On November 19, 2024, the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce hosted an event at Chicago Hilton’s Grand Ballroom to honor Michelle Collins, President of Cambium LLC. Collins received the Daniel H. Burnham Award for Distinguished Leadership in recognition of her dedication and vision that reflect Burnham's famous call to “make no little plans.” The award celebrates transformative contributions to Chicago’s business and civic landscape.
The gathering included over 600 business and civic leaders who came together to acknowledge Collins' leadership and contributions. The evening began with a reception, followed by a program featuring remarks from various speakers. They praised Collins for her impact on Chicago through her work with iconic civic and cultural institutions.
Lavin, President and CEO of the Chamber, highlighted Michelle’s influence: “Her business leadership, entrepreneurship, and tireless work with so many iconic civic and cultural institutions are a true testament to her tremendous impact on our global city.” He emphasized collaboration as key to solving problems in Chicago.
Michelle Collins delivered an acceptance speech filled with gratitude. She acknowledged her sister's introduction and expressed appreciation for her mother, Ann Collins. Reflecting on her upbringing in Jackson Park Highlands, she spoke about visiting her mother's classroom in Englewood and witnessing disparities across neighborhoods. This experience shaped her approach to business and civic involvement.
Central to Michelle’s message was the importance of collaboration between business and civic sectors. She discussed Accelerate U, a program providing training pathways for first-generation students which has generated over $6 million in new earnings.
Collins closed with optimism: “These are challenging times... But there are countless examples of Chicago’s business community collaborating with civic organizations to drive positive change.” She quoted Daniel Burnham: “Success is not achieved by accident but through careful planning and relentless effort.”
The Chamber congratulated Michelle Collins on receiving the award and thanked attendees for their participation in celebrating leadership that builds a better Chicago.