Managing Principal, The Bellows Law Group, P.C.

Laurel Bellows is the Managing Principal of The Bellows Law Group, P.C. She is internationally recognized for her expertise in executive compensation. The Bellows Law Group is a certified WBENC business that offers pragmatic advice, transactional, and commercial litigation services to corporate executives, entrepreneurs, and companies of all sizes. Laurel counsels mid-level and senior executives and corporations on employment, severance, private equity and change in control agreements, internal investigations, and business disputes.

Laurel is former President of the nearly 400,000 member American Bar Association, which operates throughout the United States and 40 other countries. Laurel also served as President of the Chicago Bar Association.

Laurel was honored to serve on the Global Citizenship Commission, chaired by Former Prime Minister Gordon Brow, that reported directly to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. The Commission's task, completed and published, was to review and comment on the 1948 Declaration of Human Rights on its 60th Anniversary. Laurel’s many accolades include acknowledgement by Crain’s Chicago Business on their annual list of most influential business leaders in Chicago for the past 20 years. Laurel also served as member of the National Conference of Bar Presidents, The Chicago Network, The International Women’s Forum Chicago and served on the Global Board of the International Women’s Forum, where she founded and chaired its Governance Committee.

Laurel holds a B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania, and a J.D. from Loyola University School of Law of Chicago. Laurel is licensed to practice law in Illinois, California, and Florida and is a certified Mediator.

Senior Vice President, Technical Services, ComEd

Michelle Blaise is Senior Vice President of Technical Services at ComEd. She is responsible for Engineering, Project Management, and Smart Grid & Technology. Previously, Michelle served as Vice President of Engineering and Project Management and oversaw maintenance, reliability, and capacity planning. She was also responsible for planning and execution of transmission and substation projects, as well as planning and execution of the Energy Infrastructure Modernization (EIMA) program. Michelle has held a variety of positions with increasing responsibilities in customer operations, strategic planning, distribution operations and engineering, including manager of Construction and Maintenance, Manager of Strategic Planning, and Manager of Business Planning.

Michelle serves as a member of the boards of directors for the Women’s Business Development Center and the Energy Foundry. She also serves on the Industry Advisory Board of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and the Industry Advisory Board of American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME).

Michelle holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology, and a Master of Business Administration from DePaul University.

Executive Director, DEI - Advancing Black Pathways, JPMorgan Chase

Eva Brown is Executive Director, DEI - Advancing Black Pathways at JPMorgan Chase. Previously, Eva served as Segment Leader, Minority and Women-Owned Businesses at U.S. Bank, where she had been responsible for developing and maintaining community and business relationships that advance Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) related activities, leading to measurable lending and investment opportunities to help improve lives and be a force of positive change within the Bank’s geographic footprint. Prior to that, Eva was Vice President and Community Development Regional Manager for U.S. Bank and managed a team of Community Development Managers covering seven states. Eva personally managed the Chicago metro area with a goal to create stable jobs, better homes, and vibrant communities.

Before her work in community development, Eva was the Director of the Access to Capital Program for the Women’s Business Development Center in Chicago. In that role, she managed all aspects of the WBDC’s Small Business Loan program, including fundraising, underwriting, and portfolio management.

Eva brings a wealth of experience working in the banking industry, focusing on small businesses and has a passion for assisting minority and women entrepreneurs. She is the board chairman of Chicago Neighborhood Initiatives Micro Finance Group, a non-profit small business lender. She also serves on the boards of the Women’s Business Development Center and the Woodstock Institute.

Senior Counsel, Dentons US LLP

Linda Chaplik Harris is a Senior Counsel at Dentons US LLP representing publicly held corporations, institutional investors and privately held companies, both domestically and abroad, in a broad range of complex corporate matters, including mergers and acquisitions, private equity and venture capital transactions, joint ventures, leveraged buyouts, bankruptcies, workouts and restructurings, franchising and general legal counseling.  

In her more than 30 years practicing law, Linda has represented numerous multinational corporations, Fortune 100 companies, financial institutions, and privately held companies, both domestically and globally, including Prudential Insurance, Sara Lee, United Airlines, GE Capital, Kaplan Higher Education, Here Global and numerous banks. Linda previously served for 10 years as chair of legacy firm SNR Denton's Corporate and Securities practice in the US.

Linda devotes the majority of her time to helping clients identify, structure, negotiate and consummate successful business transactions.  She is equally experienced at representing buyers, sellers, venturers, investors and portfolio companies. As most of her clients engage in global operations, she provides, in addition to her legal counsel, oversight or “concierge" service to assure that they receive the best representation abroad, consistent with the quality of service, talent and transparency that they expect of her and of Dentons. 

