Guys in Pink Ties: 2nd Annual Pink Tie Gala at the Riverfront Theatre in Chicago

By Jorge G. Zavala
Creative Director

CHICAGO - On October 19th, the Tribune Media Group held the 2nd annual Pink Tie Gala, which benefited the Chicagoland affiliate of Susan G, Komen for the Cure. This event, held at the Riverfront Theater in Chicago, proved to be quite a sensation not simply because the 2nd class of Komen Chicago Pink Tie Guys came from such a wide-range of backgrounds and experiences, but because the environment and crowd was fit for a pink soiree.

Guests began to arrive around 6:30pm and were greeted by an energetic DJ mixing contemporary hits and beautiful ladies with gorgeous smiles decked out in their cutest pink attire. Tickets, which were sold at the entrance for $120, were worth purchasing. The crowd of philanthropic men and women and business elites adorned the environment where delectable hors d'oeuvres, savory champagne, and divine treats created a fun and fashionable ambiance.

Chaired for the second consecutive year by Richard M. Daley, Of Counsel to the firm Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP, the group of "KoMen" was dedicated to the Susan G. Komen mission of saving lives and ending breast cancer. These men were nominated by the community and selected by the Komen Chicagoland Board of Directors to serve as members of this prestigious group and were honored with both public recognition and a sweet pink tie.

The following are this year's class of Pink Tie Guys:

Former Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley - who was not in attendance; Windy City LIVE's Ryan Chiaverini; Dr. Bechara Choucair, Commissioner, City of Chicago Department of Public Health; Alderman Robert Fioretti, Alderman of the 2nd Ward, City of Chicago; Jonny Imerman, Founder and Chief Mission Officer, Imerman Angels; Victor LaGroon, Community Relations & Public Affairs Program Manager, UIC Cancer Center; Jim Legothetis, Senior Client Service Partner, Ernst & Young; Reverend Percy McCray, Director of Pastoral Care, Cancer Treatment Centers of America; Wade Miquelon, Chief Financial Officer and President, International, Walgreens; Dr. Steven T. Rosen, Director of the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University; Stan Bowman, Vice President & General Manager, Chicago Blackhawks.

The Pink Tie Guys were nominated by the community and selected by the Komen Chicagoland Board of Directors. They are leaders in the corporate and philanthropic sector, groundbreaking physicians, elected officials representing communities possessing the greatest need, as well as other individuals with spheres of influence that create change.

Local artists creating a caricature of one of the Pink Tie Guys and his special lady. "She is taking 20 years off of me," he recalled. "I love her!"

The Pink Tie Guys will serve as ambassadors to the Chicagoland Affiliate, attending signature events and leveraging resources to further the mission of Susan G. Komen Chicago.

The 2nd Annual Pink Tie Gala was definitely one of the hottest events of October raising funds for breast cancer research while looking fabulous. Gianna, one of the guests, insisted she couldn't wait for next year's gala. "Handsome guys in pink ties, ladies in pink cocktail dresses, and delicious champagne - all for a good cause. What's not to love?"