Christopher G. Kennedy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Chris Kennedy
|
|
|---|---|
.png)
Kennedy in 2018
|
|
| Born |
Christopher George Kennedy
July 4, 1963 Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
|
| Education | Boston College (BA) Northwestern University (MBA) |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) |
Sheila Sinclair Berner
(m. 1987) |
| Children | 4 |
| Parent(s) | Robert F. Kennedy Ethel Skakel |
| Relatives | Kennedy family |
| Signature | |
 |
|
Christopher George Kennedy (born July 4, 1963) is an American businessman. He leads Joseph P. Kennedy Enterprises, Inc., a family investment company. Chris is part of the famous Kennedy family. His father was former U.S. Senator Robert F. Kennedy. His mother is Ethel Kennedy. He is also a nephew of former U.S. President John F. Kennedy and former U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy.
From 2000 to 2012, he was president of Merchandise Mart Properties. This company managed large commercial buildings in Chicago. In 2018, he ran for Governor of Illinois in the Democratic Party primary. He was also chosen by Governor Pat Quinn to lead the Board of Trustees for the University of Illinois. He served in that role from 2009 to 2015.
Contents
Growing Up and School
.jpg)
Chris Kennedy was born on July 4, 1963, in Boston, Massachusetts. He is the eighth of eleven children born to Robert F. Kennedy and Ethel Kennedy. His birth happened when his uncle, U.S. President John F. Kennedy, was in office.
He grew up at his family's home, Hickory Hill, in McLean, Virginia. This is a suburb near Washington, D.C.. He went to Lady of Victory Catholic School until eighth grade. Then he moved to Georgetown Preparatory School in North Bethesda, Maryland, and graduated in 1982. While in high school, he volunteered to help young people who had run away from home.
Kennedy earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Boston College in 1986. Later, in 1992, he received a Master of Business Administration degree from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.
His Career and Work
Chris Kennedy is the chairman of Joseph P. Kennedy Enterprises, Inc. This is the Kennedy family's investment company. He also serves as treasurer for the Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Foundation. He has been a board member for several organizations, including the Catholic Theological Union and Knoll Inc. He is also on the board of trustees for Ariel Investments, a company that manages mutual funds.
In the 1980s, Kennedy moved to Decatur, Illinois, to work for Archer Daniels Midland. He has always cared about issues related to hunger. He was the chairman of the Greater Chicago Food Depository. Now, he helps run Top Box Foods, a non-profit organization he started with his wife.
From 2000 to 2012, Kennedy was president of Merchandise Mart Properties in Chicago. The Kennedy family used to own this property. The Merchandise Mart is one of the largest commercial buildings in the world. It is a huge center for design and business in Chicago. Millions of people visit the Mart each year for shops, offices, and events.
Kennedy also served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the University of Illinois. His time in this role ended in 2015.
Kennedy has also worked with groups like CIP (the International Potato Center) and 2Blades. They are fighting a plant disease called Phytophthora infestans in Africa. This disease caused problems for his ancestors in Ireland. He leads the 2Blades African Potato Initiative. This project helps grow and sell special seed potatoes in Uganda and Kenya.
Top Box Foods
In May 2012, Chris Kennedy started Top Box Foods. This is a non-profit organization based in Chicago. Top Box Foods aims to fight hunger. It sells good quality groceries at low prices in the Chicago area.
The organization buys food in large amounts. Then, it packs the food into different boxes. These boxes are delivered monthly to churches and other groups in neighborhoods that need help. The food items in the boxes change each month. They include fruits, vegetables, meats, and frozen meals. Box prices usually range from $19 to $39. People can order these boxes online or through the local groups that host Top Box deliveries. Top Box operates in Illinois, Louisiana, and Georgia.
His Family Life
Chris Kennedy met Sheila Sinclair Berner while they were both attending Boston College. Sheila is from Illinois. They got married in 1987. The couple has four children: Katherine, Christopher Jr., Sarah, and Clare. They raised their children in Kenilworth, a suburb of Chicago.
His wife, Sheila, earned a law degree from Northwestern University. She worked as a lawyer before taking time off to care for their children.
In Politics
.jpg)
Chris Kennedy became involved in politics at a young age. In 1979 and 1980, he worked on his uncle Ted Kennedy's campaign for U.S. President. He also helped his brother Joe's campaign for the U.S. House in 1988. Over the years, he has organized many fundraising events in Chicago for his family members who were running for office.
Kennedy has also worked on campaigns for other politicians. He hosted a fundraiser for Barack Obama when Obama ran for U.S. Senate. In 2002, he was the general chairman for Paul Vallas' campaign for Illinois governor.
In August 2009, Kennedy decided not to run for the U.S. Senate. Soon after, he was appointed to the University of Illinois board of trustees by Illinois Governor Pat Quinn. On September 10, 2009, the trustees chose him as their chairman.
Before February 2017, Chris Kennedy had never run for an elected office. In 2017, he announced he would run for the Democratic nomination for Illinois Governor in 2018. During his campaign, Kennedy spoke about changing the property tax system. He said it could be unfair to some people.
In June 2017, Congressman Bobby Rush supported Kennedy's campaign. Kennedy asked for an "open primary" in the 2018 governor's race. He wanted voters to choose among all candidates without the party picking a favorite.
In the 2024 U.S. presidential election, Kennedy supported incumbent Democrat Joe Biden for reelection. When Biden decided not to run again, Kennedy endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris's campaign.
Business and Community Work
Chris Kennedy is on the board of trustees for the mutual funds managed by Ariel Investments. He is also a lead independent director for Interface, a company that makes commercial flooring. He chairs a committee for the Marine Biological Laboratory, which is a research center for biology.
He used to be on the Board of Directors for Knoll, a company that makes furniture. He also served as the Finance Chair for the Chicago Community Trust.
From 1997 to 1999, Kennedy was chairman of the Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau. This group promotes Chicago for tourism and conventions. Under his leadership, Chicago's event industry grew.
Since 2000, Kennedy has been a member of the City Club of Chicago. This group brings together leaders to talk about issues in the Chicago area. Since 2005, he has also been a member of the Commercial Club of Chicago. This group works to improve industries and create new jobs in the city.
Other Community Involvement
- Since 1996, he has been a member of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs. This group discusses global issues.
- Since 1996, Kennedy has been on the board of directors for The Irish Fellowship Club. This Chicago-based group promotes Irish heritage.
- From 2006 to 2013, he served on the board of directors of Catholic Theological Union. This is a large Catholic graduate school.
- He is involved with the Greater Chicago Food Depository. This non-profit helps feed hungry people in Cook County. It also offers programs to help people escape poverty.
- He supports El Valor, a non-profit group that helps people who are underserved or have disabilities.
- He is involved with Heartland Alliance. This group helps low-income citizens with housing, healthcare, and legal protection.
- Governor Pat Quinn appointed Kennedy to the board of trustees of the University of Illinois in September 2009. He served until January 2015.
- He was a member of the Executive Committee of the Chicago Community Trust until January 2015.
Real Estate Projects
As Chairman of Joseph P. Kennedy Enterprises, Inc., Chris Kennedy is in charge of developing the Kennedy family's land in Chicago. This area is known as Wolf Point, Chicago. The Wolf Point project is a big investment in downtown Chicago. It includes plans for apartments, parking, and other tall buildings.
Kennedy is also a partner in Sudbury Station LLC. This company plans to build a large rental housing development in Sudbury, Massachusetts. This project aims to provide affordable housing for seniors and working families. The project has faced some concerns from local officials and residents.
See also
