Commission

Driving innovation through effective leadership

The IMDC continues to pursue the mission and vision that were set long ago: to develop into a thriving community anchored by healthcare.

Our approach

The IMDC Framework

The IMD is administered by the Illinois Medical District Commission (IMDC) — a seven-member board appointed by the Governor of Illinois, Cook County Board President, and Mayor of the City of Chicago — who were selected based on proven records of civic leadership. The IMDC is supported by staff who oversee day-to-day operations and work to achieve our strategic goals.

Mission

Support the IMD as a leader in patient care and medical research utilizing our diversity and unique assets while driving inclusive economic growth.

Vision

To be a catalyst for change, serving the greater good by bringing people and resources together to create value that no single entity can create alone.

Values

Compassion, collaboration, diversity, equity, inclusion, and creating transparency in the workplace.

Creating a distinctive,
welcoming community

The IMD is evolving into a community that continues to care for its patient population while welcoming new residents and visitors.

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Building trust through
open problem-solving

Creating alignment through open approaches to problem solving where like minds come together to support each other’s shared goals, and explore unique initiatives.

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Supporting healthcare
advancement and economic growth

Creating a medical district that supports startups, biotech, and the overall needs of the healthcare community with community centered solutions that make the IMD a better place to live, work, learn and play.

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Fostering connection with
purposeful development

Creating a collaborative caring community that works together to advance our shared goals and make the IMD a better place to live, work, and play.

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Guiding Our Vision

Commissioners

Our Board of Commissioners brings distinguished leaders from diverse backgrounds in healthcare, law, government, architecture, and community service. These dedicated individuals provide strategic guidance and oversight to advance the IMD’s mission of fostering healthcare innovation, economic growth, and community wellbeing across our 560-acre campus.

Peter O’Brien

President

Michael Eaddy

Commissioner

Judy Frydland

Commissioner

Eleanor Gorski

Commissioner

Nicolas Guzman

Commissioner

Stephen Hackney

Commissioner

Ann Kalayil

Commissioner
Leading With Purpose

Leadership Team

The Illinois Medical District’s Leadership Team combines decades of healthcare administration experience with expertise in operations, legal affairs, real estate, and strategic communications. Under the direction of our CEO, Allyson Hansen, this talented group of executives works collaboratively to drive our vision of creating a world-class healthcare ecosystem that serves patients, supports research, and stimulates economic development.

Allyson Hansen

CEO & Executive Director

Cathy Kwiatkowski

Chief Operating Officer

Gina Oka

General Counsel

Chris Fahey

Director of Real Estate Operations

Noe Symonanis

Director of Marketing and Communications
Excellence in Action

Staff

The dedicated professionals on our staff are the backbone of the Illinois Medical District’s daily operations. From program management to accounting, IT infrastructure, to building operations, these skilled team members ensure the smooth functioning of our facilities and provide essential support services to our healthcare partners, researchers, and the populations we serve.

Nicole Vahl

Health and Science Program Manager

Karen Ewing

Executive Assistant to the CEO

Jeanne Cotini

Senior Accountant

Gabriel Magana

Director of IT

Judy Salgado

Legal Assistant

Corey Stringer

Operations Manager

Isiah Thomas

Building Engineer

Myo Win

Building Engineer
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CEO and Executive Director

Allyson Hansen

As the CEO & Executive Director of the Illinois Medical District (IMD), Allyson Hansen leads the District with responsibility for strategic planning, vision, growth and daily operations. She is also tasked with fostering relationships and collaboration among partners and stakeholders across the 560 acre healthcare ecosystem that includes four anchor medical institutions and more than 40 health-related facilities.Hansen developed expertise in planning and administering healthcare services across Chicago land at UChicago Medicine, Loyola Health System, UI Health and Advocate Health Care. Prior to joining the IMD, she was Managing Partner of The Red Penny Group, advising national healthcare systems, medical groups and investors on growth, integration, operations and strategic plans. Hansen holds a Master of Health Administration and Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of South Carolina, and is trained in Lean Six Sigma, change management and is a certified Patient Experience Professional.

