The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago has named Steve Edwards as its executive vice president for external affairs and civic engagement, effective Tuesday, Aug. 13.
In a news release Thursday, July 25, the bank said Mr. Edwards brings wide-ranging experience at mission-driven organizations to the newly created role.
As he leads civic engagement, community development and public affairs for the bank, Mr. Edwards will focus on the many ways the bank engages with the Chicago Fed’s Seventh District and the public. He also will serve as a member on its Executive Committee.
The Seventh Federal Reserve District encompasses Iowa and most of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin. It is part of the Federal Reserve System, which is made up of 12 regional Reserve Banks and the Board of Governors in Washington, D.C.
“Steve brings more than 25 years of leadership experience in media, communications, and strategy at mission-driven organizations. It’s fundamentally important for central banks to explain what we do, why we do it, and to partner with others to serve the public,” Chicago Fed President and CEO Austan Goolsbee said in the release announcing the appointment. “Bringing Steve onboard represents the start of an exciting new chapter at the Chicago Fed, and we are lucky to have him join us.”
Fed fosters opportunity
The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago works to foster economic opportunity by advancing a healthy economy and promoting a trusted financial system. It also supervises and regulates designated financial institutions, and provides financial services to depository institutions and the U.S. government.
Mr. Edwards comes to the bank from Koya Partners, where he has been a managing director for its executive search and Connected Leadership practices. Prior to that, he served as the chief content officer and interim chief executive of Chicago Public Media, which includes the city’s NPR station WBEZ, and as the executive director of the University of Chicago’s Institute of Politics.
Earlier in his career, Mr. Edwards was host of the award-winning daily radio programs The Afternoon Shift and Eight Forty-Eight on WBEZ. He also served as the station’s director of content development and acting program director. He is a graduate of Amherst College and was a Knight-Wallace Fellow at the University of Michigan.
Edwards’ record stellar
“Key to the work of the Chicago Fed is engaging with communities, businesses, and governments. Steve brings a stellar track record of leadership and collaboration,” said Jennifer Scanlon, president and CEO of UL Solutions Inc., who chairs the board of directors of the Chicago Fed.
“Steve is well known by civic, business, and community leaders throughout the region,” Juan Salgado, the chancellor of City Colleges of Chicago and the Chicago Fed board’s deputy chair, said of Mr. Edwards.
Mr. Salgado, who was involved in the search process that selected Mr. Edwards, added: “He brings a unique skill set and experience base to the Chicago Fed, combining professional excellence with genuine Midwest knowledge, vision, and values – a perfect fit for this district.”
