IICF Midwest Blazing the Trail Benefit will be held in an indoor space at the Ritz Carlton, Chicago. IICF continues to monitor the recommendations and mandates in accordance with the CDC, the State of Illinois, Cook County and the City of Chicago.  Those who have not been vaccinated should continue to wear a mask and socially distance. Please do not attend if you are suffering from COVID-19 symptoms. All guests will be asked to sign a waiver in advance of the event.

Gianne James

First Insurance Funding

Bio

Gianne James began her career at FIRST Insurance Funding (FIRST), a division of Lake Forest Bank & Trust Company, N.A., a Wintrust Community Bank, 15 years ago and worked in various capacities managing front-end operations teams and leading the Integrated Solutions Department until October 2021. James currently serves as the SVP of Governance and Assurance managing a multi-faceted department focused on oversight, compliance reporting, BSA monitoring, and quality control.  

James passionately leads diversity and inclusion efforts at FIRST. She, along with the leadership at FIRST, are dedicated to promoting pathways to career development that ensure a diverse and equitable workplace.

A proud graduate of Spelman College and a 2022 Chicago Urban League IMPACT Fellow, James and her husband raise their three sons in the northwest suburbs of Chicago.

Katie Weil

VP of Philanthropy, Camp One Step

We're so grateful for IICF for helping to bring smiles, connections and fun to the pediatric cancer patients and survivors we served during our wintertime camp programs. Together we are creating memories, friendships and hope that will fuel them all year.

Erin Kerr

BLESSINGS IN A BACKPACK

Blessings in a Backpack is grateful for the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation’s generous donation of $112,885 that provided 28,220 bags of weekend nutrition to 5,260+ food insecure kids across 32 programs in Illinois and Ohio.