Mandy Yoh

Just dropped on the BEATS WORKING Show: Get to know Erin Diehl, a powerhouse in professional development and team building! Erin brings a treasure of insights on leadership, creativity, and crafting a positive work atmosphere. Listen in to discover her unique methods for professional growth and why her approach really stands out. This is an episode packed with wisdom from a top expert in the field! #Leadership #Creativity #TeamBuilding #ProfessionalGrowth #BeatsWorking

5

Earlier this year, the Chicago Recovery Plan (CRP), an equity-based investment strategy designed to reinvigorate Chicago’s economy following the Covid-19 pandemic, announced almost $3 million in grants to help local businesses fill vacant storefronts around the city. Unlike other small business grants that infuse funding directly into a company, the grants are going to community organizations tasked with selecting businesses to participate in the program and receive funding. These local organizations are better positioned than the City of Chicago or the small business owners to understand which local businesses will serve the community best. By giving community advocates decision-making power, the CRP is an exemplary model of community investment — a model that both public and private sectors would benefit from emulating. Leaning on the expertise of these leaders will help ensure the return on investment creates value for individuals and the local economy. https://hubs.la/Q02CMdQm0

17

Crain's Chicago Business asked a handful of civic leaders and business experts to offer their own perspectives on Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s first term. Belle Haven's Director of Research, Dora Lee shared her thoughts on how he can keep the momentum going: To the surprise of many, Chicago emerged from the pandemic with several upgrades and a promising financial outlook. These improvements, however, are fragile. Here’s how to keep the momentum going: 🔸Be realistic: Resist the temptation to balance the budget on hopes that a strong economy can delay tough spending decisions. Just a few bad revenue assumptions or an inability to rein in spending can derail years of hard work. Unexpected midyear cuts can also be highly disruptive and erode trust with Chicagoans. 🔸Stand on your own: Pandemic aid supercharged Chicago’s financial recovery, but now is the time for the city to prove that it is able to maintain financial stability on its own. With the current dysfunction in Washington and the state’s own deficits, additional help will be unlikely. 🔸Build a coalition: Mayor Johnson may have won by being an outsider, but now he must build a coalition within the system to govern effectively. Finding solutions to the city’s fiscal problems will require cooperation from all stakeholders regardless of who they voted for. Every politician wants to leave a legacy. We hope Mayor Johnson’s will be one of fiscal stewardship during a time of uncertainty. Read more here: https://hubs.la/Q02xyt480

2

Celebrating the #HRStory of Nadia Lewis, M.S., SHRM-CP at today's #HRUnite HR Leaders on Leadership - Metro Toledo - There are times where you need a plan -"If Plan A doesn't work the alphabet has 25 more letters" (Claire Cook quote) -Make plans not options - Dreaming is a form of planning #HRHelpingHR #HRSharing #HRConversations #HRCommunity

12

I took action to #SaveWBEZ and #SaveVocalo. On April 3, 2024, Chicago Public Media announced dramatic layoffs that will decimate WBEZ’s podcasting unit and gut Vocalo Radio programming. As concerned listeners, readers, donors and staff, we want Chicago Public Media’s executive leadership team and board to immediately: Save Vocalo programming. This is What Chicago Sounds Like, Mornings with Bekoe, the 5 O’Clock Mix and the free storytelling workshop are essential programs this city can’t afford to lose. These shows showcase local, independent artists who often can’t be heard anywhere else, and are beloved by younger, Black and Brown audiences that Chicago Public Media claims it wants to reach. Save talent from the podcast unit. These are the people behind popular shows like Curious City, Making and Nerdette. They are experts in the rich audio storytelling that defines Chicago Public Media. Find roles for them in WBEZ’s newsroom, which has several unfilled positions, so they can keep producing award-winning, hard-hitting stories for our listeners. Be transparent about finances. It is unacceptable that a public media nonprofit is laying off talented staff and cutting programs while refusing to be transparent with employees about finances. If you are going to continue to ask donors for money, tell us where that money is going. As supporters of independent media that reflect Chicago's vibrant and diverse communities, we urge you to reverse these cuts and keep the talent and programs that set Chicago Public Media apart. Can you join me and take action? Click here: https://lnkd.in/gWvNXsFj

4

My spectacularly talented colleague Kori Goldberg has a new article out for GreenBiz Group today on local circular economy initiatives in Chicago. She talked 3 amazing founders; Eva Bugg (REUSO), Lily Wang (Demi Composting) and Garry Cooper (Rheaply) about their companies and their place in the Chicago business landscape. https://shorturl.at/bckGZ 🗒 Side note: They will all be at #Circularity24! Register at https://shorturl.at/ktKQ5 today before rates go up tomorrow. (Use code C24SM10 for a 10% discount) See a bit of that story and a bonus Q&A that didn't make it into the story below... 👇 -------------------- How do you see the circular economy landscape evolving in Chicago specifically? Cooper: There are over 144 million square feet of building spaces [in Chicago]. Unused office furniture, out-of-date lab equipment, and other forgotten building materials collecting dust must find new homes as the clock is ticking on landfill capacity. Bugg: There are 22 million pounds of plastic entering our Great Lakes on an annual basis. We are seeing the effects in our waterways and our landfills are reaching capacity in the next decade. As Chicago begins to run out of space for our waste, alternative reuse solutions are having the spotlight turned on them. Now is our time to shine and keep our city clean. Wang: It’s growing. People always point to the coasts but there is so much happening in Chicago. From initiatives like compost drop-off sites and anaerobic digesters to startups like Rheaply, Mycocycle, and Kadeya — I’m excited to be part of the circular future here in Chicago. Is there anything specific you're looking forward to or hoping to gain from attending the conference? Cooper: Yes! I’m very excited for the Building Forum and the focus around product design, manufacturing, reverse logistics, and building a thriving circular ecosystem.  Bugg: I’m looking forward to connecting with those launching circular solutions in other cities and hearing what has worked and what hasn’t for them. Circular solutions are not a one size fits all approach and learning as much as possible about what has been done to-date in different regions and industries is helpful and motivating. Wang: Meeting and learning from the greatest minds in the circular economy!  As a first-time founder in the space, it’s incredible to have the chance to be in the same room and speak alongside some of my biggest role models.

