Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership Names Chief Executive Officer

Non-profit entity oversees public workforce system in Chicago and Cook County, the largest in the nation

(Chicago, IL) The Board of Directors of The Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership (The Partnership) today announced the appointment of George Wright as chief executive officer.  Wright comes to the role after a distinguished career in banking and community investment and after serving as the co-chair of The Partnership’s Board of Directors since 2015.  In April, he stepped down from The Partnership Board and retired as director of community relations for Citibank’s Global Consumer Group. As director of community relations, Wright led all aspects of Citi’s community development portfolio in Illinois and across the Central Region. The Partnership is a non-profit entity that oversees the largest workforce system in the country in Chicago and Cook County.

“I am deeply honored by the faith the board of directors and regional leaders have placed in me as I assume the leadership role at The Partnership,” said Wright.  “Having served as one of The Partnership’s board co-chairs, I have seen first-hand how the hard work of the talented Partnership staff positively impacts job seekers and employers in Chicago and Cook County. I look forward to continuing to collaborate with community leaders, funders and employers to unleash a new era of growth and impact for workforce development in the region.”

“George brings a tremendous passion for expanding equity and economic opportunity throughout our region, with a deep knowledge of workforce systems locally and nationally,” said Jacki Robinson-Ivy, co-chairman of the Partnership’s Workforce Innovation Board of Directors. “His experience and vision for the future of The Partnership and his commitment to expanding the reach, impact and funding of our efforts makes him the ideal person to lead our next chapter.”

Previously, Wright served as national director of emerging markets for Washington Mutual, where he was responsible for national home loan sales and operations to emerging market consumers and oversaw a team of more than 200 employees. Earlier in his career, Wright was a senior vice president at GMAC Bank where he was one of the six senior founding bank managers and was responsible for all areas of the bank’s Community Reinvestment Act initiatives, as well as customer service and philanthropy. He began his career at Citicorp / Citibank in Illinois as a management associate and was progressively promoted throughout his 30 years there, ultimately rising to become community investment officer where he managed all aspects of community development for the Central Region and national manager of planning and integration.

In addition to his service on The Partnership Board, Wright has also served as Board Chair of Accion Chicago and the Center for Economic Progress, as well as the Greater Englewood CDC. In addition, he is the recipient of numerous community leadership awards including the James Sills Community Reinvestment Act Leadership Award, the YMCA Black / Hispanic Achiever in Industry Award, Englewood “Maker of Men” Award, 100 Black Men Leadership Award, Chicago Defender “Man of Excellence” Award, Executive of the Year for AFP and Chicago “Community Change Maker” Award.

Wright received his BS degree in Psychology from St. Joseph’s College and did his graduate studies at Illinois Institute of Technology.

Board Co-Chair Robinson-Ivy also thanked the entire Partnership staff for commitment during a transitional period. “We are appreciative of their efforts in ensuring the continued success of The Partnership.”

Mr. Wright’s appointment follows a national search led by Koya Partners, an executive recruiting firm focused on social impact leadership.