Biography

Bridget Gainer brings a unique perspective to civic and business life with an accomplished career in both public and private sectors. Bridget is a Global Head of Public Affairs and Policy for Aon bringing over 25 years of experience in non-profit, government and corporate sectors.

Bridget began her career in the non- profit sector focusing on issues of poverty and community and economic development. After nearly a decade of grassroots development projects Bridget transitioned to government and lead economic development efforts for the City of Chicago leveraging public private partnerships to create new services and over $50 MM annually in net new non-tax revenue. Commercialization of ancillary public services, new types of revenue backed debt and engagement of private financing created both service and financial benefit.

In 2001, she began working at Aon, a global risk management firm, beginning in finance with a focus on mergers and acquisitions and treasury. She later transitioned to manage the firm’s strategic engagement with governments around the world. This role has allowed Bridget to develop innovative risk transfer products across the globe, with significant experience in EMEA and the UK. With a focus on climate, micro insurance and economic development in distressed areas. Most recently Bridget has created workforce programs to engage diverse young people into corporate employment across the globe.

Bridget also brings extensive public experience as a member of the Cook County Board of Commissioners, Management Board Member of the AFL-CIO Housing Investment Trust and United Way and Chicago Archdiocese. A native of Chicago, Bridget lives there with her husband and three children. She is a graduate of the University of Illinois Urbana and has an MBA from the University of Chicago.