Unassigned
Cheeky: Congratulations on being one of our Top 10 Cheeky Chicks of the Year! What does being Cheeky mean to you?
Lindsay Avner: Being Cheeky means having personality, a zest for life and being a bit unexpected.
Cheeky: How does it feel to be chosen as the Cheeky Philanthropist?
LA: I was completely humbled and honored to learn I had been chosen as the Cheeky Philanthropist. I really am fortunate that everyday when I wake up, my job is to make sure young women nationwide do not develop breast/ovarian cancer, or if they do, that it is caught at a treatable, non life-threatening stage. I look up to Cheeky and feel blessed to have both Erica and Jessica in my life….as friends and sounding boards.
Cheeky: Tell us about what you do for a living?
LA: I guide the strategic direction and oversee the operations for Bright Pink, a national non-profit organization with an exclusive focus on the prevention and early detection of breast and ovarian cancer in high-risk young women. Each hour is different. One hour, I may be focused on developing a new program with a corporate partner, while the next I will have a meeting with three genetic counselors to work on the national expansion of our Breast/Ovarian Health 101 educational program. I touch all aspects of the organization (administrative, fundraising, programming) every day and one thing that I never am is bored!
Cheeky: What’s the best part of your job? The worst? The most stressful? The most exciting?
LA: The best part of my job is that I get to work with a dynamic team of passionate, dedicated individuals who continue to blow me away and inspire me to do more! Our staff, volunteers and the Bright Pink girls themselves are unmatched and give of themselves so fully and openly. I think one of the harder aspects of my job is that there are always so many balls in the air and everything moves at a mile-a-minute pace so there is always a lot to stay on top of and ensure nothing slips through the cracks. At the same time, it is what makes my job exciting, interesting and eager for more!
Cheeky: Who do you consider to be your role model?
LA: My role models are the high-risk young women we work to educate and support each day. So many of them have been through so much, whether it was losing a mother or sister to cancer or having one too many scares, and yet each embodies such strength, hope and brightness. They are not just focused on receiving the education and support we provide but helping others through their journeys, as well.
Cheeky: This city is chock-full-of activities/to-dos/events – are you involved with anything outside of your profession?
LA: I recently became involved with the Anti-Defamation League. They are doing some incredible things in the world of anti-semitism but also in the area of anti-bullying. I recently attended one of their seminars at New Trier High School called “Words Can Really Hurt You” where there was a facilitated anti-bullying training that included an open mic for both perpetrators and victims. It was eye-opening to see how brave and open the students were to stand up in front of hundreds of people and address their class with their deeply personal stories. The impact the program continues to have is tremendous and I am thrilled to be a part of the organization.
Cheeky: Now for some Cheeky questions! What’s your favorite restaurant in Chicago?
LA: Oh, that is a tough one because there are so many! But I think HUB51 is a great staple. I love that there is always good energy there, a great selection of food and it is located so centrally which makes it a great place for lunch or dinner meetings!
Cheeky: Favorite thing to do in the spring? Fall? Winter? Summer?
LA: Now that the weather is getting warmer and summer is here, I love heading up to Lincoln Park with my dog, Brinkley, a soft coated Wheaten Terrier. Living and working in River North, it can sometimes feel like we are within a concrete jungle, so it is nice to get a change in scenery and breathe the fresher air. In the summer, the street festivals are my favorite and winter/fall are such a great excuse to go to the movies!
Cheeky: And, last but not least, what is the cheekiest thing you’ve done this week?
LA: Last night, 3 friends and I went to a yoga sculpt class at CorePower Yoga. The class is hard – heated and with weights – but it was so nice to do something active first, before getting dinner to catch up vs. just enjoying the dinner part!
