Local Voices
Mesirow Financial’s Chuck Lawless to be Named “2014 Outstanding Volunteer” by the Association of Fundraising Professionals
Lawless co-founded The New Trier Tyro Society foundation in 2007 to provide four-year, structured business internships to deserving students from less affluent families, which he has now expanded to include cadets from The Citadel and students from Chicago’s Gary Comer College Prep Charter School in memory of New Trier Algebra teacher and football coach, Morris Barefield. The Tyro Foundation has given out 30 summer internships in a variety of industries, most hosted by New Trier alumni in Chicago, New York, Salt Lake City and Germany. The internships provide the students with a realistic look at potential career paths and the foundation also provides college scholarships. Since its founding, all students have graduated in four years and found immediate employment in large corporations across the U.S.
In addition, Lawless works extensively with The Citadel, who just announced he will be one of four leaders in business, industry and their communities slated for induction into The Citadel School of Business Administration’s Hall of Fame as Leaders of Principle and the 2014 Alvah H. Chapman, Jr. Distinguished Leadership Award recipient. A graduate of The Citadel, Lawless was named 2013 Chicago/Midwest Alumni Club “President of the Year” for his dedication to The Citadel where he is a member of the Business Administration Advisory Board, the Advisory Committee for the Center for Financial Services Education and recently secured the donation of state-of-the-art technology software from fi360 who outfit the entire business school financial services lab. Furthermore, just last month, Lawless learned from The Citadel that a Chicago cadet’s family had fallen on tough times and could not meet tuition. He sent an email out to area alumni at 11:00 p.m. and by 7:00 a.m. the next morning received more than $17,000 in pledges to cover the cadet’s tuition.
AFP Chicago will honor the winners of all of their awards at its 38th Annual Philanthropy Awards Luncheon, Faces of Philanthropy, on Friday, May 9, 2014, at the Hilton Chicago. To learn more about the Philanthropy Awards Luncheon, including sponsorship opportunities, visit www.afpchicago.org or call AFP Chicago at 630-416-1166.
About AFP Chicago: AFP Chicago is the go-to resource for the region’s fundraising professionals whose work strengthens our communities through the nonprofit institutions they serve. With nearly 900 members, AFP Chicago offers innovative programs that expand the capabilities of fundraisers through education, mentoring and networking, and operates one of the largest Association of Fundraising Professionals’ 190 chapters worldwide. For more information, visit afpchicago.com.
About Mesirow Financial: Mesirow Financial is a diversified financial services firm headquartered in Chicago. Founded in 1937, the firm remains independent and employee-owned with approximately 1,200 employees globally. With expertise in Investment Management, Global Markets, Insurance Services and Consulting, Mesirow Financial strives to meet the financial needs of institutions, public sector entities, corporations and individuals. Mesirow Financial’s Investment Advisory group provides comprehensive wealth management services to individuals, families, corporations and non-profit organizations. With more than $4.8 billion in assets under advisement, the group has earned a reputation for effectively managing its clients’ needs and goals. For more information, visit mesirowfinancial.com.
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