Cory Thames

For the last decade, native Chicagoan Cory L. Thames has worked tirelessly to bring about positive change to the city he has called home for his entire life - Chicago. With a career heavily rooted in the government and nonprofit spheres, Cory remains focused on empowering and bridging marginalized communities by using his experiences to create opportunities for those in need.

Currently, Cory serves as Chief Engagement Officer for the Business Leadership Council (BLC) - Chicago’s premier association of African American entrepreneurs and senior executives. The goal of the BLC is to help cultivate opportunities to create generational wealth and grassroots economic development within the African American community. Through strategic partnerships, convenings, advocacy, and support for innovative initiatives, Thames is responsible for implementing programming strategies that carry out the BLC’s mission and vision.

Most recently, Cory served as Deputy Commissioner for the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) where he led the Intergovernmental Affairs and Community Engagement divisions for one of the City of Chicago’s largest departments. Prior to CDA, Cory served as Deputy Director of Community Engagement for the Obama Foundation helping to lead efforts to bring the Obama Presidential Center to the south side of Chicago. Before that, he held multiple roles across the government and nonprofit sectors including Deputy Chief Operating Officer for the City Clerk of Chicago, Assistant to the Mayor for Government Affairs under Mayor Rahm Emanuel, and as Associate Director with Mentor Illinois.