Invitation Only: Talent and the Future of Chicago's Food Industry

During a virtual meeting held on August 30th, over 40 food & beverage industry leaders discussed challenges that their businesses are currently facing.  These challenges included talent & staffing, building corporate culture, supply chain and input costs challenges, as well as many others.  As a follow-up to that first meeting, we are inviting a broader cross-section of industry to participate at an in-person event from 1:00 - 3:30pm on Thursday, October 27th at the Eli's Cheesecake facility on the Northwest Side of the City.  

We need your voice and input to be a part of this ongoing conversation as we discuss and address these challenges. Deputy Mayor Samir Mayekar will be part of a panel of industry experts and representatives. 

If you are interested in attending, have questions, or need a registration code, please email the CFBN team.

AGENDA:

1:00PM - 1:20PM Doors Open / Networking

1:20PM - 1:30PM Welcome and Opening Comments
1:30PM - 2:30PM Panel Discussion
2:30PM - 3:00PM Questions & Answers
3:00PM - 3:30PM Networking

FEATURED SPEAKERS:

Brian Albert, Co-Owner & Chief Managing Officer, Amped Kitchens

Brian Albert is a co-founder of Amped Kitchens and principal of Civic Enterprise. He has a broad-based background in real estate development, finance, law and corporate strategy and he currently serves as Board Chair for Proyecto Pastoral and on the Advisory Board of the Los Angeles Development Fund.

Lisa Johnson, Managing Director& Global Sector Lead - Food, Kincannon & Reed 

A Chicago food industry executive, experienced board member and serial entrepreneur, Lisa frequently speaks on talent acquisition and succession in the food sector and her passion, Women’s Entrepreneurship.  She holds many awards and recognitions and applies her expertise working with clients seeking general managers, presidents, and CEOs, as well as senior functional executives in marketing, sales, finance, business development, R&D, and food safety.

(Moderator) Dr. Kim Kidwell, Associate Chancellor for Strategic Partnerships and Initiatives at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign

Dr. Kidwell assists the Chancellor with the strategic development of high-priority, high-impact, multi-stakeholder initiatives for the University. She provides leadership in pursuing resources and developing new and sustained partnerships with academic institutions, foundations, federal and state agencies, alumni, and the private sector to position the University to lead scientific discoveries and innovations that will inspire and empower tomorrow’s sustainable food, agriculture, nutrition and rural health systems.  Dr. Kidwell’s goals are to improve student learning; drive sound, innovative research; and cultivate external partnerships to improve the lives and livelihoods of the residents of Illinois, in support of the land-grant mission of the University of Illinois.

Samir Mayekar, Deputy mayor for economic and neighborhood development, City of Chicago

Samir Mayekar fills a newly created role designed to further develop and support Chicago’s neighborhoods. He provides oversight of several city departments and sister agencies on behalf of Mayor Lightfoot that span housing, planning & development, arts & cultural affairs, business licensing & support, economic development, tourism, and conventions.  Samir has been a driving force for programs such as INVEST South/West and the COVID Recovery Task Force – the first comprehensive pandemic recovery plan published by an American city.  

Marc S. Schulman, President, Eli’s Cheesecake Company

Eli's Cheesecake is one of the country’s largest specialty cheesecake and dessert bakeries located on the northwest side of Chicago.  Schulman and Eli’s are committed to promoting educational opportunities and careers in the food industry through its partnership with the Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences (CHSAS).  Schulman serves as a co-chair of the Business Advisory Board for CHSAS.  He was influential in strengthening the relationship between the high school and the University of Illinois College of ACES.  Eli’s is also very involved in supporting programs for people with disabilities such as Jacqueline Vaughn High School, a public high school for students with mild cognitive disabilities and New Horizons Center for the Developmentally Disabled, located directly west of the Eli’s bakery.

Jenny Yang, President, Phoenix Bean

Phoenix Bean’s factory in the Edgewater neighborhood was one of the first local sources of fresh tofu, and began supplying local Chinese restaurants and Asian grocers. Each batch of tofu was handcrafted daily to ensure the freshness and authenticity demanded by an immigrant community longing for the tastes of their homelands. Now, Phoenix Bean is commonly found in Whole Foods, Mariano’s, and Green City Market in Chicago.

This event is in partnership with: