Oficina de Chicago
Centro de desarrollo empresarial para mujeres
Se harán adaptaciones razonables para personas con discapacidades a pedido, con al menos dos semanas de anticipación.
El número TDD para WBDC es 1.800.526.0844 (solo TDD) o 1.800.526.0857 (asistido por operador)
WBDC-Aurora
43 West Galena Boulevard
Aurora, IL 60506
312.853.3477×390
IL SBDC en WBDC – La Villita
3610 West 26th Street, segundo piso
Chicago, Illinois 60623
312.853.3477×580
IL SBDC en WBDC – Suburbios del Sur
4137 Sauk Trail, Suite 132, Sala V
Richton Park, Illinois 60471
312.853.3477×610
WBDC – Kansas City
6405 Metcalf Ave., Suite 318
Overland Park, KS 66202
312.853.3477 x 400
WBDC-Milwaukee
1533 North River Center Drive
Milwaukee, WI 53212
414.395.4564
WBDC – San Luis
WBDC – Ciudades Gemelas
165 Western Ave N, Suite 8
San Pablo, MN 55102
312.853.3477×300
Horas de oficina para todas las ubicaciones
Lunes jueves
De 9:00 a. M. A 5:00 p. M.
viernes
9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Conozca a nuestro equipoStaff Directory
Managing Director, Entrepreneurial Program and Services, Division I
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Director, Entrepreneurial Program and Services, Division I
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Director, Government Contracting Program and Services | Center Director, Illinois APEX Accelerator at WBDC
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Director, Established Business Program and Services
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Director, Entrepreneurial Business Program and Services, Division I | Director, Women's Business Center Aurora
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Director, Entrepreneurial Business Program and Services, Division II | Director, Illinois SBDC at WBDC (South Suburbs)
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Managing Director, Established Business Program and Services
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Managing Director, Access to Capital Program and Services
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Director, Illinois SBDC International Trade Center (ITC) at WBDC
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Director, Established Business Program and Services
Associate Director, Entrepreneurial Business Program and Services, Division I
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Director, Entrepreneurial Business Program and Services, Division I | Director, Women Business Center Chicago
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Director, Programa y Servicios de Negocios Establecidos
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Associate Director, Certification Program and Services
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Managing Director, Entrepreneurial Business Program and Services, Division II
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Associate Director, Certification Program and Services
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Associate Director, Certification Program and Services
Director, Entrepreneurial Program and Services, Division II
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Managing Director, Entrepreneurial Program and Services, Division I
__('Email', 'wbdc-text-domain')Aisha Ahrens es la Directora de Equidad e Inclusión Digital en el Centro de Desarrollo Empresarial para Mujeres. Aisha trabaja con socios privados, sin fines de lucro y gubernamentales para impulsar los esfuerzos de equidad digital para los propietarios de pequeñas empresas en todas las etapas del negocio a través de una combinación de programación y promoción para abordar problemas clave de accesibilidad digital. Anteriormente, Aisha se desempeñó como Directora Asociada del Programa y Servicios de Acceso a Capital del WBDC.
Aisha, una veterana de la industria bancaria de 17 años, tiene experiencia trabajando con diferentes empresas, ya sea en la fase de ideación, puesta en marcha o establecida, a menudo ayudando con soluciones financieras para la transición de una fase a la siguiente. Aisha también tiene una importante experiencia empresarial.
Aisha obtuvo una licenciatura en Marketing y una licenciatura en Filosofía de la Universidad Loyola de Chicago.
Director, Entrepreneurial Program and Services, Division I
__('Email', 'wbdc-text-domain')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.
Director, Government Contracting Program and Services | Center Director, Illinois APEX Accelerator at WBDC
__('Email', 'wbdc-text-domain')Donna Beasley is the Director of Government Contracting Program and Services, and Center Director of the Illinois APEX Accelerator, at the Women’s Business Development Center. The APEX Accelerator provides workshops, webinars, free individual counseling, procurement events, business matchmaking, and other services to help small businesses grow through government contracting. Donna advises clients on how to do business with the government at the city, county, state, and federal levels. She provides hands-on technical assistance to small businesses that either want to become government contractors or are government contractors in need of technical assistance. Donna also facilitates both the GovCon Beginner’s Bootcamp and the FEDCon cohort for established businesses.
