Salute to Sponsors
Messages from our 2024 Season Sponsors
Julie Parsons | Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Property-Liability | Allstate
Allstate is committed to ensuring all young people have access to programs that empower them to succeed and lead. We’re proud to partner with Ravinia again this year to support its Reach Teach Play programs that inspire Chicago’s youth to be creative, confident, optimistic leaders of tomorrow.
Eric S. Smith | Vice Chair | BMO
At BMO, our purpose to Boldly Grow the Good in business and life reinforces our commitment to driving a thriving economy, a sustainable future, and an inclusive society for our customers and the communities we serve. We are proud to be a longtime supporter of Ravinia and its mission to enhance lives through the arts and ensure that music is accessible for all. We are thrilled that our continued partnership will help Ravinia reach a broad and more diverse audience through one of the community’s most anticipated summer events.
Steven Schwartz | President & CEO | Midtown Athletic Clubs
According to my sister, everyone needs a library card and a membership to a health club. Sound mind, sound body. To that I’d add, everyone needs a little Ravinia in the summer. Growing up within blocks of Ravinia, I loved the music I heard on summer afternoons as musicians rehearsed for each night’s performance. The music helped shape the community and brought friends together on summer nights. At Midtown, we are committed to creating clubs that bring family and friends together to work out, swim, play tennis and other sports, dine, shop, relax, and socialize. Located in Bannockburn, Chicago, Palatine, and Willowbrook, they are sports resorts right here at home. As a sponsor, Midtown takes pride in supporting the Ravinia Festival community as an extension of our belief that active, social people lead happier, healthier lives.
Howard B. Chrisman, MD | President & CEO | Northwestern Memorial HealthCare
Northwestern Medicine is proud to sponsor Ravinia Festival. As Chicago’s leading academic health system, we have a long-standing history of working alongside partners to invest in our communities and help remove barriers to better health and well-being. We are committed to partnering with organizations like Ravinia, working to empower through opportunity, because we believe stronger communities are Better communities.
The Negaunee Foundation
The Negaunee Foundation’s founder fell in love with outdoor music at Ravinia in the 1940s, a love affair without end. We are pleased to support Ravinia’s continued efforts to bring the magic of music to succeeding generations of children.
Discover
Discover is committed to supporting educational initiatives in our community. We are proud to support Ravinia’s Reach Teach Play education programs and applaud them for providing access and sparking a curiosity in children to learn more about music. Best wishes for another successful season!
Tim Crane | President & CEO | Wintrust
Wintrust is proud to support the Ravinia Festival and the joy it brings to so many during the summer season. At Wintrust, we believe in supporting local organizations, such as Ravinia, that help make our communities stronger. Wintrust is a financial holding company providing commercial and community banking, wealth management and treasury management services, and mortgage origination. Wintrust Community Banks have more than 170 locations around Chicagoland, Wisconsin, northeastern Indiana, and southwestern Florida, including in Lake Forest, Highland Park, Northbrook, Wilmette, Chicago, and Schaumburg, to name a few. At a Wintrust Community Bank, you get the resources of a big bank with the exceptional service and community focus that can only come from a local community bank.
In Memory of Keene H. Addington II
The Keene H. Addington II memorial concert fund was established in 1995 in memory of Keene Addington, a former board member and dedicated supporter of Ravinia. A lifelong resident of the Chicago area and an energetic leader in both business and civic duties, Keene was passionate about Ravinia and its role in bringing world-class music to the Chicago area. Prior to his passing, Keene was Campaign Chairman and Trustee for “Designs for the Future: Magnifying Ravinia’s Magic,” a major funding initiative in which he was a driving force behind its inception and success. As in all his endeavors, Keene Addington approached his participation in Ravinia with energy and determination. The Keene H. Addington II memorial fund is proud to participate in supporting Ravinia.
The Sandra K. Crown Endowment for American Classic Music Theater in Honor of Sandra K. Crown
Sandy has always believed that “the arts are the implicit language of peace in the world, with Ravinia the shining star.” When she was chairman of the Ravinia Women’s Board, the board began to fundraise. Her children worked with the board and with her when the board started the Friendship Booth, which evolved into Ravinia’s Festival Shop. Her children chose to honor her with a very generous gift to the endowment fund, in perpetuity. This gift helps support the Ravinia Festival and will be celebrated on June 23 as Michael Feinstein and the Carnegie Hall Big Band honor the music of longtime Ravinia shining star Tony Bennett. Ravinia is honored to recognize this year’s Breaking Barriers Festival Lead Sponsorship In Honor of Sandra K. Crown.
