
Cathy Yen, MBA, CCLP

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About me
Writer, teacher, consultant, operations manager, CFO and strategist for small to mid sized businesses and nonprofits. My superpower is finding the connective tissue between strategy, business plans, budgets & brands.
Education

Princeton University
1982 - 1987AB PoliticsMajored in Politics with Concentration in Asian Studies / Chinese. Spent all of 1985 in Taiwan, Republic of China and Beijing, People's Republic of China studying Mandarin and teaching English

Dominican University
2011 - 2012Community Leadership Program Certificate Non-Profit/Public/Organizational ManagementThis partnership between the Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation and Dominican University's Brennan School of Business is an intensive nine-month program focusing on creative problem-solving, conflict resolution, strategic planning and staff motivation. Through meetings with local leaders representing the business community, village government, schools, nonprofit organizations and social service agencies, participants receive a unique, behind-the-scenes introduction to the challenges… Show more This partnership between the Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation and Dominican University's Brennan School of Business is an intensive nine-month program focusing on creative problem-solving, conflict resolution, strategic planning and staff motivation. Through meetings with local leaders representing the business community, village government, schools, nonprofit organizations and social service agencies, participants receive a unique, behind-the-scenes introduction to the challenges facing our communities, as well as the opportunity to establish the network of contacts necessary for serving as effective community leaders. Show less

The University of Chicago Booth School of Business
1989 - 1992MBA Finance and Accounting
University of California, Berkeley
1987 - 1989MA Asian StudiesFocused on economics and trade policy with Taiwan and China
Experience

JPMorganChase
Jun 1989 - Jul 2001Managed Finance team supporting the national cash management business. Participated in annual strategic planning and budgeting sessions for the business. Wrote investment and budget presentations as well as quarterly financial reports. Held various positions in Corporate Planning, Budgeting and Reporting; Strategic Planning; Merger Integration team. Responsible for financial and strategic analysis and reporting. Worked closely with CFO, Treasurer, Investor Relations Head and business department leaders. Prepared analysis, evaluations and recommendations for senior management and Board of Directors. Reviewed bank acquisitions, RTC opportunities and merger / consolidation strategies and potential partners Member of flagship management trainee program which included representing FNBC on McKinsey strategy project and rotations through private banking, M&A, international banking and real estate finance. Program worked in tandem with University of Chicago MBA program.
SVP and CFO, Cash Management
Jun 1999 - Jul 2001VP Finance (First Chicago NBD, Bank One)
Jul 1995 - Jun 1999Analyst, M&A (FNBC)
Mar 1992 - Jun 1995First Scholar (First National Bank of Chicago)
Jun 1989 - Mar 1992

Aon
Jul 2001 - Feb 2005Managed finance team that provided financial reporting, accounting, budgeting and analysis to the various product groups in Aon Risk Services, US ($1BN revenue). Participated in senior-level strategy planning for the "retail" commerical insurance business. Developed Board and C-Level presentations recommending strategic and financial plans. Managed team responsible for sourcing and reviewing Aon's investments in various "e" businesses, including medical claims management services and customer data warehousing
CFO, ARS Products
Jul 2003 - Feb 2005VP and Consultant, Aon eProducts Group
Jul 2001 - Jul 2003

Great Harvest Bread Co.
Feb 2005 - May 2009Owner-OperatorOwned and managed retail bread / cafe franchise in Oak Park, IL with sales of $500,000 per year and 10-15 employees. As sole proprietor, I managed all aspects of the business, including food production, marketing and communications, community outreach, hiring and staff management, inventory control and business planning.

CHY Business Services
Sept 2009 - Mar 2013Business Consultant and Independent ContractorProvide business strategy, PR and communications, and operational, administrative and financial management consulting services to small businesses. Expertise in retail, food service, not-for-profits, education enrichment organizations and private medical practices.

Professional Theatre and Dance Youth Academy
Mar 2011 - Mar 2013Chief Administrative Officerwww.ptdya.orgBusiness manager for nonprofit start-up focused on performing arts enrichment programming in Chicago area schools. I handle all communications, proposal development, strategic planning, 501(c)3 paperwork and filing, budgeting, pricing, human resources and treasury work.

International Housewares Association
Jul 2011 - Aug 2012Specialty Retailing ConsultantGeneral business and financial management consultant to Specialty Retailer members of IHA. My role comprises listening to clients, identifying critical issues, suggesting solutions, benchmarking and making recommendations. I also create webinars and presentations for IHA.

Oak Park - River Forest Chamber of Commerce
Mar 2013 - Sept 2018Executive DirectorChief executive for nonprofit membership organization focused on small business, entrepreneurs and community. We have over 500 members, 2 full time staff and seven part time staff. Responsibilities include all aspects of managing the business, as well as providing public advocacy for small business, developing appropriate programming for members, managing volunteers, consulting on business challenges and facilitating board governance. This is a public-facing position with significant community involvement. Show less

Village of River Forest
Jan 2014 - Sept 2018Commissioner, Ex Officio River Forest Economic Development Commission
Oak Park Economic Development Corporation
Jan 2014 - Jul 2017Member Board of Directors
Cook County Government
Jul 2015 - Mar 2018Task Force Member, Cook County District 1 Economic Development Task Force
Rotary International
Jul 2017 - Jun 2018100th President, 2018-19 Rotary Club of Oak Park River Forest
Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation
Oct 2017 - Sept 2018Advisory Board Member, Community Works Advisory Board
West Suburban Hospital
Mar 2018 - Nov 2019Board MemberThe Board of West Suburban Hospital and Westlake Hospital meets regularly to advise and assist Administration of the hospitals and enhance linkages between the hospitals and the community.

