Sheila Quirk-Bailey Appointed to Intersect Illinois Board of Directors
January 22, 2025
Quirk-Bailey to support Intersect Illinois’ efforts to attract new business and investment
CHICAGO, IL – Intersect Illinois today announced Illinois Central College (ICC) President Dr. Sheila Quirk-Bailey has joined its board of directors. A passionate leader with an extensive background in community colleges and workforce development, Quirk-Bailey will be an asset in Intersect Illinois’ efforts to generate more jobs and investment throughout the state.
“Coming off the heels of a tremendous year for economic development, Illinois owes much of its momentum to its world-class education ecosystem, which includes one of the largest community college systems in the country,” said Intersect Illinois Chairman John Atkinson. “I am pleased to welcome Dr. Sheila Quirk-Bailey to our highly engaged board of directors, as her valuable perspective will help us in attracting new companies and telling the story of why Illinois is a premier business destination.”
Dr. Sheila Quirk-Bailey is president of Illinois Central College and the first woman to hold the position. Since taking office in 2016, Quirk-Bailey has prioritized student success and aligning instructional programs with workforce gaps to drive regional economic vitality. She implemented community-based strategic planning, resulting in advancement rates significantly above the national and state averages. Quirk-Bailey also led ICC to create a Workforce and Diversity Division that partnered with economic development agencies, community organizations, and others to help nearly 3,000 people out of poverty through 4,000 earned credentials. Under her leadership, the college has excelled in developing workforce ecosystems, exemplified by the Workforce Equity Initiative and the IT Workforce Accelerator. Quirk-Bailey serves as an officer for the Greater Peoria Economic Development Council, Distillery Labs, and the Greater Peoria Leadership Council. She also spearheaded and is the ongoing co-chair of the Regional Workforce Alliance, a collective impact organization dedicated to expanding and improving the Central Illinois workforce. Statewide, she is the co-chair of the Illinois Innovation Network Workforce Development Committee and chair of the Illinois Council of Community College Presidents Workforce Development Committee.
“Illinois Central College is proud to be an integral part of the state’s economic development and innovation ecosystem, leveraging our depth of expertise in regional workforce development and leadership in Central Illinois,” said Quirk-Bailey. “I look forward to representing Illinois Central College’s innovative team as well as being a voice for the vital economic development role of community colleges on the Intersect Illinois Board as we align to expand the state’s economy and ensure Illinois remains a top choice for global businesses.”
“I am thrilled to welcome Dr. Sheila Quirk-Bailey to the Intersect Illinois Board of Directors,” said Christy George, president and CEO of Intersect Illinois. “Her deep commitment to education, inclusive growth, equity-driven workforce development, and the prosperity of our state makes her an exceptional addition to our team. I look forward to collaborating with her as we continue advancing our mission to create greater economic opportunities for Illinois.”
Approved by a board vote, Intersect Illinois’ Board of Directors is appointed to help guide the organization on business attraction and represent a diversity of industries, geographies, and backgrounds. The non-partisan group of academic, civic, and private-sector leaders leverages their collective expertise to amplify the “Why Illinois” story to encourage companies to establish a presence or expand in Illinois.
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INTERSECT ILLINOIS is the statewide economic development organization focused on bringing new jobs and investment to the state. 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.
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