October 31, 2024
Jennifer Scanlon, president and CEO of UL Solutions, received the 2024 Outstanding Leader in Business award, presented by YWCA Metropolitan Chicago at an Oct. 25 luncheon that drew more than 1,000 attendees.
The theme for the 52nd annual Leader Luncheon, held at the Hyatt Regency Chicago, was “She the People.” In an open letter, Nicole Robinson, YWCA Metropolitan Chicago CEO, noted that the event honored women in the Chicago area who are dedicated to transforming the economy, telling the story of the unsung, and advancing policies that unlock opportunity, “while making trailblazing moves that open doors for others.”
Founded in 1876, YWCA Metropolitan Chicago impacts tens of thousands of women and families annually through comprehensive human services provided across the region. The organization is among a national network of more than 200 YWCAs.
“While UL Solutions and YWCA are different types of organizations, we are tied by our missions,” Scanlon said. “We both work very hard to make the world a safer and more secure place for everyone.”
One key issue YWCA Metropolitan Chicago highlights is the importance of diversity and inclusion in civic affairs and in the workforce.
At UL Solutions, Scanlon has actively supported each of the company’s employee Business Resource Groups (BRGs), some of which are the Women in Leadership BRG, Black BRG, Latino BRG, Pride (LGBTQ+) BRG and Disability Alliance BRG. She is a champion of UL Solutions internship programs — and has been known to join intern events to offer her perspective.
In 2023, Scanlon was named a Global Leadership Award honoree by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, and a Business Leader of the Year by Chicago’s Junior Achievement chapter. She was also named the UPWARD Woman of the Year by UPWARD, a global networking organization dedicated to the advancement of executive women and supporting diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
The other honorees for this year’s YWCA luncheon were Ambassador Carol Moseley Braun (Trailblazer Award), Lisa Duarte (Outstanding Civic Leader) and Dorothy Tucker and the CBS Chicago Investigating Injustice Team (Outstanding Racial Justice Leaders).
Learn more about UL Solutions: https://www.ul.com/
Learn more about YWCA Metropolitan Chicago: https://ywcachicago.org/