Northeastern Illinois University’s Board of Trustees unanimously elected J. Todd Phillips as its new chair and Anna Meresidis as its secretary during their meeting held on Feb. 15, 2024.
Phillips fills the role previously held by José Rico, who stepped down from the Board effective Jan. 29, 2024. Meresidis fills the role of secretary, previously held by Phillips.
Phillips was appointed to the Board of Trustees by Gov. J.B. Pritzker in January 2023. He is the CEO of Parson Partners, a business strategy and transformation consulting firm that he founded 11 years ago, after nearly 20 years in various executive roles in corporate America. Phillips has been an active member of the Northeastern community for the last 11 years, having served on the NEIU Foundation Board from 2014 through 2022, teaching as an adjunct professor, and chairing the Executive Advisory Council for the College of Business and Technology from 2013 to 2017.
“NEIU is truly an exceptional place to learn, teach and contribute to the success of so many future leaders,” Phillips said. “I am humbled to serve alongside such talented, dedicated and professionally qualified Board members. United by NEIU’s mission and our commitment to service, the Board wholeheartedly embraces the opportunities that lie ahead. We will continue to partner closely with the administration, faculty, students and the University community in the spirit of common vision and shared governance to propel the University forward."
Phillips will continue to serve as chair of the Board’s Finance, Buildings and Grounds Committee.
Meresidis, a partner and co-chair of the Corporate and Finance Practices at Jenner & Block, was appointed to the Board of Trustees by Pritzker in August 2023.
“I am honored to be a part of the NEIU community and serve in the role of secretary of the Board of Trustees,” Meresidis said. “I look forward to continuing to collaborate with my fellow Trustees and the students, faculty, staff and administration of NEIU in fostering the very best in learning, teaching and scholarship.”
She will continue to serve as chair of the Board’s Audit Committee.
J. Todd Phillips
Anna Meresidis
