Carr and Wolfe to represent Evergreen Climate Innovations and Kirkland & Ellis in efforts to attract jobs and investment to Illinois
CHICAGO, IL – Intersect Illinois today announced that Evergreen Climate Innovations CEO Michelle Carr and Kirkland & Ellis Partner Brian Wolfe have been appointed to its board of directors. As the latest to join the organization’s growing, distinguished board, Carr and Wolfe will serve as invaluable advisors in Intersect Illinois’ business attraction efforts.
“From climate technology to financial services, Illinois leads in a diverse array of industries, and we’re pleased to see this diversity represented on Intersect Illinois’ board of directors,” said Intersect Illinois Chairman John Atkinson. “I’m pleased to welcome Michelle and Brian to our board and look forward to utilizing their expertise in our efforts to attract more business and growth to Illinois.”
Michelle Carr is the Chief Executive Officer of Evergreen Climate Innovations which finds, funds and grows early-stage climate technology companies in the Greater Midwest, contributing to local economic development and job creation. Prior to leading Evergreen, Michelle was the Illinois Director for The Nature Conservancy (TNC), a global science-based conservation organization with operations in all 50 states and 70 countries. Carr was also an advisor at Goldman Sachs for 16 years. She graduated from St. Louis University and holds an MBA from Vanderbilt University. From 2008 through 2012, she was a member of President Obama’s National Finance Committee and she currently serves on the boards of Northwestern University’s Paula M. Trienens Institute for Sustainability and Energy and the Cook County Land Bank. Carr is also a member of the Economic Club of Chicago.
“It’s a privilege to join Intersect Illinois’ board and support the state’s mission of driving economic growth through innovation,” said Carr. “At Evergreen, we are committed to growing early-stage climate technology companies that drive economic development but also create jobs across Illinois and the Greater Midwest. I look forward to collaborating with fellow board members to position Illinois as a national leader in the clean energy economy.”
Brian Wolfe is a lawyer, investor and advisor, and serves as a partner at Kirkland & Ellis, where he counsels private equity, public company and family office clients on complex business transactions and investments. Wolfe also serves on the faculty at Washington University in St. Louis, where he teaches courses on private equity and small business acquisition, and founded Funded Ventures, which is active in the search fund space. Wolfe holds a J.D. with honors from Washington University in St. Louis and a Bachelor of Science in Decision Sciences from Miami University. Wolfe serves on the board of directors of Chicago Public Media (the non-profit owner of the Sun-Times and WBEZ), the executive committee of the Greater Chicago Legal Clinic and the national board of the Skandalaris Center at Washington University in St. Louis, as well as on the board of several other non-profit and for-profit organizations.
“I’m thrilled to join the board of Intersect Illinois,” said Wolfe. “My family has made Illinois home for several generations, and my wife and I have raised our four children here; and Kirkland started in Chicago in 1909. This state means a lot to us, and we’re excited to continue to do our part to bring new jobs, investment and economic prosperity to Illinois.”
Intersect Illinois has added 30 board members to its board since the end of last year. A non-partisan group of civic and private-sector leaders, Intersect Illinois’ board is dedicated to bringing economic growth and jobs to Illinois, advising the organization on ways to make the state even more attractive for business attraction. Leaders are recommended for the board to represent a diversity of regions, industries, and backgrounds. All members are approved by a board vote.
As the state’s business attraction organization, Intersect Illinois collaborates with partners in the public and private sectors to attract new jobs and investment. The organization showcases the state’s advantages including its central location with access to the country and world, its unmatched infrastructure, and its robust workforce fueled by its dynamic higher education system. Intersect Illinois makes it easier for companies to expand in Illinois by providing a range of services to help navigate the site selection process.
Intersect Illinois’ board of directors helps the organization generate public good with private sector efficiency. Board companies include: Ameren Illinois, ADM, AT&T, Busey Bank, Cabrera Capital, Carle Health, the Chicago Bears, the Chicago Bulls, Chicago State University, Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, Comcast, ComEd, Constellation, Clayco, DLA Piper, 8 Hospitality Group, GCM Grosvenor, Illinois American Water, Illinois Manufacturers’ Association, Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center, Illinois REALTORS, Loop Capital, Marsh Chicago, Nicor Gas, NielsenIQ, OSF Healthcare, P33, Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas, PsiQuantum, Related Midwest, Skyway Concession Company, Southern Illinois University System, SPAAN Tech, Inc., TCCI Manufacturing, United Airlines, University of Chicago, the University of Illinois System, Wanxiang America Corporation, and Zurich North America.
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INTERSECT ILLINOIS is the statewide economic development organization focused on bringing new jobs and investment to the state. Intersect Illinois collaborates with industry, academic, and government partners throughout the state.
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