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.
Director, Established Business Program and Services
__('Email', 'wbdc-text-domain')Jennifer Brungardt es Directora Asociada de Programas y Servicios de Certificación en el Centro de Desarrollo Empresarial para Mujeres en la oficina de Kansas City del WBDC. Jennifer apoya a las mujeres propietarias de negocios en el proceso de certificación y recertificación para brindarles una herramienta reconocida a nivel nacional para comercializar y hacer crecer sus negocios. Jennifer también trabaja con otros miembros del equipo para ofrecer oportunidades de adquisición y desarrollo de capacidades a las WBE.
Jennifer tiene una gran experiencia con organizaciones sin fines de lucro y en el campo de la experiencia del cliente.
Jennifer tiene una licenciatura en Sociología de la Universidad Estatal de Fort Hays en Hays, Kansas.
Director, Entrepreneurial Business Program and Services, Division I | Director, Women's Business Center Aurora
__('Email', 'wbdc-text-domain')Minerva Calatayud es Directora Asociada de Programas y Servicios Empresariales Empresariales en el Centro de Desarrollo Empresarial para Mujeres en la oficina de Aurora del WBDC. Minerva brinda asesoramiento individual y grupal en inglés y español a mujeres emprendedoras que desean iniciar o hacer crecer sus negocios. También ofrece programas educativos y de capacitación para empresarios y propietarios de pequeñas empresas.
Minerva tiene una amplia experiencia en el desarrollo de estrategias internacionales que permitan a las empresas expandir y hacer crecer sus mercados, así como en la industria de alimentos y bebidas. También tiene experiencia empresarial.
Minerva tiene una Licenciatura en Ciencias en Ingeniería de Alimentos de la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México y una Maestría en Administración del Instituto Tecnológico de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, México. También tiene una Maestría Ejecutiva en Negocios Internacionales de la Universidad de St. Louis en St Louis, Missouri.
Staff Accountant
__('Email', 'wbdc-text-domain')Kristin Clowes is Staff Accountant at the Women’s Business Development Center. Kristin processes accounts receivable and accounts payable, assists in tracking grant finances, and maintains all related financial records.
Prior to joining the WBDC, Kristin gained accounting experience by serving in administrator and treasurer functions for several non-profits. She also honed skills in process efficiency planning and data analysis over a varied career that took her from pastry chef in a small bakery to buyer in a multi-national corporation.
Kristin earned a B.S. in Business Administration – Accounting from Western Governor’s University.
Director, Entrepreneurial Business Program and Services, Division II | Director, Illinois SBDC at WBDC (South Suburbs)
__('Email', 'wbdc-text-domain')Felicitas Cortez es Directora Asociada del Programa y Servicios de Negocios Empresariales y Directora Asociada de Illinois SBDC en WBDC (South Suburbs), ubicado en Richton Park. Felicitas brinda servicios de desarrollo comercial, asesoramiento individual y grupal, y recursos comerciales a propietarios de negocios nuevos, emergentes y establecidos.
Más recientemente, Felicitas fue directora ejecutiva de una cámara de comercio suburbana del sur.
Felicitas tiene una licenciatura en inglés de la Universidad Loyola de Chicago.
Human Resource Coordinator
__('Email', 'wbdc-text-domain')Cleo Dangcalan is Human Resource Coordinator at the Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC). She supports employee benefits administration, compliance initiatives, talent management processes, and training programs. Her responsibilities include assisting with benefits analysis and open enrollment activities, supporting policy implementation, and helping ensure compliance with employment and healthcare regulations.
