Ignite Adds BMO U.S. Business Banking Leader Uzma Kazmi to Board

Chicago, IL — Ignite, a Chicago-based nonprofit dedicated to supporting youth overcoming homelessness, is proud to welcome Uzma Kazmi to its Board of Directors. Uzma brings more than 25 years of experience in financial services and management, with expertise spanning retail, business, commercial, and corporate banking. Throughout her career, she has been deeply committed to supporting young professionals and advancing opportunities for female and minority-owned businesses.

Uzma’s tenure with BMO began in 2025. She is the Executive leading BMO’s Business Banking Sales teams, nationally, which consists of 11 teams- including sales leaders and business bankers. She provides executive leadership to help her teams build business effectively, manage customer expectations and analyze client cash flow, capital and investment needs.

Kazmi earned her undergraduate degree from Ursuline College in accounting and finance, and an executive MBA from Weatherhead School of Management, Case Western Reserve University, in accounting and finance. She earned a certificate in strategic leadership from Harvard Business School. Kazmi is a graduate of Leadership Greater Chicago. She lives in Chicago with her husband and three children.

Kazmi continues to be an active mentor to multiple professionals, particularly to women, and a servant leader for several community service organizations. Most recently, she served as Treasurer and Director for the Center for Interfaith Cooperation, Board Director for NPR; WFYI-Indianapolis public media, Director at the Global Orphan Foundation and Director of The Immigrant Welcome Center. In 2019, she was invited to give a TEDx talk in Hyderabad, India to speak about overcoming adversity in her career as an Asian-American business leader.

Uzma is the recipient of several community awards, most notably the YWCA Women of Professional Excellence Award, the Elite Women Around the World, Professional Leader Award, and the National Association of Women Business Owners - Mentor and Coach Award.

Most recently, Kazmi was recognized as the Daily Ledger’s 2020 Women of Influence in Chicago, Business Award. She has served as a judge on the Bad Girl Ventures Entrepreneur and Seed Capital Award Committee and served as an Executive Business Coach on the National Association of Women Business Owners. “I’m energized by the mission driven work of Ignite and the opportunity to influence outcomes at scale. Seeing a vision turned into measurable impact is what excites me.”

About Ignite Ignite is Chicago’s leading nonprofit dedicated exclusively to young people, ages 10-26, experiencing homelessness or at the greatest risk of harm. For 50 years, Ignite has provided housing, expansive supportive services, and advocacy; empowering youth to build safe, stable lives and futures. We’ve grown from a grassroots collective into a citywide force for change, advocating for the needs of youth as they navigate some of life’s toughest challenges. This year, Ignite will enroll more than 850 young people across its programs. Join us and “ignite” the next 50 years of impact, community, and unwavering support for youth at the greatest risk of harm. Learn more at www.ignitepromise.org.

Contact: Janessa Baker, Manager of Advancement & Strategic Projects, jbaker@ignitepromise.org