Title: Deputy Chief Financial Officer
Firm: City of Chicago
Age: 30
Working his way up the ladder in Chicago’s finance department where he adeptly managed analysis, structuring and execution of city debt issues, Jack Brofman was a natural pick to fill the role of deputy chief financial officer when the position opened up under new Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s administration, said his boss CFO Jennie Huang Bennett.
As Deputy CFO, he is now responsible for assessing financing proposals the office develops or receives and is entrusted with managing the many relationships with investment banks, advisors, and departments through the Mayor’s Office. “He is an integral part of the managing external stakeholder communications regarding city finances with investors, lending partners as well as rating agencies,” Bennett says.
Financial advisor Noreen White calls Jack the “complete package” for his financial and communication skills to his volunteer work and “prowess” on the ice as a hockey player.
Jack joined the city three years ago, where he felt he could marry his interest in government with his skills as a valuation analyst honed at Mesirow where he worked doing research for the firm’s portfolio management team for a graduate school project.
In his spare time, Jack volunteers with the iMentor program that pairs an adult one-to-one with a high school junior in a Chicago Public School.
“You work with them for at least the next three years to help them apply to school and then importantly to stay in school. I’ve been paired with my mentee from North Grand High School for four years now,” Jack said.
He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois and a master’s from the Harris School of Public Policy at the University of Chicago.
Jack grew up in Oak Park, Illinois, just west of Chicago, and now lives with his wife, Rachel, on the city’s northwest side.
