Diana Hennington

DEI Specialist

Chicago, Illinois, United StatesExecutive25+ years

Open to New Opportunities

About

I am a high energy leader that has worked for over 35 years in several areas offering marketing, diversity programming, promoting different business segments, assisting in the development of businesses and offering workforce development opportunities. I am helping minorities to level the playing field while navigating open and hidden barriers.  Special events experience for over 20 years. See a few highlights from my journey: - Currently serving as the Diversity Lead with a construction management company for a $3.2 billion mega transportation contract in Chicago. This project extends train service on the south side of Chicago, providing transportation to an underserved area and stimulating economic development for services, businesses and housing in addition to increasing workforce opportunities in the community.  There will be 25,000 jobs throughout Cook Couty in the coming years. The project is estimated to catalyze 1.7billion in real estate activity in the footprint, following construction through 2040. - Working for a major governmental agency to manage the marketing and administration of a construction diversity program to build the capacity of small minority businesses, enabling them to compete for subcontractor work and win prime contracts. Managing focus groups and surveys to base the implementation of new departmental plans for more diverse participation on contracts. - Creating the National Organization of Minority Engineers and serving as the executive director to develop and implement strategies for advocacy and access, generating new business for the members.  Several members gained new O’Hare airport and Tollway contracts. - Founding Grand Events, a successful event planning and marketing company that delivers meaningful and effective communication techniques that educate the public and build relationships.  Servicing corporations, institutions, and organizations to create comprehensive outreach campaigns and delivering razor-sharp impactful events. Producing meetings, product launches, fundraisers, job fairs, golf outings, ribbon cutting ceremonies, and receptions, hosting 50 to 2500 guests.   Increasing the company’s market recognition by 75%.      - Creating, marketing, and managing outreach for a City College Job Fair, where I increased vendor participation from 25 to 80 and attendance from 100 to 2,500. - Coordinating and creating outreach and public awareness for a groundbreaking of a new Metra Railroad stop, bringing together public officials, organizations and residents to publicize the increase of transportation options for the community. -Implementing and marketing a Smokey Robinson Concert for Chicago State University Foundation.  Developing pre-outreach events, public awareness and advertising to raise funds for the University.     - Creating, implementing and outreach for an awards program for a 15-year client, Congressman Bobby L. Rush. The program honored local and national leaders in the community, arts, spiritual, civic and corporate fields. Honorees Included Rev. Jessie Jackson Sr, and the Illinois State Governor. - Producing and implementing a company launch for an environmentally friendly company promoting sustainability and green space.  Creating outreach and support through marketing and outreach for a successful event, resulting in a 40% customer increase for the company.      My journey started in marketing and vendor management for a leading corporate relocation company. I developed creative marketing plans and real estate analysis to deliver to major real estate companies cost-effectively selling corporate homes across the country. My clients included high profile Fortune 500 companies which included Kimberly Clark, BP Amoco, and Caterpillar that had elevated service requirements. In addition, I worked in supplier management, overseeing training and developing our network of vendors, which included opening doors for minority vendors to do business with our company. In this capacity, I also organized regional promotions, training, and seminars. These experiences sparked my interest in project and event management. My interest expanded after volunteering and working with the United Negro College Fund, a volunteer job that lasted over 15 years. My volunteer work allowed me to assist with college scholarships for future leaders who might not have been able to afford college. During that time, I developed a volunteer network and led it to service our fundraisers. I also served as chair for their highly acclaimed major Chicago fundraiser, raising over $100,000 for scholarships and support for Historically Black Colleges. The chair positions exposed me to coordinating and planning rousing entertainment, unique venues, smooth logistics, delicious catering options, and high-powered marketing to ensure support and financial success for the event.  These experiences led me to start my own event planning company. I worked with La Rabida Children’s Hospital to raise money for underserved children whose families could not afford medical care. Additionally, I served on the board for a prominent Black Theater company, leading efforts to raise over $16 million to support a new theater and cultural center, culminating in the successful completion of the project. In addition, I have coordinated and marketed events held across the United States for my Alma Mater, Northwestern University’s Black Alumni Association honoring distinguished Black Alumni such as Harry Lenox (Actor), Michael Wilbon (ESPN Sportscaster), Will Evans Jr., (former President of Peoples Gas) and Carl Douglas (a lead attorney in O.J. Simpson trial). These events with their outreach created minority awareness for the University and recognized that given the opportunity, the positive impact that can be achieved in the world. I have been recognized in my community having received awards from Who's Who in Black Chicago, Women of Excellence Black Pearl Award, UNCF Outstanding Support Award, LaRabida Children’s Hospital Volunteer Award and the Black Ensemble Theater Recognition Award.  I have also served on the Illinois Tollway Diversity Advisory Committee, Government Procurement Compliance Committee, and as a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. It is an extraordinary and exciting journey. I am proud to say it feels good to help businesses and people through marketing, planning and outreach; grow, thrive, and impact the future. IMAGINE what it would be like if each and every one of us shared our resources and help. There is strength in numbers, and together we can all “Make a Difference”.

Brands

Illinois Tollway

Infrastructure Engineering