Appointees from AT&T and Zurich North America to support Intersect Illinois’ business attraction efforts
CHICAGO, IL – Intersect Illinois today announced that Eileen Mitchell, President of Midwest States at AT&T, and Kristof Terryn, CEO of Zurich North America, have joined its board of directors. These new members reflect the diverse global nature of Illinois’ business climate and bring robust experience in industries vital to the state’s position as a business powerhouse.
“Illinois is home to operations of some of the top companies in the world, such as AT&T and Zurich, and we are fortunate for their commitment to our state,” said Intersect Illinois Chairman John Atkinson. “I’m thrilled that great leaders like Eileen and Kristof value doing business in Illinois and are dedicated to helping further advance the state’s position as a top location for global business.”
EILEEN MITCHELL is President of AT&T’s Midwest States, leading external affairs across seven states and heading the company’s policy, philanthropy, and community engagement initiatives. Mitchell joined AT&T in 2003, leaving in 2015 to work as chief of staff to the Mayor of Chicago and volunteer for the Archdiocese of Chicago, helping develop the Office of Violence Prevention. She rejoined AT&T in 2017 and was named AT&T Illinois President in 2018. Mitchell serves on the boards of the Economic Club of Chicago, Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, United Way of Metropolitan Chicago, Mercy Home for Boys & Girls, and Chicago Urban League and is a member of numerous other civic and philanthropic organizations.
“AT&T’s investment and innovation helps make Illinois an extraordinary global business destination,” said Mitchell. “From the more than $4.7 billion we invested in our Illinois network infrastructure from 2019-2023 to our more than 3.2 million fiber optic strand miles in the state, AT&T believes in Illinois. As a board member, I look forward to supporting Intersect Illinois in its work to attract more businesses to our great state.”
KRISTOF TERRYN was named CEO of Zurich North America in 2021. He joined Zurich in 2004 and has held positions including COO for General Insurance, Group Head Operations, CEO Global Life, and CEO General Insurance. He began his career in the banking industry, where he worked in capital markets. He joined Zurich from McKinsey & Company, where he held various positions within the financial services practice in Brussels and Chicago. Terryn’s board memberships include the Executives’ Club of Chicago, the American Property Casualty Insurance Association, and St. John’s School of Risk Management.
“I’m honored to join the Intersect Illinois board,” said Terryn. “Since opening our first U.S. office in Chicago in 1912, Zurich has been dedicated to supporting growth in Illinois, insuring milestones like the construction of Soldier Field in 1924 and the Chicago subway in 1930. Joining this board aligns with our focus on helping businesses manage risks to drive economic growth and create jobs.”
Intersect Illinois has added more than 20 new members to its board since the end of last year. A non-partisan group of civic and private-sector leaders, Intersect Illinois’ board is dedicated to bringing economic growth and jobs to Illinois, advising the organization on ways to make the state even more attractive for business attraction. Leaders are recommended for the board to represent a diversity of regions, industries, and backgrounds. All members are approved by a board vote.
As the state’s business attraction organization, Intersect Illinois collaborates with partners in the public and private sectors to attract new jobs and investment. The organization showcases the state’s advantages including its central location with access to the country and world, its unmatched infrastructure, and its robust workforce fueled by its dynamic higher education system. Intersect Illinois makes it easier for companies to expand in Illinois by providing a range of services to help navigate the site selection process.
Intersect Illinois’ board of directors helps the organization generate public good with private sector efficiency. Board companies include: Ameren Illinois, ADM, Busey Bank, Cabrera Capital, Carle Health, the Chicago Bears, the Chicago Bulls, Chicago State University, Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, Comcast, ComEd, Constellation, Clayco, DLA Piper, 8 Hospitality Group, GCM Grosvenor, Illinois American Water, Illinois Manufacturers’ Association, Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center, Illinois REALTORS, Loop Capital, Marsh Chicago, Nicor Gas, NielsenIQ, OSF Healthcare, P33, Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas, PsiQuantum, Related Midwest, Skyway Concession Company, SPAAN Tech, Inc., TCCI Manufacturing, the University of Illinois System, and Wanxiang America Corporation.
