2025 LEADER LUNCHEON: STILL WE RISE

YWCA Metropolitan Chicago’s 53rd Annual Leader Luncheon will take place at the Hilton Chicago on Thursday, November 6, 2025!

This year’s Leader Luncheon, Still We Rise, honors the strength, resilience, and unity of communities confronting systemic barriers. We uplift their stories, celebrate their courage, and recognize the power of rising together because when we rise as one, anything is possible.

Leader Luncheon 2025 Honorees

  • Natalie A. Brown is Chief Executive Officer of Mesirow and a member of the firm’s Board of Directors. As CEO, Natalie oversees firm-wide growth and profitability, the execution of strategic initiatives, and shareholder value creation, partnering with the firm’s Executive Chairman and Board of Directors to establish and implement all facets of corporate strategy.

    Natalie joined Mesirow in 2018 as Chief Financial Officer. In this role, she led the Accounting and Finance team, overseeing accounting operations, business accounting, audit and tax, as well as financial planning and analysis. In 2020, Natalie assumed the role of Chief Administrative Officer and, in 2021, she was named President.

    Prior to Mesirow, Natalie spent nearly two decades with Nuveen, most recently as Managing Director, Head of Nuveen Advisory Services Finance. Prior to Nuveen, she worked at Kraft Foods and KPMG in accounting and finance roles.

    Natalie serves on the Board of Directors of Patrick Industries, (NASDAQ: PATK). She also serves on the boards of Northwestern Memorial Hospital, After School Matters, Big Shoulders Fund and the Executives’ Club of Chicago. She was appointed to the Dean’s Council of the Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business. She is also a member of the Economic Club of Chicago and the Chicago Commercial Club.

    She earned a Bachelor of Science in accounting from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business and a Master of Business Administration from University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business.

  • As Orion’s President, the veteran industry executive and producer Alana Mayo oversees the label’s day-to-day operations, including development, acquisitions, physical and post production. Orion Pictures, a division of Amazon MGM Studios, is dedicated to underrepresented voices and authentic storytelling in film with a focus on developing and producing theatrical feature films that amplify underserved voices, both in front of and behind the camera.

    Under Mayo’s tenure, Orion has released several films, including Academy Award-winning films WOMEN TALKING, written and directed by Sarah Polley, AMERICAN FICTION, written and directed by Cord Jefferson, Academy Award-nominated NICKEL BOYS, directed by RaMell Ross, and BOTTOMS, directed by Emma Seligman. This year, Orion will release HEDDA, directed by Nia DaCosta and starring Tessa Thompson, IS GOD IS, written and directed by Aleshea Harris, and PREPARATION FOR THE NEXT LIFE, directed by Bing Liu. Mayo was born in New York City and was raised in Chicago.

Sponsorship Opportunities

  • -Two premier tables of 10 each
    -Logo recognition at the luncheon (Priority, Individual placement)
    -Name recognition in the luncheon program book (Priority, Individual placement) *deadline 9/27/2025
    -Advertisement in the luncheon program book (Inside page of the program book cover) *deadline 9/27/2025
    -Email recognition in select event blasts (Circulation: 17,000)
    -Traditional media promotion
    -Social media recognition (Dedicated)
    -Print advertisement in StreetWise magazine (Circulation: 12,000) *deadline 9/27/2025
    -High visibility speaking opportunity for a company representative at the luncheon

  • -Two priority tables of 10 each
    -Logo recognition at the luncheon (Priority, Individual placement)
    -Name recognition in the luncheon program book (Priority, Individual placement) *deadline 9/27/2025
    -Advertisement in the luncheon program book (Priority full page b/w ad) *deadline 9/27/2025
    -Email recognition in select event blasts (Circulation: 17,000)
    -Traditional media promotion
    -Social media recognition (Dedicated)
    -Print advertisement in StreetWise magazine (Circulation: 12,000) *deadline 9/27/2025
    -Verbal recognition from the podium at the luncheon

  • -One preferred table of 10
    -Logo recognition at the luncheon (Preferred placement)
    -Name recognition in the luncheon program book *deadline 9/27/2025
    -Advertisement in the luncheon program book (Priority half page b/w ad) *deadline 9/27/2025
    -Email recognition in select event blasts (Circulation: 17,000)
    -Traditional media promotion
    -Social media recognition (Dedicated)
    -Print advertisement in StreetWise magazine (Circulation: 12,000) *deadline 9/27/2025

  • -One table of 10
    -Logo recognition at the luncheon
    -Name recognition in the luncheon program book *deadline 9/27/2025
    -Advertisement in the luncheon program book (half page b/w ad) *deadline 9/27/2025

  • -One table of 10
    -Logo recognition at the luncheon
    -Name recognition in the luncheon program book *deadline 9/27/2025
    -Advertisement in the luncheon program book (Quarter page b/w ad) *deadline 9/27/2025

  • For companies with fewer than 10 employees.
    -One table of 10 guests
    -Logo recognition at the luncheon
    -Name recognition in the luncheon program book *deadline 9/27/2025
    -Advertisement in the luncheon program book (Quarter page b/w ad) *deadline 9/27/2025

Presenting Sponsor

Host Committee Sponsor

Benefactor Sponsor

Patron Sponsor

JoAnn S. and David A. Lilek

Supporting Sponsor

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