Cathy Yen, MBA, CCLP

Cathy Yen, MBA, CCLP

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location of Cathy Yen, MBA, CCLPChicago, Ilinóis, Estados Unidos

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  • Timeline

  • 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 - 1987
      AB Politics

      Majored 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 - 2012
      Community Leadership Program Certificate Non-Profit/Public/Organizational Management

      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… 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 - 1992
      MBA Finance and Accounting
    • University of California, Berkeley

      1987 - 1989
      MA Asian Studies

      Focused on economics and trade policy with Taiwan and China

  • Experience

    • JPMorganChase

      Jun 1989 - Jul 2001

      Managed 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 2001
      • VP Finance (First Chicago NBD, Bank One)

        Jul 1995 - Jun 1999
      • Analyst, M&A (FNBC)

        Mar 1992 - Jun 1995
      • First Scholar (First National Bank of Chicago)

        Jun 1989 - Mar 1992
    • Aon

      Jul 2001 - Feb 2005

      Managed 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 2005
      • VP and Consultant, Aon eProducts Group

        Jul 2001 - Jul 2003
    • Great Harvest Bread Co.

      Feb 2005 - May 2009
      Owner-Operator

      Owned 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 2013
      Business Consultant and Independent Contractor

      Provide 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 2013
      Chief Administrative Officer

      www.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 2012
      Specialty Retailing Consultant

      General 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 2018
      Executive Director

      Chief 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 2018
      Commissioner, Ex Officio River Forest Economic Development Commission
    • Oak Park Economic Development Corporation

      Jan 2014 - Jul 2017
      Member Board of Directors
    • Cook County Government

      Jul 2015 - Mar 2018
      Task Force Member, Cook County District 1 Economic Development Task Force
    • Rotary International

      Jul 2017 - Jun 2018
      100th President, 2018-19 Rotary Club of Oak Park River Forest
    • Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation

      Oct 2017 - Sept 2018
      Advisory Board Member, Community Works Advisory Board
    • West Suburban Hospital

      Mar 2018 - Nov 2019
      Board Member

      The 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 2020
      Board Member

      This 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 - now
      Director of Strategy and Finance

      Beat 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 2023
      Treasurer

      Officer 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 - now
      Leadership Lab Facilitator

      Co-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 - now
      Co-Founder and Course Facilitator
  • Licenses & Certifications

    • Certified Community Leadership Practitioner

      Association of Leadership Programs
      Jul 2025
    • Google AI Essentials

      Coursera
      Jan 2024
      View certificate certificate
    • 2023-24 Community Leadership Program

      Community Connections Fund
      Jan 2024
      View certificate certificate
  • Honors & Awards

    • Awarded to Cathy Yen, MBA, CCLP
      West 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
      LaureusAssociated with Cathy Yen, MBA, CCLP
    • Programs Committee

      Issued by Association of Consultants to Nonprofits on Jul 2025
      Association of Consultants to NonprofitsAssociated with Cathy Yen, MBA, CCLP
    • Organizational Development Consultant

      Issued by Dragons Dance on Jan 2020
      Dragons DanceAssociated with Cathy Yen, MBA, CCLP
    • Women's Fund Member

      Issued by Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne on Jan 2020
      Community Foundation of Greater Fort WayneAssociated with Cathy Yen, MBA, CCLP
    • Meal Maker

      Issued by St. Joseph's Mission Women's Shelter on Jan 2022
      St. Joseph's Mission Women's ShelterAssociated with Cathy Yen, MBA, CCLP
    • 2018-19 President, Rotary Club Oak Park and River Forest

      Issued by Rotary International on Jul 2013
      Rotary InternationalAssociated with Cathy Yen, MBA, CCLP
    • Director

      Issued by Business and Civic Council of Oak Park on Mar 2007
      Business and Civic Council of Oak ParkAssociated with Cathy Yen, MBA, CCLP
    • Various Officer Positions Incl. President and Treasurer

      Issued by HUSKIE BOOSTER CLUB OF OAK PARK & RIVER FOREST HIGH SCHOOL on Jan 2010
      HUSKIE BOOSTER CLUB OF OAK PARK & RIVER FOREST HIGH SCHOOLAssociated with Cathy Yen, MBA, CCLP
    • Founding member

      Issued by The Barn - a CLP Project on Jun 2012
      The Barn - a CLP ProjectAssociated with Cathy Yen, MBA, CCLP
    • Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee Member

      Issued by Village of Oak Park on Jan 2012
      Village of Oak ParkAssociated with Cathy Yen, MBA, CCLP
    • Board of Health Commissioner

      Issued by Village of Oak Park on Nov 2010
      Village of Oak ParkAssociated with Cathy Yen, MBA, CCLP
    • Volunteer

      Issued by Huskie Wrestling Family on Jan 2010
      Huskie Wrestling FamilyAssociated with Cathy Yen, MBA, CCLP
    • Treasurer

      Issued by Citizens for Onayemi on Jan 2009
      Citizens for OnayemiAssociated with Cathy Yen, MBA, CCLP
    • Director and Treasurer

      Issued by Oak Park Education Foundation on Jun 2001
      Oak Park Education FoundationAssociated with Cathy Yen, MBA, CCLP
    • BRAVO arts program volunteer

      Issued by Oak Park Elementary District 97 on Jan 2007
      Oak Park Elementary District 97Associated with Cathy Yen, MBA, CCLP
    • Leader and Treasurer

      Issued by Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago & Northwest Indiana on Jan 2002
      Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago & Northwest IndianaAssociated with Cathy Yen, MBA, CCLP
    • Director and Treasurer

      Issued by United Way of Metropolitan Chicago on Jan 1995
      United Way of Metropolitan ChicagoAssociated with Cathy Yen, MBA, CCLP