On International Women’s Day, observed internationally on March 8th, we celebrate women’s achievements across social, economic, cultural, and political spheres. In honor of this special day, we’ve chosen to spotlight powerful women making an impact behind the scenes, helping to create unique experiences in our city. Chicago, renowned for its vibrant cultural scene, consistently hosts remarkable festivals, art shows, and captivating exhibitions.
With Chicago offering a plethora of exciting exhibitions and remarkable experiences this year, we’ve delved deeper into the individuals behind some of the city’s most significant and noteworthy happenings. From a curator elevating world-renowned photographer Steve McCurry to international acclaim to a certified Sommelier creating an impactful wine experience showcasing women who are pioneers in the wine world, let’s recognize these influential women in celebration of International Women’s Day. Get ready to be inspired to pursue your dreams, regardless of your industry.
Biba Giacchetti, Partner at Sudest57 | Curator of Steve McCurry’s ICONS exhibit currently in Chicago
Biba Giacchetti has made significant contributions to the art world since co-founding her company Sudest57 in Milan 22 years ago. Inspired by her mentor, the admired photographer Elliott Erwitt, Giacchetti has cultivated a career that spans the globe, focusing on projects dedicated to fine art photography. For over two decades, she has collaborated closely with photographer Steve McCurry, showcasing his most iconic works in cities worldwide. Currently, Steve McCurry’s ICONS Exhibition is on display at Loyola University Museum of Art (LUMA) in Chicago.
Describe your involvement with the Steve McCurry ICONS exhibit in Chicago.
Since 2005, I’ve focused on curating and organizing exhibitions. I’ve curated more than 80. Being Italian, I started with the most important museums in Italy, France, Spain, Switzerland…then Latin America and finally the United States. The Chicago project was made possible thanks to our partners at Sold Out, with whom we collaborate worldwide. Recently, extending to Australia. But Chicago was a special place for various reasons. My love for the city, where I’ve been many times, even during the unforgettable Bulls era; a city filled with great architecture, design, and art. But above all, because this was the first stop in the United States for McCurry’s exhibitions. We’re thrilled to have started right here.
What is your favorite thing about this exhibition overall?
Steve McCurry is the greatest storyteller of our time. He places the human being, their culture, and their existential condition at the center of his photography. He narrates the consequences of tragedies like wars, focusing his gaze on the most vulnerable and defenseless categories: children, civilians, even animals. The protagonists of his images exude dignity; we meet them to understand and respect them, even in the most difficult conditions they face. The protagonists of his images are proud, they impose themselves. In some cases, it almost seems like they are observing us.
This year’s International Women’s Day theme is ‘Inspire Inclusion’ – how does Steve McCurry’s ICONS exhibition celebrate diversity?
In his images, Steve McCurry seeks the trace of a possible preservation of diversity. He teaches us how being different can enrich us, make us unique, yet the narrative of his images demonstrates a fundamental identity of feelings, gestures. We are wonderfully different, maybe in the way we fish (I think of the image of Weligama) and fundamentally identical in the way we cradle our children.
What advice do you have for women who are interested in breaking into this industry?
The advice I always give to all my young lady friends is this:
Follow your passion. Ignore those who only talk about difficulties. Stay true to your path, listen to everyone, it’s important, but don’t pay attention to anyone. Think with your own mind. In essence: DON’T BE AFRAID.
Nancy Villafranca-Guzman, Deputy Commissioner, Programming Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events for the City of Chicago and Co-founder of Raíces Chicago
Nancy Villafranca-Guzman’s connection to Chicago’s cultural fabric runs deep. It all began in high school when she started to work at the National Museum of Mexican Art in Pilsen, eventually taking charge of the education department’s programming. Today, as the Deputy Commissioner of Programming at the Department of Chicago’s Cultural Affairs & Special Events sector, she spearheads some of the city’s most beloved events and exhibitions, including Taste of Chicago, World Music Festival Chicago, and cultural happenings at the Chicago Cultural Center for the last two and a half years. She’s also one of the visionaries behind Raíces Chicago, a company dedicated to spotlighting Chicago’s Latine/x communities within museums and cultural institutions, ensuring their voices are not only heard but celebrated.
What was the catalyst for starting Raíces Chicago!
Raíces Chicago came about as I was wrapping up a second master’s degree in Museum and Exhibition Studies at the University of Illinois at Chicago, while working at the Chicago History Museum. As I was doing my own research on Latine/x archives in the city, I realized that the state of those archives were scattered, under-documented, and not easily discoverable. I turned my attention to assessing the possibility of a network to connect existing archival collections and supporting cultural organizations in their community archiving efforts.
After an initial assessment and collaborating with other colleagues and cultural workers, we knew that this work was much needed. This is how Raíces was born! We were responding to the absence of Latine/x stories in the archives and Chicago’s historical narrative overall, and now we are excited to work towards increasing the visibility and access to the stories we can tell through archives, collections and programs!
What are some of the newest spring and summer programming in Chicago that you are most excited about this year?
This summer, I am really excited about the 20th anniversary of Millennium Park, one of our main city attractions. Our team will be putting together an amazing anniversary weekend celebration to share many of the sounds and cultures representing Chicago, including Latine music, classical music, hip hop, house music and many more of Chicago’s amazing artists and cultural organizations.
What is your favorite thing about working for Chicago’s event sector?
