Executive Exchange Welcomes EY Leader Jeffrey Bilek for a Conversation on Leadership
UIC Business welcomed alumnus and EY leader Jeffrey Bilek (BS ’87) for an Executive Exchange event, where he shared insights on leadership, talent development, and career growth with faculty and students.
Executive Exchange Welcomes EY Leader Jeffrey Bilek for Inspiring Conversation on Leadership
UIC Business proudly continued its signature event series—the UIC Business Executive Exchange—welcoming more than 150 students and faculty for an inspiring and insightful conversation on March 12 with Jeffrey Bilek (BS Accounting ’87), one of the college’s most distinguished alumni.
Jeff Bilek is a Global Client Service Partner at EY in Chicago, responsible for relationship management and service delivery for some of the firm’s largest global accounts. Over his 38-year career at EY, Jeff has served clients across multiple sectors while holding several high-impact leadership roles. Most recently, he served as EY’s Global Talent Development Leader, overseeing worldwide processes for skill management and performance evaluation.
Prior to that, as the US Central Region Talent Leader, he advanced the talent agenda for 13,500 professionals and collaborated closely with Managing Partners on strategic initiatives across Advisory, Assurance, Transactions, and Tax. Earlier in his career, he led EY’s Central Region Risk practice, a team of 530 professionals focused on strengthening clients’ information systems and business process controls.
A CPA with deep expertise in accounting and information systems, Jeff has spent his entire career in EY’s Chicago office and remains active in the community through leadership roles at the University of Illinois Chicago and Skills For Chicago.
During the event, Jeff shared perspectives on strategic leadership, navigating complex professional landscapes, and lessons learned from decades in client service and talent development. His transparency, humility, and breadth of experience—spanning global talent leadership, regional strategy, and risk management—left a lasting impression.
Students described him as “energizing,” “refreshingly honest,” and “the kind of leader we hope to become.” Many noted that his ability to connect real-world challenges with thoughtful, practical advice made the conversation both motivating and deeply relevant. As one student summarized, “Jeff didn’t just talk about leadership—he showed us what authentic leadership looks like.”
A networking event followed, giving students and faculty the opportunity to meet Jeff personally, reflect on the discussion, and continue the dialogue sparked by his visit. Students expressed appreciation for the opportunity to receive one-on-one guidance, calling the experience “invaluable” and “a highlight of the semester.”
The UIC Business Executive Exchange series will continue each semester, bringing top-tier C-suite executives to campus for conversations that bridge classroom learning with real-world leadership. Stay tuned for more information on our Fall ‘26 event as we continue celebrating the power of executive insight and the strength of the UIC Business community.