Prior to joining WBDC, Cleo gained experience in human resources, recruitment, and talent assessment. Her professional background includes employee selection, onboarding, performance management support, workforce administration, and organizational effectiveness initiatives. Drawing from principles of Industrial-Organizational Psychology, she is particularly interested in using data-driven approaches to improve employee and organizational outcomes.
Cleo holds a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational/Business Communication from Northern Illinois University and a Master of Science in Industrial-Organizational Psychology from Purdue University Global. She is currently completing a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Leadership and Innovation.
Chief Program Officer
__('Email', 'wbdc-text-domain')Maura Downs es Directora General del Programa y Servicios de Contratación Gubernamental en el Centro de Desarrollo Empresarial para Mujeres. Maura supervisa el Centro de Asistencia Técnica de Adquisiciones (PTAC) del WBDC, que brinda asistencia técnica práctica a las pequeñas empresas que desean convertirse en contratistas del gobierno o que son contratistas del gobierno que necesitan asistencia técnica.
Maura tiene más de una década de experiencia asesorando a pequeñas empresas sobre cómo obtener certificaciones comerciales, aprovechar la certificación para contratos gubernamentales y todos los aspectos de la contratación gubernamental.
Maura tiene una licenciatura en Lengua y Literatura Inglesas de la Universidad de Illinois Chicago.
Managing Director, Finance and HR
__('Email', 'wbdc-text-domain')Kim Duncan is Managing Director, Finance and HR for the Women's Business Development Center. Kim is a senior financial professional with a proven record of consistently and effectively delivering accounting and financial services. In addition to experience serving clients as a managing consultant with Robert Half, she has held a number of positions from CFO to financial analyst for both non-profit organizations and for-profit companies.
Kim holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and a minor in Accounting/Finance from Indiana University.
Director, Certification Program and Services
__('Email', 'wbdc-text-domain')Bridget Foster es Directora del Programa y Servicios de Certificación en el Centro de Desarrollo Empresarial para Mujeres en la oficina de Chicago del WBDC. Bridget supervisa el equipo de certificación y apoya a las mujeres empresarias en el proceso de certificación y recertificación para brindarles una herramienta reconocida a nivel nacional para comercializar y hacer crecer sus negocios.
Bridget tiene una licenciatura en Negocios de la Universidad de Illinois.
Director, Information Technology
__('Email', 'wbdc-text-domain')Ellenie Girma es Directora Asociada de Tecnología de la Información en el Centro de Desarrollo Empresarial para Mujeres. Ellenie maneja las necesidades tecnológicas diarias del WBDC y sus programas y servicios, y ayuda al WBDC a mantenerse a la vanguardia de las necesidades y los requisitos tecnológicos que cambian rápidamente.
Antes de unirse al WBDC, Ellenie tenía una amplia experiencia en tecnología de la información, incluido el diseño y reparación de infraestructura de red.
Ellenie tiene una licenciatura en Lenguas y Literatura Extranjeras de la Universidad de Addis Abeba, Etiopía. Además, es ingeniera de sistemas certificada por Microsoft (MCSE) y profesional certificada por Microsoft (MCP).
Managing Director, Established Business Program and Services
__('Email', 'wbdc-text-domain')Karen Goldner es Directora General del Programa y Servicios de Negocios Establecidos en el Centro de Desarrollo de Negocios para Mujeres. Karen dirige el equipo de Servicios comerciales establecidos de WBDC y es responsable del programa de certificación WBE de WBDC, que ayuda a las WBE a desarrollar la capacidad para un crecimiento sostenible y ayuda a los socios corporativos a identificar proveedores sólidos.
Durante 20 años, Karen ha trabajado con, en y para una variedad de pequeñas empresas. Además de la consultoría, su experiencia incluye la gestión de etapas iniciales, préstamos a pequeñas empresas y operación de pequeñas empresas manufactureras.
Karen tiene una licenciatura en Ciencias Políticas de la Universidad de Nebraska y un MPA de la Universidad de Indiana. Además, Karen es una profesional certificada en finanzas de desarrollo comunitario del Consejo Nacional de Desarrollo.