Ralla Klepak | Ralla Klepak Foundation for Education in the Performing Arts
Ralla Klepak (1936–2019) was a fierce advocate, educator, and attorney. She sought out the disadvantaged and fought for those whose rights were being violated. As a performing arts enthusiast, Ralla passionately believed that providing disadvantaged youth and individuals with disabilities education and opportunities in the performing arts would fulfill her vision of bringing future generations together through a mutual appreciation and love for the performing arts. Her love for theater and music brought her joy, and she wanted to share that joy with others. The Ralla Klepak Foundation for Education in the Performing Arts funds performing arts programs that support her vision. These programs will be her legacy for years to come and her reputation of kindness and fighting for the disadvantaged will live on.
The Terlato Family
Terlato is thrilled to be an annual partner of Ravinia. As a multi-generational family business, Terlato is committed to continuing to own and represent quality brands in support of the legacy of other family-owned wineries and distillers across the world. Terlato Wine Group comprises several businesses specializing in the marketing and production of exceptional wine, spirit, and non-alcoholic brands. Our global portfolio includes more than 85 fine wine and artisanal spirit brands from world-class producers in more than a dozen countries, and is the leading fine wine and spirits marketer in the US. We are pleased to continue our partnership with Ravinia—bringing the finest quality music and wines to the community. Cheers to the 2024 festival season.
Ravinia Women’s Board | Michele Ihlanfeldt, Chair
Since 1962, the Women’s Board has promoted Ravinia through a wide range of initiatives, from enhancing audiences’ enjoyment of the festival experience, to furthering appreciation of music and the arts, to educating young performers, whether gifted or simply enthusiastic. This broad-based mission of the Women’s Board is accomplished with highly successful fundraising—including through the annual summer Gala and The Festival Shop—and the ongoing commitment of its dynamic volunteers. Over the past 62 years, the Women’s Board has raised more than $35 million for the festival and its education programs.
Christopher O’Herlihy | President & Chief Executive Officer | ITW
As a longtime supporter of the arts, ITW is proud to sponsor the Ravinia Festival. ITW and Ravinia share similar roots, both having been founded in the Chicago area early in the last century. Over the years, both institutions have grown tremendously, expanded their reach, and positively impacted the communities they serve. ITW is proud to support Ravinia’s Reach Teach Play education programs and to serve as a Mainstage Sponsor of the 2024 Ravinia Festival.
Nicholas Fink | Chief Executive Officer | Fortune Brands Innovations, Inc.
Fortune Brands is committed to supporting local organizations where our associates live and work. Through our Fortunate Giving program, we are proud to partner with Ravinia, a cultural centerpiece of our community. We are happy to support the Sistema Ravinia program, providing music education, emotional development, and social connection for children and families in our communities. We are excited to celebrate the 2024 season as Ravinia continues its mission to promote music awareness, and we look forward to many musical nights under the stars!
Nora Daley | Board Chair | Illinois Arts Council
The Illinois Arts Council (IAC) is proud to acknowledge Ravinia’s artistic excellence and the contributions they have made to art and culture in Illinois. For over a century Ravinia has been lauded for presenting high-quality performances, from concerts that feature world-renowned musicians and emerging artists, to opportunities for musical exploration by young people and their families. Through grants and technical assistance, the IAC continues to support quality, accessible arts programming to Illinois artists, arts organizations, educational institutions, and communities statewide.
Mary Moreland | Executive Vice President, Human Resources | Abbott
For more than 135 years, Abbott has been dedicated to helping others around the world live their lives to the fullest. We thrive on making a difference, and that is why we are proud to support the Ravinia Festival. Ravinia enriches the lives of people through music and education—inspiring young musicians to unlock their creative potential, share those talents with others, and live fully.
Megan P. and John L. Anderson
Ravinia and its diverse series of concerts in classical and myriad more genres have brought lasting enjoyment to our family for four generations. We are especially passionate about music education and great performances, and are committed to sustaining Ravinia’s mission and its success for future generations. We are excited about the 2024 summer season and feel especially privileged to sponsor the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s performance on July 25 featuring Marin Alsop conducting the Firebird Suite and Augustin Hadelich performing Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto
In Memory of Charles and Margery Barancik
Ravinia Festival is tremendously grateful to have had the love and dedication of Charles and Margery Barancik for over 55 years. Margie and Chuck loved attending Ravinia, which they called “the most glorious music festival” and “a North Shore treasure.” The festival remains ever grateful for their long-standing patronage, and we are honored to recognize the July 13 Chicago Symphony Orchestra concert in their memory with tremendous thanks to the support of the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation in 2024.
