Mark Noffke, executive director of the Sue Ling Gin Foundation and president of New Management at Flying Food Group, said that the foundation's $15 million donation to support Chicago police is a "practical, long-term strategy." He made this statement to Southland Marquee.
"This investment honors Sue Ling Gin's belief that bold leadership and smart management can drive lasting change. By helping equip our police leaders with this advanced training, we aim to foster safer communities and stronger trust," said Noffke, Executive Director of the Sue Ling Gin Foundation Trust. "We see this as a practical, long-term strategy to support our communities and the people working every day to keep them safe."
In an effort to address gun violence in Chicago, the Sue Ling Gin Foundation has pledged $15 million to launch a comprehensive leadership and management training program for police supervisors. According to the Chicago Tribune, this initiative will be administered through the Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago and developed in partnership with the University of Chicago Crime Lab. It is scheduled to begin in January 2026. The five-year program will offer mandatory training for all supervisory ranks within the Chicago Police Department (CPD), including sergeants, lieutenants, and the superintendent. The aim is to enhance their ability to solve crimes, build trust with communities, and reduce violence through improved leadership.
"Corporations do this kind of continuing education all the time, but government agencies are often unable to prioritize this kind of investment," said Robert Hamada, a former Dean and professor of finance at the Booth School of Business, University of Chicago, and a trustee of the Sue Ling Gin Foundation. He added that "the partnership among the business, academic and non-profit sectors and the police department reflects Chicago’s collective commitment to reduce gun violence."
According to a University of Chicago news release, through its Public Safety Task Force, the Civic Committee will partner with the University of Chicago Crime Lab to develop and implement training modeled after the Crime Lab’s national Policing Leadership Academy. This initiative aims to strengthen management and data-driven decision-making skills among CPD leaders as part of a broader strategy to reduce crime and build trust through smarter policing. The program aligns with the Civic Committee’s ongoing work on community violence intervention, local hiring, and reform within the police department.
Roseanna Ander, executive director of the University of Chicago Crime Lab, noted that this program marks a significant investment in what she termed as "human capital" in policing. She said it places Chicago ahead of other major cities in law enforcement innovation.
Superintendent Larry Snelling expressed gratitude towards "the Sue Ling Gin Foundation for its partnership and support in making this a reality."
The Sue Ling Gin Foundation for Change was established to honor Sue Ling Gin's legacy following her passing in 2014. According to the Chicago Tribune, it supports initiatives promoting economic opportunity, public safety, and community development in Chicago with a focus on innovative solutions. Its mission reflects Gin’s career as a self-made business leader committed to uplifting underserved communities.