Increasing Strength and Impact through Corporate-Nonprofit Partnerships - Bios

Speaker Biographies

Kevin Conlon, President, Conlon Public Strategies – Kevin founded Conlon Public Strategies in 1998 after serving in elected and appointed office, playing leading roles in numerous local and national campaigns, and practicing labor and employment law. As president of the firm, Kevin’s background and relationships give him an exceptional ability to assist clients at all levels of government and in the business, civic, and nonprofit communities.

Barbara Lumpkin, Executive Vice President, Conlon Public Strategies – Before joining Conlon Public Strategies to help clients focus on sustainable growth, Barbara served as interim CEO of the Chicago Urban League and deputy CEO of Chicago Public Schools. A former financial services executive, Barbara made history as the first woman appointed comptroller for the City of Chicago and the first African American woman to serve as city treasurer.

Allison Clark, Associate Director, Impact Investments, MacArthur Foundation – Allison has worked in affordable housing, economic development, and commercial real estate for over 25 years. Allison joined the Foundation in 2006 to oversee investments made through Window of Opportunity, the Foundation’s $150-million affordable rental housing preservation initiative. Since then, her work has expanded to include underwriting and monitoring investments made in Chicago through efforts like Benefit Chicago. She is also a member of the Chicago Commitment team, where she helps shape strategy for using the Foundation's impact investing tools to support the team's goals through the Vital Communities and Culture Equity and the Arts programs.

Harmony Harrington, Vice President, Government and Community Relations, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois – Harmony has more than 20 years of experience in public affairs, including leadership roles in Illinois state government and with national health care corporations. As vice president of government and community relations for BCBSIL, she leads the company’s advocacy efforts for accessible, affordable, and quality health care for BCBSIL members and its work to improve community health across the state.

Nicole Johnson-Scales, Community & Economic Development Director, Fifth Third Bank (Chicago) – Nicole has more than 20 years of banking and financial services experience. As senior vice president, community development, for Fifth Third, she oversees the Bank’s community development efforts, charitable contributions, and compliance with the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA), for the Chicago region. This includes Fifth Third’s five-year Community Commitment, $5.6 billion of low- and moderate-income mortgage, affordable housing, small business, and community development investments in greater Chicago. She also chair’s Fifth Third Bank Chicago’s Community Advisory Board of community leaders who advise the Bank on community outreach strategy. 

Matthew Summy, Regional Vice President, External Affairs, Comcast – Matthew leads Comcast’s civic engagement and community investment portfolio for the company’s Greater Chicago Region. His work is focused initiatives that advance digital equity, youth leadership development opportunities, encourage volunteerism and draw on access to technology to increase community vitality. Matthew also founded the Illinois Science and Energy Innovation Fund (dba Energy Foundry), which invests in promising smart grid companies.