John J. Conroy Jr. to Serve as Board President

John J. Conroy, Jr., immediate past Chairman of Baker & McKenzie and current Head of the Firm's Global Strategic Initiatives, will lead the board of Chicago's Midtown Educational Foundation (MEF).

"I am honored to serve as Board President," said Conroy. "The Midtown Educational Foundation is truly a unique organization with its focus on fostering character in young people through fundamental values, scholastic achievement and parent engagement. This is an exciting time for the MEF, and I look forward to working with the board, our excellent staff and our entire volunteer team to take the organization to new heights and help more children in need."

MEF operates the Midtown Center for boys, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, and the Metro Achievement Center for girls, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary. The combined enrollment of the two facilities is 1,000.

"MEF targets the often forgotten students of average ability who come from impoverished circumstances. Our tutors are there for them after school each day and through a full-time summer program," noted Conroy. "We also believe in working closely with parents, as effective support at home is critical to helping students achieve their full potential."

In 2014, MEF celebrated a 100% high school graduation rate and 100% college enrollment of its students, marking the 15th consecutive MEF Senior Class to achieve that distinction. Of more than 900 MEF alumni surveyed in 2013, 91% are still in college or are college graduates.

"The MEF approach has been repeatedly recognized as a model for helping at-risk youth," said Conroy. "As our two centers celebrate important milestones this year, I'm confident that MEF will continue to enhance the lives of youth in Chicago for decades to come."

About John J. Conroy, Jr.
John J. Conroy, Jr. is the Head of Baker & McKenzie's Global Strategic Initiatives. He is the immediate past Chairman of the firm's global Executive Committee. While Chairman, Conroy spearheaded Baker & McKenzie's Corporate Social Responsibility Program which promotes pro bono and community service, diversity and inclusion, and environmental sustainability.

An accomplished international banking and finance lawyer, Mr. Conroy has demonstrated a career-long commitment to initiatives that address critical societal issues, including access to justice, human rights, diversity, and environmental stewardship. He also serves on the boards of the Executives' Club of Chicago, the Pro Bono Institute, Northwestern University School of Law, the International Organization for Migration, and the Thomson Reuters Foundation, among other civic and charitable leadership roles.

Mr. Conroy is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame, the Northwestern University School of Law, the Université de Strasbourg and the Université Catholique de l'Quest.