2009 Capitalize on Illinois conference will connect roughly 200 IT executives, i.c.stars alums, volunteers and sponsors

Chicago, IL (April 16, 2009) — Members of the Chicago Information Technology (IT) community are set to gather on Friday, May 8, to discuss critical economic and workforce issues affecting the IT workforce, meet i.c.stars alumni, sponsors and board members, and learn about the i.c.stars internship program while being immersed in the group’s innovative culture at the i.c.stars 2009 Capitalize on Illinois conference.

Roughly 200 C-Level IT executives, i.c.stars alumni, sponsors and board members are expected to attend this year’s Capitalize event—the seventh that i.c.stars has held—which will feature more than 20 different simultaneous roundtable discussions, also known as “High Teas” at i.c.stars. High Tea events are an integral part of the leadership training program in which interns host a technology leader from the Chicago community. The interns interview the professionals they invite to tea in order to gain knowledge and learn from the experiences of an industry veteran.

Insight CIO Steve Speidel will deliver the keynote address at this year’s Capitalize conference. i.c.stars alum Beatrice Elizalde, Project Administrator for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois, will discuss her experience as an i.c.stars intern and share firsthand knowledge about the positive effects of mentoring. Other prominent executives participating in and sponsoring the event include David Edelstein, CIO, Siemens Medical Solutions Diagnostics; Jonathan Stevens, CIO, CDW; Michael Brooks, CIO, GATX; Bruce Schinelli, CIO, TTX; Catherine Brune, SVP and CIO, Allstate; John Golden, CIO, CAN; Cathie Kozik, Corporate VP IT, Motorola; Ed Earl, CIO, LittelFuse; Leslie Weber, CIO, True Value; Yvonne Scott, CIO, Crowe, Chizek & Company, LLC; Jim Vanek, CTO, UBS Global Asset Management; and Andy Jurczyk, CIO, Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal LLP.

According to i.c.stars Special Events Chairperson and CIO of the MPEA, Ellen Barry, Capitalize on Illinois is designed to help keep the local IT workforce competitive in a global economy and facilitate a dialog about the critical issues affecting Chicago’s IT workforce, as well as the importance of mentoring and the positive impact local IT leaders have had in developing future IT and community leaders.

“This unique event does more than get hundreds of local IT leaders in the same room—it allows attendees to participate in intimate discussions about issues affecting all of us,” Barry said. “It connects the past, present and future by allowing i.c.stars interns and alumni meet, learn from and share their stories with people in the IT industry, while exposing industry leaders to the value i.c.stars’ participants provide businesses after graduation.”

During Capitalize on Illinois, i.c.stars will present its Alumni Award to a deserving alum who has demonstrated strong community leadership since graduating from the internship program. Last year, i.c.stars alums Seth Allen, of SIM Partners, and Tiffany Mikell, of Accenture, received the award.

This year’s Capitalize on Illinois will be held at Maggiano’s Little Italy on Friday, May 8, from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. Maggiano’s is located at 516 North Clark Street in Chicago. Conference tickets are $1,500. Conference passes are available to volunteers for $50, students for $50, and IT practitioners for $95. To learn more about sponsorship opportunities e-mail cperry@icstars.org or for more information on the event, visit http://events.icstars.org/. Media is invited to attend complimentary and is asked to contact Sandee Kastrul (skastrul@icstars.org) for specific details.

Proceeds from the conference will enable i.c.stars to deliver on its mission to help develop future IT and community leaders.

About i.c.stars
Formed in 1999, i.c.stars is a non-profit organization in Chicago for adults with a high school diploma or GED. Using project-based learning and full-immersion teaching, i.c.stars provides opportunities to develop skills in business and technology. i.c.stars’ goal is to develop 1,000 Community Leaders by 2020.

i.c.stars places 100 percent of its qualified graduates in jobs with average annual earnings of $35,700. Before completing the program, participants typically earn around $16,600. In 2006, i.c.stars partnered with DePaul University to ensure that all i.c.stars alumni are admitted to the CTI and SNL Bachelors of Science program. Learn more on the Web at www.icstars.org.

MEDIA CONTACT
Eric Lannert
(312) 640-3782
elannert@icstars.org