Margaret’s Village invites you to our 50th Anniversary
Sr. Margaret Traxler Awards Gala
“Sheltering Hope, Building Community”
Wednesday, October 9th
6:00pm – 8:30pm
Cocktails and Hors D’oeuvres Followed by Dinner
at the
Union League Club of Chicago
Attire: Formal (Black tie optional)
Derrick Blakley, five-time Emmy Award winner at Chicago’s WMAQ-TV and WBBM-TV, will be our Master of Ceremony for the evening.
Join us as we recognize these individuals and organizations for their Commitment to Sheltering Hope and Building Community
Marianne Markowitz
President & CEO of First Women’s Bank, dedicated to serving the women’s economy and closing the gender lending gap. Markowitz served in the Small Business Administration, was a trustee for Obama for America, and held global leadership positions in finance. She is the recipient of the Women of Note award and the ATHENA Leadership Award. Active in various organizations, Markowitz is a mentor and holds degrees from the University of Missouri and DePaul University.Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
Arne Duncan
Managing Partner, Emerson Collective, dedicated to removing barriers so that people can live to their full potential.
Duncan is the former U.S. Secretary of Education under the Obama Administration. He led Chicago Public Schools prior to his federal role. Known for educational advancements in Chicago, including opening 100 schools and enhancing teacher quality, he now heads Chicago CRED, focused on reducing gun violence through community partnerships. A Harvard graduate, he serves on various boards and is a Distinguished Senior Fellow at the University of Chicago. His work spans education, community outreach, and social impact initiatives.
Erica Kirkwood
Vice President and General Counsel at GMA Construction Group and Griggs Mitchell & Alma of IL, LLC. With a strong background in construction law and corporate governance, Kirkwood provides strategic legal guidance to ensure compliance and mitigate risks, advocates for fair construction industry practices and fosters strong relationships with stakeholders. She earned her law degree from WMU-Cooley Law School, is active in several legal organizations, and is known for her leadership skills and commitment to excellence.
Andrew Davis, MD, MPH
Professor and Associate Vice-Chair for Quality in the Department of Medicine, board certified in internal medicine and public health. Dr. Davis specializes in quality improvement, prevention, and chronic disease, and practices at the Primary Care Group and the University of Chicago Student Health Clinic. A faculty advisor for the Maria Shelter free clinic at Margaret’s Village, he was named Volunteer Attending of the Year in 2014. Dr. Davis earned his MD from the University of Chicago, completed residency at the University of Iowa, and holds an MPH from the University of Illinois. He is a JAMA section editor and has led disease management for 400,000 people.
Wei Wei Lee, MD
Professor of Medicine and Associate Dean of Students at the Pritzker School of Medicine. Dr. Lee earned her medical degree from NYU and a MPH from Harvard, completing her residency in Internal Medicine at New York Presbyterian Hospital. Passionate about health disparities, she directs six student-run free clinics and established three new clinics offering specialty care. Her research focuses on medical trainee development and technology’s effect on patient relationships. Dr. Lee is the recipient of numerous awards for her contributions to community engagement and medical education. Dr. Lee also accepts the award on behalf of the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine which runs onsite clinics at Margaret’s Village, providing highly valued physical and mental health services and referrals to our residents.
