Adler University will welcome two visionary leaders to address its 2025 fall commencement ceremonies, celebrating more than 400 graduates advancing community well-being and systems-level change through their professions. In Chicago, Michelle T. Boone, president and CEO of The Poetry Foundation, will deliver the keynote address on Nov. 2 at the Chicago Theatre. In Vancouver, Bob Rennie, celebrated philanthropist and art collector, will serve as the keynote address on Nov. 9 at the Orpheum Theatre.
“Our mission is realized through people who lead with purpose and act in partnership to strengthen collective well-being, locally and globally. Michelle T. Boone and Bob Rennie embody these ideals, advancing creativity, connection, and care,” said Adler President Lisa Coleman, Ph.D. “Their voices remind us that education is not measured by what we learn, but how we use that knowledge to advance public health interventions, foster community connection partnerships, and sustain measures to well-being.”
Both Boone and Rennie will receive an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters, recognizing their outstanding contributions to the arts, philanthropy, and the public good.
Michelle T. Boone
A champion for the arts and civic engagement, Boone has dedicated her career to creating spaces where culture and community intersect.
She made history in 2021 as the first woman and first African American to lead The Poetry Foundation. Under her leadership, the Foundation continues to celebrate the power of poetry through publishing Poetry magazine and administering nationwide grants, prizes, partnerships, and programs that uplift poets and connect audiences across diverse backgrounds and experiences.
“There is no more urgent time or need than now for leaders such as those developed at Adler to enter the world with the skills and training necessary to lend care, compassion, and renowned expertise in emotional healing, interpersonal connections, and empathetic understanding of the range of human conditions,” said Boone.
Her passion for the arts has long shaped Chicago’s cultural landscape. Before joining The Poetry Foundation, Boone served as chief program and civic engagement officer at Navy Pier, where she helped bring arts and cultural programs to life.
Earlier, as commissioner of the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) under Mayor Rahm Emanuel, she guided the development of the Chicago Cultural Plan, launched the Chicago Architecture Biennial, and led her team in producing thousands of public programs and festivals that established the city as a hub for creativity and connection.
Boone earned her master’s degree in public affairs from Indiana University and is now pursuing a doctorate in philanthropy at the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy.
“It will be an inspiring day to witness the next class of individuals committed to making the world a better place, to celebrate their educational accomplishments, and to recognize the positive change they will bring forward,” said Boone.
Bob Rennie
As the founder and executive director of the Rennie Group, Rennie has redefined the business of real estate through a thoughtful blend of strategy, data, and storytelling, bringing a human-centered approach to development and marketing. This December marks the company’s 50th anniversary, a milestone that reflects his enduring influence and innovation within the industry.
Rennie’s life and work are deeply connected to philanthropy, mental health, education, and the arts. His globally recognized art collection is considered one of the top 200 private collections in the world, focusing on themes of identity, gender, and body politics. It reflects his long-standing belief in art’s power to spark dialogue and inspire change.
“The world has changed, calling for leaders who can bridge divides, think critically, and act with compassion,” Rennie said. “This graduating class is prepared to meet that moment. They will bring insight, creativity, and integrity to their fields and work together to strengthen the communities they touch. Their opportunity is to lead in ways that unite rather than divide and to make lasting change through collaboration and care.”
Rennie’s leadership extends across sectors. He serves as chair of Major Gifts for the VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation, chair of the Peter P. Dhillon Centre for Business Ethics at the University of British Columbia’s Sauder School of Business, and was recently appointed to the Vancouver Police Foundation Board. His dedication to the arts includes 17 years of service with London’s Tate Museum and ongoing involvement with major institutions. He currently serves as chair of Collectors for the National Gallery in Washington, D.C., and previously chaired Acquisitions for Contemporary Art at the Art Institute of Chicago for nine years.
In 2022, Rennie and the Rennie Foundation made a transformative gift to Vancouver’s Chinatown, along with the provincial government of British Columbia, donating the historic Wing Sang Building — the city’s oldest structure — to house Canada’s first Chinese Canadian Museum.
Rennie’s contributions have earned him numerous honors, including the Queen’s Diamond, Golden, and Platinum Jubilee Awards; the King Charles Commemorative Medallion; the Order of British Columbia; and an honorary doctorate from Emily Carr University of Art and Design.