* Last week…

* This week…

Intersect Illinois Announces Strategic Leadership Hires, Adds Depth in Key Areas

Amanda Vinicky, Elizabeth Gichana, Kyla Karten, Kate Lindgren, and Ramya Koritala to support Intersect Illinois’ business attraction strategies

CHICAGO, IL – Today, Intersect Illinois announced the addition of five key leaders to its team, reinforcing its commitment to driving investment, job creation, and economic growth across Illinois. These strategic hires further strengthen the organization’s expertise in life sciences, site readiness, business development, data-driven research, and communications strategy.

“Expanding our team to encompass more expertise is a top priority for our organization as Team Illinois seeks to build on its competitive business advantages,” said Christy George, President and CEO of Intersect Illinois. “Amanda, Elizabeth, Kyla, Kate, and Ramya are tremendous assets to the team, and each of these accomplished professionals brings specialized expertise that will help advance our mission. With the addition of Robin Ficke and Dr. Preeti Chalsani last year, our team is stronger than ever, and we look forward to the impact these leaders will make in driving growth across the state.”

Amanda Vinicky has been named Vice President of Communications. She will lead Intersect Illinois’ communications strategy, amplifying the organization’s mission, success stories, and economic impact to key stakeholders, media, and the public. A talented journalist with over 20 years of experience, Vinicky previously served as a correspondent and host on WTTW-TV’s “Chicago Tonight” and was Statehouse Bureau Chief for NPR Illinois and the Illinois Public Radio network—work that garnered Emmys, Lisagors from the Chicago Headline Club, and other reporting awards. She earned a master’s degree from the University of Illinois Springfield’s celebrated Public Affairs Reporting program and has degrees in political science and journalism from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

“Most anyone who has met me knows I have an unbridled love of Illinois, which is why as a journalist I pushed its leaders to be their best on behalf of its residents,” Vinicky said. “As a lifelong Illinoisan, I know all that the state has to offer and I’m dedicated to being part of Intersect Illinois’ work in sharing that story and advancing the state’s growth.”

I’ve known Ms. Vinicky since she was a PAR intern way back in the day. I never thought she’d leave journalism, but this is a great move for her, and a bad omen for WTTW.

* To this day, I still utter the line “Focus, Amanda. Focus”…

Classic.