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Commissioner

Ann Kalayil

Ann P. Kalayil serves as Associate Vice President of Facilities and Construction at Columbia College Chicago. Prior to joining Columbia College Chicago, Kalayil was the Bureau Chief at Cook County’s Bureau of Asset Management, where she oversaw over 600 staff, had an annual capital construction budget of $275 million, and an operational budget of $56 million. In 2011, Kalayil was appointed by President Obama as Regional Administrator of the Great Lakes Region in the U.S. General Services Administration. Kalayil holds a PhD in History from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, serves on numerous boards and is a Leadership Greater Chicago Fellow.

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Commissioner

Stephen Hackney

Stephen Hackney is a former trial lawyer and partner at the international law firm of Kirkland & Ellis. He graduated from Rice University in 1994 and The Law School at the University of Chicago in 1997. He is a current board member and former Chairman of the Board of LINK Unlimited, a Chicago-area non-profit focused on high school and college success for African-American youth.  He is also a board member of Connections for the Homeless, an Evanston non-profit. Steve and his wife Allison live in Evanston with their three daughters.

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Commissioner

Nicolas Guzman

Nicolas Guzman is a partner in the Government & Regulatory Affairs practice group at Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP. He advises clients on all aspects of international trade, specializing in trade issues with Mexico and Latin America. Nick is a lifelong Chicagoan and proudly serves several Chicago area community organizations. Nick is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame, B.A. (2006) and the Notre Dame Law School, J.D. (2009).

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Commissioner

Eleanor Gorski

Eleanor Esser Gorski serves as the CEO & President of the Chicago Architecture Center (CAC), a premier organization dedicated to celebrating and promoting Chicago as a global hub of architectural innovation and education. Since 2022, she has been leading the organization with a passionate commitment to design’s power in creating equitable communities. Gorski previously served as the Executive Director of the Cook County Land Bank Authority (CCLBA), where she led efforts to expand its inventory to create more affordable housing and economic opportunity partnerships within Cook County. Prior to leading the CCLBA, Gorski served as Director of Design and Planning for the University of Illinois at Chicago. From 2019 to 2020, Gorski led the City of Chicago Department of Planning and Development (DPD) as First Deputy Commissioner and Acting Commissioner. Gorski is a licensed architect with degrees in architecture, art history and history. Equity and community are central to her work, which integrates design, planning and historic preservation. Most important, she is a proud mom to two teenage boys and lives in the City of Chicago.

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Commissioner

Judy Frydland

Judy Frydland served as the Commissioner of Buildings for the City of Chicago from June 2015 to June 2020. Prior to joining the Department of Buildings, Ms. Frydland spent 25 years in the Chicago Law Department. Ms. Frydland graduated from I.I.T. Chicago Kent College of Law, was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1990 and is a current member of the Chicago Bar Association.

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Commissioner

Michael Eaddy

Michael Eaddy has been pastor of the People’s Church of the Harvest Church of God in Christ for the past 41 years. He also serves as Executive Director of the Peoples Community Development Association of Chicago, which operates as an affordable housing developer and offers an ex-offender re-entry program. Mr. Eaddy received his undergraduate education in Business Administration and Theology at the Chicago City Colleges & Moody Bible Institute, respectively. He holds a Doctorate of Ministry from the St. Thomas College and Seminary in Jacksonville, FL. He is married to Missionary Christine Eaddy, has 4 children and 8 grandchildren.

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President

Peter O’Brien

Peter O’Brien, Sr. is President and CEO of MADO Management, LP, a diversified family business in healthcare, residential and commercial leasing, and the O’Brien’s Restaurant group.

Peter has been on the forefront of statewide campaigns for mental healthcare advocacy, legislation, and reform and is a chief convener and sponsor of The Kennedy Forum Illinois, and Chairman of the Board. Peter has served on the Metropolitan Pier & Exposition Authority, the Illinois Development & Finance Authority, and as Chairman on the Capital Development Board of Illinois.