Brooke Kerendian

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As a corporate lawyer, Brooke Kerendian's job involves handling complex securities transactions and regulation, but every leftover ounce of energy goes to helping non-profits and those in need. Brooke provides pro-bono legal services to non-profits on matters such as corporate structuring and compliance. She also leads her firm's mentorship program for Chicago Public School high school students, which teaches students professionalism, resume-writing, interview skills, and more.

Although a native of Charlotte, North Carolina, Brooke is involved with the full gamut of Jewish organizations in Chicago. She serves on the Israel Bonds New Leadership Board but also supports and attends events of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, AIPAC, Friends of the IDF, JUF, AJC, and several other Jewish and non-Jewish groups.

And Brooke herself is a force to be reckoned with -- she's a second-degree black belt in taekwondo.

AGE:
31

PRIMARY GIG:
Attorney practicing securities and corporate law in the Real Estate Capital Markets group of DLA Piper LLP

ON THE SIDE:
Yoga, theatre, classic films, and travel

RELATIONSHIP STATUS:
Single

DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN 10 WORDS OR LESS:
Jewish; Zionist; half-Persian; doting aunt; mentor; ethical; optimist

HOW YOU JEW IN CHICAGO:
Attending Shabbat services and dinners as well as various events hosted by JUF, Israel Bonds, AJC, FIDF, Simon Wiesenthal Center, JNF, AJC and other Jewish organizations.

IF TIME AND MONEY WERE LIMITLESS, I WOULD:
Create or contribute to a scholarship fund to give more young people the opportunity to improve their lives through education without the financial burden that higher education often imposes; provide more support to the organizations in which I am involved to facilitate the important work they do; travel; become fluent in many languages; and spend more time with family and friends around the country and around the world.