Amber Wirkus has held several leadership roles in the Barrington Chamber of Commerce, Lake Zurich Chamber of Commerce, and also with the Illinois Hotel Lodging Association. She is currently the Regional Director of Sales for a hotel management company and also does mentoring for hospitality professionals. When not busy with work and volunteering, Wirkus is kept on her toes by her two sons, Drake (6) and Dylan (4), who attend St. Anne’s and are both avid hockey and baseball players. Wirkus grew up in the Village of Barrington and her parents still live close by. Living in Utah for four years during college solidified her love of the state where she travels to often with her family. She was the co-chair of the Let it Be Us 5k, and is also on the executive committee for the Barrington Junior Women’s club where she has co-chaired the fall fashion show for the past two years.

Mantra? Stand up for something, or you’ll fall for anything Best grooming tip? Stay consistent and always moisturize before bed Guilty pleasure? Sauvignon Blanc, Trader Joes truffle marcona almonds, and trashy reality TV Favorite foods? Sushi, I could eat it everyday Music you love? I could go from Indie Rock to ’90s rap in 2 seconds—depends on my mood and who is with me. I’m a fan of anything Pat McKillen puts out as well Best advice ever given to you? If you are not a part of the solution, you are part of the problem Best advice you’ve given? ‘Knowledge speaks, but wisdom listens,’ full credit for that one to Jimi Hendrix. However, I use it frequently with my teams at work and when I am mentoring Earliest memory? I grew up in the Village so most of my childhood memories revolved around the Hough Street school playground, walks through town, and the ice house mall When you wake up, you? Make a cup of tea and sit on my front porch with my husband and watch the world wake up before checking emails and hitting the ground running Before bed, you? Check emails one more time (of course!) enjoy some quiet time and a glass of wine after everyone goes to sleep, and plan for the next day to make sure everyone is set up for success when they wake up What’s on your bookshelf? Tools of Titans, Thank You for Arguing, Emotional Intelligence You can’t live without? My amazing, fun, and supportive family Love to escape to? Park City, Utah. We try to go as much as possible, it’s my happy place Advice you would give to your younger self? Trust the journey

WHEN IN THE COUNTRY

Your style is? If I don’t have any meetings it’s leggings or a golf skirt, messy bun, or baseball hat Can’t leave the house without? Sunglasses, water, and my giant Mom bag full of all the things. And always have my laptop, never know when I’ll have to work! Transportation? My trusty Infiniti QX80, or the “ghost mobile” as my kids call it Driving music? Depends on who is in the car—most of the time some safe bets are it’s something like Guster or Tame Impala Place to eat? Neoteca! I am there way more than I would like to admit. Also you can never go wrong with Giannis or Lindys Shop? Angelina is such a great spot, greatest place for unique gifts and goodies Best thing about the country? In the summer the sunsets and the sound of the boats ripping up and down the river. The friendly faces are great too Worst thing about the country? Mosquitos and trains! The perfect day is? Early morning hockey practice for the kids, a Jeep drive to nowhere with my husband and boys, dinner on a patio of some sort either mine or one of our many awesome restaurants, finished up with meeting some girlfriends for a cocktail

WHEN IN TOWN

Your style is? Cute romper or jumpsuit with a heel I will most definitely regret the next day! Can’t leave the house without? Lip gloss and my phone Transportation? Uber; I am not made to drive in the city Driving music? Whatever the driver has on Place to eat? Pizza Portofino, Raised, Union Sushi Shop? Usually mostly window shopping. Don’t want to have lug stuff around the city Best thing about town? The energy, the lights at night, and just overall general vibe Worst thing about town? Traffic and parking for sure The perfect day is? Any opportunity to get out on the water for the day, followed by a nice dinner, and fitting in as many rooftops before crashing for the night at one the beautiful hotels the city has to offer