Meet Six Women Changing the World

How these fabulous Chicago women are making a difference.

Perri Irmer
CEO, Illinois Sports Facilities Authority



“I’m a black female,” declares Perri Irmer, CEO of the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority. “And I have been the beneficiary of affirmative action. I’m sure of it.” Charged with running the public agency that built, owns and operates U.S. Cellular Field, one of the most important aspects of Perri’s job is creating a level playing field, not only for the athletes who compete there, but also for the businesses vying to service it as well. It’s a responsibility she takes seriously. And personally.

Promoting Peace

Perri experienced the positive effects of diversity early on, growing up in Hyde Park where peaceful multiculturalism defined the neighborhood, even during the racially charged ‘60s. “Not only was there a good portion of African Americans, there was also a big international presence because of the University of Chicago nearby,” she recalls. “It was an intellectually and culturally rich neighborhood. I grew up with kids from everywhere and a lot of multiracial kids. It was an idyllic setting because as segregated as Chicago was back then, I didn’t really feel it.”

In high school, she learned the value of affirmative recruitment firsthand. “The Illinois Institute of Technology had a program call Early ID where they identified promising minority high school students and offered them early admission to the college. So I finished high school in three years and went to IIT.”

After earning a Professional Bachelor of Architecture degree in 1981, Perri cut a wide professional swath through Chicago’s private and public sectors. “If anyone were to look at my resume they’d think, ‘This chick can’t hold a job!’” she laughs. But a thread of continuity runs through her career history, which boasts expertise in design, construction and real estate, a law degree from the University of Chicago, and an ambitious stint in public service.

A Chance to Play

Perri gained respect and visibility while serving as director of construction services for the Chicago Public Building Commission, managing over $450 million in public projects. Her trajectory rose even higher when, as senior vice president at Mesirow Financial/Mesirow Stein Development Services, she handled project coordination and regulatory matters for the $850 million McCormick Place West Expansion. In toto, Perri played significant roles in the administration of almost $7 billion in private and public works projects in the City of Chicago. So it’s no surprise that hers was the fitting dossier when the position of CEO of the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority became available in 2004.

With an annual operating budget of approximately $42 million, Perri oversees all facets of the Cell’s operations, including awarding construction and service contracts to qualified bidders. And ensuring that all potential players have their chance at bat is a top priority. “We have a Minority Business Enterprise/Women Business Enterprise (MBE/WBE) goal for construction contracts,” she explains. “Twenty-five percent for minority businesses, and 5 percent for women. And I’ve consistently exceeded that. I don’t remember a year since I’ve been here that we’ve been under about 37 or 40 percent on the construction side. On the professional services side, half of my contracts are with MBE- or WBE-owned firms. We are consistently among the highest percentages across the state and I’m proud of that.”

Carrying on a Legacy

After being given her chance years ago, Perri’s paying it forward today. “If I have a plumbing contractor that’s female or minority-owned and I have a contract that she’s perfectly capable of fulfilling, and if she has submitted a competitive proposal that’s better than a majority firm and I have an MBE or WBE goal to meet on a publicly funded project, hell yeah, she’s gonna get the job.”

But for Perri, working with minority- and women-owned businesses isn’t just about meeting a goal; it’s a about carrying out a legacy until it’s no longer required. “You can’t realize the dream of affirmative action not being necessary until you achieve the goal of creating a level playing field,” she asserts. “And if I’m put in charge of something it’s going to be to do the right thing. I believe you can do good work and do good at the same time.”

More:

TCW Diversity

Corporate Diversity in the Recession

Affirmative Action in the Workplace

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