Early Life and Education
Wendy Abrams (born 1965) grew up as Wendy Mills in Highland Park. She received a bachelor's degree from Brown University in 1987 and an MBA from Northwestern University's Kellogg Graduate School of Management in 1990.
Rise to Success
Abrams is a shareholder of Medline Industries, a major medical supplies manufacturer and distributor. The Mills family, which includes Wendy Abrams, owns approximately 17% of the company. Medline went public in December 2025, and the IPO propelled the family into the billionaire ranks.
Key Business Strategies
While not directly involved in Medline's day-to-day operations, Abrams's wealth stems from her family's continued ownership in the company. The company's success is attributed to the increased demand for medical supplies and equipment, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Medline has expanded to a global level, with 39,000 workers worldwide.
Philanthropy
Abrams is actively involved in philanthropy through the Eleven Eleven Foundation. The foundation's priorities include sustainability, education, medical research, and building community. In 2024, the Eleven Eleven Foundation launched The Abrams Research Center on Neurogenomics at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, focusing on Alzheimer's disease research. She has also been involved in creating the Abrams Environmental Litigation Clinic at the University of Chicago Law School.