Visit Oak Park
Apr 2018 - May 2020Board MemberThis board governs the activities of "Visit Oak Park," the official tourism bureau for Oak Park and surrounding communities. The mission of Visit Oak Park is to bring tourism to its member municiaplities.

Beat the Streets Chicago
Oct 2018 - nowDirector of Strategy and FinanceBeat the Streets Chicago serves over 3,000 Chicago youth through values-based after-school wrestling programs and wrap-around services. Our programs are low- or no-cost, available and accessible to all young people, regardless of neighborhood, background, or financial means. We guarantee "reciprocal investment," with a commitment to do all we can to support each and every wrestler who buys-in to our culture of accountability, grit, gratitude, integrity and excellence. "If you're all-in, we're all-in on you." We are proud that 100% of those "all-in" i.e., those engaged in our high impact programming, have graduated high school and gone on to college, trade school or the military.As Director of Strategy and Finance, I manage the Development, Grant-Writing, Finance, Marketing & Communication, Impact Measurement, Governance and Strategy & Planning divisions of the organization. I also am the Co-Director of our Coaches University and its lead facilitator. The opportunity to teach and engage with our young professionals is one of my favorite parts of my job and dovetails with the work I do as a Community Leadership Workshop Facilitator outside the organization.Together with our phenomenal Executive Director Mike Powell, we have grown the organization from an all-volunteer organization serving just a handful of wrestlers in 2018 to a $3MM organization, now serving over 3,000 wrestlers on and off the mat out of our wholly-owned state-of-the-art wrestling and enrichment facility funded by a successful capital campaign. We are now the largest youth wrestling organization in Illinois and an active participant in the sports-based youth development community in Chicago. Show less

Beat the Streets National
Oct 2020 - Jan 2023TreasurerOfficer of the Board of Directors of Beat the Streets National, the independent organization that works to promote youth wrestling and the local Beat the Streets nonprofits throughout the country.

Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation
Oct 2020 - nowLeadership Lab FacilitatorCo-Facilitator of this nine-month program to develop community leaders. Using a people-centric approach, we combine executive coaching strategies with leadership skill development to guide two dozen aspiring leaders per cohort as they focus more intentionally on their own unique leadership journeys.

Community Connections Fund
Nov 2023 - nowCo-Founder and Course Facilitator
Licenses & Certifications

Certified Community Leadership Practitioner
Association of Leadership ProgramsJul 2025- View certificate

Google AI Essentials
CourseraJan 2024 - View certificate

2023-24 Community Leadership Program
Community Connections FundJan 2024
Honors & Awards
- Awarded to Cathy Yen, MBA, CCLPWest Cook YMCA Scott Gaalaas Partnership Award West Cook YMCA, Oak Park, Illinois nov. de 2017 This recognition is named in honor of the West Cook YMCA's late CEO who was a champion of building strong relationships with community organizations.
Volunteer Experience
Sport for Good Chicago Leadership Council Member
Issued by Laureus on Jan 2025
Associated with Cathy Yen, MBA, CCLPPrograms Committee
Issued by Association of Consultants to Nonprofits on Jul 2025
Associated with Cathy Yen, MBA, CCLPOrganizational Development Consultant
Issued by Dragons Dance on Jan 2020
Associated with Cathy Yen, MBA, CCLPWomen's Fund Member
Issued by Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne on Jan 2020
Associated with Cathy Yen, MBA, CCLPMeal Maker
Issued by St. Joseph's Mission Women's Shelter on Jan 2022
Associated with Cathy Yen, MBA, CCLP2018-19 President, Rotary Club Oak Park and River Forest
Issued by Rotary International on Jul 2013
Associated with Cathy Yen, MBA, CCLPDirector
Issued by Business and Civic Council of Oak Park on Mar 2007
Associated with Cathy Yen, MBA, CCLPVarious Officer Positions Incl. President and Treasurer
Issued by HUSKIE BOOSTER CLUB OF OAK PARK & RIVER FOREST HIGH SCHOOL on Jan 2010
Associated with Cathy Yen, MBA, CCLPFounding member
Issued by The Barn - a CLP Project on Jun 2012
Associated with Cathy Yen, MBA, CCLPComprehensive Plan Advisory Committee Member
Issued by Village of Oak Park on Jan 2012
Associated with Cathy Yen, MBA, CCLPBoard of Health Commissioner
Issued by Village of Oak Park on Nov 2010
Associated with Cathy Yen, MBA, CCLPVolunteer
Issued by Huskie Wrestling Family on Jan 2010
Associated with Cathy Yen, MBA, CCLPTreasurer
Issued by Citizens for Onayemi on Jan 2009
Associated with Cathy Yen, MBA, CCLPDirector and Treasurer
Issued by Oak Park Education Foundation on Jun 2001
Associated with Cathy Yen, MBA, CCLPBRAVO arts program volunteer
Issued by Oak Park Elementary District 97 on Jan 2007
Associated with Cathy Yen, MBA, CCLPLeader and Treasurer
Issued by Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago & Northwest Indiana on Jan 2002
Associated with Cathy Yen, MBA, CCLPDirector and Treasurer
Issued by United Way of Metropolitan Chicago on Jan 1995
Associated with Cathy Yen, MBA, CCLP
Languages
- enEnglish
- maMandarin
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