Managing Director, Access to Capital Program and Services
__('Email', 'wbdc-text-domain')Kelly Gumbiner is Managing Director of the Access to Capital Program and Services at the Women’s Business Development Center. Kelly facilitates and coordinates programs and cohorts, providing accessibility to resources in the Access to Capital community. Kelly focuses on business growth and network connectivity for emerging and established entrepreneurs.
With over 20 years of experience in the financial services industry, Kelly excels in relationship management, revenue growth, lending, business advising, and team leadership.
Kelly earned a B.A. with a double major in marketing and television from Columbia College Chicago.
Director, Established Business Program and Services
__('Email', 'wbdc-text-domain')Lynn Herbert is Director of Established Business Programs and Services for the Women’s Business Development Center in the St. Paul office. Lynn supports business owners in growing their businesses, and our corporate partners in developing and identifying certified women business enterprises (WBEs) as vendors.
Lynn has over 30 years of experience leading innovative programs that drive sales, customer success and engagement for both emerging and established industry leaders across a broad range of industries. Listening to the customer and quickly understanding new technologies and supply chains, she is skilled in assessing client needs and delivering high-quality, high impact business development services.
Lynn holds a B.S. in Computer Science from Iowa State University.
Director, Illinois SBDC International Trade Center (ITC) at WBDC
__('Email', 'wbdc-text-domain')Soraya Hernandez is the Illinois SBDC International Trade Center (ITC) Director at WBDC. 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.
Data Associate
__('Email', 'wbdc-text-domain')Kyrie Huerta is the Associate Director of Data and Operations at the Women’s Business Development Center. Kyrie supports the organization’s daily operations through data management, reporting, client database administration, and operational support.
Prior to joining the WBDC, Kyrie served as a Data Entry and Management Assistant with Michigan State University's Department of Geography, Environment, and Spatial Science, where she specialized in data validation, reporting, and research support. She also gained operations and customer service experience at the Jack Breslin Student Events Center.
Kyrie earned a Bachelor of Science in Economics with a Minor in Quantitative Data Analytics from Michigan State University.
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
__('Email', 'wbdc-text-domain')Cynthia Johnson es Directora de Servicios y Programas de Negocios Establecidos en el Centro de Desarrollo de Negocios para Mujeres en la oficina de Chicago del WBDC. Cynthia coordina y ofrece programas relevantes y eventos de adquisiciones con socios corporativos de WBDC para ayudar a las empresas propiedad de mujeres a desarrollar capacidad y mantener un crecimiento rentable.
Cynthia tiene una amplia experiencia empresarial como fundadora y directora ejecutiva de un negocio que dirigió durante 30 años. Cynthia también ocupó puestos de liderazgo ejecutivo en varias organizaciones sin fines de lucro y formó parte de la Junta Directiva de WBDC.
Cynthia tiene una licenciatura de la Universidad de Purdue. Además, ha tomado cursos de maestría en administración de empresas en el Centro Axelson para la administración de organizaciones sin fines de lucro de la Universidad de North Park y cursos de desarrollo profesional en administración de empresas en la Universidad de Northwestern.
Associate Director, Entrepreneurial Business Program and Services, Division I
__('Email', 'wbdc-text-domain')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
__('Email', 'wbdc-text-domain')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.
President and Chief Executive Officer
__('Email', 'wbdc-text-domain')Erica T. Kuhlmann is President and Chief Executive Officer of the Women’s Business Development Center. Erica works directly with the WBDC team, Board members, partners, and clients to support and accelerate business development and growth while advocating for business owners across the Midwest.
Prior to Joining the WBDC, Erica spent over 30 years at BMO Financial Group, having served in various leadership roles throughout her tenure at the bank. Over the last 15 years, Erica was a Managing Director and Market Executive of BMO Commercial Bank's Food, Consumer and Agribusiness Group. Erica has worked with agribusiness companies, branded and private label food manufacturers, front line commodity processors, protein processors, input suppliers, wholesale distributors, and grocery chains throughout her career, providing banking services, capital, and advice to companies in this sector. In November of 2024, her team was honored with the 2024 Leadership Award by the economic development organization Global Midwest Alliance.
