She joins Korn Ferry from a leading global executive search firm, her focus is on senior level executive search at the CEO, COO, President and Board levels for multi-unit, consumer facing businesses. Sheila also leads the Korn Ferry Restaurant Sector; her experience includes both public and private- equity backed enterprises.

Prior to her executive search roles, Sheila served as President of the Illinois Restaurant Association. During her tenure she acted as trustee of the group’s educational foundation and founded Chicago Gourmet, recognized as one of the best- attended food and wine events in the nation.

Previously, Sheila served as Chief of Staff to Chicago’s Mayor Richard M. Daley, where she assisted in administering the City of Chicago’s $5 billion annual budget and managed nearly  40,000 employees across 40 city departments. Sheila also served, by mayoral appointment, on the interim board of the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority, tasked with recommending reform legislation to bolster the convention and tourism industry in Illinois.

Sheila serves on the board of the Big Shoulders Fund, is a member of the Women’s Foodservice  Forum, The Chicago Network and the Economic Club of Chicago. She was an invited  participant to the Aspen Institute Leadership program.

Sheila holds a bachelor’s degree in humanistic studies from Saint Mary’s College, a diploma from The London School of Economics and Political Science, and a law degree from the  University of Notre Dame.