Gil Soffer | Chairman | Katten
Katten is delighted to continue our long-standing partnership with the Ravinia Festival as a Mainstage Sponsor of the 2024 season. Every summer Ravinia’s mission to bring the joy of music to people of all ages and backgrounds enables hundreds of thousands of Chicagoans to experience the thrill of live music performed by world-class musicians in Ravinia’s magnificent surroundings. We applaud and enthusiastically support Ravinia’s invaluable contributions to the arts and education in our hometown of Chicago.
Justin Greis | Partner | McKinsey & Company
At McKinsey & Company, our purpose is to help create positive, enduring change in the world. McKinsey was founded in Chicago 98 years ago, and to this day we remain steadfast in our support of the Chicagoland community and the world-class arts organizations that make it so special. Ravinia exemplifies that same purpose of creating positive, enduring change by keeping the sights and sounds of music, art, culture, and education echoing throughout our community—and the world—for over a century. We are proud to be a 2024 sponsor and look forward to a magical summer under the stars.
Scott C. Swanson | President, Illinois and Territory Executive, Midwest Region | PNC Bank
PNC is deeply committed to supporting organizations like Ravinia that enrich the lives of our customers, employees, and communities. We are inspired by its creativity and imagination and are very excited for this 2024 season of world-class music and entertainment.
Mark Heckler | Regional President | Fifth Third
Fifth Third is proud to once again sponsor an extraordinary Ravinia Festival season where Chicagoland can enjoy music-filled summer nights in an enchanting setting. Just as Ravinia has a long-standing tradition of delivering the “Ravinia experience,” for more than 165 years Fifth Third has been helping businesses and individuals succeed while investing in the communities we serve. We applaud the artists performing this year and look forward to another exciting season of world-class performances.
The Sedge and Henry Plitt Charitable Trusts | Loren R. Stone, Trustee
Ravinia is a special place providing music to the public in a magical setting. During their lives, Sedge and Henry Plitt sought to improve the world through the advancement of arts and sciences. The Plitt Charitable Trusts believes that the support and sponsorship of Ravinia presents a unique opportunity to fulfill their goals and continue their legacy by adding more beauty to the world we share.
Ravinia Associates Board | Jeffrey Condren, President
The Ravinia Associates Board is a premier group of over 100 Chicagoland young professionals who share a passion for Ravinia and the musical arts. Our mission is to support Ravinia by promoting awareness of the festival and its musical programs, encouraging the development of new audiences for classical music, and contributing to Ravinia’s Reach Teach Play programs. To date, the Associates have raised nearly $6 million for the festival and its education initiatives.
Chris Deveny | Vice Chairman, Midwest Region | J.P. Morgan Private Bank
JPMorganChase believes more people should have access to opportunity and the chance to move up the economic ladder, particularly in the world’s cities, where the benefits of revitalization are not reaching everyone. We are proud of our long history of charitable sponsorship in Chicagoland—especially for arts and education organizations such as Ravinia. Our partnership brings great musical performances to our city and superlative music education to our children, and it allows JPMorganChase to make a lasting contribution to our world. We are honored to support the 2024 Ravinia Festival and Ravinia’s Reach Teach Play education programs.
Greg Hughes | President & CEO | Suntory Global Spirits
Suntory Global Spirits is proud to celebrate Ravinia’s 2024 season—a festival that brilliantly brings people together in a magical setting for incredible experiences. Cheers to sharing the Ravinia experience with friends, family, and music lovers of all kinds this summer!
Jeff Babinski | Vice President & General Manager | American Place Casino
American Place Casino is thrilled to announce our partnership with the esteemed Ravinia Festival. Just as Ravinia transforms summer evenings into memorable events with its standout performances, we at American Place Casino are committed to redefining the gaming and entertainment experience across Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin. With our vibrant selection of slot machines, table games, an exhilarating sportsbook, and amazing restaurants, we aim to create experiences that rival the excitement of a night out at Ravinia. Here, every visit is more than just a game—it’s an adventure, where lasting connections are made and unforgettable moments are crafted. Join us this summer and let’s redefine fun together!
C.H. Randolph Lyon | Vice Chairman | Baird
Baird has a long tradition of giving back to the communities where our associates live and work, and we are honored and excited to sponsor the Ravinia Festival. By showcasing a wide range of talented performers and making music more accessible to a broader audience, Ravinia builds appreciation for the arts, which are essential to growing and sustaining our vibrant community. We’re proud to support Ravinia’s lasting legacy
Baxter International Inc.
