Intentional Diversity & Inclusion Practices

Melissa Donaldson is Senior Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer for Wintrust Financial Corporation, reporting directly to the CEO. In this role, she has responsibility for setting diversity and inclusion strategy across the $30 billion enterprise of fifteen independently charted community banks and other specialty financial services lines of business operating throughout the US and Canada. Melissa has also led D&I practices for Walgreens Co. and CDW. She holds a Master of Science in Communication (NU 2017), Master of Science in Administration from Central Michigan University, and a Bachelor of Science from Wright State University. Community engagement includes serving on the Chicago Sinfonietta Board of Directors, former Board member of YWCA Lake County, and a frequent participant in Northwestern Athletics NU For Life Program.

Helen oversees the digital programs including the NAA Career Webinar Series along with the NAA Career Podcast, Northwestern Intersections, to provide career advancement resources for the alumni network. She is passionate about engaging alumni to share their stories of how Northwestern has impacted their lives.