The COVID-19 pandemic is challenging businesses in ways never imagined. As employees begin returning to the office, employers and employees are faced with questions about the measures needed to maintain safe and healthy workplaces. To help with this SIM Chicago is hosting a panel discussion, March 11th, on “Getting Back to Work”.  Panelists will discuss the trends and impact to commercial real estate and the actions businesses can take during reopening to return people to work safely following the pandemic.

Ed Wagoner, CIO, JLL

Ed helps clients become "Future Fit," enabling their workplaces to become more productve, collaboratibe and attracting the best talent to their teams through implementing the right real estate technology strategy for their business. With over 30 years industry experience, including 15 years a a CIO.

IT, Real Estate and Human Resources must collaborate to create 'Future Fit' workplaces to attract and retain top talent. It's a cultural and competitive imperative. CEOs, COOs and CFOs who do not insure that they have 'Future Fit' workplaces will face an insurmountable competitive disadvantage and miss growth opportunities.

Kevin Rooney, Chief Administrative Officer, West Monroe Partners

As chief administrative officer, Kevin oversees shared service teams, including HR operations and benefits administration, real estate and facilities, travel, enterprise project management office, and more. Under Kevin’s leadership, these teams work tirelessly to ensure our consultants on the front line can fully focus on client needs today, while making their own impact on the firm by providing the specialized expertise required to support the firm’s aggressive future growth.

Kevin draws on his diverse background in startups, insurance, and consulting – serving in various C-level roles including CIO and Chief Strategy Officer – to help the firm continue its rapid growth while maintaining a people-first culture. He ensures the firm takes a disciplined approach to improving processes and technology while maintaining the aspects that makes West Monroe unique: its mission, values, operating norms, and the way we recognize and reward our people.

This Event will be moderated by:

Ellen Barry, Principal, Ebarry Group

Ellen Barry leads a small women owned IT consulting business, The EBarry Group, after spending over 10 years as CIO for the Metropolitan Pier & Exposition Authority. The Authority owns and manages McCormick Place, Navy Pier and the Hyatt McCormick Place Hotel. Along with overseeing the traditional responsibilities of IT, Ms. Barry has been successful in implemented revenue generating initiatives by insourcing the delivery of Internet and Technical Services to Exhibitors, Show Management and Meeting Planners for convention and meeting planning events; installing revenue generating wireless services throughout McCormick Place and Navy Pier which allow for over 8000 concurrent users within the facility; and implementing a gigabit circuit to “next generation networks” including Internet2 and other next generation networks.

This event is sponsored by: