HPF Speaker Series: Colleen Callahan

PURCHASE TICKETS HERE

IDNR’s Vision for the Pullman State Historic Site

Colleen Callahan, Director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, will be presenting a brief description and updates regarding ongoing and future repairs, restorations, and improvements to the Pullman State Historic Site, including the Pullman Factory and Hotel Florence.

SPEAKER BIO: Colleen Callahan, of Kickapoo, Ill., began her appointment as director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources on March 1, 2019; she was confirmed by the Illinois Senate on April 12, 2019. Appointed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker in 2019, Callahan brings a wealth of professional and public service experience to the department. Prior to her appointment to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Callahan served as state director of Illinois’ Rural Development for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Appointed by President Barack Obama, Callahan managed a 20 percent reduction in staffing at Rural Development while, at the same time, generating a $1 billion increase in the Illinois loan portfolio. Callahan’s success as Illinois’ director for Rural Development led the agency to ask her to train other Rural Development state offices. A successful communicator, Callahan dedicated most of her professional career to agriculture communications, serving as the first female agribusiness director for WMBD Radio and Television in Peoria. Her 30-year career at WMBD led Callahan to the National Association of Farm Broadcasters, where she served as the first female president of the organization and was the first woman to be inducted into their Hall of Fame. Callahan earned a bachelor’s degree in agriculture communications from the University of Illinois. She and her husband, Dick, raise Angus cattle on their farm in Peoria County. Their daughter is Special Assistant United States Attorney & Cook County Assistant State’s Attorney.

—

Join Historic Pullman Foundation for its 2022 Speaker Series, highlighting the history, neighborhood, culture, and monument of Pullman. The Speaker Series will take place the third Sunday of every month now through October.