For immediate release
Chicago, IL - November 6, 2024
CHICAGO – November 6, 2024 – Window To The World Communications, Inc. (WWCI), parent organization of WTTW and WFMT, announced the election of two new members of its Board of Trustees, each to three-year terms.
“We are pleased to welcome these talented professionals to our organization,” said WTTW and WFMT President & CEO Sandra Cordova Micek. “Both Pat and Gwen bring rich and varied experiences and perspectives, and their contributions will be invaluable as we advance our purpose to enrich lives, engage audiences, and inspire exploration.”
Patrick E. Cermak is President and Chief Operating Officer of Wight & Company, a family-owned design, engineering, and construction firm that he joined in 2001. In 2020 Pat was named an inductee to the exclusive Senior Fellows program with Design Futures Council (DFC), an industry leadership consortium. He was awarded the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, PAC Advocacy Champion Award, as well as the 2019 Signum Fidei Award from Lewis University. Most recently, Pat was awarded the 2024 March of Dimes, Construction and Transportation Awards, “Leadership in the Private Sector Award.” Pat’s current boards include University Club of Chicago; Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce; Cramer Center at Northern State University; and Design Futures Council. He is a member of Chicago Area Public Affairs Group (CAPAG); Chicago Central Area Committee (CCAC); and City Club of Chicago.
Gwen Cohen is the founder of BeeAttitudes, LLC, a consulting company she founded in 2023 after a 36-year career at Morgan Stanley where she served as Senior Vice President and Wealth Advisor. She is author of “Butterflies, Bees, and Bubbles” due for release in early 2025. Gwen has been the keynote speaker and facilitated workshops for a diverse range of companies and philanthropic organizations. She was featured in the Wall Street Journal, Ebony, and Black Enterprise magazines. She received the 2016 Maker’s Award, a project that celebrates women of accomplishment across multiple fields, and the 2019 Egretha Award for Financial Empowerment. Gwen’s current and recent board service includes the WTTW | WFMT Planned Giving Advisory Committee, where she has served for nearly 20 years; The Goodman Theatre’s Spotlight Society Advisory Council; Kellogg Alumni Council; Chicago Foundation for Women; Roosevelt University’s Chicago College of Performing Arts; and Admiral at the Lake Foundation.
“I am looking forward to working with Pat and Gwen, whose proven experience, expertise, and enthusiasm will be vital to WTTW and WFMT in the coming years,” said Board chair David Blowers. “We are excited to welcome them, along with the institutions they represent, to the Board of Trustees.”
Window To The World Communications, Inc. is the parent organization of WTTW and WFMT. WTTW is the PBS member station in Chicago, committed to producing and presenting unique media content across distinct television and digital channels – WTTW, WTTW Prime, WTTW Create, WTTW World, WTTW PBS Kids 24/7, wttw.com, and the PBS app. Recognized for award-winning journalism and local productions – such as Chicago Stories, Chicago Tonight, Chicago by ‘L’, digital-first series Firsthand and Urban Nature; and national productions Prehistoric Road Trip and Nature Cat – WTTW presents the very best in public affairs, arts and culture, nature and science, history and documentary, and children’s public media content. WFMT is one of the world’s most respected classical music radio stations, accessible via broadcast at 98.7FM, streaming live at wfmt.com, and on the WFMT app. Recognized for trusted hosted programming, immersive live performances and concerts, strong partnerships with community organizations and championing young, local musicians and access to the arts, WFMT spotlights inspiring music, musicians, and musical performances from Chicago and around the world including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Music of the Baroque, Lyric Opera of Chicago, the New York Philharmonic, and many more.
