Jean de St. Aubin did a tremendous job leading the Chicago Loop Alliance in 2021 and 2022 as our board chair. Her leadership, professional demeanor and ability to connect with all people were important to the success of our organization. As chair, she was the catalyst for many of CLA’s community and economic development initiatives throughout the pandemic. Examples of her leadership include the highly acclaimed Sundays on State and the recently completed Loop Resident Economic Impact Study.

Jean St. Aubin is a gifted communicator, and working with her is effortless. Warm, insightful, and whip smart, Jean skillfully led the Gene Siskel Advisory Board with aplomb for many years. She's a joy to work with and one of the kindest souls you'll ever meet! I feel blessed to know her.

Jean worked tirelessly to get me the resources I needed and demonstrated what a bureaucratic ninja does to navigate hoops and obstacles in a large hierarchical situation to nurture creativity and community. I would not be the art leader, the facilitator, and the creative person I am today if not for the example and experience I had with Jean de St. Aubin.

Jean was our fearless leader for two decades and shaped the Film Center into what it is today: a world-class art house cinema that's inclusive and welcoming and strives to reflect Chicago’s diverse community. Jean is a "people person" as well as a cinephile, and we thank her for the many relationships and partnerships she established and nurtured as she worked tirelessly on our behalf.

During her time at the Film Center, Jean championed festivals to spotlight diverse films and directors while growing audiences and engaging community leaders, increased membership, and steered the Film Center through the COVID-19 pandemic, pivoting to streaming films and launching a virtual discussion series.