Dave McGrath ’15

Year of Graduation: 2015

Major/minor: Risk Management

Current Address: Chicago, Illinois

How were you engaged with ARC? Not just the seminar/internship/fellowship but describe the type of project.

During the CPP internship, I interned at Mid Central Community Action. I was in charge of organizing their NeighborWorks Community Assessment. This involved surveying the quality of the neighborhood- its physical condition and the resident experience living on the Westside.

I was also co-founder of the Westside 5K, a fundraiser for several local non-profits and a community event promoting wellness, an active lifestyle and an opportunity for residents to get to know their neighbors.

Where are you now?

I am now living in Lincoln Park in Chicago (I found my apartment thanks to fellow ARC alum, Matt LaLonde). I am working for Willis, a global brokerage firm. I am working as a Risk Management Analyst in their Human Capital Practice, helping set up Employee Benefit plans for companies.

Where did ARC take you professionally? Are you doing work that connects back to ARC in some way?

ARC taught me very valuable skills such as organization, event planning, communication and leadership.

Where did ARC take you personally? Are you engaged in community work that is ARC-like?

I developed many special relationships through my involvement in ARC. I know I will continue to be involved in what ever community I am a part of in the future.

Did ARC teach you what we were supposed to teach you? Did we teach you anything that was a surprise or outside of the learning objectives?

Most importantly, ARC taught me that if something needs to get done, just do it. Don’t wait for someone else to take care of it, take ownership and get it done.

Share a great memory about ARC/IWU.

Having the honor of organizing the Westside 5K three years in a row was such an experience having the opportunity to see it develop and grow over time. Seeing all the participants each year was such a satisfying end to each annual event.

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