Terry Peterson speaks about how the CTA is reacting to today’s challenges, competition, and how it is getting ready for the future. The talk addresses the need for leadership and challenges youth to do something and to be the leaders of tomorrow.


Terry Peterson is the vice president of corporate and external affairs at Rush University Medical Center and the chairperson of Rush’s Diversity Leadership Council. Mr. Peterson’s primary responsibilities include leading, developing and implementing federal, state and local government relations initiatives for Rush. He is also tasked with exploring health disparities and works with providers, government and community leadership to address inequities in healthcare delivery in Chicago and Cook County.



Mr. Peterson also serves as Chairman of the Chicago Transit Board. He was appointed to that position in October 2009 by Mayor Richard M. Daley and retained by Mayor Rahm Emanuel. Mr. Peterson oversees the business of the Chicago Transit Authority and works closely with CTA’s daytoday senior leadership.



Mr. Peterson’s other professional accomplishments include:
•Chief Executive Officer, Chicago Housing Authority, 2000‐2006. Mr. Peterson led the organization’s $1.5 billion program to transform Chicago’s public housing from unsafe, high‐density developments to safe, low‐rise mixed‐income communities.
•Alderman, Chicago, Illinois’ 17th Ward, 1996‐2000. Mr. Peterson generated more than $200 million in development for the Auburn‐Gresham and Englewood communities.
•Mr. Peterson also served as executive assistant to Mayor Daley and as assistant commissioner of the City’s Department of Planning and Development.

Mr. Peterson holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Chicago State University and a Master of Public Administration from Roosevelt University. He is also an alumnus of Harvard University Graduate School of Design’s Advanced Management Development Program in Real Estate.



Mr. Peterson currently serves on the board of Chicago Transit Authority, Urban Partnership Bank, Roosevelt University, Navy Pier, Leadership Greater Chicago, Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), City of Chicago Plan Commission, and is a member of the Executives’ Club and the Economic Club of Chicago.


This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx