[Editor: This is the text of a May 4, 2017, news release from the Illinois Tollway Authority.]
Illinois Tollway Chief Internal Auditor Honored by Chicago Defender for 2017 “Women Of Excellence” Awards
DOWNERS GROVE, IL – Illinois Tollway Chief Internal Auditor Chief Cassaundra Rouse has been named one of the Chicago Defender’s 2017 “Women of Excellence” for her demonstrated excellence on the job and in her local community.
The Chicago Defender will recognize Rouse as one of 50 exceptional African American women from various professional, civic and community organizations at its 11th annual awards ceremony today, May 4. Rouse is recognized for her career achievements in the auditing industry and community service, including fundraising efforts for college scholarships, mentoring high school students on college readiness and providing education seminars for entry-level audit professionals.
“Congratulations to Cassaundra on this well-deserved recognition of her professional excellence and community involvement,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Greg Bedalov. “Cassaundra plays a vital role at the Tollway, and we are proud of her achievements.”
Founded in 1905, the Chicago Defender is a weekly publication whose core mission is to empower the African American community in the Chicago metropolitan area. The “Women of Excellence” Awards were created in 2007 as a way to recognize “Chicago’s most outstanding women whose lives exemplify the spirit of performing at the top of their game and giving back to the community.”
Rouse has served since 2012 as chief internal auditor at the Illinois Tollway. Her responsibilities include overseeing the agency’s compliance and risk management functions. She is responsible for developing and implementing annual work plans to evaluate the internal and project controls and policies of all functions of the Tollway to determine whether polices and relevant state and federal laws are followed.
Rouse serves as a Board Member of the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA), currently serving as treasurer. She also serves on the Education Committee and is a co-founding member of the Government Advisory Committee to the IIA Board. In 2016, she was the recipient of the IIA’s William C. Anderson Award, the chapter’s highest award, which recognizes one individual who has made the most outstanding contribution to the chapter that year.
Rouse is a member of the south suburban chapter of Jack and Jill of America Inc., a national organization of mothers dedicated to nurturing future African American leaders and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, the oldest Greek-letter organization established in American by black college women.
About the Illinois Tollway
The Illinois Tollway is a user-fee system that receives no state or federal funds for maintenance and operations. The agency maintains and operates 292 miles of roadways in 12 counties in Northern Illinois, including the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355), the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80) and the Illinois Route 390 Tollway.
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CONTACT:
Dan Rozek
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