Past Events - Israel Cancer Research Fund

CEO
G2 Gaming
Mentor in 2023

While attending the University of Pennsylvania, Chicago native Greg Carlin occasionally visited nearby Atlantic City, where he developed a lifelong interest in the casino industry. In October 2022, He launched G2 Gaming, LLC, a company focused on both bricks and mortar and online casino opportunities. In May 2023, G2 Gaming purchased and redeveloped the Beach Club Casino in Hampton Beach, NH. and has developed the Lilac Club Casino in Rochester, NH which is opening March 2025.

Carlin has a passion for creating exciting casino destinations that connect with the surrounding community, fostering diverse and rewarding work environments and adapting new technology to the industry. He is joined by a talented leadership team of industry veterans that have a combined 150+ years of casino experience including operations, game design, data analytics, and marketing.

Carlin was a co-founder and longtime CEO of Rush Street Gaming. During his tenure at Rush Street, Carlin oversaw the ground-up development of seven land-based mixed use casino developments in the U.S. and Canada including four Rivers Casino properties in Des Plaines, IL; Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, PA; and Schenectady, NY; and Portsmouth, VA.

In addition to Rush Street Gaming, Carlin was a co-founder and CEO of Rush Street Interactive which was formed in 2012 and went public in 2020. Rush Street Interactive is a leading online casino and sports betting company in the U.S. and Latin American markets.

Carlin was a long-standing board member of the American Gaming Association where he served on the executive committee. A former investment banker, he earned his bachelor’s in economics from The University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School. He currently resides in Colorado with his wife, Marcy.

Diana Vasquez

President
CIBC National Trust Company

Diana Vasquez leads the management and development of our US Private Wealth Management operating model, ensuring our processes meet the changing requirements of our business. In this role, she acts as an advisor and strategic partner with the firm’s client-facing teams to manage the processes and control environment within the business along with the administration and general business management activities. Prior to her current role, Diana was the head of the bank’s US governance and controls team,  head of risk and administration for CIBC Bank USA, and also previously served as the bank’s fiduciary compliance officer within the wealth management department.

Prior to joining the firm, Diana was an attorney in a private practice, where she counseled clients on trust company formation, trust company compliance and estate planning. She was also previously employed at Merrill Lynch Trust Company (now part of Bank of America), where she focused on new business acceptance for the Midwest region and compliance for the trust company.

Diana received a Bachelor of Science in finance and marketing from DePaul University and a Juris Doctor from University of Illinois Chicago school of law. She is a member of FIRMA and the Chicago Estate Planning Council.

Jaime Faulkner
President of Business Operations
Chicago Blackhawks

Jaime Faulkner was named President of Business Operations for the Chicago Blackhawks on December 16, 2020. In three years since joining the Hawks, Jaime has rebuilt the organization and workforce, led the acquisition of two additional sports teams, created an investment arm for the portfolio, and is currently leading a new estate development project related to the Hawks practice facility and surrounding land. In addition to her daytime job with the Blackhawks, Jaime is a mom of 5 kids and married to Colin Faulkner, who is the Chief Commercial Officer of the Chicago Cubs.

Dr. Sonat Birnecker Hart

Co-Founder
KOVAL Distillery

Dr. Sonat Birnecker Hart is a former Walter Benjamin Chair of German Jewish Cultural History at Humboldt Universität in Berlin. After leaving academia, she turned to entrepreneurship and founded KOVAL in Chicago with her husband. KOVAL is now the largest completely independent woman owned craft distillery in the USA, with distribution in over 40 export markets and numerous accolades on both sides of the Atlantic.

In addition to her academic and manufacturing experience, Dr. Birnecker Hart has been a member of the World Jewish Congress for over 20 years. She currently serves as the Chair of its Diplomatic Corps, through which she has spearheaded numerous interfaith initiatives around the world. Sonat is also an advocate for manufacturing, international trade and the great city of Chicago. To serve these interests she is a member of Chicago’s North Branch Works, is a federally appointed member of the Illinois District Export Council and two time mayoral appointee to Chicago’s Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority Board.

Among her accolades, she has been a recipient of Illinois Business Person of the Year, EXIM Exporter of the Year, and an inductee to the Disciples d’Escoffier. During the COVID-19 health crisis, she led KOVAL’s transition into producing and donating hand sanitizer for those on the front lines, for which KOVAL was honored with the City of Chicago Medal of Honor. She is also the recipient of this year’s Dave Pickerell Craft Member of the Year by the Distilled Spirits Council of America.

Robbin Cohen

Executive Vice President
Obama Presidential Center
Mentor in 2019

Robbin Cohen has served on the executive leadership team of the Obama Foundation since its inception in 2014 and has over 40 years of experience in corporate strategy, real estate, finance, operations, and accounting. She was the first member of the Foundation team and led all aspects of the Foundation’s activities in the early years.

In her current role as Executive Vice President, she has overall responsibility for the delivery of the Obama Presidential Center – including oversight of teams managing design, construction, museum, operations and strategy.

Prior to her time at the Obama Foundation, Robbin was instrumental in the creation and organization of Pritzker Realty Group (PRG), where she served as President. During her two decades with PRG, Robbin led efforts in the acquisition, development, financing, management, and disposition of over $5 billion in assets.

Robbin was a founding Board member of the Lincoln Park Music Foundation, helping to support Chicago based music programs to ensure equitable access. She also served on the Board and chaired the Finance Committee of Bernard Zell Anshe Emet Day School, a Jewish school on the North Side of Chicago. Robbin is also a member of the Commercial Club of Chicago. Robbin holds a BBA from the University of Michigan.

