Leadership
We believe creating impactful community programs occurs when you merge community needs with business objectives and engage employees in solutions.
Steve Solomon, Principal
Steve has extensive experience in building and implementing successful community and employee engagement strategies and programs.
During his more than three decade career, with Exelon and ComEd, he created effective, impactful and award-winning community partnerships. In addition to leading Exelon’s corporate philanthropy and employee engagement programs, he was instrumental in establishing the Exelon Foundation and served as president from 2009-2020. In addition to Steve’s community-based work, he also managed the company’s advertising, corporate communications and The Power House, a hands-on energy museum.
Steve co-led Exelon’s corporate relations integration efforts for three successful mergers and through those efforts, helped build one of the strongest community relations programs in the energy industry. The Civic 50, an initiative of Points of Light, recognized Exelon as one of the most 50 community-minded companies in the nation and the utility sector leader.
After retiring from Exelon, he worked at PJH & Associates and most recently was the interim director of development at Chicago Shakespeare Theater.
He serves on the board of directors of Chicago Shakespeare Theater (executive committee member, past board chair and past development committee chair) and the National Energy Education Development Project. Previous volunteer leadership experience included: ADA Advancing Leadership, Chicago Children’s Museum, Chicago History Museum, Chicago High School for the Arts, Ingenuity’s Creative Schools Fund, Morton Arboretum, Rowe-Clark Math & Science Academy, Shedd Aquarium, and United Way of Metro Chicago. He was also appointed by the Governor of Illinois to Serve Illinois, a 40-member bipartisan commission with the mission to improve Illinois communities by enhancing traditional volunteer service.
Steve holds a B. S. in Communications from Illinois State University. He has received numerous awards including the Association of Fundraising Professionals Corporate Grantor Award.
Diane Whatton, Principal
Diane has significant professional experience in banking, strategic philanthropy and nonprofit management.
As the head of Community Giving for BMO, Diane led the bank’s philanthropic strategy, governance and program implementation across the U.S. where she established, developed and maintained meaningful strategic relationships, strengthening the bank’s presence in communities and increasing its brand reputation. Following several bank acquisitions, Diane led the integration of community partnerships and staff, ensuring a seamless transition and continued success supporting local communities and employee engagement.
Prior to her tenure in community relations, Diane worked in BMO’s Commercial Bank in Cash Management sales, focused on selling products and systems to corporate clients in multiple industries to help them better manage day-to-day cash flow and short-term investment management strategies.
Diane is currently a board member of Lookingglass Theatre Company. As Board Chair she led the 35+ year old Company through an unprecedented transformation, which included spearheading a new strategic business model focused on fundraising strategies, new revenue streams, and new leadership, all aimed to position the company for future sustainability.
She is a member of the National Trustees Council for the Theatre Communications Group. She is recognized as a distinguished leader and received the Chicago United’s Benefactor Award for her leadership in advancing equity within the bank and the greater Chicagoland community.
Diane’s prior Board leadership includes Youth Guidance and Arts Alliance Illinois. She was invited to be a committee member for the City’s 2019 Year of Chicago Theatre and the Mayor’s convenings following the pandemic, which focused on revitalizing Chicago theater and the performing arts. Diane holds a B.A. in Economics from Northwestern University and is a graduate of the Second City Conservatory.