Honoring trailblazing women who start, accelerate, fuel and steer others to excellence!


ANNOUNCING #WDE17 – 2017 WOMEN DRIVING EXCELLENCE ON FEB. 15, 2017

PRESS RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE JAN. 24, 2017 MEDIA CONTACT: Michelle Mekky, Mekky Media Relations (312) 305-0181 Full Speed Ahead: Women Driving Excellence Returns To Chicago Auto Show Feb. 15 CHICAGO: Women Driving Excellence (#WDE17) will return to the Chicago Auto Show on Wednesday, Feb. 15, at McCormick Place, with a power-packed day of activities that honor and celebrate innovative,Read More …


GALE GAND [BIO]- WOMEN DRIVING EXCELLENCE 2017 HONOREE

Gale Gand is a pastry chef and partner in the Michelin one star restaurant, Tru, in Chicago. She was the host of Food Network’s long running show “Sweet Dreams”, and author of 8 cook books. She just finished a 2 year pop-up of Spritzburger, a burger and craft soda joint, with The Hearty Boys, also of Food Network fame. GaleRead More …


CELENA ROLDÁN [BIO]- WOMEN DRIVING EXCELLENCE 2017 HONOREE

Celena Roldán joined the American Red Cross of Chicago & Northern Illinois as CEO in March of 2016. This region of the Red Cross is the fourth largest region nationally of the American Red Cross and responds to 1,200 disasters every year with an annual budget of approximately $16 million. The Chicago Northern Illinois region covers 21 counties and teachesRead More …


PERRI IRMER [BIO]- WOMEN DRIVING EXCELLENCE 2017 HONOREE

Perri Irmer is President and CEO of the DuSable Museum of African American History, the iconic institution founded by Dr. Margaret Burroughs. It is the oldest institution of its kind in the U.S. She has held this position since September, 2015, and her plans for The DuSable include advancing Dr. Burroughs’ vision of the museum as a center for AfricanRead More …


CHRISTIE HEFNER [BIO]- WOMEN DRIVING EXCELLENCE 2017 HONOREE

From 1988-2008, Christie was Chairman and CEO of Playboy Enterprises, Inc., making her the longest serving female CEO of a U.S. public company. Christie restructured the company, initiating its highly successful electronic and international expansions, including leading the company onto the Internet, making Playboy the first national magazine on the web. She also greatly expanded the leveraging of the PlayboyRead More …


MERRI DEE [BIO]- WOMEN DRIVING EXCELLENCE 2017 HONOREE

Merri Dee‘s legendary award-winning 49-year career in Chicago broadcasting is admirable in itself. She was the Illinois Lottery’s First Lady, anchored the first edition of midday news and sports, hosted a magazine-style TV show and served in management as Director of Community Relations.One of the first African-American women to anchor the news in the Windy City, Dee has parlayed herRead More …


Business Leaders Debi Lilly and Anupy Singla kicked-off the first of the 3-part Fall Leadership Series

Being honest, helpful and willing to help others were just among the ways that Debi Lilly, A Perfect Event Chief Eventeur, suggested to grow your personal brand when she spoke to the crowd of entrepreneur women who had gathered for the “Personal Branding” event as the first of the three-part series of the Leadership Collaborative with The #ChicagonistaLIVE Show andRead More …


Join us in person – #wdelcs Leadership Collaborative Series

When women collaborate they can change the world. Over the past five years Women Driving Excellence has honored some of the most incredible, influential, and inspiring women in Chicago. Women who are proving that they are more than trailblazers they are true mentors. Our goal with Women Driving Excellence was to build an event where all women could come andRead More …


#WDE16 – 4TH ANNUAL WOMEN DRIVING EXCELLENCE [VIDEO & PHOTOS]

The 4th Annual Women Driving Excellence at the Chicago Auto Show was a full day event held on February 16,2016 title sponsored by Nissan. This year’s #WDE16 honored five trailblazing women who start, accelerate, fuel and steer others to excellence:  Kathleen Henson, Founder of Henson Consulting, Dominique Jordan Turner, President and CEO of Chicago Scholars, Lisa Madigan, Attorney General of Illinois, Dee Alexander, vocalist and songwriter, and Marilynn KellyRead More …


CBS & NBC Coverage of #WDE16 – Women Driving Excellence

CBS News on Women Driving Excellence from Women Driving Excellence on Vimeo. NBC News Chicago on Women Driving Excellence from Women Driving Excellence on Vimeo.


"There are two ways of spreading light ... To be the candle, or the mirror that reflects it" ~ Edith Wharton, Pulitzer Prize-winning American novelist