Brian Fabes: 2017 Penny Pritzker Visionary Award Honoree
The Penny Pritzker Visionary Award is presented to an individual whose leadership has significantly and innovatively advanced the cause and mission of Skills, and is instrumental to its continued growth and success.
The Skills for Chicagoland’s Future Board of Directors has selected Brian Fabes as the recipient of this year’s Visionary Award in recognition of his early and ongoing support for Skills and his tireless championing of public and private partnerships in an effort to make Chicago great for all of its citizens.
As a consultant and founding board member, Brian was instrumental in not only the creation and success of Skills’ predecessor organization, Chicago Career Tech (CCT), but also in the transition from CCT to Skills. His experience in bringing together a diverse group of stakeholders from the public, private, and nonprofit sectors was crucial in the development of Skills’ demand-driven model and the efforts to attract early supporters and partners. His years of advocacy and guidance have cemented him as a pillar of the organization.
During our inaugural event in 2015, this award was presented to Penny Pritzker, U.S. Secretary of Commerce & Founding Board Chair of Skills for Chicagoland’s Future; it was officially renamed in her honor.
PeopleScout, a TrueBlue Company: 2017 Champion for the Unemployed Award Honoree
The Champion for the Unemployed Award is presented to an employer partner that demonstrates support for Skills by hiring the unemployed, providing pro-bono and financial support, and serves as a corporate advocate.
PeopleScout, a TrueBlue Company was one of Skills’ first employer partners, and serves as model partner, deeply engaged and integrated with Skills to impact the lives of the unemployed and underemployed.
Since inception, PeopleScout has hired more than 460 job seekers through Skills. PeopleScout was selected as this year’s champion for the unemployed due to their early and ongoing
support, President and COO Patrick Beharelle’s leadership on the Skills Board since 2013, their countless hours of subject matter expertise, and multiple years of financial support. Skills
applauds PeopleScout for their commitment to closing the access gap and putting the unemployed and underemployed in Chicagoland back to work.
Accenture: 2017 Pro-Bono Champion Award Honoree
The Pro-Bono Champion Award is presented to a partner who commits invaluable resources, support, and advocacy behind the scenes making it possible for Skills to deliver on its mission of getting the unemployed and underemployed back to work.
Accenture has been a deeply engaged partner with Skills since before its inception. In addition to providing Board leadership since 2012 and $50K in sponsorships and grants, Accenture has been an invaluable thought partner to Skills. They have provided countless hours and approximately $700K in pro bono strategic planning resources including the creation of the initial Skills for Chicagoland’s Future’s initial business plan, current strategic plan, and national expansion business plan. Accenture serves as an example of how a partner can engage on multiple levels. Because of their support Skills has seen significant growth as an organization, and has had an impact on the lives of thousands of unemployed and underemployed both here in Chicago and nationally.
Mayer Brown: 2017 Anniversary Partner Award Honoree
The Anniversary Partner Award is presented to a partner who demonstrates invaluable support and advocacy behind the scenes making it possible for Skills to deliver on its mission of getting the unemployed and underemployed back to work.
From the transition of Chicago Career Tech to the formation of Skills, Mayer Brown, LLP has been a trusted and supportive partner providing approximately 600 hours of pro bono legal assistance, valuing nearly $400K. Skills heavily depends on Mayer Brown for guidance and counsel of many issues including governance and compliance, replication and expansion, contracts and workforce. Mayer Brown serves as a model pro bono partner whose support allows Skills to impact the lives of thousands of unemployed and underemployed.
