Christopher Kennedy
Chairman
Joseph P. Kennedy Enterprises
Christopher G. Kennedy is Chairman of Joseph P. Kennedy Enterprises, Inc., which is the investment firm of the Kennedy Family. As Chairman, Chris is responsible for the development of the Kennedy Family’s real estate holdings in Chicago known as Wolf Point. Chris is also the Founder and Chairman of Top Box Foods, a non-profit, hunger-relief organization that addresses societal issues of hunger through the delivery of high-quality and affordable meats, fruits, vegetables and other food products throughout the city of Chicago.
Chris is Chair of the Audit Committee and serves on the Governance and Management and Contracts Committees for Ariel Investments Mutual Fund, overseeing more than $3 billion in assets. Chris also serves on the Compensation Committee and is Chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee of Interface, Inc., a floor covering company with more than $1 billion in annual sales. Chris serves as a Director on the Board of Knoll, a leading international firm that designs workplace and residential furnishings with a focus on modern design and sustainability. Chris is a member of the Executive Committee for and Chairs the Finance Committee for The Chicago Community Trust, which has assets totaling $1.5 billion.
In August 2009, Governor Pat Quinn appointed Chris to the University of Illinois Board of Trustees. Chris was elected chairman of the Board by his fellow trustees at the first board meeting. He was re-elected as Chairman in January 2014 for his sixth consecutive term. Chris’ appointment concluded in January 2015.
Chris earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Boston College and a master’s in management from the J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management of Northwestern University. He is the son of Robert and Ethel Kennedy and is the eighth of their eleven children. He and his wife have four children and reside in suburban Chicago.