Managing Director, Entrepreneurial Program and Services, Division I

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Aisha Ahrens is the Managing Director of Entrepreneurial Program and Services, Division I at the Women’s Business Development Center. Aisha seeks to cultivate deep relationships between civic leaders, established small businesses, and community members to promote economic prosperity through effective programming designed to empower and scale small businesses. Previously, Aisha served as Director of Digital Access and Inclusion, working with private, non-profit, and government partners to drive digital access efforts for small business owners at all stages of business through a combination of programming and advocacy to address key digital accessibility issues. Aisha also served as Associate Director of the WBDC’s Access to Capital Program and Services, managing the WBDC’s Social Equity Cannabis Business Program.

A banking industry veteran of 17 years, Aisha has experience working with different businesses, whether in the ideation, start-up, or established phase, often helping with financial solutions to transition from one phase to the next. Aisha also has significant entrepreneurial experience.

Aisha earned a B.B.A. in Marketing and B.A. in Philosophy from Loyola University Chicago.

Associate Director, Entrepreneurial Business Program and Services, Division I

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Ashlee Kingery is the Associate Director of Entrepreneurial Business Program and Services, Division I, at the Women’s Business Development Center in the WBDC’s Chicago office. Ashlee provides one-on-one business advising and business development services to new and established women entrepreneurs.

Ashlee has experience in business development, marketing and communications, and advocacy. She has held various roles in the non-profit space working with entrepreneurs and established small businesses from multiple industries.

Ashlee has a B.A. in Communication from Michigan State University.

Director, Entrepreneurial Business Program and Services, Division I | Director, Women Business Center Chicago

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Kinga Kosmala is Director of Entrepreneurial Business Program and Services, Division I, at the Women’s Business Development Center in the WBDC’s Chicago office and Director of the Women Business Center - Chicago. Kinga provides one-on-one business advising and business development services in English and Polish to new and established women entrepreneurs. She also runs education and training programs in Polish and English.

Kinga brings more than 20 years of higher education and nonprofit management experience.

Kinga holds a Doctor of Philosophy and an M.A. in Slavic Studies from the University of Chicago.

Managing Director, Entrepreneurial Program and Services, Division I

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Aisha Ahrens is the Managing Director of Entrepreneurial Program and Services, Division I at the Women’s Business Development Center. Aisha seeks to cultivate deep relationships between civic leaders, established small businesses, and community members to promote economic prosperity through effective programming designed to empower and scale small businesses. Previously, Aisha served as Director of Digital Access and Inclusion, working with private, non-profit, and government partners to drive digital access efforts for small business owners at all stages of business through a combination of programming and advocacy to address key digital accessibility issues. Aisha also served as Associate Director of the WBDC’s Access to Capital Program and Services, managing the WBDC’s Social Equity Cannabis Business Program.

A banking industry veteran of 17 years, Aisha has experience working with different businesses, whether in the ideation, start-up, or established phase, often helping with financial solutions to transition from one phase to the next. Aisha also has significant entrepreneurial experience.

Aisha earned a B.B.A. in Marketing and B.A. in Philosophy from Loyola University Chicago.

Director, Entrepreneurial Business Program and Services, Division I | Director, Women's Business Center Aurora

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Minerva Calatayud is Director of Entrepreneurial Business Program and Services, Division I, at the Women’s Business Development Center in the WBDC’s Aurora office and Director of the Women's Business Center - Aurora. Minerva provides one-on-one and group advising in English and Spanish to women entrepreneurs that want to start or grow their businesses. She also provides training and educational programs for entrepreneurs and small business owners.

Minerva has extensive experience developing international strategies that enable companies to expand and grow their markets, as well as in the food and beverage industry. She also has entrepreneurial experience.

Minerva holds a Bachelor of Science in Food Engineering from the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico and an M.B.A. from the Instituto Tecnologico de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, Mexico. She also holds an Executive Master’s in International Business from St. Louis University in St Louis, Missouri.

Managing Director, Entrepreneurial Program and Services, Division I

Schedule an Appointment

Aisha Ahrens is the Managing Director of Entrepreneurial Program and Services, Division I at the Women’s Business Development Center. Aisha seeks to cultivate deep relationships between civic leaders, established small businesses, and community members to promote economic prosperity through effective programming designed to empower and scale small businesses. Previously, Aisha served as Director of Digital Access and Inclusion, working with private, non-profit, and government partners to drive digital access efforts for small business owners at all stages of business through a combination of programming and advocacy to address key digital accessibility issues. Aisha also served as Associate Director of the WBDC’s Access to Capital Program and Services, managing the WBDC’s Social Equity Cannabis Business Program.

A banking industry veteran of 17 years, Aisha has experience working with different businesses, whether in the ideation, start-up, or established phase, often helping with financial solutions to transition from one phase to the next. Aisha also has significant entrepreneurial experience.

Aisha earned a B.B.A. in Marketing and B.A. in Philosophy from Loyola University Chicago.

Director, Entrepreneurial Program and Services, Division I

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Gayle Ballard is Director of Entrepreneurial Business Program and Services, Division I at the Women’s Business Development Center and Director of the Women’s Business Center - Peoria.

Gayle leads and facilitates the WBDC entrepreneurial programming and services in the Peoria area and provides one-on-one advising, resources, and training to nascent and emerging entrepreneurs. She assists clients in all stages of the business lifecycle and manages WBDC community partnerships, relationships, and outreach in the region.

Prior to joining the WBDC, for over 20 years Gayle owned a business-focused consulting company and has worked nationally and internationally with both for-profit and non-profit organizations.

Gayle holds a Bachelor of Science (Political Science), Bradley University; Master of Arts (Guidance & Counseling), Bradley University; Master of Business Administration (Healthcare Administration), St. Xavier University; and a Certificate of Achievement, Kellogg School of Management Executive Education, Institute for Business Strategy Development, Northwestern University.