Rita Athas
Term Expires: January 15, 2029
Member - Academic Affairs, Student Affairs and Personnel Committee
Member - Finance, Audit, Compliance, Facilities and Operations Committee
Vice Chair - Research and Innovation, Legal and Legislative Affairs Committee
Office Address
Board of Trustees
Northern Illinois University
Altgeld Hall 300
DeKalb, IL 60115
815-753-1273
rathas@niu.edu
Professional Experience
- Senior Advisor, World Business Chicago
- President/CEO, World Business Chicago
- Deputy Chief of Staff, Office of the Mayor, City of Chicago
- Executive Director, Northwest Municipal Conference
Education
- Master’s degree, Northern Illinois University, Public Administration
- Bachelor’s degree, Elmhurst College
Selected Leadership and Public Service
- NIU Alumni Association, advocacy committee chair 2018-19
- NIU Alumni Association, vice president 2013-18
- Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) vice president 2013-21
- World Business Chicago Board of Directors 2013-present, ex-officio
- Chicago Sister Cities International 2014-present
- Past Great Lakes commissioner
- Past Metropolitan Mayors Caucus secretary
- Past Great Lakes Cities Initiative treasurer
- Past Chicago NATO Summit host committee
- Past board of directors, Chicago Metropolis 2020
Selected Awards and Recognitions
- NIU Distinguished Alumni Award, 2012
- NIU Alumni Award, College of Liberal Arts and Science, 2012
- Honorary Doctor of Law Degree, Elmhurst College, 2012
- Leadership Greater Chicago Fellow