Social Enterprise Alliance Chicago Chapter

SEA Chicago Board of Directors

	Chapter President Marc J. Lane Founder, Marc J. Lane Wealth Group Marc J. Lane is a Chicago-based attorney and financial advisor who represents clients throughout the nation in connection with decisions involving both legal and financial issues. Twice a recipient of the Illinois State Bar Association's Lincoln Award, Marc has consistently earned an "AV" rating in the Martindale-Hubbell Legal Directory, the highest ranking awarded. Martindale-Hubbell, which also includes him in its Bar Registry of Preeminent Attorneys, rates his legal ability as "very high" and reports that he "embraces faithful adherence to ethical standards, progressive reliability and diligence." In addition, he has been selected by his peers as a "Leading Illinois Attorney" and as an "Illinois Super Lawyer." Marc is an innovator in helping investors, philanthropists, foundations, social enterprises and social entrepreneurs leverage capital to maximize financial results while driving positive social change. He designed and teaches the Social Enterprise course at Northwestern University School of Law, where he is an Adjunct Professor of Law. He is the pioneer behind the Advocacy Investing® approach to socially responsible and mission-related investing (www.AdvocacyInvesting.com). A Director of Social Enterprise Alliance, the national association of enterprising nonprofits and social-purpose businesses, he spearheaded the launch of its Chicago chapter, which he serves as President and a Director. And he is a force behind L3C legislation in several states, authorizing the new hybrid business form which can leverage foundations' program-related investments to access trillions of dollars of market-driven capital for ventures with modest financial prospects, but the possibility of major social impact. Marc is the author of 32 books on personal finance, taxation, corporation organization and governance including Profitable Socially Responsible Investing? An Institutional Investor's Guide, Euromoney Institutional Investor PLC, Advising Entrepreneurs: Dynamic Strategies for Financial Growth, John Wiley and Sons, Legal Handbook for Nonprofit Organizations, American Management Association, and Representing Corporate Officers and Directors, Aspen Publishing. His treatises, Social Enterprise, American Bar Association, and Corporate Governance and Fiduciary Responsibilities: Representing Officers, Directors, Managers, and Trustees, Aspen Publishing, will be published in 2010.

	Chapter Vice President John Plunkett President, Harborquest, Inc. John Plunkett is a founder and current president of Harborquest, Inc., a nonprofit organization started in 1970. He has initiated five social enterprises and two mergers. Harborquest has realized $225 million in sales from satisfied customers; provided paid work experience to over 60,000 disadvantaged Chicagoans; trained and placed over 17,000 with other companies and provided 2 million express bus rides linking city neighborhoods of need with suburban employment. In 1992, John became the first person from the not-for-profit sector inducted into the Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame, sponsored by the University of Illinois, Arthur Andersen and LaSalle National Bank of Chicago.

	Chapter Secretary Malcolm M. Burges CEO/Founder, Second Chance Employment Empowerment Project- a Congressional District Program Malcolm M. Burges, Jr. is a Career Development Professional. He specializes in providing vocation and life skills training to individuals with multiple barriers to employment. He is CEO/Founder of Second Chance Employment Empowerment Project- a 501 (c) (3) Congressional District Program, www.secondchanceemployment.org, that provides vocational and life skills training. Prior to establishing Second Chance Employment Empowerment Project Malcolm spent fifteen years as a financial services professional holding positions as a Registered Financial Advisor, Loan Officer, Mortgage Broker, and Mortgage Consultant. He was principle owner of MVB Investors, LLC a registered investment company. Since 2000 Mr. Burges has worked with disadvantaged individuals and special populations offering a wide range of programs and services from vocational skills training, to career coaching, and job placement. Malcolm has recently launched his first social purpose business a commercial cleaning franchise with the goal of providing career opportunities to the populations he serves. Mr. Burges has current memberships in several professional organizations always seeking, education, information sharing, and networking opportunities. He serves on the Board of Trustees at New Progressive St. James, MBC.

	Chapter Treasurer Karim Pakravan Associate Professor of Finance, Kellstadt Graduate School of Management, DePaul University Karim Pakravan has been a senior economic strategist in global financial markets for 25-years. He is a frequent speaker at client events, academic and professional meetings, as well as an established lecturer in international economic and financial issues at leading academic institutions. Karim earned a Ph.D. in Economics, University of Chicago, a M.Sc. in Econometrics and Mathematical Economics, London School of Economics, and a B.A. in Mathematical Economics, University of Geneva. He is the author of numerous publications.

	Sheri Gibson Vice President Grants and Government Relations, Jobs For Youth/Chicago Sheri Gibson is the current Vice President of Grants and Government Relations for Jobs For Youth/Chicago. An experienced fund development professional, Sheri has expertise in health promotion, human and social services and extensive experience in Affordable Housing/Community Development. Former Development Director for HealthConnect One and Grants Manager with The Salvation Army Metropolitan Division, she has experience in fundraising strategic planning, stewardship, foundation, corporate and donor relations, identifying and cultivating community partners, research and grants management. A Chicago native, Sheri spent eight years in St. Joseph, Michigan responding to the need to increase homeowner occupancy in the community of Benton Harbor, Michigan. While there, she founded a community development corporation, Home Ownership Made Easier (HOME). Since that time she has devoted her life to assisting low-to-moderate income residents overcome barriers to owning their own homes, providing training and supportive services for first time homebuyers. Sheri has served on the board of directors with Harbor Habitat for Humanity, Sue Ellen's Bears, Capstone Family Services, and Women Service League. In addition, she served as a Steering Committee Member for Michigan Prisoner ReEntry Initiative, and Planning Committees for the American Heart Association HeartWalk for Berrien County, Voters Involved in America and Citizens for Progressive Change. In 2005, Business Review of Western Michigan named Sheri as one of the 39 Most Influential Women in the State of Michigan for her commitment to changing the lives of residents in Benton Harbor. Most recent board work includes: Social Enterprise Alliance-Chicago Chapter, Henry Booth House and past Board President for Recovery 2000.

	John M. Hess President, CC Development Strategies, Inc. John M. Hess, a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Economics, is President of CC Development Strategies, Inc. a consulting firm specializing in workforce development and employment solutions to non-profits and government agencies. Before starting CCDS, he spent over 9 years as the director of sales and marketing for a national staffing and employment services company involved in the syndication of wage-based tax credits. He is on the Boards of Directors of Asset Builders, LLC, an organization dedicated to helping low-wage individuals build wealth; and of Bright Endeavors a social enterprise committed to helping inner city, homeless and at-risk young women, gain the skills to become self-sufficient, successful adults.

	David Weisberger Social Enterprise Consultant David Weisberger combines his for-profit and nonprofit management and consulting expertise to help enterprises in both sectors improve their sustainability and increase their impact. Formerly, as social enterprise specialist for Success Measures at NeighborWorks America, he spearheaded the program's growth from pilot to maturity and consulted for clients including state associations, regional foundations and national nonprofits on program design and outcome evaluation. Prior to entering the nonprofit field, he co-founded and directed a strategy and technology consulting practice in Europe, serving leading telecommunications, media, and financial services companies. His current work includes strategic planning, business planning, marketing and implementation for earned-income ventures; program measurement, project management; and board and staff development.