Tony Gambell and UL Solutions Receive 2025 Chicagoland Habitat Hero Awards

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JUNE 13: (L-R) Meena Beyers, Vice President, Business & Community Development at Nicor Gas, presents the 2025 Habitat Hero Award to Jennifer Scanlon, President & CEO on behalf of UL Solutions during the tenth annual dinner held June 12 at the Four Seasons Hotel Chicago.

10th annual Habitat Hero event raises over $1.1 million to build and repair affordable homes

CHICAGO (June 17, 2025) — Chicagoland Habitat for Humanity honored Tony Gambell, Partner, McKinsey & Company, and UL Solutions on June 12th at its tenth annual Habitat Hero Award Dinner, recognizing their contributions to Habitat for Humanity’s mission in the Chicagoland region.

Nearly 400 supporters gathered at the Four Seasons Hotel Chicago to toast the honorees and help celebrate the heroes that help Habitat for Humanity build strength, stability, and self-reliance through shelter. WGN anchor Micah Materre returned as master of ceremonies for the event. “The theme of this evening – “Home Sweet Home” – is more than just a phrase. It speaks to the heart of what Habitat does every single day.”

“It gives me great solace to know that many stand with Habitat in working toward sustainable and affordable housing for all,” said Kimberly Chase Harding, Esq., Broker Owner of KCH Team, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices. “We are especially grateful to our corporate, foundation, and individual sponsors whose generous support and volunteer engagement make it possible for Habitat to continue building and repairing homes for families in our communities.”

Kimberly served as co-chair of the event along with Alex Dadakis, Executive Vice President and Chief Business Operations and Innovation Officer, UL Solutions; Matt Gambs, Chief Impact Officer, Wintrust Financial Corporation; Srinivas Ramadath, Partner, Chicago, McKinsey & Company; and Anthony Scattone, Deputy Chief People Officer, Aon.

For 40 years, Habitat for Humanity has had a local presence in the Chicago area across Cook, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will Counties. Chicagoland Habitat is a support organization to five local Habitat affiliates across seven counties, helping to raise awareness, supporting capacity building, and providing resources.

UL Solutions was honored for partnering with Habitat for Humanity through volunteer efforts and charitable contributions that fund employee build days. For more than 15 years, the company has been active with multiple affiliates in the Chicagoland area. “Whether it’s renovating a historic house in Elgin with Habitat of Northern Fox Valley or working on a new build in North Chicago with the Lake-McHenry affiliate, our team is so proud to be there to help bring your mission to life,” said Jennifer Scanlon, President & CEO of UL Solutions. “And I’m excited to say, we’re going to keep it rolling.”

Tony Gambell, Partner, McKinsey & Company, was celebrated for being a champion of Habitat for Humanity for over 25 years – volunteering to build houses in the U.S., Mexico, and Costa Rica, supporting Habitat’s Gulf Coast disaster recovery as a McKinsey consultant, and joining the first full board of the newly expanded Chicagoland Habitat for Humanity. Tony stated, “I’ve found purpose in solving problems for Habitat. I’ve found joy in solving problems for Habitat. And I’m fortunate to work for a firm that prioritizes solving the world’s biggest problems.”

In a special video message, Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International, congratulated both honorees for their unwavering commitment to affordable housing. “Today, we’re facing some of the toughest housing challenges in our history,” Reckford said. “Rising costs, complex regulations, and other obstacles have made this the most expensive time ever to build affordable housing.” His message underscored the urgent need for innovative partnerships and dedicated advocates like Tony and UL Solutions, who are making a tangible difference in their communities.

The evening featured a video of Robin, a widow and proud U.S. Army veteran who now has newly-repaired, safe home where she can live comfortably for years to come – thanks to the Critical Home Repair program at Lake-McHenry Habitat for Humanity. The event was capped off by a paddle auction that raised over $100,000 to support Habitat for Humanity in the region.

Sponsors include Wesco International (Presenting Sponsor); Edwardson Family Foundation (Region Builder); Ted and Ann Dosch, Aaron and Mona Erter, Chris and Carmela Griffin, Nicor Gas, USG, and Wintrust Mortgage (Community Builders); Tony and Karin Gambell, James Hardie, McKinsey & Company, UL Solutions, and Wintrust Financial (Neighborhood Builders); Nancy and J.C. Anderson, Aon, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Chicago, Busey Bank, Melissa and Alex Dorko, The Eck Family Foundation, Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago, Paul and Mary Finnegan, Bill and Anne Marie Geary, ITW, Chuck and Judy Murphy, Ashlee and Nathan Pforr, Ric and Kathleen Phillips, Scott and Angel Ramsbottom, and Anthony and Leslie Scattone (Home Builders); and John and Carol Sue Andreasen, Dru and Bill Bergman, Meena and Lew Beyers, Chicago Association of REALTORS® Foundation, Steve and Cindy Cruise, Bill and Kim Galvin, Informative Research, Martina Keller and Don McLellan Family, Srinivas and Ashwini Ramadath, Selden Fox, Ltd., Kristin and Jeff Slavish, The Denise and Rod Smith Charitable Trust, Bill and Carol Standish, and Sarah Brachle Wagner and Chris Wagner (Family Builders). Special thanks to Vosges Haut-Chocolat for their generous donation of our sweet centerpieces and chocolates.

For more information, visit www.chicagolandhabitat.org/habitathero. #HabitatHero #HomeSweetHome

About Chicagoland Habitat for Humanity

Chicagoland Habitat for Humanity was created as a support organization for Habitat for Humanity affiliates in the Chicagoland area, with a goal of significantly increasing the number of families served in the Chicagoland region. Habitat is committed to creating opportunities for individuals and families to thrive; to revitalizing neighborhoods and building communities; and to helping transform generations through home ownership. We do this by making housing affordable to hardworking people without access to conventional financing and offer individuals a hand up, fueled by our belief in dignity, self-sufficiency, collaboration, and hope. To learn more, visit chicagolandhabitat.org.