CHICAGO – Three distinguished leaders in accounting, law and business joined DePaul University’s Board of Trustees. The board elected Scott Steffens, a retired partner with 34 years of experience at Deloitte and Grant Thornton; Charlie Bachtell, CEO of Cresco Labs and a Chicago Titan 100 honoree; and Larry Rogers, Jr., a trial lawyer and equity partner at Power Rogers, LLP. The board elects new trustees following a comprehensive selection and approval process that includes Vincentian leadership.
“It’s a pleasure to welcome three exceptional leaders to DePaul’s Board of Trustees,” said Michael Scudder, chair of DePaul University’s Board of Trustees. “The arrival of our newest trustees comes at an important time in DePaul’s growth, as higher education navigates an evolving landscape that brings both opportunities and challenges. Their insights will help the university continue to evolve and lead, advancing our Catholic, Vincentian mission while expanding opportunities for students. I look forward to working with them as we support DePaul’s strategic priorities and create long-term impact.”
More about DePaul’s newest trustees:
Scott Steffens is a retired certified public accountant with a distinguished 34-year career as a partner at both Deloitte and Grant Thornton. A recognized expert in the nonprofit sector, Steffens specialized in advising a broad spectrum of organizations, ranging from complex international service entities and large trade associations to faith-based groups, private foundations and cultural institutions. His commitment to the nonprofit community continues through his board service with prominent Chicago organizations including Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago, Big Shoulders Fund and Erikson Institute.
A proud DePaul alumnus, Steffens holds a bachelor’s degree in accountancy from the Driehaus College of Business. His leadership roles at DePaul include supporting DePaul Athletics, the Driehaus College of Business, and the School of Accountancy and Management Information Systems. He previously served as president of Ledger & Quill, one of the nation’s oldest and most prestigious accounting alumni associations.
Charlie Bachtell is the founder and chief executive officer of Cresco Labs, a position he has held since 2015. Under his leadership, the organization has grown into a national leader with an emphasis on disciplined operations, regulatory compliance, and stakeholder trust.
His contributions to the Chicago business community are extensive. He serves on the board of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce and is a member of the Economic Club of Chicago. Bachtell’s leadership has earned him significant recognition, including being named one of the city's most visionary executives in the Chicago Titan 100 Awards and a Who’s Who in Chicago Business by Crain’s Chicago Business. Under his leadership, Cresco Labs was recognized as one of the Best-Led Companies in America by Inc. magazine.
An alumnus of DePaul University, Bachtell earned his Juris Doctor from the College of Law after completing his bachelor’s degree at the University of Arizona. He continues to influence the next generation of legal professionals as an adjunct professor at Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law.
Larry Rogers Jr. is a renowned trial lawyer and an equity partner at Power Rogers, LLP, where he focuses on complex civil litigation, including medical negligence, product liability and civil rights cases. Beyond his legal practice, Rogers has served for more than 20 years as a commissioner of the Cook County Board of Review. Since his election, he has been a catalyst for modernization, introducing innovative processes that have streamlined and strengthened the Board’s appeals system.
His expertise is recognized at the highest levels of the judiciary; the Illinois Supreme Court appointed him to several influential committees, including chair of the Executive Committee on the Practice of Law and the Supreme Court Rules Committee. A dedicated advocate for his community and the legal profession, Rogers is a member of the invitation-only Inner Circle of Advocates. He also previously served as president of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association and the Cook County Bar Association, the oldest association of African American attorneys in the country. He is also a committed member of the NAACP and Operation PUSH.
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