Erica is a board member of IFAMA, the International Food and Agribusiness Management Association, Chicagoland Food and Beverage Network, and Naturally Chicago. She has received numerous accolades for her business leadership, including being named by Crain’s Chicago Business as one of the Most Influential Women in Commercial Banking, as well as being recognized by American Banker as part of BMO’s Most Powerful Women in Banking team.
Erica holds a BA from Northwestern University and an MBA from the Booth School of Management at the University of Chicago.
Senior Director, Development
__('Email', 'wbdc-text-domain')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, Programa y Servicios de Negocios Establecidos
__('Email', 'wbdc-text-domain')Jessie Leonard es Directora del Programa y Servicios de Negocios Establecidos para el Centro de Desarrollo de Negocios para Mujeres en la oficina de WBDC en Milwaukee. Jessie apoya a las mujeres propietarias de negocios en el crecimiento de sus negocios y a nuestros socios corporativos en el desarrollo e identificación de WBE certificadas como proveedores.
Jessie aporta más de 17 años de experiencia como profesional de la diversidad y tiene más de 20 años en la gestión administrativa y de recursos humanos en los sectores privado y sin fines de lucro.
Jessie tiene una licenciatura en Comunicaciones con una especialización en Administración de Empresas de Aleverno College. Además, ha obtenido certificaciones en Gestión de Proyectos, Gestión de Recursos Humanos y Derecho, y el certificado de Diversidad de Proveedores del National Minority Supplier Development Council.
Associate Director, Certification Program and Services
__('Email', 'wbdc-text-domain')Griselda Llerenas es Directora Asociada de Programas y Servicios de Certificación en el Centro de Desarrollo Empresarial para Mujeres en la oficina de Chicago del WBDC. Griselda apoya a las mujeres empresarias en el proceso de certificación y recertificación para brindarles una herramienta reconocida a nivel nacional para comercializar y hacer crecer sus negocios.
Griselda ha trabajado en el sector sin fines de lucro y adquirió experiencia en coordinación de proyectos, operaciones de empresas sociales y recaudación de fondos.
Griselda tiene una licenciatura en Ciencias Políticas e Inglés de la Universidad DePaul. También completó un programa de desarrollo de fondos ejecutivos realizado por la Universidad de Notre Dame.
Chief Development Officer
__('Email', 'wbdc-text-domain')Georgia Marsh es Directora de Desarrollo del Centro de Desarrollo Empresarial para Mujeres. Georgia lidera el trabajo del equipo de Desarrollo para identificar, cultivar y mantener los recursos para el WBDC.
Antes de unirse al WBDC, la mayor parte de la carrera de Georgia la pasó en puestos ejecutivos y de liderazgo en el sector público a nivel estatal y federal. Georgia también trabajó en el sector privado y tiene una amplia experiencia empresarial, incluida la gestión de una empresa de consultoría que brindaba servicios de asesoramiento para entidades gubernamentales y sin fines de lucro.
Georgia recibió una licenciatura de la Universidad de Wisconsin-Madison.
Managing Director, Strategic Partnerships
__('Email', 'wbdc-text-domain')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.
Associate Director, Marketing
__('Email', 'wbdc-text-domain')Izel Michel is the Associate Director of Marketing 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
__('Email', 'wbdc-text-domain')Maura Mitchell es Directora General del Programa y Servicios Empresariales Empresariales en el Centro de Desarrollo Empresarial para Mujeres y Directora de Illinois SBDC en WBDC. Maura se asocia con emprendedores para desarrollar sus planes de negocios y recaudar capital para hacer crecer sus empresas de manera rentable.
Con una larga historia de ayudar a pequeñas empresas y organizaciones sin fines de lucro con cuestiones estratégicas, legales y financieras, Maura brinda información sobre lo que se necesita para que las pequeñas empresas prosperen en el entorno cambiante de hoy.
