- 2022 Jessica Sarowitz
- 2021 Carrie Hightman, Retired Executive Vice President & Chief Legal Officer at NiSource Inc.
- 2020 Lei Z. Schlitz, Executive Vice President at ITW Automotive Group ITW Automotive
- 2019 Kelly Grier, EY US Chairman and Managing Partner, Americas Managing Partner
- 2018 Karen Case, Executive Managing Director and President, US Commercial Real Estate for CIBC
- 2017 Cheryl Burton, Anchor, ABT7 Chicago
- 2016 Wendy Davidson, President, U.S. Specialty Channels, Kellogg Company
- 2015 Ilene Gordon, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Ingredion Incorporated
- 2014 Maria Green, Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, Illinois Tool Works
- 2013 Patricia Hemingway Hall, President and Chief Executive Officer, BlueCross Blue Shield Illinois/HCS
- 2012 Anne R. Pramaggiore, President and Chief Operating Officer, ComEd
- 2011 Doris Christopher, Founder and Chairman Emeritus, The Pampered Chef
- 2010 Mellody Hobson, Ariel Investments
- 2009 Connie Lindsey, Executive Vice President, The Northern Trust Company
- 2008 Ellen Costello, Chief Executive Officer, Harris Bankcorp, Inc.
- 2007 Brenda Barnes, Chairman & CEO, Sara Lee Corporation
- 2006 Cathy Coughlin, President & CEO, AT & T Midwest
- 2005 Andrea Zopp, Senior Vice President and General Counsel, Sears, Roebuck and Co.
- 2004 Emily L. Barr, President and General Manager of ABC 7 Chicago
- 2003 Ellen Carnahan, William Blair Capital Partners, L.L.C.
- 2002 Pamela B. Strobel, Exelon Corporation
- 2001 Deborah L. DeHaas, Arthur Andersen
- 2001 Betsy D. Holden, Kraft Foods, Inc.
- 2000 Renee S. Crown
- 1999 Sheila A. Penrose, The Northern Trust Company
- 1998 Jane J. Thompson, Sears, Roebuck and Co.
- 1997 Judith A. Sprieser, Sara Lee Corporation
- 1996 Kathleen G. Murray, Northwestern Memorial Hospital
- 1995 Jewel Lafontant-Mankarious
- 1993 Honorable Lynn Martin
- 1992 Debora de Hoyos, Mayer, Brown & Platt
- 1991 Honorable James R. Thompson
