Sheila O’Grady, president of the Illinois Restaurant Association, is moving to Spencer Stuart. She will join the executive search firm May 1, as a consultant in the Chicago office.
At the restaurant association president, O’Grady is credited with establishing Chicago Gourmet. She previously was Mayor Richard M. Daley’s chief of staff.
“Sheila’s track record of leadership in the hospitality industry and in nonprofit and government organizations make her especially attuned to the specific challenges those organizations face and the qualities leaders need to succeed in today’s dynamic environment, making her an invaluable resource for our firm and our clients,” Charlie Falcone, who heads Spencer Stuart’s Chicago office, said in a statement.
Sam Toia, chairman of the restaurant association, said the group was “was extremely fortunate to have someone of Sheila’s abilities at the helm for the past five years.”
“During one of the toughest downturns we’ve seen in our lifetimes, she has managed to grow organizational revenue and establish an event, in Chicago Gourmet, that has cemented Chicago’s reputation as one of the best food destinations in the world,” he said.