John Shields and Karen Urie Shields
Photo courtesy of Smyth & The Loyalist
JOHN SHIELDS & KAREN URIE SHIELDS
Executive chef/partner and executive pastry chef/partner, Smyth + The Loyalist
With Smyth standing as Chicago’s sole Michelin three-star restaurant, this duo is the city’s preeminent culinary power couple. smythandtheloyalist.com
JB PRITZKER
Governor, State of Illinois
The second-term gov’s national profile continues to rise, leading some to surmise that a run for national office could be next. @govpritzker
KRISTEN REYNOLDS
President & CEO, Choose Chicago
A year into her tenure at the head of the city’s tourism, economic growth and city branding body, Reynolds is a key influencer of the city’s success. choosechicago.com
With an NFC North championship and (almost as important) two wins over the Green Bay Packers, Ben Johnson made an auspicious debut as Bears’ head coach.
Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images
BEN JOHNSON
Head coach, Chicago Bears
The Bears coach impressed in his first season, but he’ll need to build on last year’s playoff run to keep the momentum going. @chicagobears
JOHN LEYDON
Founder, Chicago Fashion Week
The veteran entrepreneur is shining a brilliant spotlight on the city’s fashion scene. @thechicagofashionweek
BRANDON JOHNSON
Mayor, City of Chicago
The city’s first-term leader has entered a pivotal final year leading up to the city’s 2027 mayoral election. @chicagosmayor
MARIA ZEC
General Manager, The Peninsula Chicago
As the iconic luxury hotel celebrates its 25th anniversary, veteran Zec’s leadership keeps the property a model of luxury and service. @thepeninsulachi
JODI FYFE
Founder & CEO, Paramount Events
Fifteen years after establishing Paramount Events in 2011, Fyfe is the queen of Chicago catering. @jodiafyfe
LUCA LANZETTA
Founder, Luca Lanzetta Group
All eyes are on River North’s historic Firehouse 42, as design powerhouse Lanzetta prepares to open his studio flagship store. @lucalanzettagroup
Nick Cave
Photo by Sandro
NICK CAVE
Artist
With his recent Venice Biennale show and currently running Smithsonian exhibition Mammoth, major milestones keep coming for the Chicago artist. @nickcaveart
JOE FLAMM
Co-founder, Day Off Group
With new hot spot Bar Tutto joining il Carciofo, Rose Mary and BLVD., the Top Chef winner’s hand has never been hotter. @insta.flamm
SHAMS CHARANIA
NBA Reporter
The ESPN Senior NBA Insider has become the no. 1 source for insider intel in pro basketball. @shams
JOHN MANION
Co-Founder, Hey Che Hospitality
With two smash restaurants in El Che and Brasero and another on the way, the veteran chef is more influential than ever. @chefjohnmanion
JISEON LEE ISBARA
President, School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Now firmly at the helm of SAIC, Isbara is expanding her influence as a thoughtful steward of one of Chicago’s most vital creative institutions. saic.edu
ASHLEY WHEATER
Mary B. Galvin Artistic Director, The Joffrey Ballet
With Wheater at the creative helm, the 70-year-strong troupe continues its ascent on the international stage. joffrey.org
TOM RICKETTS
Chairman, Chicago Cubs
Ten years after the team’s World Series triumph, Ricketts and company are under pressure to make another significant playoff run. cubs.com
GREGG BERHALTER
Head Coach and Director of Football, Chicago Fire
The former U.S. Men’s National Team head coach has stepped into the spotlight to lead Chicago’s squad. @chicagofire
THEASTER GATES
Artist
The always-buzzworthy artist made his latest splash with a recent exhibition of new ceramic works at Prada Home during Milan Design Week. theastergates.com
JEANNE GANG
Founder, Studio Gang
One of the world’s foremost architects—male or female—continues to build her legacy out of her West Town studio. studiogang.com
RICK BAYLESS
Chef/restaurateur
Nearly 40 years after the debut of Frontera Grill, Bayless is still going strong—and still growing his business.
