Today, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation is pleased to name Tom Wilson to a three-year term as its board chair. Wilson, who is chair, president and CEO of The Allstate Corporation, succeeds William G. Little, chairman of Quam-Nichols Company.
“I’ve had the privilege of working alongside and learning from Tom for many years and continue to be impressed by the sense of purpose and passion he brings to everything he does,” said Suzanne P. Clark, president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. “At a time when our world faces unprecedented challenges that demand bold solutions and fearless thinking, the work we do at the U.S. Chamber and Chamber Foundation is more meaningful and urgent than ever before. Tom’s skills and experience make him the right leader to help us seize this moment and create a better future for all Americans.”
“Tom leads organizations and people through growth and transformation, and he leads national conversations on the role of business in society,” said Carolyn Cawley, president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. “The pandemic elevated the mission of the Foundation in ways we would not have thought possible. We are making a difference in communities in all 50 states, and we now count our audiences in the millions here and abroad. That work is far from over. As we start a bold new chapter in the Foundation’s growth story, we welcome Tom’s purpose-driven leadership and his vision for impact. We are fortunate that he is choosing to share his valuable time and expertise to further our mission.”
Wilson has been CEO of Allstate since 2007 and became chair of The Allstate Corporation’s Board of Directors in 2008. Under his leadership, the corporation weathered the global financial crisis and a significant increase in severe storms to become a model for corporations of the future. Allstate is delivering strong returns for shareholders while leading the industry with digital protection solutions and customer-centric innovations and improving communities.
“Businesses have the resources, relationships and innovation to improve communities, enhance equity and create positive change in society,” said Wilson. “While companies do a lot, we must do more to remove barriers to prosperity and advance economic well-being for all Americans. Reducing financial fragility will require systemic solutions and an inclusive, equitable economic recovery. I’m honored to be asked to help the U.S. Chamber Foundation advance creative solutions to society’s challenges.”
Wilson holds active leadership positions in the financial services industry and the community. He is a director on the executive committee of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, a trustee of Rush University Medical Center, on the board of P33, a civic initiative focused on accelerating Chicago’s leadership in the digital economy, and co-leads the Chicago efforts of OneTen, a corporate initiative to upskill, hire and promote one million Black Americans into family-sustaining jobs over the next 10 years.
During Wilson’s tenure as chair of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors (2017-19), the organization enhanced its long-term sustainability and impact by clarifying its purpose, strengthening its influence through bipartisan coalitions and creating the Chamber Forward fund. Wilson also led the succession planning process when former U.S. Chamber CEO Tom Donohue announced his plans to retire, culminating in Suzanne Clark being named CEO in 2021. He has previously served as chair of the Property and Casualty CEO Roundtable, chair of the Financial Services Roundtable and deputy chair of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, a director of State Street Corporation and co-founded Get IN Chicago, a public-private partnership to reduce violence among youth. Wilson’s views on the financial services industry and the role of business have been published in The New York Times, The Washington Post and CNN.com.