Dr. Manika Turnbull Named Board Chair of Skills for Chicagoland's Future
Skills for Chicagoland's Future, the nonprofit that connects job seekers directly with employers, has elected Dr. Manika Turnbull as its new Board Chair. The announcement came at the recent Annual Employment Champions Breakfast, where more than 600 leaders gathered to celebrate and advance Skills’ mission. The breakfast raised over $1.4 million to fuel the organization’s work—clear proof that the community is investing in expanded access to good jobs and lasting economic opportunity.
A Seasoned Leader with a Steady Hand
Dr. Turnbull has served on the Skills Board since 2020 and most recently held the Vice Chair role alongside Mark Hoplamazian, CEO of Hyatt Hotels. Her deep experience in human resources and operations has already shaped the organization’s direction; her election signals continuity, momentum, and a renewed push for inclusive growth. As Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC), she brings more than 18 years of leadership focused on building diverse teams, strengthening culture, and ensuring people have the support they need to thrive at work.
Partnerships That Turn Intent Into Action
Skills CEO Bridget Altenburg reflected on her longstanding professional relationship with Dr. Turnbull, including work they led at HCSC more than a decade ago to connect veterans with jobs. Altenburg described Turnbull’s ability to remove barriers and create practical, welcoming pathways into employment—qualities she believes will help elevate Skills’ impact and sharpen its focus. That shared history of rolling up sleeves and delivering results is the kind of collaboration the organization plans to expand.
Leadership With Both Heart and Clarity
Former Board Chair Mark Hoplamazian voiced strong confidence in Dr. Turnbull’s approach. He highlighted her “superpower” of bringing both heart and mind to each decision—an uncommon blend of empathy and efficiency. It’s a style built for the work ahead: aligning clear goals with human-centered choices so Skills can reach more people and deliver tangible benefits to the broader community.
Opening More Doors to Quality Jobs
Under the combined leadership of Dr. Turnbull and Altenburg, Skills plans to scale programs that meet people where they are and connect them directly to hiring employers. A central focus will be unemployed and underemployed residents on the south and west sides of the city—communities that have faced persistent barriers to opportunity. By matching job seekers with employer partners, the organization aims to reduce both wait time and guesswork in hiring, tackling unemployment in areas that have historically been marginalized.
Strategic Priorities and Deeper Community Ties
To meet these goals, Skills will work closely with employers to remove unnecessary hiring barriers and recognize talent that often gets overlooked. The organization is also investing in technology to support its mission, while deepening ties with community-based organizations that know their neighborhoods best. Together, these efforts are designed to spark local economic growth, build clear career pathways, and move equity from intention to everyday practice.
The Employment Champions Breakfast spotlighted these priorities and honored partners who advance them. Skills presented the Champion for Equitable Hiring Award to Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois for expanding access to job opportunities in underserved communities. The Champion for Community Impact Award went to PODER, a community partner recognized for culturally relevant resources and for creating employment pathways for Spanish-speaking immigrants.
About Skills for Chicagoland's Future
Skills for Chicagoland's Future bridges the distance between untapped talent and employers committed to creating economic mobility in historically underserved communities. Since 2012, the organization has supported more than 12,000 unemployed and underemployed job seekers, helping reshape hiring practices to remove barriers and improve outcomes that last. By partnering with employers and community organizations, Skills connects people to meaningful work and, job by job, helps strengthen families and neighborhoods.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Skills for Chicagoland's Future do?
Skills for Chicagoland's Future connects unemployed and underemployed job seekers directly with hiring employers. The goal is simple and practical: shorten the distance between talent and opportunity, especially in communities that have faced persistent barriers to work.
Who is Dr. Manika Turnbull and what will she do as Board Chair?
Dr. Manika Turnbull is the newly elected Board Chair of Skills for Chicagoland's Future. A longtime leader in human resources and operations, she will guide the Board’s strategy and support the organization’s focus on inclusive hiring, scalable programs, and strong employer partnerships.
What happened at the Annual Employment Champions Breakfast?
More than 600 leaders gathered to elevate Skills’ mission and raised over $1.4 million to support its work. Skills also honored partners with two awards recognizing equitable hiring and community impact.
Which communities and job seekers are a priority for Skills?
Skills prioritizes unemployed and underemployed individuals, with particular attention to residents on the south and west sides of the city. The organization pairs job seekers with employer partners to create direct, reliable pathways into good jobs.
How has Skills made an impact since 2012?
Since its founding, Skills has supported over 12,000 job seekers and encouraged long-lasting shifts in hiring practices. By working with employers and community organizations, it helps remove barriers to employment and opens doors to stable careers.
