Learn more about our honorees below!

Luminary Award:
Sasha Gerritson
General Director, Opera Festival Chicago

Declared as "Someone You Should Know" by CBS/Channel 2, Sasha is no stranger to high-level civic engagement in Chicago . A graduate of the DePaul University School of Music,  Sasha was honored in 2005 as the Distinguished Alumna of the Year. Committed to giving back, Sasha serves as the vice-chair of the DePaul University’s Board of Trustees, and is heavily involved in fundraising for her alma mater.

Sasha Gerritson was also the Opera and Musical Theatre Director for Northeastern Illinois University, a role she held 2000-2022 and has served as the Director of Music Ministries for the Park Ridge Community Church since 1999.  

She holds degrees in Opera Performance, French and Vocal Pedagogy from Northeastern Illinois University (BA, MA) and DePaul University (PC) and has studied choral conducting at Westminster College in New Jersey.  

Sasha has worked for many of Chicago's highest-level arts organizations including the Chicago Symphony (asst. to Daniel Barenboim), the Chicago Children's Choir (choral conductor) and MERIT School of Music (choral conductor). She also regularly stage directs for Music Theater Works, Opera Festival of Chicago and many others.

Sasha is prod to serve as the General Director of the Opera Festival of Chicago, and has received critical acclaim for her high level production. She was trained as an opera singer herself, before transitioning to stage directing, conducting and arts organizational leadership. 

Sasha also serves as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Brookfield Zoo and was president of their Women’s Board for six years.  Additionally, she serves on the Board of Directors of the Goodman Theater, and the Board of Directors for USA Karate. Little known fact - Sasha is a 2nd degree black belt in Shotokan karate and was the Kumite (sparring) USA National Champion in 2017, in her age division. 

She lives in Glenview with her husband Eugene Jarvis (President and CEO of Rawthrills Video Games, INC. ) and their two sons, Nate and Joshua. 

Girl Scout’s Own Award:
Cynthia Hunt
Camp CEO Mentor

Cynthia is passionate about advancing next generation leadership and has participated and sponsored Camp CEO for more than a decade. Her presence supports young women campers as they explore a range of topics including financial literacy and STEM careers. She celebrates the magic of Camp CEO as it offers activities that introduces new skills, create connections, spark friendships, and encourage participants – mentees and mentors – to dream their future.

Professionally, Cynthia is an accountant who evolved her career to become a strategic marketing and communications executive. Her practice focuses on creative strategies to grow profitable relationships, improve marketplace visibility and navigate through industry change. She provides her clients with integrated marketing communications counsel and project management services to drive brand management, product development, and signature events.

She began her career at global financial institutions with responsibility for multinational client relationships in the automotive, agriculture, healthcare, and chemical industries. Cynthia now serves as FINRA arbitrator with a dedication to serving the investing public and the securities industry by resolving securities-related disputes. Her corporate executive roles include serving as Chief Marketing Officer of two international consulting firms and SVP External Relations for a national nonprofit working on consumer financial health issues through an agenda of network building, research, advocacy and social impact investment. At a Big Four accounting firm, Cynthia led an award-winning corporate social responsibility strategy and program execution including philanthropy, volunteerism, and community engagement.

With an MBA and CPA, Cynthia has broad governance experience with several organizations including the Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago where has served as a Trustee for nineteen years and is a member of the Compensation, Finance and Audit (past Chair) committees. Her prior board and volunteer leadership includes service to the Union League Club of Chicago, Lifeline Theatre, and the Junior League of Chicago. Cynthia is active in the Maker Movement and co-founded a maker lab which involved a workshop site, tools and creative events for makers age 8 to 80. Her interests include skiing, gardening, beekeeping, and swimming. She resides in Western Springs with her husband Philip Rudolph.