Celebrating an Exciting New Chapter for Aneesh Sohoni and OMD

JOIN US FOR THE 2025 RETURN ON IMPACT

EMPLOYER BREAKFAST

Thursday, September 11, 2025 |   7:30 a.m.  |  White City Ballroom – Chicago Athletic Association  |  12 S. Michigan Ave Chicago, IL 60603

REGISTER TODAY

LEARN how employers partner with OMD to find—and fuel—untapped talent.

Please join City Colleges of Chicago, OMD, and civic and business leaders as we delve into the workforce issues facing our businesses, students, and communities.

Featuring networking opportunities, panel discussions, and presentations, we’ll dive into the data, hear from industry-leading employers and scholars, and unpack what it really means to build a talent pipeline with purpose.

PLEASE REGISTER BY SEPTEMBER 1, 2025

HAVE YOUR BREAKFAST WITH A PURPOSE:

  • Explore the real recruitment and retention challenges facing industry-leading employers today—and how OMD partnerships are addressing them.

  • Hear real-world examples of how companies are leveraging mentorship and internships to develop future talent.

  • Learn how data-driven, work-based learning programs led by CCC and OMD deliver measurable returns—for students, communities, and corporations alike.

54148818607_ee00c4af6f_o
OMD_25-16215
54149993259_85eb20e791_o
54149957153_c06cce4626_o

Mentorship, coaching, and work-based learning aren’t just good for students—they’re a smart investment in your company’s future.

At the Return on Impact Employer Breakfast, you’ll learn how One Million Degrees is helping employers tackle real workforce issues through proven strategies like coaching, mentorship, and work-based learning.

We’ll share data, hear from corporate partners and scholars, and highlight what it looks like to build a talent pipeline that works for both business and community.

SPACE IS LIMITED - REGISTER TODAY
Blue Decorative figure of the letter m
David Scherer

David Scherer, Treasurer

One Million Degrees Co-founder 

David is principal of Origin, co-chairs the Investment Committee, and oversees investment analysis, acquisition and asset management. He has more than 20 years of experience in real estate investing, finance, and asset management. In 2006, he co-founded One Million Degrees, which has raised $20 million to help low-income community college students graduate and successfully enter the workforce. David has served as the organization’s Board Chair for the past 12 years, as the organization has grown from 30 to 1,000 students served per year. He also serves as the President of the Harvard Club of Chicago and is on the Advisory Board of Invest for Kids.  

Rose Lizarraga

Rose Lizarraga

OMD CO-Founder & President & CEO, Lysa LLC

An award-winning documentary filmmaker and freelance writer, Rose’s career also includes 10 years spent developing new product and brand strategies as well as marketing and advertising campaigns at Leo Burnett, Foote, Cone & Belding, M&M/Mars and other small businesses.  More recently, she worked as a writer/editor for Modern Luxury Inc., publishers of magazines such as CS and Angeleno.  Rose graduated from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor with dual degrees in English and Political Science.  She is a founding member of the Daniel M. Kerrane, Jr. Foundation, former Board Vice President of the Fairy Godmother Foundation, and currently serves on the Chicago committee for Human Rights Watch.

Michael B Golden

Michael B. Golden

One Million Degrees Co-Founder 

A former national award-winning broadcast journalist, Michael Golden has also served as a political campaign manager and communications strategist for U.S. Presidential, Senate and Congressional races. Michael is a fellow at the British-American Project and the Open Society Institute. In 1999, Michael’s investigative and public affairs reporting for NBC earned him honors from the Society of Professional Journalists, the AP, and the Edward R. Murrow Awards. In 2011, Michael co-founded Newsbound, Inc., a media and software company based in San Francisco, CA. He is also a co-founder of the Complete the Degree back-to-college initiative in Chicago, Illinois. Michael serves on the board of the ADL and on the governing board of the Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law, as well as the Illinois Commission to Eliminate Poverty. He received his B.A. from Indiana University, and his M.S. in Public Services Management from DePaul University.