Leading with Heart

A Giving Heart Foundation’s vision is to eliminate invasive treatments for kids with congenital and structural heart disease and let kids be kids again. Proudly partnering with Lurie Children’s, Leading with Heart is designed to identify future leaders who are current high school students in Chicagoland aged 16 years or older.

A Giving Heart Foundation launched a new initiative, Leading with Heart, in January of 2021 to engage Chicago-area high school students in philanthropy and develop them into strong community leaders. Participating students receive leadership development training and learn about philanthropy while raising much-needed funds for Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago’s Heart Center.

Students engage in several sessions and learn all aspects of philanthropy and leadership from vision to execution. They receive coaching from some of Chicago’s leaders representing all aspects of the for-profit and not-for-profit communities. The students are assigned to teams to develop a strategy coached by community leaders and focused on the outcome of successful fundraising.

Bob Berk (A Giving Heart Foundation) and Ben Black (Lurie Children’s) have  developed the program curriculum.

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PROGRAM TENETS

1

SELF AWARENESS, VISION & BUILDING YOUR “WHY”

At the first meeting, students will come together to begin the development of a vision statement and hear from Chicago business leaders sharing their experience and learnings.
2

STRATEGY & LEADERSHIP

Students will bring their vision to life as teams develop a business plan. Learning will be facilitated through videos, guest speakers, and other resource materials to build a business plan.
3

EXECUTION & FOCUS

As business plans are executed, some will achieve success and some will face barriers. Students will learn ways to overcome obstacles and build upon success from Chicago leaders and classmates.
4

SHARED LEARNINGS

A critical component of organizations and team growth is debriefing. Great organizations adjust and improve. We’ll use this step to review everything learned and how to implement it into leadership roles.
5

GRADUATION

Graduates will be celebrated, and top performers will be recognized. Students will share what they’ve learned with peers, faculty, and guests.

ELIGIBILITY

  • Sophomore, Junior, or Senior in High School
  • Minimum 2.75 GPA (or equivalent)
  • Completed Application

Bob Berk, an accomplished entrepreneur, Master Chair for VISTAGE International, and author of Leadership Between the Sheets. Bob is known for bringing clarity and invaluable perspective to business leaders and students of all ages. Bob has spent the last 20 years working with leadership teams and C Suite Executives, while also developing and leading Millennium Development programs for the Chicago business community. Bob has also spoken at the university level and worked with leadership development at a Chicago Public High School.

Ben Black is a tenured healthcare operations leader with multi-faceted experience in academic medicine, for-profit health systems, and medical group management. His experience includes operations leadership with Tenet Healthcare, serving as the CEO of the largest independent neurosciences medical group in Illinois, and leading the Top 10 US News & World Report ranked pediatric Heart Center at Lurie Children’s.

TESTIMONIALS

“Bob develops good leaders into great leaders. Bob teaches us that actions speak louder than words. We learn to ask the right questions, pursue those tough conversations, espouse accountability, and speak and hear the truth. Bob Berk is my secret sauce.”

Financial Executive

“As a student trying to choose my path, Bob always provided constant advice and support. He always pushed me to be the best person I can be. He is always non-judgmental and has helped me understand myself.”

A student of Bob’s leadership program

“I learned more from Bob in four months of his Millennium Development Program than I did in my MBA program.”

#2020Beyond Graduate

“Ben has extensive knowledge of the world of healthcare, he is a strategic and innovative thinker, and his leadership style motivates others to share his vision with tenacity and drive for continuous improvement.”

Former Employee

Our winter 2021 class is underway. Applications for the next class, which will begin in Fall of 2021 or Winter of 2022, are now being accepted.

Apply now for the next class!

Apply Now

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THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

Lead Sponsor

Meeting Tomorrow
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Assessment Sponsor

Predictive Index
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Gold Level

Bob and Carole Berk, David and Stephanie Cox, vitaltech Solutions
Scholarship Sponsors
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Silver Level

In Memory of Kevin Burke and in Honor of the Burke Family, Kevin and Kayla Carey, Jason and Jen Stroiman
Scholarship Sponsors

Bronze Level

Jim and Gloria Mack, Larry and Courtney Wright
Scholarship Sponsors