Baxter is committed to supporting the communities where our employees live and work. As the oldest outdoor music festival in the United States, Ravinia is a renowned cultural attraction. We’re proud to support Ravinia—located just a few miles from Baxter’s global headquarters—as it enriches the Chicagoland region through world-class music.
Janet Hayes | CEO | Crate & Barrel Holdings, Inc.
Crate & Barrel Holdings is proud to partner with Ravinia. Both companies believe in giving back to the community that supports not only our customers but also our employees. Thank you, Ravinia, for celebrating the arts in this beautiful and unique space.
Timm T. Martin | President and CEO | Freshie Holdings LLC
It’s truly a privilege to partner with Ravinia and its commitment to the arts and education. Freshie Organic Tequila Seltzer is a local, family-owned business committed to an organic and healthy lifestyle, and we are thrilled to share Freshie with Ravinia audiences.
John F. Gibbons and Rita M. Powers | Co-Managing Shareholders, Chicago | Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Greenberg Traurig is proud to continue its long-standing support of the Ravinia Festival and the world-class music Ravinia brings to our community every summer. We are committed to supporting Ravinia in its mission to provide accessible, enriching music to all through the Reach Teach Play education programs, teaming resident artists with Chicago Public Schools to foster music discovery. We look forward to supporting Ravinia in the years to come and to celebrating another memorable summer at Ravinia.
Pamela J. Mayo
In August of 1999, I attended my first Ravinia performance and sat in the last row of the Pavilion for Natalie Cole’s Snowfall on the Sahara Tour concert. That night was the beginning of a 25-year commitment to the Ravinia Festival and its mission to build broad and diverse audiences for classical music through education and community engagement. My personal dedication to Ravinia, as a member of the Board of Trustees, makes it a special honor to support the festival.
Susan Levy | General Counsel | Northern Trust
For over 135 years, Northern Trust has supported the communities where we live and work. Even as our footprint expands around the world, our strong commitment to Chicago, our global headquarters, remains. Northern Trust proudly supports Ravinia, which provides opportunities to experience world-class musical performances and brings music education to thousands of children throughout the Chicagoland region.
Richard L. Sevcik | Partner | Perkins Coie LLP
Perkins Coie remains committed in its support of Ravinia, North America’s oldest outdoor music festival. Perkins Coie applauds Ravinia’s year-round commitment to providing education and community engagement programs to youth throughout Chicago and around the world. With more than 1,200 lawyers in 20 offices across the United States and Asia, Perkins Coie celebrates the diversity and commonality that music exemplifies across all communities.
Bradley S. Schmarak | Partner, Global Co-Head – Private Equity | Reed Smith LLP
As a global law firm, Reed Smith understands the importance of bringing people together to foster creative thinking, passion, understanding, and growth. We are actively committed to strengthening, supporting, and enriching our communities and are proud to sponsor the 2024 Ravinia Festival and its commitment to the performing arts. We look forward to an exciting season at Ravinia!
Chris Schyvinck | President and CEO | Shure
As Shure approaches its 100-year anniversary, it is so rewarding to be associated with an organization like Ravinia, which has been a performance icon for even longer. We’re proud to be on stage with the diverse and wonderful music and entertainers Ravinia has showcased over the years and to support the Reach Teach Play program, exposing more young people to experience the positive impacts of live music.
Brian Fahrney | Partner and Management Committee Member | Sidley Austin LLP
Sidley has long been dedicated to forging relationships with cultural organizations that strengthen our communities, and we are proud to continue our sponsorship of Ravinia for its 2024 season. Ravinia’s robust music education and entertainment programs help foster the talents of future leaders and give people of all ages and backgrounds the opportunity to immerse themselves in the arts. We applaud Ravinia’s enduring commitment to culture, and we look forward to experiencing all that it has to offer for many years to come.
Peter Testa | President | Testa Produce
Testa Produce is honored to support and be part of the live music and great events that define the Ravinia experience! Testa has provided quality produce and foods to the Chicagoland area for over 112 years. We encourage a healthy lifestyle and appreciation of the arts.
Shannon Carstens | Partner | KPMG LLP
Each summer, Ravinia’s gates open to provide a unique cultural experience for all Chicagoans, and KPMG is proud to have been a part of this tradition for more than 40 years. KPMG proudly directs its support to Ravinia’s Reach Teach Play education programs and, in doing so, ensures that Ravinia is accessible to the constituents of more than 200 social service agencies in our community through the Opportunity Lawn Pass Program. On behalf of the partners and professionals of KPMG in Chicago, we hope that you and your families enjoy the beauty, music, and enrichment Ravinia has to offer this season.