LUKAS WALTON
Founder, Builders Vision
Pairing deep climate and sustainability commitments with a business-minded approach, Walton is at the center of critical conversations shaping the future. buildersvision.com
JERRY REINSDORF
Owner, Chicago Bulls and Chicago White Sox
The divisive team owner is possibly the most influential man in Chicago sports. bulls.com, whitesox.com
Valerie Jarrett
Photo by John Lamparski/Getty Images
VALERIE JARRETT
CEO, The Obama Foundation
Anticipation is reaching a fever pitch for the 19-acre Obama Presidential Center, set to open this month on Juneteenth. obama.org
LIZ ALLISON
CEO, Tricoci
Under Allison’s watch, the salon and spa brand is growing beyond Chicago with the launch of Tricoci skincare, a new medspa and more. @tricoci_official
MELLODY HOBSON
Co-CEO, Ariel Investments
A commanding presence in finance and beyond, Hobson remains one of Chicago’s most influential executives. arielinvestments.com
R.J. MELMAN
President & CEO, Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises
With new smash hits in Crying Tiger and Kitty’s Cosmopolitan Club, Melman has kicked off his CEO tenure with a bang. lettuce.com
LUKE STOIOFF AND DAVID REKHSON
Founders, DineAmic Hospitality
With 12,000-square-foot Riverwalk spot Naia set to join their roster of 20 concepts in June, this dynamic duo continue to cement their status as two of the city’s most influential hospitality players. dineamic.com
MADELEINE GRYNSZTEJN
Pritzker Director, Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago
After a celebrated 18-year tenure, Grynsztejn will step down from her post at the end of ’26. mcachicago.org
MICHELLE BOONE
President and CEO, Poetry Foundation
Five years in, Boone is sharpening Chicago’s literary profile with a clear commitment to making poetry feel vital, civic-minded and deeply contemporary. @poetryfoundation
JAHMAL COLE
Founder and CEO, My Block, My Hood, My City
More than a decade in, Cole’s city-centric improvement org remains a powerful, critical grassroots presence. @jahmal_cole
BUDDY GUY
Musician
The 89-year-old blues virtuoso is a living legend— and still touring strong. buddyguy.net
Ravyn Lenae
Photo by Sabrina Steck/BFA.com
RAVYN LENAE
Singer-songwriter
With upcoming performances at Spain’s Primavera Sound and the Governors Ball in NYC, Lenae has become one of the city’s most captivating—and internationally adored—young artists. ravynlenae.com
CARLOS GAYTAN
Executive Chef and Partner, Tzuco
The veteran chef continues to be one of the city’s most valuable culinary ambassadors. @chefcarlosgaytan
MIKE GOLDEN AND THAD WONG
Co-CEOs, @properties Christie's International Real Estate
Following Compass’ acquisition of the brokerage they built, Golden and Wong remain top figures in the real estate scene. atproperties.com
STEPHANIE IZARD
Chef/Restaurateur
With an expanding profile, a string of enduring hits— including Silicon Valley’s new Valley Goat—and a presence that still feels distinctly Chicago, Izard remains one of the city’s most magnetic forces in the culinary world. stephanieizard.com
SUSAN V. BOOTH
Artistic Director, Goodman Theatre
With a bold curatorial eye (we can’t wait for Iceboy!) and assured leadership, Booth is fast deepening her influence on Chicago’s cultural landscape. goodmantheatre.org
PENNY PRITZKER
Founder and Chairman, PSP Partners
From boardrooms to civic initiatives, Pritzker remains one of Chicago’s most influential forces. psppartners.com
JEFF TWEEDY
Singer-songwriter
With his recent triple album Twilight Override, the Wilco bard proves once again that his music is one of the most powerful soundtracks to our city. @jefftweedy
ALEXI GIANNOULIAS
Secretary of State, Illinois
The young Democrat’s star continues to rise— could a higher office be in his future? @alexiforus
TONI PRECKWINKLE
President, Cook County Board of Commissioners
Having held one of the city’s most influential positions for 16 years and counting, Preckwinkle is among the longest-standing power players in the Windy City. @tonipreckwinkle
