CHICAGO CFO OF THE YEAR®
presented by financial executives international chicago chapter
Save The Date for the 2025 Chicago CFO of the Year® Awards on Thursday, November 20th.
14th Annual Chicago CFO of the Year® Awards
Thursday, November 20, 2025 | Marriott Magnificent Mile, Chicago.
FEI Chicago Chapter’s Chicago CFO of the Year® Awards is a celebration recognizing and honoring Chicago Financial Leaders who have made exceptional contributions to their organizations. Recipients are selected from a group of finalists and awards are presented in Public, Private, and Not-For-Profit categories.
2024 Chicago CFO of the Year® Awards Recipients
Dirk J. Locascio
US Foods
Large Public Company
Susan Kreh
Oil-Dri Corporation of America
Mid-Size Public Company
Natalie Laackman
MedSpeed
Large Private Company
Tricia Pucek
The Horton Group
Mid-Size Private Company
Jonathan Tingstad
Shirley Ryan AbilityLab
Large Not-For-Profit
Karen Koch
Saint Viator High School
Mid-Size Not-For-Profit
2024 Public Company Finalists
LARGE PUBLIC
Dirk J. Locascio
US Foods
Deidra Merriwether
W.W. Grainger
Jason J. Winkler
Motorola Solutions
MID-SIZE PUBLIC
Susan Kreh
Oil-Dri Corporation of America
Bob Phelan
Adtalem Global Education
Ryan Robinson
UL Solutions
David L. Stoehr
Wintrust
2024 Private Company Finalists
LARGE PRIVATE
Michael G. Hansen
Heniff Transportation Systems
Do Young Kim
International Motors, LLC
Natalie Laackman
MedSpeed
Wes Saber
HARIBO of America
Deborah A. Wensel
Holland
MID-SIZE PRIVATE
Ronald Gozum
C. Cretors and Company
Erin Lavelle
WittKieffer
Michael Mance
Dialysis Care Center
Tricia Pucek
Horton Group
Richard P. Wright
V&V Supremo Food
2024 Not-for-profit Company Finalists
LARGE NOT-FOR-PROFIT
Miroslava Mejia Krug
Chicago Public Schools
Arlene Regnerus
Roosevelt University
Jonathan Tingstad
Shirley Ryan AbilityLab
Mark C. Titzer
Dominican University
MID-SIZE NOT-FOR-PROFIT
Angela Dowell
Chicago Community Loan Fund
Karen Koch
Saint Viator High School
Hannah Lehman
Grant Park Music Festival
Josh Slattery
Jewish Community Centers of Chicago
ABOUT FEI CHICAGO CHAPTER’S CHICAGO CFO OF THE YEAR® AWARDS
Financial Executives International (FEI) is the premier association for financial leaders in the United States and Canada. FEI Chicago Chapter’s Chicago CFO of the Year® Awards are an annual celebration to recognize and honor Chicago Financial Leaders who have made exceptional contributions in their organizations. Award recipients have distinguished themselves with remarkable talent and leadership. They are among the best in the profession.
Celebrating our sponsors
The CFO of the Year Awards is made possible through the support of our prestigious sponsors
who partner with FEI annually to celebrate the very best of Chicago’s finance leaders.
CHICAGO CFO OF THE YEAR® MISSION STATEMENT
Bringing the Chicago area business community together to honor and celebrate excellence in financial leadership.
CHICAGO CFO OF THE YEAR® DIVERSITY STATEMENT
The FEI Chicago Chapter recognizes and embraces a diverse, inclusive and equitable society and affirms its commitment to strive for achieving this vision. For its part, FEI Chicago actively encourages and engages with relevant networks to bring about the most diverse pool of candidates possible for the prestigious and coveted Chicago CFO Of the Year® Awards. FEI Chicago values differences and believes our greatest opportunities for innovation and creativity are achieved by fostering and promoting participation for all.
OUR FOCUS
Connections
Connect with 300 financial leaders locally and over 9,000 nationally through various events and our online community.
Recognition
Celebrate exceptional financial leadership through our annual Chicago CFO of the Year® Awards.
Programming and Advocacy
Learn from exceptional keynote speakers and leaders who advocate for the views of corporate financial management.