Chris Drewry | Partner | Latham & Watkins LLP
Latham & Watkins is so pleased to welcome audiences to the 2024 Ravinia Festival and support its programming and community engagement. Our participation in the Ravinia Festival is part of Latham’s continuing engagement with the cultural, civic, and social services institutions and programs that make a difference in all of Chicago’s communities. We applaud the Chicago Symphony Orchestra as they inspire us with everything from Tchaikovsky to The Planets and The Moons Symphony. We are particularly pleased to sponsor the Reach Teach Play programs as they give thousands of students across the Chicagoland area the opportunity to play, learn, and experience music.
Jon D. Van Gorp | Chair | Mayer Brown LLP
Attending Ravinia’s summer concerts is a treasured tradition for my colleagues and me and for the entire community. We are honored to support this year’s festival.
Justin Ferdula | Chicago Complex Director | RBC Wealth Management
At RBC Wealth Management, we believe the strength of our business is directly tied to the well-being of the communities where we live and work. For over 100 years, RBC has strived to be the leading provider of financial services, while building strong partnerships with our clients and communities. We are proud to support Ravinia, which brings music not only to thousands of concertgoers each year, but also to local classrooms and communities through its Reach Teach Play education programs. By supporting the arts, our goal is to help foster greater dialogue and appreciation for the role that art and culture play in shaping our communities. RBC Wealth Management is a proud 2024 sponsor of Ravinia—celebrating more than 25 years of support.
DG Macpherson | Chief Executive Officer | Grainger
Each day, millions of customers trust Grainger to deliver on our purpose: We Keep the World Working®. From manufacturing plants and office buildings to schools and hospitals, Grainger’s industry expertise, broad product assortment and innovative technology help keep businesses around the world operating. It’s this commitment to the people and communities we are privileged to serve that makes Grainger a proud, longtime supporter of Ravinia. For us, Ravinia is more than a concert venue; it’s the pillar of a community that brings together family, friends and neighbors to enjoy world-class music, share a sense of belonging and have a great time. Enjoy!
Ravinia extends its appreciation to the following additional sponsors:
The Dancing Skies Foundation
Audrey L. Weaver
Tera & Richard McBlaine
White Claw Hard Seltzer
Elizabeth Crown & Bill Wallace, in loving memory of Catherine Crown Sanders
Sage Foundation
Linda & Craig Umans
In Memory of Nancy Zadek
AbbVie
The Coca-Cola Company
Hunter Family Foundation
Kirkland & Ellis
Rice-Temple Wealth Management, UBS Financial Services, Inc.
Judy & Merrill Blau
Jane & David Casper
Don & Susan Civgin
Winnie & Bob Crawford
Shawn M. Donnelley & Christopher M. Kelly
Christine & Stephen Fussell
Dottie B.B. & Jason Gordon
Howard L. Gottlieb & Barbara G. Greis
Betsy & Arthur Holden
Chris & Elise Klein
Kenneth & Jodi Meister
In Memory of Thomas F. Pick
Betsey & Dale Pinkert
John Snyder & Mignon Dupepe
Joe & Ross Ice Cream, Exclusive Ice Cream Sponsor
The CSO Opening Night Consortium
Jane & David Casper
Annette Dezelan, in Loving Memory of David Dezelan
Hunter Family Foundation
Stuart Sondheimer & Bonnie Lucas
Pamela B. & Russ M. Strobel
The Planets Consortium
Helen S. Rubinstein, in memory of Michael J. Rubinstein
Bobette Takiff
The Tchaikovsky Spectacular Consortium
Sarah & Larry Barden
Judy & Merrill Blau
Carol & Douglas Cohen
Betsy & Arthur Holden
David & Susan Kreisman
Kenneth & Jodi Meister
Lori Ann Komisar & Morris Silverman
Paul & Mary Yovovich
The Mozart in the Martin Consortium
Don & Susan Civgin
Howard L. Gottlieb & Barbara G. Greis
Chris & Elise Klein
Betsey & Dale Pinkert
The Princess Bride Consortium
Bobbie & Charlie Denison
Jack & Donna Greenberg
Leslie Lauer Berghoef
Ravinia recognize the following for their support dedicated to the Breaking Barriers Festival:
Lead Series Sponsor: In Honor of Sandra K. Crown
Ellen Rudnick & Paul Earle