Linda has represented companies at all stages, from startup, going public, to sale, and has in-depth experience in workouts and bankruptcies. For many clients without in-house legal talent, she serves as outside general counsel, advising on areas such as contracts, procurement and employment.

Family and other privately-owned businesses frequently engage Linda to help them explore issues relating to governance and ownership succession as well as possible sales or other liquidity alternatives. Linda's clients are extremely diverse and her expertise extends to the airline industry, consumer brands, food, wholesale distribution, telecommunications, higher education, insurance M&A, manufacturing, professional services, technology, health care and banking. As an M&A specialist, there are few industries in which Linda has not worked.

Through her professional, philanthropic and other outside activities, Linda is a major supporter of entrepreneurs and early-stage businesses, including women-owned businesses. She was a founding member of, and lecturer to, the Capital Circle, a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing the flow of capital to venture capital businesses. She has also been a frequent speaker at the annual regional business conference of the Women's Business Development Center, where she has served on the board for over 25 years.

Founder and President, TeamWerks

Alison Chung is the founder and President of TeamWerks, a Chicago-based technology consulting firm. TeamWerks is a full-service technology consulting firm with a growing specialty practice in computer forensics.

Prior to establishing TeamWerks, Alison served as Chief Information Officer at one of Chicago’s top five law firms. She created the firm’s Technology Services Department, staffed it with technology professionals in four cities, enabling the firm to be one of the early pioneers of integrated technology.

Alison began her career as an Assembler language programmer and then a Systems Engineer for National Accounts at IBM Corporation. After three years with IBM, Alison moved to the Chicago office of PriceWaterhouse Coopers. As Manager of Management Consulting Services, Alison completed consulting engagements for clients that included law firms, social service agencies, health care organizations, the Chicago Tribune Company and the State Department of Corrections.

A native of Hong Kong, Alison has lived in the U.S. since she began her studies at Wellesley College. After completing her B.A. degree from Wellesley, she earned an M.A. from Stanford University and an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago. She attended Executive programs at the Harvard Business School and the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. While attending the University of Chicago, Alison made the decision to establish her residence and build her career in the Chicago area.

She is active in numerous professional and community associations and is committed to organizations that promote educational and cultural growth. Mayor Daley selected Alison to sit on his Council of Technology Advisors, formed to sustain Chicago’s leadership role as one of the world’s recognized centers of high technology activity and growth. Mayor Emanuel selected Alison to sit on his City of Chicago Technology Vendor Advisory Council.

Alison has appeared as a guest on Chicago Tonight, and ABC. TeamWerks was featured in the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times , Crains Chicago Business ,The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times.

Former Vice President, Corporate Development, United Way of Metropolitan Chicago

Risa Davis is an independent consultant, advising organizations on issues including strategic planning, leadership development, membership management, board governance, and fundraising. Clients have included organizations focused on diversity, equity and inclusion, business and economic development and youth development. In her work, Risa elevates the skills, talents, and resources of the organization and its supporters to obtain desired outcomes.

Risa comes to this work following a multi-faceted career as a senior leader in both for-profit and non-profit industries. She was a senior leader in financial services, largely at Citibank. In non-profit management, Risa led fundraising teams at United Way of Metropolitan Chicago. She also has held numerous nonprofit Board of Director and volunteer roles, including the Women’s Business Development Center, Ladies of Virtue Youth Mentoring Program, Chicago Urban League Impact Leadership Development Program (mentor), Oak Park and River Forest Community Center Future Philanthropist Program (mentor), the Museum of Science & Industry, and the United Negro College Fund.

Risa is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and currently serves as Chapter President of the Chicago Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, which is an international organization of African-American women based in friendship and community service. For the last two years, Risa also served as co-chair of the Annual Philanthropy Awards Celebration of the Chicago Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP).

Risa has a Masters of Management degree from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management and a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics, both from Northwestern University.

President and Chief Executive Officer

Emilia DiMenco is President and Chief Executive Officer of the Women’s Business Development Center. Emilia works directly with the WBDC team, Board members, partners, and clients to support and accelerate business development and growth for those they serve while advocating for women and all diverse business owners across the Midwest.

Previously, Emilia had a long career as executive vice president at one of the largest banks in the United States. Throughout her tenure, Emilia was a strong leader across many facets of the organization and worked in a wide range of industries. Prior to joining the WBDC, Emilia had served on the WBDC Board of Directors.

