Heather Kerry accepted the Foundation’s 2026 award at the Society’s latest gathering, where Caroline introduced her as a young woman with a promising future in sports marketing. Heather is finishing her degree at DePaul and hopes to stay in Chicago after graduation. She had brought a small bag, so Thad was given the award to carry home.
Her fiancé, Thad Shand, is currently in line to become a vice president at Morningstar. Margot included this in Heather’s introduction even though Caroline had already covered it. Thad said nothing had been announced yet and asked whether the photographs would be going up that evening.
Heather has been looking at apartments in Lincoln Park, including a 300-square-foot studio at $2,800 a month. She liked the light. Her mother wanted to know where the bed would go, and Heather sent her a second photograph taken from the other corner. Thad has suggested they wait until he knows more about the promotion before deciding what to do with his place.
The Foundation will help Heather get started with an East Bank Club junior membership and a welcome envelope of pooled Starbucks gift cards. Jill had written the balances on the back of each card. Heather said she usually went to the Starbucks at Sheffield and Armitage between classes.
Erin has offered to introduce her to a few people who may be useful in her job search. Heather is interested in sponsorships and partnerships, particularly work involving professional teams. Erin’s former colleague at Deloitte knows someone she would like Heather to meet, and has asked for her résumé rather than the LinkedIn screenshot Margot forwarded.
After the presentation, Margot took Heather aside to arrange an afternoon on Armitage. They would start at Lori’s, look in at Art Effect, and find something appropriate for the first round of interviews. Heather mentioned that she already owned a navy suit. Margot asked her to bring a photograph of it.
Thad found them near the coat check with the award tucked under his arm. He had made a reservation for dinner and wanted to know whether anyone else was coming. Margot said she could probably move a few things around.