Latin School of Chicago

22 For business professionals and entrepreneurs, donating services or advertising in Latin's auction book is both a marketing tool and a thank you to Latin parents, many of whom are their steadiest clients. "I'm always in the book," says luxury realtor Suzanne Gignilliat (parent of Paul '11 and Philip '17), who's a top-selling broker with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Lincoln Park. "A third of my business comes from Latin families, and in the city, people move a couple of times. Now I'm working with empty nesters." She advertises elsewhere, of course, but the Latin book is a favorite. "is is a group that is very meaningful to me." e book reaches a swath of Chicago's decision makers, as well as past, current and future clients, advertisers say. Too, it offers a way to support and further the school's mission. Joan Craig, an architect and founding partner at Lichten + Craig Architecture and Interiors, in New York and Chicago, advertises in the book to give back to Latin. "We greatly value the education and the experiences our children (Isabella '09, James '12 and Lulu '20) have had, and continue to have." Craig adds, "Of course, from a business perspective, the ad helps the community know and see what we do. We've been fortunate over the years to have many great Latin clients." Last year, the firm won an American Institute of Architects (AIA) Chicago award for its renovation of a historic private club on Michigan Avenue. When Lisa Burik (mother of Frankie '13, Nina '22 and former Latin student Lewis '15) opened a Clark Street fashion house for middle-school-age girls in 2008, she advertised in Latin books to showcase her new business, Frankie's on the Park. To support the school, she continues to advertise. For the auction itself, Burik creates a unique item or event tailored to her customers. A girl could be a clothing buyer in New York for a day. Or, a group of girls could be outfitted, at the store, for a concert. A girl could be in a fashion photo shoot, and land on the cover of a magazine. "I try to offer an experience unique to Frankie's," she says. Burik's philosophy as a local small business owner has been to partner with nearby schools because the majority of her customers are middle-school-age girls and their parents. "When a family bids on and wins a one of our buying trips at auction," she says, "it gives the girls an opportunity to see that they're part of a whole." ey are supporting both their school and their local community. thinkpartnership Mixing Business and Philanthropy

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