MCDONALD'S CEO JIM SKINNER NAMED A MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS CHAMPION
The Greater Illinois Chapter honored McDonald's CEO Jim Skinner at our annual Dinner of Champions event on Thursday, September 15, 2011 in the Grand Ballroom at Chicago's Navy Pier.
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Jim Skinner, CEOMcDonald's Corporation |
Skinner, who has been McDonald's Chief Executive Officer since 2004, is known for his charitable works and personal support of various causes. Professionally, his achievements include being named CEO of the Year by both Dow Jones/MarketWatch (2007) and Chief Executive magazine (2009). His leadership in revitalizing McDonald’s globally also has been recognized by the publications Institutional Investor, Barron’s, and Restaurants & Institutions.
Upon becoming CEO in 2004, Skinner set three top priorities for his leadership: long-term sustainable growth for the company; talent management and leadership development; and promoting balanced active lifestyles, which alligns with the MS Society’s mission of keeping those who live with MS moving while we work to create a world free of MS.
This fundraising event celebrated the progress we have made toward finding a cure and we honor those who join us in championing our cause. This evening included a reception, dinner and an informative program featuring Tim Coetzee, Ph.D., the National MS Society’s Chief Research Officer. Tom Dreesen, the legendary comedian who shares a personal connection to our mission, shared his humorous insights. The Emmy award-winning husband and wife Meredith Vieira and Richard Cohen shared their story of living with multiple sclerosis and how playing a part in our search for a cure empowers them. ABC7 Chicago’s Kathy Brock served as our mistress of ceremonies.
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Tom Dreesen |
Meredith Vieira& Richard M. Cohen |
Kathy Brock,ABC 7 Chicago |
MS Dinner of Champions was created in the early 1970s by Frank Gifford as an annual, sports-themed fundraising gala to benefit the National Multiple Sclerosis Society in New York City. The event moved to Chicago in 1975, and over the years was re-conceptualized to focus on the real champions of our mission: those living with MS; and business and community leaders who help us fundraise to end MS. This year's event enjoys strong support from Chicago’s corporate community and the friends of the Greater Illinois Chapter and is expected to raise more than $1,000,000 to support research, programs, and services for the 20,000 families in Illinois affected by MS.
Past honorees include former McDonald's Chairman and CEO James Cantalupo, Northern Trust Corporation Chairman and CEO William A. Osborn, former Sears Roebuck & Co. Chairman and CEO Arthur A. Martinez, and athletes including Mike Singletary, B.J. Armstrong, Ernie Banks, Stan Mikita, Gale Sayers, Norm Van Lier, Billy Williams, and Mike Ditka.
Download the full press release (PDF format.)
THANK YOU TO OUR 2011 EVENT SPONSORS