EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
Niagara Foundation convenes a reception in honor of Black History Month on Thursday February 26th 2009. The Keynote speaker is Cheryle R. Jackson, President & CEO, Chicago Urban League.
The reception will feature exhibitions, speech, and furthermore.
Date:
February 26th, 2009
12:00 P.M. – 1:30 P.M
Venue:
Niagara Foundation
205 N Michigan Suite 4240
Chicago, IL 60601
Cheryle R. Jackson is Vice President of Government Affairs and Corporate Development of AAR CORP.
Ms. Jackson joined AAR in 2010 and is responsible for developing strategies to drive AAR’s growth, including the Company’s government relations, strategic partnerships and alliances, communications and branding activities.
Ms. Jackson currently serves as a director on the boards of the Executive Club of Chicago and the White House Project, a national organization dedicated to the leadership of women in business and politics. She also serves on the Board of Governors of the Aerospace Industry Association (AIA), the industry’s leading advocacy group, and was previously a director on the boards of Northwestern University and The Field Museum. In 2009, Ms. Jackson ran for U.S. Senate of the State of Illinois.
Prior to joining AAR, Ms. Jackson was appointed the first female president and CEO of the Chicago Urban League. In that capacity, she led one of the most transformational periods of growth at the venerable civil rights organization, shifting its focus from social services to economic development.
Ms. Jackson also served as communications director for the Governor of Illinois and was the first woman and African American in the state’s history to hold that position. Previously, Ms. Jackson held senior-level government affairs positions with Amtrak, including vice president for public and government affairs and national director of state and local government affairs. She served as Amtrak spokesperson in 41 states, often during times of crises, including the 9/11 terrorist attacks. In addition, she served in various leadership capacities at National Public Radio (NPR), including vice president of communications and brand management and leading the network’s national marketing, advertising and public affairs operations.