Emilia holds a B.S. and an M.B.A. in Finance from DePaul University.

Co-Founder and Co-President Emeritae, WBDC

Carol Dougal is Co-Founder and Co-President Emeritae of the Women's Business Development Center; the largest, oldest, and most comprehensive women’s business assistance center in the U.S. The WBDC has initiated and helped develop women’s business programs in 14 sites in 6 states. The Center provides counseling, training, financial, technology, childcare business assistance certification and procurement assistance for emerging and established women business owners, and advocacy on women’s economic empowerment.

Carol is a founding board member and member of the executive committee of WBENC, the premier certification agency for women business enterprises in the U.S. and the major national advocate for women’s private sector procurement. She is a board member of the City’s Sister City for Durban, South Africa, and advisor to many small businesses.

Carol has received numerous awards, including 2000 Women’s Business Advocate from the Governor’s Small Business Summit; 2000 WBENC Applause and Advocacy Award; 1993 Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst and Young and Merrill Lynch; and 1998 Rosary College Small Business Advocate of the Year.

Formerly, Carol was Executive Director & Co-Founder of the Chicago Institute for Economic Development; Executive Director of the Private Industry Council of Chicago; Director of Private Sector Initiatives for the City of Chicago; Assistant Director of Flexible Careers – a non-profit advocacy agency focusing on alternative employment patterns for women; Co-Founder and manager of the Parents Schools – a Chicago alternative early childhood and primary school in the seventies; and Teacher of English at Chicago Public Schools and local colleges.

Carol was formerly a member of many boards including Chicago Public School Vocational Education Group and the Economic Development Board of the state of Illinois.

Carol holds a Bachelor of Art from Clarke College, a woman’s college in Dubuque Iowa. She attended graduate school at Loyola University in Chicago.

Director, Veterans Program, Robert R. McCormick Foundation

Megan Everett is Director of the Veterans Program for the Robert R. McCormick Foundation. As Director of the Veterans Program, Megan manages a grant portfolio focused on veteran employment to include education and entrepreneurship, behavior health and wellness, and systems navigation. Megan joined the Foundation in August 2014. She moved to Chicago in 2010 to work at Northwestern University at the Center for Civic Engagement and Center for Leadership and prior to joining the McCormick Foundation, she was the Assistant Director at Northwestern’s Farley Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation in the McCormick School of Engineering.

Megan is a former Surface Warfare Officer in the United States Navy. She served on the USS JARRETT (FFG-33) as part of Operation Enduring Freedom and on the USS DENVER (LPD-9) during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Her last tour in the Navy was on a Personal Exchange Program to the Canadian Fleet Atlantic in Halifax, NS.

Megan is an advisory board member for the Advisory Council on Veterans Affairs for the city of Chicago and sits on the Illinois Veterans Advisory Council. She is a board member for the Veterans Leadership Council, the Women’s Business Development Center, USO of Illinois, and Illinois Joining Forces. In addition, Megan is a member of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee at the American Red Cross of Chicago.

Megan received a Bachelor of Arts from Cornell University, receiving her commission through Naval ROTC. She has a Master of Business Administration from Penn State University and a Master’s Degree in Public Policy and Administration from Northwestern University.

Vice President, Global Supplier Diversity, CBRE

Rona Fourté is Vice President of Global Supplier Diversity at CBRE. Previously, Rona was at United Airlines as a member of the Global Community Engagement leadership team to drive supplier diversity programming as an integrated a component for impacting global communities.

Rona also served as a co-Administrator for United’s We Care employee relief fund which operates as a separate non-profit entity. From 2010-2018, Rona was the director of supplier diversity & D&I education for Walgreens Boots Alliance. As an integral member of the global diversity and inclusion team, she and her team were responsible for delivering $3.3B in diverse-owned and small business spend. She also oversaw the implementation of microinequity, aggressions and unconscious bias training at Walgreens University.

Prior to joining Walgreens, Rona held senior level roles in finance and accounting and led supplier diversity initiatives in both the private and public sectors. In 2018, Rona established the supplier diversity program initiative for one of the 6 Managed Care Organizations in the state of Illinois, IlliniCare Health, who was recognized by Capitol Fax.com for meeting and exceeding fair contracting goals for the Business Enterprise Program in state fiscal year 2019. Rona also directed the Chicago Minority Business Opportunity Center from 2006-2008, a $1.2M US Department of Commerce, MBDA funded project, and led the successful execution of financial transactions for minority owned businesses in excess of $105M. Rona has led information technology system design projects for organizational transformation as both an employee and a consultant.

Rona has been cited in diversity publications, received recognitions for advocacy, commitment, and is an active member of the community serving organizations throughout the U.S. including affiliates of the National Minority Supplier Development Council, Women’s Business Enterprise National Council, Disability In, and the community boards of Providence Englewood Charter School, Holsten Human Capital Development, and Tuskegee Next Foundation. Rona was featured in Who’s Who in Black Chicago 2nd Edition, recognized in 2017 by Mass Market Retail as 1 of 6 who made a difference and received the Walgreens 2018 Champion of Champions award for Customer Care. In 2021 and 2020 respectively, Rona was recognized by DiversityPlus Magazine as a Top 25 Diversity Change Leader and Best of the Best Champions of Diversity.

Rona has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration & Accounting from DePaul University, a Masters of Arts in Divinity, is a 2010 Certified Fraud Examiner, an ordained minister and is currently completing her doctorate in Biblical Leadership.

Retired Manager, Community Affairs & Grassroots, Southwest Airlines

Patty Greene is the Retired Manager, Community Affairs & Grassroots at Southwest Airlines. In late September of 2020, after more than forty years of service, Patty retired from Southwest Airlines. During her long tenure, she served various roles in the airline’s Finance, Marketing, and most recently, Community Outreach departments.

Patty served for more than ten years as Manager, Community Affairs. In that role, she established and nurtured relationships with many nonprofit organizations based in Chicago and in other cities the airline served across the country. Patty worked to leverage the airline’s time, talent, and treasure to help further the missions of their community partner nonprofit organizations.

Prior to her retirement, Patty transitioned to the head of the Southwest Airlines Outreach Department’s People Resources Team, which leads the airline’s employee volunteerism efforts.

Retired Manager, Community Partnerships, Peoples Gas & North Shore Gas/WEC Energy

Mary Houpt is the former Manager of Community Partnerships at Peoples Gas & North Shore Gas/WEC Energy. Mary is a senior philanthropic professional who demonstrates expert relationship development and management, strong oral and written communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills and techniques. This experience has been facilitated by a strong analytical and financial orientation. Mary has developed and implemented local and global corporate social responsibility programs. Widely known in the Chicago Philanthropic community, she is an insightful, creative, and strategic thinker who is comfortable with all levels of the organization and thrives in a constantly changing work environment.

Most recently at Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas, of the WEC Energy Group as the Manager, Community Partnerships, Mary developed a new corporate giving strategy and created new initiatives to strategically tie corporate contributions to the business objectives of Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas, including new partnerships in areas of workforce development interests, STEM education initiatives, energy education program, environmental programming support, and activate energy efficiency education curriculum. Mary managed all aspects of the corporate responsibility program including volunteerism, board placement of executives, event and sponsorship support, employee matching gift program, and coordinated with internal and external corporate communications strategies. Prior to WEC Energy Group, Mary was the Manager of Corporate Social Responsibility and Executive Director of the Wrigley Company Foundation, where she developed a new global corporate and Foundation giving strategy in the areas of Oral Health and the Environment, and was responsible for all aspects of Company Foundation management and representation in the community. Prior to Wrigley, Mary was at BMO Harris for 25 years, starting out in commercial lending and migrated to the Harris Bank Foundation, where she managed and directed all aspects of the Community Affairs Office and Team, as well as managed the Harris Bank Foundation as the Vice President of Community Affairs. Mary managed the United Way Campaigns at all three corporations. 

Mary is currently on the Board of the YWCA Metropolitan Chicago and the Women's Business Development Center, was a member of the Corporate Cabinet at the United Way of Metropolitan Chicago, and was a past President, Treasurer and Board member of the Corporate Responsibility Group of Chicago.       

Retired Senior Director, Supplier Diversity, BP America, Inc.
Acting President/CEO, Chicago Minority Supplier Development Council

Debra Jennings-Johnson is the Retired Senior Director of Supplier Diversity at BP America and Acting President/CEO of the Chicago Minority Supplier Development Council. Advocating for diverse businesses has been her calling since early in her career. Debra has created an impact on the future of leaders in supplier diversity. Assisting minority- and women-owned businesses enterprises (M/WBE) win contracts is Debra’s mission and passion. Dedicating 23 years of service to BP America as their Senior Director of Supplier Diversity, she worked to maximize the inclusion of diversity in the supply chain. During her tenure, BP has tripled their diverse suppliers to more than 300.

Debra led the launch of BP’s 1998 supplier diversity program and paved the way for growth opportunities. She worked with corporate leaders to create and implement a sustainable comprehensive supplier diversity plan. Debra mentored business owners who received BP contracts to help grow and maintain their relationship. Valued as an advisor for combining "old school" spirit for minority business development with current procurement practices, she has been described as charismatic, but tough.
Debra is chairman of the Board of Directors for the Women’s Business Development Center in Chicago and sits on the boards of NMSDC, Women’s Business Enterprise National Council, Chicago Minority Supplier Development Council and South Side Community Art Center. Additionally, she is an active member of Chicago United, Chicago Urban League, Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and National LGBT Chamber of Commerce.

Debra has shared her expertise in presentations and lectures on topics such as Subcontracting Opportunities/or MWBEs; Non-traditional Purchasing; Building Strategic Alliances; Second Tier Purchasing; and Program Strategies for Corporate America. She cited mentors and pioneering women at NMSDC, WBENC and CMSDC for showing her how to be a leader and advocate for supplier diversity. Additionally, she has participated on numerous panels addressing issues facing minority and women-owned businesses.
She has received numerous awards for her achievements such as the Women's Business Enterprise National Council (Applause Award), Advocate of the Year by Southern Regional Minority Supplier Development Council, MSDC-Chicago, Women's Business Development Center, Chicago United and the Minority Business Development Agency.

MBN USA recognized Debra’s supplier diversity work in 2018 with the recognition Best of the Decade in Supplier Diversity. On behalf of BP, she led the efforts in achieving the Corporate Champion Award from Women’s Business Development Center in 2016 and Corporation of the Year from Women’s Business Enterprise Alliance in 2017.

Her career encompasses more than 20 years as an advocate for minority- and women-owned businesses and she continues to stay engaged by giving back to her community and supporting entrepreneurs.

Member, McDonald Hopkins LLC

Michelle Kantor is a member of McDonald Hopkins LLC. She leads the Federal Government Contracting & Procurement practice group. Michelle has more than 29 years of experience practicing in federal, state, and local government contracting, procurement law, and litigation.

Michelle represents clients on a range of matters, including small business programs, bid protests, contracting claims and payment disputes, REAs, regulatory violations, responses to government investigations, suspension and debarment proceedings, and other related disputes. She assists clients in federal, state, and local government contracting and procurement; teaming and joint venture agreements; Federal Business Ethics and FAR compliance; SBA 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, WOSB, and WBE/MBE/DBE certifications and appeals; federal government mentor-protégé agreements; small business corporate changes; and business succession planning.

Partner in Charge, Eisner Advisory Group LLC

Beth Kieffer Leonard is Partner in Charge of EisnerAmper’s Minnesota office. Beth served as Managing Partner at Lurie, LLP from 2007 to 2022, before the firm joined EisnerAmper. At Lurie, Beth focused on the firm’s strategy, expanded both service offerings and geography, and actively served the community, supporting the advancement of women and minorities, as well as the local start-up ecosystem.

Beth has strengthened the Twin Cities business community for female CEOs and leaders by playing a pivotal role in bringing two national professional associations to Minnesota. She co-founded and expanded the Women’s Business Development Center – Minnesota (WBDC-MN) and played a significant role in launching six Minneapolis chapters of the Women Presidents’ Organization (WPO).

Active in several civic organizations, Beth has earned recognition from numerous national and regional associations, including “Women in Business Champion” from the Small Business Administration – Minnesota and the Advocacy Award from the Women’s Business Development Center in Chicago. The Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal recognized Beth as a 2021 Most Admired CEO. She was also a recipient of the “2017 Most Powerful Women in Accounting” award by CPA Practice Advisor and was inducted into the NAWBO Minnesota Women Business Owners Hall of Fame in 2018.

Senior Vice President, Small Business Merchant Segment Performance Executive, Bank of America

Jennifer Mariani is Senior Vice President, Small Business Merchant Segment Performance Executive at Bank of America. In this role, Jennifer is responsible for national business routines, strategic management, sales performance and execution. With over 30 years of financial services experience, Jennifer began her Bank of America career in 2011 to start up Small Business in the Chicagoland area and has since held various leadership positions across Bank of America.

Jennifer serves as a board member of the Women’s Business Development Center in Chicago, Illinois. She is also a member of Bank of America’s Enterprise Payments Employee Engagement Council.

President, Cedar Concepts Corporation

Linda McGill Boasmond is owner and president of Chicago-based Cedar Concepts Corporation (CCC). CCC processes raw materials for use in a wide variety of personal-care, household, industrial, and agricultural products marketed under many brand names familiar to both consumers and businesses. Her customers include Proctor & Gamble, Colgate Palmolive, Citgo Petroleum, and Boeing. Linda runs the country’s first and only African American, woman-owned chemical manufacturing plant. Her company just completed the process of constructing the first ground-up chemical manufacturing facility within the City of Chicago in over fifty years.

Linda has been named 2015 Woman of Excellence by the Chicago Defender, 2014 Manufacturer of the Year by the Alliance for Illinois Manufacturers, and served as a business panelist for the National Urban League’s 2009 Conference. Linda's a member of the boards of Girls 4 Science and the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association.

Retired Director of Supplier Diversity, United Airlines, Inc.

Sandra Rand is the Retired Director of Supplier Diversity at United Airlines. Sandra was responsible for directing all aspects of United’s diverse procurement initiatives company-wide, reporting directly to the Senior Vice President of Strategic Sourcing and Chief Procurement Officer. This included identifying viable, competitive, and certified minority and women-owned businesses to participate in the competitive bid process, developing and monitoring individual department participation goals, and acting as liaison to the Small Business community.

Sandra’s subject matter expertise, personal commitment and passion resulted in many panelist appearances, newspaper and magazine articles as well as radio and television interviews. She is a past chair of the NMSDC Chairpersons Committee and served on the Executive Committee for five years. She also chaired an NMSDC industry group (Airline Transportation Group) for three years. She was an active member of the Chicago Minority Business Enterprise National Council, serving on the Development and Compensation Committees and chairing the ad hoc Board Development committee. Rand was a strong contributor on the Chicago United Blue Ribbon Panel that developed the “Professional Services Model” in 2004. She was subsequently elected to their Board as a subject matter expert.

Sandra’s relationship with the WBDC began over fifteen years ago with her active participation in the annual Buyers Mart where she has been a consistent panelist or moderator. She was elected to the Board in 2002 and continues to serve on the Audit and Board Governance Committee.

She is actively involved in the following Chicago philanthropic organizations: Art Institute of Chicago – Woman’s Board & Leadership Advisory Committee; Chicago Sinfonietta; Muntu Dance Theater; Southside Community Art Center; and The Women’s Treatment Center.

Co-Founder and Co-President Emeritae, WBDC

Hedy Ratner is Co-Founder and Co-President Emeritae of, and consultant to, the Women’s Business Development Center, the largest, oldest, and most comprehensive women’s business assistance center in the U.S. The Women’s Business Development Center has a national and international reputation for advocacy and programs for women’s economic empowerment. WBDC has served over 101,000 clients in the Midwest developing and supporting the success of women and minority-owned businesses. WBDC initiates and implements women’s business programs through 8 offices in 9 midwestern states. The Center provides counseling, training, financial, certification and procurement assistance in Spanish and English for emerging and established women business owners with additional programs for women veterans and for childcare businesses.

An advocate and activist for women’s issues for more than 50 years, Hedy is dedicated to social justice and advocacy for the empowerment of women locally, nationally and internationally. An advocate and activist for women’s issues, civil and human rights for more than five decades, Hedy was appointed by President Clinton to the National Women’s Business Council; by Illinois Governors Thompson Edgar, Ryan, Quinn and Pritzker to the Illinois Economic Recovery Commission, the Illinois Development Finance Authority, the Business Enterprise Program Council, the Broadband Deployment Council and the Illinois Women’s Business Council and Governor’s Commission on Women. Ratner was appointed by Chicago Mayors Rahm Emanuel and Richard M. Daley to the Blue Ribbon Council on Minority and Women’s Business programs and to the Affirmative Action Advisory Council. Appointed by Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle to the Cook County Commission on Human Rights and the Cook County Small Business and Supplier Diversity Commission. Hedy served as Co-Chairperson with Sister Sheila Lyne to the Women’s Health Task Force by Chicago Mayor Richard Daley and serves on task forces on minority and women’s business enterprise issues for the city, county, and state. She serves on the Illinois Business Immigration Coalition and was a board member of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce and The Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau. She currently serves as a member of the Chicago Network, Federation of Women Contractors, City Club of Chicago, National Council of Jewish Women, Jewish Women International, Planned Parenthood, the Majority Council of Emily’s List, the Alumni Council of the Chicago Foundation for Women, the Grant Park Music Festival Board, and was a founding member of the Alliance of Minority and Female Contractors Associations.

Hedy was honored to officially represent the U. S. Department of State on the economic empowerment of women in Belarus, Moldova, India, Kuwait, and Taiwan, and served as a coordinator of the International World Conference of the United Nations Decade for Women of the U. S. Department of State.

Hedy’s most recent honors were the 2022 Chicago Innovation Impact Awards, 2019 Chicago Foundation for Women Founders Award; 2015 N’Digo Foundation N’Empowerment Women Award; 2015 Remarkable Woman at the Remarkable Woman Conference; 2014 Gold Medallion Citizen Diplomacy Award by WorldChicago; 2014 Girls in the Game Leadership Award; 2014 Lifetime Achievement Award from Enterprising Woman magazine; 2014 ChildLink Advocacy and Achievement Award; 2013 Advocate Award from Entrepreneurs Experience; 2012 Lifetime Achievement Advocacy Award from the Federation of Women Contractors; 2011 Athena International Women’s Leadership Award; 2011 Association of Women’s Business Centers Leadership Award; 2011 U. S. Small Business Administration Women’s Business Center Award for the nine-state region; University of Chicago first Diversity Leadership Award in 2009; Network of Women Entrepreneurs Women Who Dare Award; the B’Nai Brith Woman of Honor Award in 2008; the Diversity Champion Award in 2007 from Diversity Edge Magazine; the Lifetime Achievement Award from Rainbow PUSH in 2006; the Compass Award from the Women’s Leadership Exchange; the SBA Advocate Award in 2005; the National Center for Women’s Business Research Leading by Example Award; the Anti-Defamation League’s Women of Achievement Award; and the prestigious University of Chicago Alumni Public Service Award. Other Honors include the SBA Women’s Business Advocate of the Year; the Governor’s Women Business Advocate of the Year; the National Association of Women Business Owners Public Policy Advocate of the Year, both locally and nationally; the Bank of America Community Leader Award; National Organization of Women’s Bella Abzug Woman of Honor Award; among others.

Her educational background includes an M.Ed from DePaul University; an M.S. from the University of Chicago; A. B. and M.Ed. from University of California and an Associate of Arts degree from Los Angeles City College.

President and CEO, AAR & Associates, Ltd.

Arabel Alva Rosales is the President and CEO of AAR & Associates, Ltd., which has over 17 years as a successful management and technology firm. AAR specializes in providing management and telecom services to large public and private institutions in the Midwest. Arabel has served on several boards, including the IHCC, LVCF, WBDC, and the CTA (Chicago Transit Authority).

Arabel is the proud founder of Pivoting in Heels, a digital non-for-profit dedicated to empowering women by providing them with the support to enhance their self-esteem, leadership skills, mental health, and an overall transformative experience. It is Arabel’s vision to have underprivileged women be successful in their education, careers, and personal lives through mentorship and training. Additionally, Pivoting in Heels, NFP raises funds for Intern scholarships presented to young Women of Color.

Arabel has been involved in producing fashion weeks as a social entrepreneur for over 14 years. This year, Pivoting in Heels, NFP will be the host and beneficiary of RUNWAY LATINx: a fashion week highlighting top Latinx designers, providing an experience in gastronomy, mixology, and entertainment. Some of the funds raised during RUNWAY LATINx will be dedicated to the Pivoting in Heels’ Intern scholarship program.

Arabel holds an undergraduate degree from Mundelein at Loyola University in Liberal Arts with a major in Business Administration. In May of 2001, she obtained her J.D. from DePaul College of Law, where she has been a recipient of the law school's leadership scholarship award and Mayor Daley's Leadership scholarship. Additionally, she is alumni of Leadership Greater Chicago and completed an Executive Program at Tuck Business School at Dartmouth. Arabel has over 30 national recognitions and awards including the Anti-Defamation League, Women Achievement award, a Business Leaders of Color recognition. In 2020, Arabel was named one of the 50 Most Influential Latinos by Negocios Now.

Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, KellyMitchell Group, Inc.

Cassandra Sanford is the Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of KellyMitchell Group, where she is responsible for talent experts who enable Fortune 100 Clients to achieve their IT, Business and Financial goals by providing a flexible and skilled workforce. Started in 1998 by previous Boeing employees, KellyMitchell has partnered with many Fortune 100 and 500 companies servicing their technology and professional staffing needs on a national level, in all major geographical markets, across all industries. Cassandra has grown KellyMitchell from 3 employees to over 2000; from a local St. Louis company to a national organization with 17 offices throughout the U.S.

WBENC-certified and a Committee of 200 and YPO member, Cassandra makes a practice of mentoring other women and giving back to her community. She serves on various local, regional, and national boards including Mercy Hospital, Regional Business Council, the United Way, The Magic House Children’s Museum, Boy Scouts of Greater St. Louis, Visitation Academy, and the Women’s Business Development Center of Chicago. Additionally, she serves on the supplier advisory board for Manpower Group.

KellyMitchell has been highlighted as one of the fastest growing firms in the nation multiple times by Inc 5000 and Women’s President Organization & American ExpressOpen. Additionally, Cassandra has been honored to be the recipient of many awards including Entrepreneur of the Year by the WBDC of Chicago, Enterprising Woman of the Year by Enterprising Women Magazine, Most Influential Business Woman by the St. Louis Business Journal, WBENC Star of Year, and a Dorothy B. Brothers Executive Scholarship Awardee by WBENC and Bank of America where she attended Harvard Business School’s Women Leading Business program.

Cassandra is a graduate of St. Louis University. She holds a B.A. in Political Science and a J.D. in Law. In addition, she is a licensed attorney by the Missouri Bar Association.

Managing Director, Consulting & Innovation, Accenture

Renee Sang is a Managing Director in Accenture’s Products practice, focusing on industry innovation. Renee founded the global Accenture Customer Innovation Network with centers in Chicago, Milan, and Singapore. This is a network of dynamic forums for exploring and creating innovative approaches to address the challenges of the retail and consumer packaged goods industries. Renee focuses on emerging consumer and industry trends, participates in proprietary research and analysis for the Life Sciences, Retail and Consumer Goods industry, and develops innovative practices at the intersection of consumer behavior, digital practices, and technology.

Renee supports clients in the development of their innovation agenda and strategies to support more effective marketing and merchandising practices and innovative solutions to serve the digital consumer. She has worked on virtual reality research and collaboration, digital operating models, eCommerce strategies, and new performance management solutions for retailers to understand true product and category performance.

Renee is a Certified Public Accountant and has a background in audit, financial, and operational consulting.

Managing Director, Professional Development Commercial N.A., BMO Harris

Jennifer Schlott-Rouzan is the Managing Director of Professional Development for the Commercial Bank N.A. at BMO Harris. As the lead for BMO Harris's Commercial Bank talent and development strategy, Jennifer contributes to the bank's future growth and ongoing delivery of superior customer experiences by leveraging the strength of acquired and existing talent. Talent acquisition, talent management, learning and development, as well as diversity and inclusion are the core components of Jennifer’s current mandate. She and her team support the strategic focus of the organization by translating business goals into actionable performance initiatives to ensure the readiness of over 2,000 customer facing employees.
 
Jennifer has committed almost 20 years to the BMO Harris organization where her roles included leading a commercial lending team, strategic manager to Commercial Bank Executives including responsibility for many key initiatives, including marketing, business development, sales effectiveness, talent development, and women in business. Jennifer has also spent time in M&A and Leveraged Finance in Chicago and New York. In addition to her banking career, Jennifer has been involved in several start-up ventures as investor and advisor.
 
Jennifer graduated from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio with finance and accounting degrees. She also has an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg Graduate School of Management. Jennifer is a Leadership Greater Chicago Fellow, class of 2008. Jennifer serves as a leader on the BMO Harris’ Commercial Bank Talent Committee and is active with the Chicago Innovation Women Mentoring Co-Op and Loyola Family Business Center.

Vice President, U.S. Chief Marketing Officer & Head of Communications, CIBC

Amy Yuhn is Vice President, U.S. Chief Marketing Officer and Head of Communications for CIBC. She leads teams in Chicago and Atlanta who direct all advertising, sponsorships, events and communications activities for CIBC in the United States.

Amy joined CIBC through its 2017 acquisition of The PrivateBank. She was responsible for all activities to rebrand the company following the transaction and is now working with her team to grow CIBC’s presence throughout the United States. Amy joined The PrivateBank in 2008 when she was initially charged with building a corporate communications practice at the company that included internal, external, executive and investor communications. She later added responsibility for all marketing activities and for eight years also directed all corporate philanthropic contributions. She is a member of the U.S. Operating Committee, the U.S. Inclusion and Diversity Advisory Council and CIBC’s Global Leadership Team. She also founded the Mom2Mom networking group, which aims to provide support and networking to working moms at CIBC across the United States.
 
Prior to CIBC/The PrivateBank, Amy spent eight years with BMO Harris Bank, where she last served as Vice President and Head of U.S. Corporate Communications.
 
Amy started her career as a journalist, working for The Associated Press and then Reuters. She has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Michigan State University and a master’s degree in communication from Northwestern University. She is a member of the Board of Directors for the Women’s Business Development Center in Chicago.