Philanthropy

As a member of the Comer Children’s Hospital’s Development Board, Joanne is committed to raising awareness and much needed funds for the unique capabilities, approach, and mission of the University of Chicago Medicine Comer Children’s Hospital. The board's work generates support for the hospital’s groundbreaking research and distinctive patient care. By sharing information regarding the hospital’s programs, services, and special events with a wide range of audiences, the board serves as a vital link between the hospital and the greater Chicagoland community. The board has raised over $3.7 million for Comer Children’s through its events since its founding in 2006. At the University of Chicago Comer Children’s Hospital, philanthropy fuels research and discovery that advances our understanding of childhood diseases, and how to prevent and treat them. With increasing demand for health care services during the global COVID-19 public health crisis, patients at the University of Chicago Medicine health system and their families need your help.

Joanne led the Private Client Network in partnering with No Kid Hungry to support its efforts to feed America’s children and most vulnerable families during the Coronavirus Pandemic and this has become an ongoing partnership. No Kid Hungry has a plan to help feed America’s most vulnerable kids and families. As part of our coronavirus relief and recovery efforts, No Kid Hungry is providing emergency grants to schools, food banks and community groups all across the country, and diverting staff and resources to the hardest-hit communities. We also successfully urged Congress to release emergency SNAP funds for low-income families, and are continuing to push for a strong response from federal, state and local lawmakers and agencies. No Kid Hungry and the Private Client Network continue to tailoring their response to meet communities’ changing needs. This is what No Kid Hungry does every day, both in times of crisis and not. We remove obstacles to get kids the meals they need.

Facing History and Ourselves uses lessons of history to challenge teachers and their students to stand up to bigotry and hate. At Facing History and Ourselves, we believe that bigotry and hate that we witness today are the legacy of brutal injustices of the past. Facing our collective history and how it informs our attitudes and behaviors allows us to choose a world of equity and justice. Facing History’s resources address racism, antisemitism, and prejudice at pivotal moments in history; we help students connect choices made in the past to those they will confront in their own lives. Through our partnership with educators around the world, Facing History and Ourselves reaches millions of students in thousands of classrooms every year. Independent research studies show that experience in a Facing History classroom motivates students to become upstanders in their communities, whether by challenging negative stereotypes at the dinner table, standing up to a bully in their neighborhood, or registering to vote when they are eligible. Together we are creating the next generation of leaders who will build a world based on knowledge and compassion, the foundation for more democratic, equitable, and just societies.

Joanne has been a Respiratory Health board member for over six years, an organization that has been a Chicago public health leader since 1906. At that time, tuberculosis was a prominent health threat in our community. As health practices and treatments, medicines and environmental factors have evolved, so has RHA. Today we address asthma, COPD, lung cancer, tobacco control and air quality with a comprehensive approach. On the board, our mission is to prevent lung disease, promote clean air and help people live better through education, research, and policy change. Joanne hosts a team to support the mission at large scale events annually, such as Hustle Up the Hancock and Chill, which each raise thousands of dollars for the cause.

In memory of a very close friend’s incredibly loving and talented son, Greg, who left this world far too early. The GPF Foundation is committed to saving lives by supporting education, appropriate treatment and overall awareness of the dangers related to recreational drug use.

Each year, Joanne also supports PAWS Chicago, the no kill animal shelter. The goal is to respect and value the life of every cat and dog, to end the overpopulation of homeless animals through solutions, practices and education and to transform animal welfare by setting higher standards in the way animals are treated and developing a sustainable, solutions-based model. You’ll find Joanne attending and helping sponsor a number of PAWS events each year with her favorite Mini Goldendoodle, Sophie. Her cat Leo was adopted from PAWS in 2018.