Leadership Illinois

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   Vilma Colom is a strategic Public Relations official, with over 25 years experience in the Local/State Government, Academic and Insurance industries. In addition to her expertise in collaborating with diverse cross-functional teams in the public and private sector she is highly skilled in establishing valuable relationships which increases support for company objectives and improve overall efficiency.

   As a professional, she served as the Human Resource Manager/National Hispanic Affairs Manager of  Allstate Insurance Company, where she personally represented the company at all national activities to increase the company's visibility in the Hispanic and Diverse Markets. One aspect of her position was to represent the Vice President of Human Resources at National events, as well as on national boards including the National Council of La Raza, Ser Jobs for Progress, Urban League, National Hispanic Corporate Council, Leadership America and the White House Hispanic Think Tank for community initiatives sponsored by United States Senator Orrin Hatch.

   She was also responsible for the recruitment of upper and middle management candidates throughout the Allstate network externally and internally. In this role, she traveled to the various regions to recommend recruitment and training objectives especially in the area of diversity. She worked in partnership with all facets of the human resources divisions in addressing issues of recruitment, staff development and training, mediation and conflict resolution.

   She left the private sector to become the Assistant Director of the Educational Assistance Program position for the University of Illinois at Chicago, where she developed retention programs to help minority students meet scholastic requirements. She was responsible for making recommendations to management regarding the hiring of staff and providing training for their professional development of Educational Counselors. Her accomplishments included receiving the 1994 Woman of Distinction Award.

   Following her tenure, she moved out of academics to serve as the Alderman for the 35th Ward of Chicago, responsible for coordinating city services for over 65,000 ward residents and procuring private, federal, state and municipal funding for planning, developmental and economic enhancements projects for the community. She managed a staff of over 35 city employees that provided services to the local residents of her district.  As Alderman, she was honored as the first Hispanic female to be elected to this position of leadership.  She was appointed to various government committees where she served as a leader regarding budgets, zoning, human relations and preservation within the City Council.  She also served on the Hispanic Caucus where she made recommendations, wrote policies and legislation which addressed issues affecting the Hispanic community and their families.

   After leaving the City of Chicago, she stayed in the public sector to serve as the Executive Coordinator/Director Intergovernmental Affairs for the Cook County Sheriff Department of Women's Justice Services, providing direction for members and programs and writing grants to obtain funding and/or sponsorship for proposed programs.  She established relationships with key law enforcement and community leaders to gain support of DWJS initiatives.

   She was promoted to the position of Director of Prevention Educators for the Cook County Sheriff Youth Services Department and supervised the activities of the Prevention Educators. She directed the assistance to youth organizations dealing with the prevention and solutions of youth problems.  She was responsible for the recruitment and training of staff as well as the day to day department operations.

   Vilma lives in the Chicago Logan Square neighborhood and remains active in her community serving on various national and local boards where she continues to influence concerns of the  community, youth and women. When she has free time, she enjoys family activities with her children, nieces, nephews and grandchildren.  Vilma is engaged to be married to her fiance, Robert Smigieliski, also a native of the community.
 
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Leadership Illinois will accept applications beginning November 1st of each year. Applications must include three letters of recommendation for consideration. The class will be selected by the Nominating Committee and approved by the Leadership Illinois Board of Directors at its March meeting. New class members will be notified by telephone shortly after that meeting. Upon Board approval, new class members must register for all three sessions.

Please contact Shannon Fox, Program Director, at info@leadershipillinois.org or download the Leadership Illinois PDF application by clicking here.