Send us Fan Mail

In Lima Peru, a young woman by the name of Sara Sirotzky responded to an ad seeking to hire an individual who spoke some English. Little did Sara know that this opportunity would take her and her young son almost four thousand miles away to Chicago, where she would build a legendary career culminating in serving as Managing Director of the Chicago office of Marsh McLennan, the world's leading professional services firm in risk, strategy and people.

Send us Fan Mail

American Institute of Architects (AIA) Gold Medal winner, founding member and former first President of Chicago Women in Architecture (CWA) Carol Ross Barney joins Maria to discuss her life story, designing the Chicago Riverwalk, joining the peace corps, and the lack of peanut butter in Düsseldorf.

Send us Fan Mail

When a young Janet Foutty considered her future, she imagined herself in the arts: music, or theater; she certainly never anticipated that she'd one day become Executive Chair of the Board of Deloitte US, or Chair and CEO of Deloitte Consulting LLP. In this episode, Janet recounts the journey that led to her tremendously successful career.

Send us Fan Mail

Roseanna Ander joins Maria to discuss how her background led to her work today in reducing gun violence and advancing justice as Founding Executive Director of The University of Chicago Crime Lab and Education Lab.

Send us Fan Mail

The daughter of immigrant parents who fled pogroms to reach the U.S., lifelong advocate and activist Hedy Ratner shares her life story and describes her work in civil rights, anti-war, and gender equity movements.

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode, Maria speaks with Dr. Stephanie Pace Marshall, Founding President & President Emerita of the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy. Stephanie talks education, students with special needs, and her personal philosophy.

Send us Fan Mail

Gloria Castillo, Former Director: Together We Rise, Chicago Community Trust joins us this week, discussing overcoming generations of gender bias, growing up in Wrigleyville, and working towards a more diverse and equitable future.

Send us Fan Mail

CEO of America's largest charity, Feeding America, Claire Babineaux-Fontenot shares what it's like to grow up in small-town Louisianna with over 100 siblings, how Feeding America provided 6.5 billion meals during the pandemic, and how a dollar can turn into ten meals.

Send us Fan Mail

Personal finance expert and author Terry Savage joins us this week to let us in on some little-known top personal finance tips. Terry also discusses buying a seat on the options exchange, becoming a TV and Radio personality, becoming the first woman to sit on McDonald's board of directors, and her secret vice as a financial expert.

Send us Fan Mail

Tina Tchen joins us to discuss her career, her work as  Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy and Impact Officer for the The Barack Obama Foundation, what it was like to campaign for Barack Obama's 2008 presidential election campaign, and gives us an insight into growing up as a child of first-generation immigrant parents.