Posse Chicago Celebrates 25 Years
Posse Chicago is proud to mark its 25th anniversary, reflecting on a legacy of community support and transformational leadership. Since its founding, local teachers, counselors, organizations, companies, and civic leaders have helped Posse Scholars thrive.
The late Founding Board Chair Tim Ubben led the initiative to bring the Posse program to Chicago. A DePauw University alum and trustee, Tim rallied five benefactors to fund the launch of Posse Chicago in 2000. He remains an indelible figure in Posse’s history and is remembered as one of the Foundation’s most generous and committed supporters.
Since opening its doors, Posse Chicago has selected more than 2,000 Scholars. These students have collectively earned more than $350 million in merit scholarships from Posse Chicago’s partner colleges and universities. The program now boasts an alumni network of more than 1,300 leaders who are having an impact worldwide.
Connecticut College alumna Chakena Perry is a senior policy advocate for environmental health at the Natural Resources Defense Council. Appointed in 2022 by Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, Perry now serves as one of two commissioners on the board of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District. She has received several honors, including Posse’s Ainslie Alumni Achievement Award and the WE Will “Young Woman of the Year” award.
Chakena says community was central to her Posse experience. Despite diverse backgrounds among her Posse peers, she felt supported and challenged in equal measure.
My Posse challenged me to be a better friend and ally and to not assume what people need but to ask. I learned the value of empathy.
Conn College Alum Chakena Perry.
“We challenged ideas but were also open to other perspectives and experiences,” she said. “They challenged me to be a better friend and ally and to not assume what people need but to ask. I learned the value of empathy.”
Chakena credits mentor Ron Flores with helping create reflective and intentional spaces, which she says were key to her persistence. “There were always moments of laughter and joy, even in deeper moments.”
She remains actively engaged with Posse, serving on the Posse Chicago Leadership Council and often volunteering her time.
“I raise my hand to be a career coach and participate in panels,” she said. “I know there is at least one Scholar in the room who needs to know that all their life experiences have prepared them for this moment—a reminder that everything is going to be OK.”
Support from the advisory board, leadership council, and institutional partners has been key to Posse Chicago’s longevity and growth in one of the nation’s largest cities.
Julie Parsons chairs the Posse Chicago advisory board. A Purdue University alum and recently retired chief operating officer at Allstate, Julie has received numerous accolades including Crain’s Chicago Business “40 Under 40,” the Anti-Defamation League’s Rising Star Award, and Diversity MBA’s Top 100 under 50 Executive Leaders.
Her leadership plays a key role in Posse’s mission to foster the next generation of leaders.
"Posse creates a powerful ripple effect,” she shares. “When you consider the countless lives Posse Scholars will impact over the course of their careers—and the many volunteers, university and college partners, and career partners who are changed through their experiences with Posse—the potential for positive change is extraordinary and tremendous.”
Denison University alum Andy Nguyen, head of insights and strategy for Google’s North American Large Customer Sales unit, serves as chair of the Posse Chicago Leadership Council. He was instrumental in launching the Posse National Alumni Leadership Council (PNAAC), which offers mid-career alumni the opportunity to serve on local advisory boards.
“Posse has been a major portion of my life for 24 years. Posse gave me a college education, introduced me to my mentor, Bob Steiner, and shaped my career at Google,” Nguyen said. “I’m proud of the 1,000-plus Chicago alumni who have graduated and returned to the city to make a difference.” Over the past 25 years, Posse Chicago has hosted numerous Scholar selection and celebration events, including DAP and the annual Awards Ceremony.
To commemorate the milestone, Posse Chicago will host a special Power of 10 celebration in October at the Geraghty. The event will honor the city’s vibrant community of Scholars and alumni who continue to lead and inspire across sectors.
