Substance and style
PART IV OF A SERIES: CHICAGO WOMEN 30 & UNDER | Rising talents have the goods -- and the panache
Chicago is bursting with young talent. This week, we celebrate some of its brightest stars, women ages 30 and under. They couldn't wait to make their impact on the city -- and we can't wait to see what they'll do next.
(Jean Lachat/Sun-Times)
PHOTO GALLERY
Women to watch
Technically, she is a associate medical director for medical information services at Rush University Medical Center. But it's catchier to say "hot-shot neurology doc." Weathers figured she had no time to waste, completing her undergraduate studies in just three years, racking up honors and plenty of attention. She completed her neurology residency at Rush, where they won't let her go. She serves on various committees, presents research and will be involved in Rush's new electronic medical record system. Everybody say, "Aaah."
Sports executives don't get much cooler than Meyers, who is recruiting coach director at Chicago-based National Collegiate Scouting Association. They match college coaches with student athletes, and the rest is history. Meyers, a Chicago native, played ice hockey at Yale, attended developmental camps at the Olympic Training Center in Lake Placid, N.Y., and played pro hockey in Switzerland for a season. She keeps one skate in the game by coaching the Highland Park Falcons. With Meyers on your side, it's win-win.
Tea is the second-most-consumed beverage worldwide, Ginal will have you know. And as the marketing director at Argo Tea in Chicago, she knows the power of word-of-mouth and guerrilla marketing. Argo opened its first cafe across from a bustling Starbucks in Lincoln Park and never looked back. With degrees from Harvard and the University of Chicago, Ginal works to bring her product to women who are health-conscious and eco-friendly. MojiTea, anyone?
O'Brien isn't in style. She is style. In New York City, she worked for Donna Karan, throwing parties and styling clients such as Demi Moore, Iman and David Bowie. Back in the Midwest, she became the first national marketing director of Gen Art Chicago, the not-for-profit promoter of emerging artists in fashion, music, film and art. She was poached from Gen Art to become PR and marketing director for Michigan Avenue magazine, the latest glossy lifestyle bible from Jason Binn. It launches in September. And with O'Brien in charge, it will be required reading.
You can't communicate without language -- and Avila doesn't believe in learning just one. She's had stints at the Illinois Action for Children Public Policy & Advocacy Program and Chicago Coalition for the Homeless. Now she works at the Sinai Urban Health Institute as a research assistant, and plans to pursue a master's in public health. She puts her language skills to use advocating for Spanish speakers who need health care. Translation? Avila has one of the strongest voices you will ever hear.
You've tried cotton, silk and cashmere. Now Brinkmeyer would like you to try bamboo. She owns and operates the 100 percent eco-smart boutique Pivot in the West Loop, which opened last September. The Nebraska native is eco-aware in all aspects of the business, from the furniture to the flooring to the catering at her events. The most surprising things about the bamboo T-shirts and organic denim jeans? They're gorgeous. And comfortable. Brinkmeyer makes a "conscious wardrobe" seem awfully appealing.