Don and Lisa Drucker

Co-Owners
Superdawg Drive-In

Lisa and Don Drucker are co-owners of Superdawg Drive-In. Founded in 1948 by Lisa’s parents, Maurie and Flaurie Berman, Superdawg has become an icon of Chicago, known for its proprietary namesake sandwich and distinctive architecture, complete with two trademark 12-foot hot dog mascots on the roof. It’s also the city’s only restaurant with carhop service.

Superdawg has been recognized internationally, having been featured in numerous books, TV shows, movies, and more, including 1,000 Places to See Before You Die, Bon Appetit, and The Bear, among others.

Lisa has worked in the family business her entire life, making Superdawg her full time career after graduating from the University of Illinois in 1983. Although Don was not born into the hospitality business, he’s loved hot dogs his whole life. After graduating from the University of Illinois in 1982, he found his way into restaurant management and joined the Superdawg family upon marrying Lisa in 1988. Superdawg remains a family-owned and operated business; along with Lisa’s brother Scott Berman, the couple continue Superdawg’s 77-year legacy.

Jacob Schwimmer

Associate Partner
Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants (Aba | The Dalcy | Ema | Rotisserie Ema)

Raised in Charleston, South Carolina, Jacob was taught the importance of hospitality from a young age. He grew up learning the ropes in his father’s Chicago hot dog-focused delicatessen and began his career in the restaurant industry as a dishwasher at age 13. Jacob recognized he was most passionate about the front of house roles and responsibilities, such as making genuine connections with the guests, and in 1997 he set off to University of South Carolina to pursue a degree in Hotel, Restaurant, and Tourism Management with a specialization in Private Club Management. After graduating in 2001, Jacob moved to Palm Beach to manage private clubs along the east coast before moving to Chicago in 2004, where he worked at the Four Seasons and Fairmont Hotels for the following four years.

Looking for an opportunity to grow and increase his skill set, Jacob joined Lettuce Entertain You in 2008 as a Captain at L2O. Over the next decade, Jacob held various roles such as Dining Room Director at L2O, Wine Director at Everest and was the opening General Manager at Paris Club Bistro and Bar. In 2021, Jacob joined the team as General Manager of Mediterranean restaurant Ēma in River North, and after a year was named Director of Operations of both Ēma and its sister restaurant, Aba. Most recently, Jacob led the opening of Ēma’s second location in Glenview in September 2024 and is now proud to be an Associate Partner. Jacob’s favorite part of the job is getting to know the guests, and making sure each dining experience is a memorable one.

In his free time, Jacob enjoys researching future travel destinations with his wife, and taking advantage of all the exciting outdoor activities Chicago has to offer during the summer.

Julie Novack

CEO and Co-Founder
PartySlate
Mentor in 2016

Julie Novack is the CEO and Co-Founder of PartySlate, a premier photo-rich marketplace connecting people planning events with top-tier planners, venues, and vendors.

With over 20 years of digital marketing experience working with some of the world’s most renowned brands, Julie has channeled her expertise into transforming the events industry.

Since founding PartySlate 9 years ago, over 30,000 of the nation’s leading event professionals and venues have showcased over 2.5 million event photos and videos through stunning, content-rich profiles. PartySlate has become a cornerstone of the industry, empowering professionals to highlight exceptional work across weddings, corporate events, mitzvahs, galas, and milestone celebrations.

Adam DeWitt

Former CEO
Grubhub, Inc.
Mentor in 2015, 2016

Adam DeWitt was the Chief Executive Officer of Grubhub, Inc., an on-demand food delivery platform, where he led all functions of the U.S. business from June 2021 to May 2023. Prior to this role, Mr. DeWitt was Grubhub’s President (from 2018) and Chief Financial Officer (from 2011). During his tenure, Grubhub’s annual revenues grew from $20 million to more than $2 billion, and he led the company through its initial public offering in 2014 as well as multiple mergers and acquisitions.

Before joining Grubhub, Mr. DeWitt was the Chief Financial Officer of optionsXpress Holdings, Inc. Mr. DeWitt serves on the board of directors of RB Global Inc. (NYSE: RBA), the leading global marketplace for commercial assets and vehicles and Treehouse Foods (NYSE: THS), a leading private label food manufacturer. He is the chair of the audit committees at RB Global Inc and Treehouse Foods.

He is also a member of the board of directors of Shipbob, a leading fulfillment provider for direct to consumer brands, The Joffrey Ballet and the Bernard Zell Anshe Emet Day School. Mr. DeWitt holds an A.B. in Economics from Dartmouth College.

Doug Shabelman

CEO
Burns Entertainment
Mentor in 2022, 2023

Doug Shabelman is CEO of Burns Entertainment and has led the corporate and agency divisions for over 25 years as main liaison for clients including Unilever, Nissan, Coca-Cola, Constellation Brands, Crocs and many others. Doug has negotiated for endorsement, sponsorship and licensing rights campaigns with talent including Anne Hathaway, John Legend, Priyanka Chopra, Steph Curry, Scarlett Johannsson, Pierce Brosnan, Brie Larson and hundreds of others…

A magna cum laude graduate of Syracuse University’s SI Newhouse School of Communications, Doug received his Juris Doctorate from Chicago-Kent College of Law, and is fully licensed to practice law in Illinois. Doug lives in Chicago with his wife and two daughters, ages 18 and 21.

Chicago Night of Games 2025

ICRF Sandy Herzfeld Memorial Golf Outing 2025

Women of Action Brunch Honoring Lisa Manheim

Chicago Cuisine for a Cure 2025

Revolving Tables 2025

Run the 2025 United Airlines NYC Half with Team ICRF

Run the TCS New York City Marathon with Team Israel Cancer Research Fund

Tower of Hope Gala 2024

Cocktails for a Cure 2024

An Evening of Hope 2024

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