Brenda Sexton

Brenda Sexton is the head of Chicago Link Productions. Prior to that, she was a real estate broker, a film critic, and the managing director of the Illinois Film Office from 2003 to 2007. Her activities as managing director of the Illinois Film Office led to substantially increased movie production revenues in Chicago. She was given several awards for her support of arts and film in Chicago.

Early life and education Sexton grew up in Queens, New York, and dealt with poverty at a young age. Her father died when she was four years old. Sexton stated that, "[When I was] 6, my mom said, 'You're old enough to take care of yourself." Brenda Sexton began working at the age of eight, and by the time she was ten, she had her own bank account. She was the only one of her four siblings to finish high school.

In 1980, Sexton earned her MBA in International Business, and graduated with honors from American Graduate School of International Management. She studied in Japan, France, and the University of Denver while working toward her undergraduate degree.

Career

Real estate Sexton has worked in advertising, sales, and real estate. She spent 20 years in the real estate field. Her career began in 1981 when she began working at Irvine and Associates. Sexton was later employed at Galbreath Company. While at Galbreath, Sexton was appointed President of Corporate Services, until she left in 1997. In 2008, Sexton returned to real estate, and was hired as an Executive Vice-President of Colliers Bennett & Kahnweiler Inc.

In 2007, she started the Chicago Link Productions LLC. The group arranges private screenings and movie-related events in Chicago, Sundance, and Los Angeles. As of 2013, Sexton was living in Palm Desert, California.