Startup & Emerging Business Services

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, 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.

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.

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.

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).