Join us to make new connections at our first suburban networking event in 2019!
Networking events with The Chicagoland Food & Beverage Network are an opportunity to access an inclusive network dedicated to bringing together all of the industry players of the greater Chicagoland area to develop meaningful and mutually beneficial business connections.
For our Suburban Networking event, we are partnering with Kellogg's and Choose DuPage to engage and expand your professional networks in the greater Chicagoland area even more - with a DuPage county focused event! As a member of the ever-growing food community, we know that leveraging your professional and personal connections is significant to the growth of your company and career. The evening provides a great opportunity to enjoy drinks and appetizers and an opportunity to mingle - forging new connections and circling back with contacts from other events, all while experiencing the power of the CFBN Network!
Joining us for a brief presentation on collaborations & the food industry in Chicagoland will be:
Wendy Davidson, President: US Specialty Channels, Kellogg's
Wendy Davidson is a global executive with over 25 years of experience in the branded CPG, retail, and food away from home industries, with a record of accomplishment in innovation, turnaround and profitable growth of mature businesses. As the President of U.S. Specialty Channels, Wendy is responsible for leading a $1.5B business in growth channels from small retail formats including convenience and vending to foodservice business-to-business operations such as schools, restaurants, lodging and healthcare as well as specialty ventures such as e-commerce direct-to-consumer and Girl Scouts. She is a member of the Kellogg Global Leadership Team, the North American Leadership Team, the Kellogg Political Action Committee and Board of Trustees for the Kellogg Company Fund, eighteen94 Venture Capital Fund Investment Committee, the K Pride & Allies (KPA) and Women of Kellogg (WOK) networks and Executive Sponsor for the company’s Young Professionals (YP) business/employee resource group.
Previously, Ms. Davidson worked 3 years as Vice President & General Manager for the US & Latin America for McCormick & Company and spent 16 years as a part of the executive team at Tyson Foods Inc. During her tenure, she held a variety of leadership roles including Senior Vice President and General Manager for the Prepared Foods; Group Vice President of Food Service; and Senior Vice President and General Manager of the McDonald’s Global Business Unit. A graduate of Luther College, Wendy serves as the Chair of the Board of Regents. She is a non-Executive Director on the Board of First Horizon National Corporation (NYSE: FHN) and a Trustee on the Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) Global Board. She is past board chair of Women’s Foodservice Forum, and a member of The Network of Executive Women, the International Women’s Forum, The Chicago Network, Commercial Club of Chicago, Economic Club of Chicago and serves on the Advisory Board of BRAVA Investments, a venture capital fund. Ms. Davidson was awarded the National Diversity Council’s Top 15 Business Women in Illinois in 2017 and received the Luminary Award in 2016 from Girl Scouts of Chicago & NW Indiana. She was named to the Northwest Arkansas Business Journal’s “40 under 40” and “Diamond Decade”.
Dan Cronin, County Board Chairman - Choose DuPage
Dan Cronin won election as DuPage County Board Chairman first in 2010, again in 2014 and 2018 after serving in the Illinois General Assembly for 20 years. He brings his passion for fiscal accountability and efficient government to DuPage County, where he is committed to reducing the size, scope and cost of local government. Through his ACT Initiative (Accountability, Consolidation and Transparency), he introduced a comprehensive approach to reform dozens of independent taxing districts in DuPage.
In 2014, Chairman Cronin assembled a coalition of civic groups, lawmakers and non-profits to form Transform Illinois (www.transformillinois.org), which aims to replicate the DuPage government efficiency experience throughout the rest of the state. As he engages with leaders across the state, Chairman Cronin advocates for DuPage taxpayers on regional issues such as infrastructure, public transit and economic development. He is a graduate of Fenwick High School, Northwestern University and Loyola University School of Law.
- Alan Reed, Executive Director - The Chicagoland Food & Beverage Network
There is no formal agenda, and there will be plenty of good company and time to socialize. There’s room for only 100 attendees, so please register early to reserve your place!
We appreciate the generous support of our sponsor for this event:
