Ralph Leslie Joins Obama Foundation as CFO

Ralph Leslie
Ralph Leslie

OBAMA FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES RALPH LESLIE AS CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER CAROLE CHENEY ANNOUNCES CONGRESSMAN BILL FOSTER ENDORSEMENT

Foster endorsement marked Cheney as the only Democratic

candidate to be endorsed by a member of the Illinois Congressional

Delegation Carole Cheney, a leading Democratic candidate for the Illinois 6th Congressional District, announced on July 24, 2017, that she has received the endorsement of Congressman Bill Foster (IL-11).

Cheney is currently the only primary candidate to be endorsed by a

sitting member of the Illinois Congressional Delegation.

“Carole Cheney is up to the task of leading the way for Illinois’ 6th District,” said Congressman Bill Foster. “She is a fighter and a tireless advocate who will always prioritize her constituents first.

“Carole is a success story. Nothing in life was handed to her. She had to work hard to open the doors of opportunity. She understands the struggles and obstacles people are facing because she’s faced them too. Carole is uniquely prepared to join me in

Congress.

“I asked Carole to join my team and to help serve the constituents

in my district. She worked tirelessly to listen to their concerns, identify problems, and offer lasting solutions. She’s delivered again

and again.

“There isn’t another candidate in the field prepared like Carole Cheney. Without question, she is up to the task.” “When it comes to decision making, Congressman Foster always focuses on the interests of his constituents, not special interests,” said Carole Cheney. “It is this focus on constituents that is lacking in our representation in Illinois’ 6th Congressional District. Instead of being accessible and hearing the concerns of our community, Congressman Roskam has closed his door -- putting party before the people he should be serving.

“I will fight for the people of the 6th District, and put the needs of

the community before the wants of DC special interests. My office will always have an open door, and the concerns of constituents will take top priority, rather than the political gamesmanship that is the central focus of the current representative.”

Carole Cheney served as District Chief of Staff to Illinois’ 11th District from 2013 until 2017. During that time, she focused on delivering for the residents of the district – from making sure seniors received help in navigating the social security system, to helping return millions of tax dollars back to the district so that it could be

reinvested into the community, and ensuring that the congressional

doors would always be open so constituents could voice their concerns and be heard.

Illinois celebrates 27th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), along with several other state agencies and councils, hosted a celebratory event to honor the 27th anniversary of the 1990 Americans

with Disabilities Act (ADA) at the James R. Thompson Center.

The interactive and informative event included an art exhibit,

entertainment by performers with disabilities, ADA informational

workshops, and exhibits from federal, state, and local organizations.

“At IDHS we are committed to a simple motto that many know well, ‘treating people the way we wish to be treated.’ On July 20th we commemorate and celebrate a living doctrine that does just that,”

said IDHS Secretary James Dimas. “The Americans with Disabilities

Act has been empowering individuals with disabilities to be treated

the way we all wish to be treated by enabling them to reach their

employment, education, and independent living goals for 27 years.

Please join me in celebrating this landmark legislation.”

The ADA celebration included presentations from IDHS Division of

Rehabilitation Services Director Quinetta Wade and Illinois Tollway

Authority Director Greg Bedalov. ADA informational workshops informed job seekers and employers about the benefits of the ADA,

and entertainers with disabilities performed for those in attendance.

The entire event was free, accessible and opened to the public. To further encourage all Illinoisans to reaffirm the principles of equality and inclusion, Governor Bruce Rauner proclaimed July 20, 2017 the Americans with Disabilities Act Day.

Chicago, IL – The Obama Foundation recently announced Ralph Leslie as Chief Financial Officer. As Chief Financial Officer, Ralph will oversee the financial planning for the Obama Foundation, including its accounting and budget operations.

“We are thrilled to have Ralph join our team and bring his expertise and impressive background to the Obama Foundation. Through his work with some of the most well known companies in the world, Ralph is a terrific addition to our team at this important and exciting time,” said David Simas, Chief Executive Officer of the Obama Foundation.

“As a lifelong Chicagoan, it is a great honor to join the Obama Foundation as it works to become an institution within the South Side community and beyond,” said Ralph Leslie, Chief Financial Officer of the Obama Foundation.

“The Obama Foundation has an ambitious set of goals – from establishing the Obama Presidential Center to developing programming available to the community, the country and the world. I look forward to working with the entire Obama Foundation team to make those goals a reality.”

About Ralph Leslie

Ralph R. Leslie has 25+ years’ experience in financial management, administration, and strategy. Most recently Ralph served as Chief Financial Officer at Navy Pier Inc. (NPI). At NPI, Ralph oversaw all aspects of Accounting and Finance, Human Resources and Purchasing. Ralph also had administrative oversight of Navy Pier’s conference, meeting, and banquet businesses, as well as financial oversight of the

construction. Ralph previously served as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer with the Ounce of Prevention Fund, a national non-for-profit focused on early childhood education. Prior to joining the Ounce, Ralph was Director of Finance for the beverage division of PepsiCo where he managed finance for one of the largest markets in the Pepsi system. He started his career as an auditor with Cargill, Inc. in Minneapolis, MN and held leadership roles in finance, strategy, and business development.

Ralph earned a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from Chicago State University. He later earned an MBA from the University of St. Thomas in Minneapolis, MN. Additionally, he completed post graduate business courses at the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management.

Ralph has also been an instructor at South Suburban College in South Holland, IL where he taught management and marketing courses. Ralph is a member of the Board of Directors of Easter Seals of Metropolitan Chicago and serves on the finance committee. He is also a member of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity.

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