Keating Crown
WILMETTE – The District 39 Educational Foundation of Wilmette has chosen alumnus Keating Crown for its ninth annual Distinguished Citizen Award, recognizing him as a passionate leader who is committed to rebuilding and revitalizing communities.
Crown grew up in Wilmette and is a member of New Trier High School’s class of 1996. He studied sociology at Duke University and was captain of the men’s lacrosse team. After graduating from Duke in 2000 he moved to New York City to work for Aon Financial Services in the World Trade Center. On the morning of 9/11, he was working on the 100th floor of the south tower when the first plane hit. Crown escaped, and he has been dedicated to rebuilding himself and his communities ever since.
As the only survivor asked to serve on the 9/11 Memorial board, Crown was instrumental in helping rebuild the World Trade site into a sacred place that recognizes not only the incredible loss but also the courage of those who survived. The memorial serves as a reminder of the bravery and sacrifice of all those involved in the 9/11 tragedy.
In 2002 Crown switched careers and found his way home to Chicago where he attended Northwestern University and received a MBA/JD degree. In 2012 he joined Sterling Bay Companies with a focus on real estate development and has been instrumental in the revitalization of the West Loop neighborhood.
Crown’s experience in real estate development and philanthropic work came together in his role as the joint fundraising chair for The 606 — Chicago’s Bloomingdale trail, a 2.7 mile elevated rails-to-trails project that has been compared to New York City’s High Line. This park opened in 2015, replacing deteriorated train lines with beautiful public green spaces in some of Chicago’s most densely populated neighborhoods. Keating has volunteered his energy, passion and incredible network to help the city of Chicago create a place for residents to walk and gather while providing a safe passage for bicycle commuters as they navigate the city.
“Keating Crown is truly a gifted leader who has made notable contributions to the communities we call home. The Foundation is thrilled to recognize him as this year’s Distinguished Citizen,” said Margie Karabas, D-39 Foundation committee chair.
The D-39 Foundation stated in a press release: “Crown has a talent for spearheading complicated projects focused on improving the communities around him. Through his professional life, philanthropic endeavors and survival during a national tragedy he has demonstrated the beauty in rebuilding and the strength of communities. We are proud to celebrate him as an alumnus of the Wilmette District 39 schools and as an example of citizenship.”
Everyone is invited to attend the Distinguished Citizen reception and award presentation honoring Crown on Thursday, April 7, 2015 at 6:30 p.m. at the Michigan Shores Club, 911 Michigan Avenue in Wilmette. Tickets will be sold in advance at www.d39foundation.org; $75 for adults and $45 for students (18 and under).
All net proceeds from the Distinguished Citizen event benefit the District 39 Educational Foundation’s Gripp Grants promoting educational innovations in Wilmette schools. Twice per year, the Foundation grants funds for educational programs, experiences, and technologies that expand, enrich, and complement the schools’ curricula.
For more information on District 39 Educational Foundation donor programs and initiatives, or the Distinguished Citizen award, please contact the District 39 Educational Foundation office at 847-853-3939, d39found@wilmette39.org, or www.d39foundation.org.