Welcome to the 54th Annual Leader Luncheon 

Welcome to the 2026 Leader Luncheon, Unapologetic. Unwavering. Unfinished., as we celebrate 150 years of YWCA Metropolitan Chicago advancing opportunity, championing equity, and strengthening communities. 

This milestone is both a celebration of our legacy and a reminder that our work is far from finished. For 150 years, we have stood alongside women, families, and communities, breaking down barriers and creating pathways to greater well-being, economic opportunity, and possibility. 

Today, we honor extraordinary leaders whose vision, courage, and commitment reflect the spirit of our mission. Their leadership reminds us that meaningful progress requires bold action, enduring partnerships, and a shared commitment to building a better future. 

Thank you for joining us, investing in our mission, and helping shape the next chapter of YWCA Metropolitan Chicago's impact. Together, we remain unapologetic in our purpose, unwavering our commitment, and unfinished in our pursuit of a more equitable future. 

With gratitude, 

Nicole Robinson 
Chief Executive Officer 
YWCA Metropolitan Chicago 

Anna May Trala 
Board Chair 
YWCA Metropolitan Chicago 
Chief Financial Officer & Managing Director, GTCR 

Program

UNAPOLOGETIC. UNWAVERING. UNFINISHED. 
Julie Scott, 150th Anniversary Leader Luncheon Co-Chair 
President, CEO & Founder, CTS Impact, past Leader Luncheon honoree 

150 YEARS OF BOLD ACTION 
Yolanda Ambriz, 150th Anniversary Leader Luncheon Co-Chair 
Group HR Director for Test & Measurement and Electronics, ITW 

PARTNERS IN PROGRESS 
Fellicia Foster 
Chief Human Resources Officer, U.S. Banking, BMO, Presenting Sponsor 
Vice President, YWCA Board of Directors 
 
LUNCH INTERMISSION 

A LEGACY OF LEADERSHIP 
Anna May Trala 
Senior Advisor, GTCR 
Board Chair, YWCA Board of Directors 

THE NEXT CHAPTER 
Nicole R. Robinson 
Chief Executive Officer, YWCA Metropolitan Chicago 

OUTSTANDING ENTREPRENEURSHIP LEADER 
Toi Salter 
CEO and Founder of Salter Financial Management LLC 

CORPORATE INNOVATION AWARD 
Ulta Beauty 
Aimee Bayer-Thomas 
Chief Operations Officer, Ulta Beauty 
YWCA Board of Directors 
 
150 YEARS OF IMPACT 
YWCA Metropolitan Chicago Impact Video 

THE WORK IS UNFINISHED 
Dr. Carol Adams 
Call to Action 

OUTSTANDING CIVIC INNOVATOR 
Jessica Sarowitz 
Managing Partner, 4S Bay Partners and Founder, Miraflores Films 

OUTSTANDING SOCIAL JUSTICE LEADER 
Ai-jen Poo 
President, National Domestic Workers Alliance (NDWA) and Executive Director of Caring Across Generations 

UNWAVERING IN OUR PURPOSE 
Nicole R. Robinson 
Closing Remarks 

YSHOP REOPENS 

Wifi Information

Network Name: Hyatt Conference

Password: ywcalunch

Menu

MAIN COURSE 
Autumn Salad Baby Greens, Quinoa, Roasted Pear, Butternut Squash, Cherries, Goat Cheese, Salmon With Maple Vinaigrette 

DESSERT 
Hazelnut Dacquoise, Maple Cremeux, Milk Chocolate Mousse, Hazelnut Crunch with Chocolate Happy Birthday piece 

S'mores Tart  
Graham Chocolate Ganache, Toasted Meringue, Graham Tart Shell with Chocolate Happy Birthday piece 

BREAD & BUTTER 
Bread and Butter Presentation with Pumpkin Butter* 

BEVERAGES 
Coffee, Decaf, Hot Tea Selection, Iced Tea 

Meet The Pastry Chef

Sophie Evanoff, President has served as Owner and Operator of Vanille Patisserie, a premier provider of luxury French pastries in Chicago. A classically trained pastry chef, Sophie acquired the business in 2011 and oversees business planning, new product development, sales and marketing. She rebuilt the fledgling bakery into a thriving business built on hospitality and giving, one that brings French delicacies to Chicagoland while improving the communities in which she operates.

Sophie is passionate about upholding the French standard of technique, quality and taste while providing the best customer service. Vanille was awarded #1 Retailer of Lincoln Park in 2015 and recognized as one of the best bakeries in America by Time Out Magazine. A dedicated and active entrepreneur, Sophie was the first female business owner to win the James Tyree Emerging Business Leadership Award in 2016 and was honored as a Women of Influence by the Chicago Business Journal in 2019. Sophie was awarded the prestigious rank of Ordre du Mérite agricole by the French Government in 2021. Most recently, Sophie has been recognized By Enterprising Women as one of the Women of the Year Award winners of 2023.

Leader Luncheon 2026 Honorees

Thank you!

Our heartfelt thanks to our Leader Luncheon Co-Chairs and Host Committee for their leadership, dedication, and commitment to making this milestone celebration possible. Your partnership honors 150 years of bold action and helps advance our unfinished work of creating greater opportunity and possibility for women, families, and communities. 

  • Yolanda Ambriz, YWCA Board Member, Group HR Director for Test & Measurement and Electronics, ITW

  • Julie Scott*, YWCA Board Emerita, President, CEO & Founder, CTS Impact

  • Anna May Trala, 150th Anniversary Leader Luncheon Co-Chair, Senior Advisor, GTCR

150th Anniversary Leader Luncheon Co-Chairs:

  • Carol Lavin Bernick*

  • Kathy Bolhous*

  • Cindy Burrell

  • Denise DeMaio

  • Ryndy Ditmars

  • Kimberly Evans

  • Jessica Fairchild

  • Fellicia Foster

  • Glenda Henderson

  • Laticia Tolbert

  • Lori Lightfoot*

150th Anniversary Leader Luncheon Host Committee:

  • JoAnn Lilek

  • Manoj Mahenthiran

  • Cynthia McCafferty

  • Dorri McWhorter

  • Tracey Mendrek

  • Audrey Rone Peeples*

  • Julia Stasch*

  • Edward Taylor

  • Evette Williams

  • Joyce Winnecke

* Denotes past YWCA Leader Luncheon Honoree

Legacy Giving Society

  • Patti Barnett 

  • Cindy C. Burrell 

  • Gwendolyn L. Butler 

  • Margaret A. Cartier, CPA 

  • June Courtney 

  • Yolanda Daniel 

  • Venita Fields 

  • Lisa W. Haag 

  • Kimberly Hunter 

  • Ubong E. Ituen 

  • Nicole Johnson-Scales 

  • Catherine A. Kelly 

As we celebrate 150 years of advancing equity and opportunity for women, children, and families, we are grateful to the visionary supporters who have included YWCA Metropolitan Chicago in their estate plans.   

  • JoAnn S. Lilek 

  • Martha and Anthony Malana 

  • Curt Matlin 

  • Dorri C. McWhorter 

  • Alissa Pagels 

  • B. Pagels-Minor, MIS, MBA 

  • Beverley E. Rohde 

  • Donna N. Smith 

  • Kiela Smith-Upton 

  • Deborah Stevens 

  • Karen Tulloch 

  • Joyce Winnecke 

For more information and to learn how to become a member of the Legacy Giving Society, please contact: 

Morlie Patel 
Vice President of Development 
Morlie.patel@ywcachicago.org 
312-762-2701 

Sponsor List (copy LL last minute)

Our Impact↘