I love that Chicago has many wonderful musical genres that are unique to our city because it gives credit to the amazing creativity of artists in our city. I also love that the music of Chicago also represents the music of the world because of its great cultural diversity. I feel truly blessed to see young artists of all disciplines create such amazing work and then playing a role in supporting artists in presenting their work with the public.
Chicago Cultural Center, Michigan Avenue Galleries, 1st Floor East until March 10, 2024
Any advice for women who are interested in breaking into this industry?
Something I learned along the way is that listening is a great skill that can help one create programs that resonate with audiences. Collaborating with colleagues, fellow artists and cultural workers and being attuned to community interests and needs is also critical. Once this is all in place, one then needs to be bold in pursuing those great ideas that were born out of listening and collaboration!
Becca Malech, Project Manager of Candlelight, Midwest & Central Regions
Candlelight, an enchanting event concept that has been captivating audiences with top musicians and thousands of flickering candles since 2019, can now be experienced in over 100 cities worldwide, thanks to the efforts of tech and events company Fever. Becca joined the company’s Chicago team in 2021, bringing with her a background in the non-profit sector. Thrilled to pivot her focus to classical music events, Becca’s lifelong love affair with classical music—instilled by her grandmother—inspires her work with Candlelight. The company has successfully introduced classical music to a younger audience through these concerts, which feature every musical genre, so there’s something for everyone. She began by overseeing just two cities and now manages events in 15 cities across the Midwest region, illuminating venues with these enriching musical experiences.
What do you love most about Candlelight?
Every day, seeing Candlelight events come together in unique venues and witnessing guests experience the magic of the music and ambiance brings me incredible joy and motivates me to always give my best. It’s truly amazing to watch guests encounter Candlelight for the first time! I take delight in selecting venues that guests may have known existed in their city but never had the chance to see before. It also can be hard to capture the full candlelit effect in photos, so being able to provide such a uniquely magical environment for people to escape from the everyday and listen to soul-stirring music is incredibly fulfilling.
As your team is working on outdoor concert experiences for spring and summer, what do you look for in these venues?
While the weather can prove challenging for outdoor events, the opportunity to enjoy a beautiful Midwest summer at a concert makes it all worthwhile! A starlit night sky adds another dimension to Candlelight, especially in awe-inspiring venue locations such as on the stairs of Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry building or on the shore of Lake St. Clair at The War Memorial in Detroit. When selecting outdoor venues, we always strive to find a wow factor, such as unique architecture or a city skyline, to enhance the experience.
How does Candlelight speak to this year’s International Women’s Day theme – all about celebrating diversity?
Working with the Candlelight team has provided the opportunity to interact with a diverse group of people across the globe. Our team is led by incredible women with different backgrounds and experiences from various countries. Everyone brings their unique perspectives, enriching both our events and team dynamics. We also highlight music from female artists and work with talented female musicians in each city we are in. Being able to highlight them is one of my favorite parts of the job. The diversity we enjoy as a team is definitely translated into our events, full of exciting ideas and fresh perspectives.
Any advice for women in Chicago who are interested in breaking into this industry?
Don’t be afraid to confidently speak your mind and share your opinions! And if you aren’t at a company that values that, try to find one that does. I haven’t always worked in places where my perspectives and contributions were valued. It took me some time to realize there are teams who welcome strong passionate women with open arms. You have so much to give, so keep sharing those crazy exciting ideas and see what happens, you just might be surprised.
Olivia Noren, Certified Sommelier behind Sofitel’s recent ‘Women in Wine’ dinner
With over two decades of experience in the restaurant and hotel industry, including a decade specializing in wine, there’s no doubt that Olivia Noren is a seasoned expert in her field. After serving as an in-house Sommelier and food and beverage coordinator at Sofitel Chicago, Olivia now channels her passion for wine into her role at Breakthru Beverage, focusing on wine sales and education. As a certified sommelier in a male-dominated field, she brings a unique perspective to her work. Notably, she collaborates with Sofitel on their highly anticipated 2024 Dinner Series, curating events like the ‘Women in Wine’ dinner, which celebrates the remarkable female trailblazers in the wine industry highlighting women owned wineries.
This year’s International Women’s Day theme is all about inspiring inclusion. How do these upcoming wine experiences at Sofitel celebrate diversity?
I strongly believe in and fight for everyone to get their fair share of opportunity in this life. The world of wine is a microcosm of all the industries that have a gatekeeper mindset against any minorities who try to join them and strive to reach the top. Serving wine is about the story behind the glass—we will hear the stories of incredible women who were able to become top winemakers and successful business owners despite the setbacks they faced. Trumpeting these achievements inspires someone else to let someone in or push themselves past the obstacles they face. Like when little Olivia met her first female sommelier, twenty years ago, and thought, “I want to do that!”
What do you love most about your job when it comes to creating impactful events centered around wine?
I am a deep thinker and often wonder, “what is it all for?” I believe in community and coming together to show support. At events like this you never know who you will meet, what connection you will make, and where that will lead to you next. Plus wine and food is one of the things that makes life great.
Any advice for women who are interested in breaking into this male-dominated industry?
Confidence is key. It’s easy to be intimidated by the person who talks the loudest or takes up the most space. It no longer shocks me that those people are actually overcompensating for their lack of knowledge and skills. In terms of promotions, you never get what you don’t ask for and always ask for more money than you think you should. Be grateful for everyone who made the path in this field easier for you but also know that there is still a long way to go. Network as much as you can to find people that will support you and you can share your experiences with.