Advisory Group, JD from NIU
• Laura Pager, President, Gale Construction Company
• Caroline Riley-Jaramillo, Managing Director, Midwest, Canadian, Southwest FICC and Equity, Google
Velchamy Sankarlingam, President, Product and Engineering, Zoom, MS in Computer Science from NIU
• Tim Struthers, Senior Vice President, First National Bank of Omaha, BS in Finance and MBA from NIU
• Eric Tagliere, Chief Technology Officer, Humana, BS in Statistics and Economics from NIU
• Melissa Washington, Senior Vice President, Government and External Affairs, ComEd
• Jeffrey Yordon, President and Chief Operating Officer, Athenex Pharma, BS in Political Science and Marketing from NIU
• Wilbur You, CEO and Founder, Youtech, BS in Computer Science from NIU
The first meeting of the council was held November 19, and the next meeting is scheduled for February 4. The council is expected to meet three times per year.
reshared from NIU Today; M. De Jean, director of marketing, NIU College of Business
