The late Jackie Hayden, former Co-Owner of Delta Insurance Advisors, will be honored posthumously as 2021 Ambassador of the Year at the Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s 103rd Annual Awards Gala in the Frick Center at Elmhurst University on Friday, March 25, 2022, from 5 to 9 p.m.
The award is presented annually to a member of the green-coated Chamber Ambassadors for his/her outstanding service.
“Jackie served as an Ambassador for our Chamber above and beyond her green jacket role,” said John R. Quigley, ECCI President and CEO since 1999. “She was a walking billboard who promoted all of the benefits of chamber membership.”
Sadly, Hayden passed away on November 8 at the age of 59, two months after first being hospitalized due to Coronavirus (COVID-19).
“Her sudden death left a deep mark on all who knew and loved her,” stated Quigley.
As ECCI’s public relations team, Ambassadors welcome new members at their Grand Opening celebrations with ribbon-cutting events, and join members celebrating Grand Re-Openings, major anniversaries and office expansions or relocations.
Aside from her decade as a Chamber Ambassador, Hayden also was elected to two three-year elected terms on the ECCI Board of Directors (2010-2013 and 2013-2016), served on the Membership Committee and was a member of the Business-to-Business Expo Subcommittee.
Prior to Delta, Hayden joined Weiss Insurance Agency in 2009 as an Executive Sales Agent. Her insurance industry resume spanned nearly three decades, including sales and account management positions with Midwest Insurance Agency (2004-08), The David Agency (1999-2004) and Midwest Certified Insurance Agency (1992-96). She began at Illinois Surplus Lines Insurance Agency in 1982 and worked her way from wholesale to independent retail.
In 2000, Hayden was among only 200 agents nationwide to receive a National Commercial Achievement Honor from Safeco.
A resident of Hanover Park, Hayden was an elected Wayne Township Trustee.
Established in 1918, the Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce & Industry is a voluntary organization of business and professional men and women who have joined together to promote the civic and commercial progress of the community.
The Elmhurst Chamber also serves the needs of its members through services, programs and events that provide opportunities for networking and referral, business education, development and promotion, governmental representation and community involvement.
The Chamber’s mission is to promote an environment that creates success for local businesses and our community.