Carrington & Carrington Leading President Search for the Southland Development Authority 

January 28, 2025 – Carrington & Carrington Diversity Executive Search is currently leading in the search for a new president for the Southland Development Authority in Chicago. The president will play a pivotal role in supporting the CEO to execute the corporation’s strategic vision. This individual will be instrumental in managing operations, spearheading development projects, and nurturing stakeholder relationships to promote the region’s economic and social prosperity. The successful candidate will be a strategic thinker and a collaborative and energetic leader with seasoned management experience.

They will work closely with the CEO to develop and implement strategic plans that reflect the corporation’s commitment to community development and economic revitalization. The president will oversee major development projects, ensuring they align with the corporation’s goals and deliver tangible benefits to the Southland community.

Those applying for this role should have a master’s degree preferred in business, urban planning, finance, marketing, or related field. They must have seven to 10 years progressive management with significant leadership experience in community development, economic development, real estate development and/or finance. Candidates will have a proven success in working with industry, diverse, civic and public sector officials and communities with complex challenges and opportunities Demonstrated success in managing large-scale projects and initiatives that benefit communities is desired as well as strong P&L experience in non-profit or public sector. Excellent communication skills with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders is also need along with a commitment to the corporation’s mission and values.

The Southland Development Authority is a non-profit business organization designed to grow the economy of the South Suburbs. Launched in 2019 by business, civic and political leaders across the Southland, the Authority brings the resources and capacity necessary to achieve transformative and inclusive economic growth for the region. It focuses on investment in industry, workforce, housing, and communities.

Carrington & Carrington, with offices in Chicago, Washington, D.C., and Memphis, was founded in 1979 and specializes in the recruitment and placement of African Americans, Latinos, women, LGBTQ, and other diverse professionals. It places middle management and senior level executives across various industries and functional areas. Co-founded by Willie and Marian Carrington, the firm ranks as one of the most respected African American-owned search firms in the nation.

Mr. Carrington has played and continues to play a significant role in increasing the representation of diverse professionals in major companies including banking, finance, manufacturing, and utilities. Prior to this, he was executive director of Inroads/Chicago and an auditor for the former CPA firm Arthur Andersen & Company.

Related: Carrington & Carrington Recruits Chief Diversity Officer for McDonald’s

Ms. Carrington is heavily focused in the firm’s healthcare, academic, and non-profit sectors. She was previously a human resources and operations executive with Allstate Insurance. She focuses in large part on the healthcare, academic, and non-profit sectors.

Recent Interview with Hunt Scanlon Media

This past spring, Ms. Carrington sat down with Hunt Scanlon Media to discuss the Federal Trade Commission’s new rule that bans non-compete clauses for workers across all industries, with limited exceptions. “I am expressing my strong support for the new law that seeks to ban non-compete clauses in employment contracts,” said Ms. Carrington. “As a search leader, I have witnessed firsthand the negative impact these clauses can have on individuals and the broader economy. Non-compete clauses restrict employees from working for a competitor or starting a competing business for a certain period after leaving their current job.”

“While these clauses may have been intended to protect businesses, they often have the unintended consequence of limiting job mobility, stifling innovation, and suppressing wages,” Ms. Carrington says. “By banning non-compete clauses, the new law will help foster a more competitive and dynamic labor market. It will enable employees to seek better opportunities and utilize their skills and knowledge more effectively. This, in turn, will encourage innovation and entrepreneurship, leading to economic growth and job creation. Moreover, banning non-compete clauses is a matter of fairness.”

“These clauses disproportionately affect minorities and low wage workers who are less able to negotiate the terms of their employment,” said Ms. Carrington. “They can be particularly harmful in industries where there are few employers to choose from, leaving them with little choice but to accept these restrictive terms. In conclusion, this ban is a step in the right direction towards creating a more equitable and vibrant labor market that benefits both employees and businesses.”

Related: Carrington & Carrington Called in to Fill Senior Position for Rochester Regional Health

Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor  – Hunt Scanlon Media

Share This Article

RECOMMENDED ARTICLES

Subscribe
Notify of
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments