Director, Digital Equity and Inclusion

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Aisha Ahrens is the Director for Digital Equity and Inclusion at the Women’s Business Development Center. Aisha works with private, non-profit, and government partners to drive digital equity efforts for small business owners at all stages of business through a combination of programming and advocacy to address key digital accessibility issues. Previously, Aisha served as Associate Director of the WBDC’s Access to Capital Program and Services.

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, Certification Program and Services

Denea Beale is Associate Director of Certification Program and Services at the Women’s Business Development Center in the WBDC’s Chicago office. Denea supports women business owners in the certification and recertification process to provide them with a nationally recognized tool to market and grow their businesses.

Denea has extensive experience in small business development and the retail industry.

Denea will be obtaining a B.A. in Business Administration in May, 2023 and an M.B.A. with a concentration in Supply Chain Management in 2024, from Governors State University.

Director of Government Contracting Programs and Services

Donna Beasley is Director of Government Contracting Program and Services at the Women’s Business Development Center, advising clients on how to do business with government at the city, county, state, and federal levels. She is also Director of the Illinois Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) at the WBDC, which provides hands-on technical assistance to small businesses that either want to become government contractors or are government contractors in need of technical assistance.

Immediately prior to joining WBDC, Donna was a self-employed government contracting business advisor. She has been a serial entrepreneur in the areas of project management and digital publishing.

Donna has an MFA degree from Vermont College of Norwich University and an undergraduate degree from Columbia College.

Managing Director, Entrepreneurial Business Program and Services, Division I

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Blanca Berthier is the Managing Director of Entrepreneurial Business Program and Services, Division I, at the Women’s Business Development Center. Blanca uses her skills to help clients start and grow their businesses.

Blanca brings over 20 years of experience in business development, marketing, international trade consulting, non-for-profit management, and client relations. Blanca also has extensive entrepreneurial experience.

Blanca holds a B.A. in International Relations from U.S. International University, Mexico City and an M.A. in Philosophy from DePaul University.

Director, Established Business Program and Services

Sarah Bruch is Director of Established Business Program and Services for the Women’s Business Development Center in the St. Paul office. Sarah supports business owners in growing their businesses, and our corporate partners in developing and identifying certified women business enterprises (WBEs) as vendors.

Prior to joining the WBDC, Sarah was an entrepreneur for over 18 years. Her business focused on working with diverse suppliers. She also has a management background with non-profit organizations.

Sarah has an undergraduate degree from Concordia University and a M.S. in Sustainable Business Management from the University of Wisconsin - Stout.

Associate Director, Certification Program and Services

Jennifer Brungardt is Associate Director of Certification Program and Services at the Women’s Business Development Center in the WBDC’s Kansas City office. Jennifer supports women business owners in the certification and recertification process to provide them with a nationally recognized tool to market and grow their businesses. Jennifer also works with other team members to offer WBEs procurement and capacity-building opportunities.

Jennifer has significant experience with non-profits and in the field of customer experience.

Jennifer holds a B.A. in Sociology from Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas.

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 Programs and Services, Division I, at the Women’s Business Development Center in the WBDC’s Aurora office. 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.

Director, Entrepreneurial Business Program and Services, Division II
Director, Illinois SBDC at WBDC (South Suburbs)

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Felicitas Cortez is Director of Entrepreneurial Business Program and Services, Division II, and Director of Illinois SBDC at WBDC (South Suburbs), located in Richton Park. Felicitas provides business development services, one-on-one and group advising, and business resources to nascent, emerging, and established business owners.

Most recently, Felicitas was executive director of a south suburban chamber of commerce.

Felicitas holds a B.A. in English from Loyola University Chicago.

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.

Managing Director, Government Contracting Program and Services

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Maura Downs is Managing Director of Government Contracting Program and Services at the Women’s Business Development Center. Maura oversees the Illinois Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) at the WBDC, which provides hands-on technical assistance to small businesses that either want to become government contractors or are government contractors in need of technical assistance.

Maura has over a decade of experience counseling small businesses on obtaining business certifications, leveraging certification for government contracts, and all aspects of government contracting.

Maura holds a B.A. in English Language and Literature from the University of Illinois Chicago.

Associate Director, Program Innovations

Cheyenne Duy is the Associate Director of Program Innovations at the Women’s Business Development Center. She provides day-to-day support for programming that provides business development services and resources to emerging and established women and minority entrepreneurs. Cheyenne works closely with the ScaleUp, ScaleHigher, and Digital Equity and Inclusion programs. Previously, she was the Program Associate for Online Training and Education at the Aurora location of the WBDC.

Prior to joining the WBDC, Cheyenne worked for almost a decade in the coffee industry through customer relations, roasting, recipe development, and management.

Cheyenne has two undergraduate degrees, one in International Affairs and one in Editing, Writing, and Media from Florida State University with an exchange at the University of Waikato in New Zealand.

Director, Certification Program and Services

Bridget Foster is Director of Certification Program and Services at the Women’s Business Development Center in the WBDC’s Chicago office. Bridget oversees the certification team and supports women business owners in the certification and recertification process to provide them with a nationally recognized tool to market and grow their businesses.

Bridget holds a B.S. in Business from the University of Illinois.

Associate Director, Entrepreneurial Business Program and Services, Division 1

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Kristen Gehrig is Associate Director of Entrepreneurial Business Program and Services, Division I, in the Aurora, IL office of the Women’s Business Development Center. Kristen provides one-on-one and group advising to women entrepreneurs of emerging and established businesses. She also provides training and educational programs for entrepreneurs and small business owners.

Kristen has over 20 years of experience as an international business leader focused on marketing strategy, sales and profit growth, brand management, and product development. Kristen has extensive experience driving sales and marketing initiatives with mass market retailers. She also has entrepreneurial experience.

Kristen holds a B.A. in History from Albion College in Albion, MI, and an M.B.A. in Marketing Management from DePaul University in Chicago.

Director, Information Technology

Ellenie Girma is Director of Information Technology at the Women’s Business Development Center. Ellenie handles day-to-day technological needs of the WBDC and its programs and services and helps the WBDC stay ahead of rapidly changing technology needs and requirements.

Prior to joining the WBDC, Ellenie had extensive experience in information technology, including design and repair of network infrastructure.

Ellenie holds a B.A. in Foreign Languages and Literature from Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia. In addition, she is a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) and Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP).

Managing Director, Established Business Program and Services

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Karen Goldner is Managing Director of Established Business Program and Services at the Women’s Business Development Center. Karen leads the WBDC’s Established Business Services team and is responsible for the WBDC’s WBE certification program, which helps WBEs build capacity for sustainable growth and helps corporate partners identify strong suppliers.

For 20 years, Karen has worked with, in, and for a range of small businesses. In addition to consulting, her experience includes managing early-stage, lending to small businesses, and operating small manufacturing companies.

Karen holds a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Nebraska and an M.P.A. from Indiana University. In addition, Karen is a certified Community Development Finance Professional from the National Development Council.

Financial Operations Controller

Brian Grundy is Financial Operations Controller at the Women’s Business Development Center. As Financial Operations Controller, Brian works with WBDC staff in collaboration with the WBDC’s external accounting and auditing firms to coordinate financial management and grant management for the WBDC.

Brian has extensive experience in non-profit accounting.

Brian holds a B.S. from Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, New York.

Managing Director, Access to Capital Program and Services

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Josh Gutstein is Managing Director of the Access to Capital Program and Services at the Women’s Business Development Center. Josh helps both start-up and established business owners grow and connect with debt and equity partners, understanding that access to capital is critical for small business success, particularly for those in low-to-moderate income communities.

As a business attorney and long-time financial consultant, Josh has helped small and established businesses overcome challenges for over 20 years. Josh also has direct entrepreneurial experience, having started and sold a small business.

Josh earned a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Michigan. He also earned an M.B.A from American University’s Kogod School of Business and a J.D. from American University’s Washington College of Law.

International Trade Director

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Soraya Hernandez is the WBDC International Trade Director. In her role, Soraya offers business clients direct technical assistance through one-on-one advising and workshops on leveraging international trade for business growth and market expansion.

Soraya comes to the WBDC with a wealth of experience in advising clients on how to “go global.” She has deep cross-industry, multinational/multi-cultural, operational, consumer market intelligence, strategic business consulting, and business/client development experience, running the gamut from helping tenured Fortune 500, middle market, and family-owned businesses to early-stage/emerging startup B2B and B2C enterprises.

Soraya received a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering and Business from the University of Notre Dame and an MBA in International Business and Operations Management from Loyola University Chicago Quinlan School of Business.

Director, Established Business Program and Services

Shawni Jackson is Director of Established Business Program and Services for the Women’s Business Development Center in the WBDC’s St. Louis office. Shawni supports women business owners in growing their businesses, and our corporate partners in developing and identifying certified WBEs as vendors.

Shawni brings over 23 years of experience as a business school faculty member in the concentration of Organization Management and Human Resource Management and over 13 years running an entrepreneurial education program and doing small business consulting.

Shawni holds a B.A. in Sociology and Anthropology from Truman State University; an M.B.A from Webster University; and a Ph.D. from Capella University in Organization and Management. In addition, she has a certification in Life Coaching.

Director, Established Business Program and Services

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Cynthia Johnson is Director of Established Business Program and Services at the Women’s Business Development Center in the WBDC’s Chicago office. Cynthia coordinates and delivers relevant programs and procurement events with WBDC corporate partners to help women-owned businesses build capacity and sustain profitable growth.

Cynthia has extensive entrepreneurial experience as founder and CEO of a business that she managed for 30 years. Cynthia also fulfilled executive leadership positions with several non-profit organizations and served on the WBDC Board of Directors.

Cynthia holds a B.A. from Purdue University. In addition, she has taken M.B.A. courses at North Park University Axelson Center for Non-Profit Management and Business Management professional development courses at Northwestern University.

Associate Director, Entrepreneurial Business Program and Services, Division I

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Kinga Kosmala is Associate Director of Entrepreneurial Business Program and Services, Division I, of the WBDC. 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.

Senior Director, Development

Jen Lauer is Senior Director of Development at the Women’s Business Development Center. Jen helps identify, cultivate, and sustain resources for the WBDC.

Jen initially worked as an advertising copywriter. Since moving to the nonprofit sector, she has led development and marketing efforts for organizations throughout the region. Jen also has extensive entrepreneurial experience.

Jen holds a B.S. degree from Iowa State University and recently received her Master of Nonprofit Management degree from DePaul University. Her graduate research analyzed successes in overcoming racial and gender inequalities through targeted employment training.

Director, Established Business Program and Services

Jessie Leonard is Director of Established Business Program and Services for the Women’s Business Development Center in the WBDC’s Milwaukee office. Jessie supports women business owners in growing their businesses, and our corporate partners in developing and identifying certified WBEs as vendors.

Jessie brings over 17 years of experience as a diversity practitioner and has over 20 years in administrative and human resources management in both the private and non-profit sectors.

Jessie holds a B.A. in Communications with a minor in Business Management from Aleverno College. In addition, she has obtained certifications in Project Management, Human Resource Management and the Law, and the National Minority Supplier Development Council Supplier Diversity certificate.

Associate Director, Certification Program and Services

Griselda Llerenas is Associate Director of Certification Program and Services at the Women’s Business Development Center in the WBDC’s Chicago office. Griselda supports women business owners in the certification and recertification process in order to provide them with a nationally recognized tool to market and grow their businesses.

Griselda has worked in the non-profit sector and acquired experience in project coordination, social enterprise operations, and fundraising.

Griselda holds a B.A. in Political Science and English from DePaul University. She also completed a program in executive fund development conducted by the University of Notre Dame.

Chief Development Officer

Georgia Marsh is Chief Development Officer for the Women’s Business Development Center. Georgia leads the Development team’s work to identify, cultivate, and sustain resources for the WBDC.

Before joining the WBDC, the bulk of Georgia’s career was spent in public sector executive and leadership positions at the state and federal levels. Georgia also worked in the private sector and has extensive entrepreneurial experience, including running a consulting firm that provided advisory services for government and not-for-profit entities.

Georgia received a B.A. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Managing Director, Strategic Partnerships

Clark McCain is Managing Director, Strategic Partnerships at the Women’s Business Development Center. Clark is responsible for developing and implementing the WBDC’s strategy for growing and sustaining partnerships by creating connections and leveraging the strengths of organizations locally, regionally, and nationwide to better support clients.

During a career spanning the financial services, consumer products, and private foundation sectors, Clark has enabled collaboration by curating meaningful connections between people, teams, and organizations.

Clark holds a B.A. in Economics from Northwestern University and an M.B.A. from the University of Michigan.

Marketing Coordinator

Izel Michel is the Marketing Coordinator at the Women’s Business Development Center. She provides day-to-day support for a range of marketing and communications functions to promote WBDC programs, services, and events, including graphic design, collateral development and distribution, social media, and website updates.
 
Prior to joining the WBDC, Izel served as a nonprofit marketing coordinator and a graduate marketing assistant/coffee roaster.
 
Izel holds a B.A. in Marketing and an M.B.A from North Central College.

Managing Director, Entrepreneurial Business Program and Services, Division II

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Maura Mitchell is Managing Director of Entrepreneurial Business Program and Services, Division II, at the Women’s Business Development Center and Director of Illinois SBDC at WBDC. Maura partners with entrepreneurs to develop their business plans and raise capital in order to profitably grow their companies.

With a long history of helping small businesses and nonprofits with strategy, legal, and financial issues, Maura provides insights on what it takes for small businesses to thrive in today’s evolving environment.

Maura holds a B.A. in Mathematics from Saint Mary’s College, an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, and a J.D. from DePaul University College of Law.

Managing Director, Program Innovations

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Lindsay is Managing Director of Program Innovations at the Women’s Business Development Center. Lindsay seeks to cultivate deep relationships between civic leaders, established small businesses, and community members to create an equitable economy and she has helped develop the WBDC’s ScaleUp program.

Lindsay has more than 15 years’ experience with small business advocacy and advising, nonprofit program strategy and creation, and community relationship building.

Lindsay holds a B.A. in Non-Profit Management from Indiana University, and a B. A. in American Sign Language Interpreting from Columbia College.

Director, Data and Operations

Briavael O’Reilly is the Director of Data and Operations. Bri works with staff, clients, and other stakeholders to capture information on who the WBDC serves and the impact the WBDC makes in the community. She also manages the day-to-day operations of the WBDC.

Bri has worked in the operations and management sector for over 20 years, with a focus on data management since 2011.

Bri holds a B.S. in Television/Radio Production from Ithaca College.

Certification Specialist

Delilah Papke is Certification Specialist at the Women’s Business Development Center in the WBDC’s St. Louis office. Delilah supports women business owners in the certification and recertification process to provide them with a nationally recognized tool to market and grow their businesses.

Prior to joining the WBDC, Delilah worked with diverse nonprofits, companies, and community development financial institutions.

Delilah holds an M.S.W. degree with a focus on Community Development from Washington University in St. Louis, and a bachelor's degree from the University of Central Florida.

Human Resources Generalist

Eva Pawlik is the Human Resources Generalist at the Women’s Business Development Center. Eva supports administration of all WBDC human resource functions. Additionally, she helps align internal policies and procedures with the WBDC mission, vision, and values, as well as federal, state, and local laws and requirements.

Eva has extensive experience in HR administration, strategy, and development, in industries ranging from finance to construction, in addition to experience as an insurance producer.

Eva holds a B.A. in Intercultural Communication, with a minor in International Politics, from DePaul University.

Certification Specialist

Rebekah Rechtzigel is Certification Specialist at the Women’s Business Development Center in the WBDC’s Twin Cities office. Rebekah supports women business owners in the certification and recertification process to provide them with a nationally recognized tool to market and grow their businesses.

Prior to joining the WBDC, Rebekah worked with a nonprofit shelter program supporting the development of teenage girls in need. Rebekah also worked at several refugee and community centers in Athens, Greece during the summers.

Rebekah holds a B.A. degree in Communications, with a focus on Leadership and Advocacy, from Winona State University.

Associate Director, Data and Operations

Client Services Specialist

LaMonica Scott serves as Client Services Specialist at the Women’s Business Development Center. LaMonica connects our stakeholders with appropriate members of the WBDC team, ensures client intake information is retrieved from entrepreneur clientele, and assists with training and workshop registrations.

LaMonica has extensive management, operations, and client service experience.

LaMonica received a B.A. from Northeastern Illinois University.

Accounting Clerk

Juanita Smith is Accounting Clerk at the Women’s Business Development Center. Juanita maintains personnel files for WBDC staff, processes accounts receivable and accounts payable, and processes payroll.

Juanita brings more than 30 years of senior administrative experience and expertise.

Juanita attended Kennedy King College and Chicago State University, where she took business courses.

Executive Office Liaison and Development Associate

Grace Toll is Executive Office Liaison at the Women’s Business Development Center. Grace provides high-level administrative, planning, and coordination support to the WBDC’s President and Chief Executive Officer, as well as its Board of Directors.  She also serves as Development Associate, assisting with foundation research, grant proposal preparation, and report submission. In addition, Grace helps with individual donor stewardship and corporate and public sector partner revenue tracking.
Before joining the WBDC, Grace served as a non-profit administrative and communications assistant.

Grace holds a B.A. from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Director, Marketing

Laurie Underwood is Director of Marketing at the Women’s Business Development Center. Laurie performs a range of traditional and digital marketing and communications functions, including graphic design, collateral development and distribution, and social media, to promote WBDC programs, services, and events.

Prior to the WBDC, Laurie held roles in marketing and business development in a range of industries, including architecture, commercial real estate, fashion b2b, and ecommerce. She also provided various professional marketing services for women-owned businesses.

Laurie received a B.A. in Retail Marketing and Management from The Illinois Institute of Art.

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

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Yvonne Villalpando is Director of Entrepreneurial Business Program and Services, Division I, and Director of the Women’s Business Center (Chicago) at the Women’s Business Development Center. Yvonne provides business development services and resources to nascent, emerging, and established women entrepreneurs, as well as one-to-one business advising, in both English and Spanish.

Prior to the WBDC, Yvonne held accounting, finance, and administration roles in various companies across a range of industries. Yvonne also has extensive entrepreneurial experience.

Yvonne holds an M.B.A. from Universidad La Salle (Mexico City) and a B.S.A. from Tec de Monterrey (Mexico City).

Chief of Staff

Roxanne Ward is Chief of Staff at the Women’s Business Development Center. Roxanne also provides a range of leadership and oversight functions at the WBDC, including in-house legal services and oversight of marketing, branding, and information technology.

After starting her career as a public finance lawyer, Roxanne worked in a range of executive and leadership positions in both the public and private sectors, focusing on legal, governance, external relations, and small business development.

Roxanne earned her B.A. and M.A. in Social Service Administration from the University of Chicago and her J.D. from Harvard Law School.

Associate Director, Access to Capital Program and Services

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Emma Westfall is Associate Director of Access to Capital Program and Services at the Women’s Business Development Center. Emma advises diverse entrepreneurs on their capital options and supports the direct lending program.

Prior to joining WBDC, Emma worked in corporate retail inventory management and merchandising. She has extensive experience in corporate DEI initiatives and supplier diversity program management.

Emma holds a B.B.A. in Information Systems and an M.B.A. in Entrepreneurship and Management from Loyola University Chicago.

Director, Program Innovations

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Regina Williams is Director of Program Innovations at the Women’s Business Development Center. Regina is responsible for delivering innovative programming that supports established businesses, as well as direct services to clients, including one-on-one and group advising, workshops, and events.

Regina’s career includes over 15 years of teaching and program management experience in post-secondary arts education. Regina also has extensive entrepreneurial experience and has worked with several entertainment companies and recording artists.

Regina obtained a B.S. and an M.A. in Communications from Ohio University, an M.A.M. in Arts Management and Entrepreneurship from Columbia College, and a Masters in Industrial Design and Technology from Purdue University Global. Regina continues to work toward her Ph.D. in Education from Capella University.