Teaching students how to become leaders with purpose is a priority of a Gies College of Business education and contributed to eight alumni being recognized in 2021 by Crain’s Chicago Business as Notable Executives in their fields.

These outstanding Gies alumni demonstrated “the ability or power to effect change and have assumed a leadership position outside their organization,” according to the magazine.

Gen X Leader in Law Notable Exec Jessica Fairchild, (ACCY ’97) said her business law course at Gies was fascinating and one of the reasons she ultimately decided to go to law school. She went on to found her own law firm, Croke Fairchild Morgan & Beres. DLA Piper’s Jesse Criz (ACCY ’95) was also recognized for his legal expertise.

LGBTQ Notable Exec Nicole Presperin (ACCY ’05, MAS ’06) heads Aon’s New Ventures Group and chairs its Diverse & Inclusive Leadership Council. She encourages students and young executives: "Don't be afraid to be your authentic self.  When I gained the courage to open up about who I was, I created more meaningful relationships both professionally and personally and gave my colleagues the permission they needed to bring their authentic selves to work."

For his work in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Crain’s honored Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago’s Cedric D. Thurman (FIN ’87) and Christopher Clemmensen (BADM ’86) of Echo Global Logistics was named a Notable Marketing Executive. 

Notable Execs in Accounting named Grant Thornton’s Warren Stippich (ACCY ’90) and Notable Consulting honorees included Riveron’s Jason Gandy (BADM ’98) and Much Shelist’s Mitchell Roth (ACCY ’89) who coaches Gies students in the iVenture Accelerator program.