Champions of Their Cause

During my interview with Doug and Susan McConnell, for our exciting cover feature story, I asked them what their secret to a long and successful marriage is. I’ve known them since first starting the QB and have enjoyed watching them forge complex, long-term projects that deliver impressive returns for society. It’s not a stretch to say they are both working to save lives.

For Doug, it’s sourcing and driving funds to make possible the critical research in Chicago to find answers to cure ALS, a progressive neurodegenerative disease that attacks nerve cells, causing debilitating physical symptoms and shortening lives. Susan, who recently earned a doctorate while running Let It Be Us, the nonprofit she founded over 10 years ago in Barrington, is saving the lives—the health, futures, and outcomes—of children who are stranded in the Illinois foster care system with instability, trauma, and facing great uncertainty.

Team McConnell builds innovative and original solution-based models to solve big problems. They create jobs, build large networks, and push forward what seems impossible, while appearing to be at ease along the way.

“We do difficult things,” Susan said. “But we support each other, and that’s what makes it work. It’s not always been easy, but Doug is my mentor, he cheers me on during tough times, and I do the same for him.” Susan references a popular marriage metaphor, that 1+1=11. “You can accomplish so much more when you help and mentor each other,” she says. (I recall my father saying that a marriage is like two tall pines trees standing next to each other, growing stronger together.)

We thank our wonderful advertisers who make this magazine and its community reporting possible. As we head into 2026, the team that brings you QB wishes you a healthy, prosperous, and joyous New Year.