84

4 Comments

Mark your calendars: Chicago Public Schools is mapping out its goals for the next five years and wants feedback from the public. Learn more in this article from Chalkbeat Chicago: https://lnkd.in/gZYVSSVq

6

2 Comments

💡 It's Wednesday (again), and this time, we are talking about relationships, rejections, and basic job etiquette. Explore our Back to Basics series below.

14

Ellevate Network Chicago needs your input. Following this week's Zoom event on navigating career transitions, we've launched a short survey to understand your questions and needs around career planning. Please take a moment to tell us about your career journey here & opt in for our WhatsApp career connections group: https://lnkd.in/gdixksiJ cc: Tami Chapek #ellevatenetwork

4

1 Comment

Today I paid my quarterly estimated tax for the State of Illinois. Their system has an "interesting" UX design feature. On the main page of the system, you are required to enter your social security number and Illinois State Tax PIN. They had the foresight to guess that most people do not know their PIN. So, there is a helpful little "find my PIN" button. The find my pin button takes you to a pop-up window that asks for your social security number (which you already provided on the first screen) and driver's license number. When you submit it shows your PIN. You then return to the main screen and paste or type in your PIN. I am trying to figure out why they added the extra step? My PIN is based on my social security number and driver's license number (or one of a few other forms of ID). Why not just ask for that second piece of information on the first screen and then map my PIN in the background? Perhaps they believe that a large number of people know their PIN and do not need to provide that secondary piece of information. They still could have everything on the first page. They can ask for the social security number and then have a dropdown asking which secondary piece of information you want to provide (PIN, Driver's License, etc). Or, they can do as many systems do and have the social security number and then a section that has the PIN field with an "OR" underneath it and then the other options. Either way, it seems like their design is an odd user-experience decision. #Simplicity #UserCentric

7

4 Comments

When The Chicago Community Trust committed to working to close the racial and ethnic wealth gap for Chicagoans, we knew we would need robust data to better understand how we might focus our efforts most effectively. Last Monday, we hosted The New School’s Institute on Race, Power and Political Economy to release "Color of Wealth in Chicago," a report that, for the first time, details the relative wealth, assets, and debt positions across racial and ethnic groups in the #Chicago area. The study shows that the net worth — total assets minus total debt — of white Chicagoans far outpaces that of Black, Mexican (U.S. and foreign-born), and Puerto Rican households, even among groups with comparable education and marriage rates. While the report’s findings are bleak, they are not surprising, particularly for people struggling to make ends meet, let alone save and invest. We commissioned this study to help us and others engaged in the critical work to reverse these unacceptable disparities, gain clarity and recommit to doing our part. #ColorOfWealth Read more from Trust President @ CEO Andrea Sáenz: https://lnkd.in/g5QS3DEs

39

Take your startup to the next level and join us for SPARKed: Ask the Investors, our newest series designed to guide Michigan founders through the early-stage investment landscape! Get expert insights, actionable advice, and personalized guidance to kickstart your fundraising journey. 🗓️ 4/25 ⏰ 12 p - 1 p 🎟️ 👇 #MichiganFounders #StartupFunding #InvestorInsights

6

Listen to part 2 of the NAHSE Heartland Chapter Heart of Equity podcast episode with Tiffany Onyejiaka, MHS as we talk about how storytelling can be used to improve health inequities and create a healthier future for all. #healthequity #storytelling #thepowerofstories

24

1 Comment

Catalyze grantee Chicago Scholars is redefining leadership and career-connected learning with numbers you can see! A recent assessment of impact metrics reveals:  ➡ Chicago Scholars Alumni are expected to earn an estimated 💲6.8 billion over their lifetimes 💰  ➡ 💲700 million in cumulative merit aid has been awarded to Scholars — 2.5x more than other undergrads 💡 ➡ 52% of Scholars go on to earn more than their parents just a few years after graduation 🎓 Learn more about their new outcomes ⤵   https://lnkd.in/g89ybTBR #careerdevelopment #careerconnectedlearning #education #careerexploration

11

The tech job market is starting is rebound in Chicago in 2024, though is not projected to keep up with national trends. Learn more here.

1

I’m obsessed with the Sky’s social media. Here’s why: 1. Assumptions. Their posts assume you are a fan of the game, the league, the team, even individual players. They assume you’re already on board when the team pops up on your FYP or as suggested in your feed, making their posts inviting and accessible. It’s a sharp, successful tactic. 2. Humanity. Every single post has humanity in it. The players are people, the announcements are stories and not just press releases. This winter, posts about trades talked about the people more than the transactions. That shows they get social media. 3. Fun. A lot of brands can’t strike the right level of fun in their social—it’s either overboard and forced or dry like a business memo. The Sky handles do a good job of this, making it seem like a fun place to work and a fun fanbase to be part of. They get that people come to social media for the light stuff, but aren’t obnoxious about it. So, those are basically my reasons why you should apply for this job. They already do it well; join them and become even better together. #sportsmedia #socialmedia #chicagojobs #chicagomedia

5

2 Comments