Maura tiene una licenciatura en matemáticas de Saint Mary's College, un MBA de la Escuela de Negocios Booth de la Universidad de Chicago y un doctorado en derecho de la Facultad de Derecho de la Universidad DePaul.
Managing Director, Program Innovations
__('Email', 'wbdc-text-domain')Lindsay es Directora General de Innovaciones de Programas en el Centro de Desarrollo Empresarial de Mujeres. Lindsay busca cultivar relaciones profundas entre líderes cívicos, pequeñas empresas establecidas y miembros de la comunidad para crear una economía equitativa y ha ayudado a desarrollar el programa ScaleUp de WBDC.
Lindsay tiene más de 15 años de experiencia en defensa y asesoramiento de pequeñas empresas, estrategia y creación de programas sin fines de lucro y desarrollo de relaciones comunitarias.
Lindsay tiene una licenciatura en administración sin fines de lucro de la Universidad de Indiana y una licenciatura en interpretación del lenguaje de señas estadounidense de Columbia College.
Managing Director, Risk and Internal Operations
__('Email', 'wbdc-text-domain')Briavael O'Reilly es el Director de Datos y Operaciones. Bri trabaja con el personal, los clientes y otras partes interesadas para recopilar información sobre a quién sirve el WBDC y el impacto que tiene el WBDC en la comunidad. También administra las operaciones diarias del WBDC.
Bri ha trabajado en el sector de operaciones y gestión durante más de 20 años, centrándose en la gestión de datos desde 2011.
Bri tiene una licenciatura en producción de radio y televisión de Ithaca College.
Associate Director, Certification Program and Services
__('Email', 'wbdc-text-domain')Rebekah Rechtzigel is Associate Director 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.
Client Services Specialist
__('Email', 'wbdc-text-domain')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.
Associate Director, Development and Board Liaison
__('Email', 'wbdc-text-domain')Grace Toll is Associate Director of Development and Board 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.
Contractor, Director of Marketing
__('Email', 'wbdc-text-domain')Laurie Underwood es Directora de Marketing en el Centro de Desarrollo Empresarial para Mujeres. Laurie realiza una variedad de funciones de comunicación y marketing tradicional y digital, incluido el diseño gráfico, el desarrollo y la distribución de material adicional y las redes sociales, para promover los programas, servicios y eventos del WBDC.
Antes del WBDC, Laurie ocupó cargos en marketing y desarrollo comercial en una variedad de industrias, que incluyen arquitectura, bienes raíces comerciales, moda B2B y comercio electrónico. También proporcionó varios servicios profesionales de marketing para empresas propiedad de mujeres.
Laurie recibió una licenciatura en Marketing y Gestión Minorista del Instituto de Arte de Illinois.
Director, Childcare Business Program
__('Email', 'wbdc-text-domain')Yvonne Villalpando es Directora del Programa y Servicios Empresariales Empresariales en el Centro de Desarrollo Empresarial para Mujeres. Yvonne brinda servicios y recursos de desarrollo empresarial a mujeres empresarias nuevas, emergentes y establecidas, así como asesoramiento empresarial personalizado, tanto en inglés como en español.
Antes del WBDC, Yvonne ocupó cargos de contabilidad, finanzas y administración en varias empresas en una variedad de industrias. Yvonne también tiene una amplia experiencia empresarial.
Yvonne tiene un MBA de la Universidad La Salle (Ciudad de México) y un BSA del Tec de Monterrey (Ciudad de México).
Vice President
__('Email', 'wbdc-text-domain')Roxanne Ward es jefa de personal en el Centro de Desarrollo Empresarial para Mujeres. Roxanne también brinda una variedad de funciones de liderazgo y supervisión en el WBDC, incluidos los servicios legales internos y la supervisión del marketing, la marca y la tecnología de la información.
Después de comenzar su carrera como abogada de finanzas públicas, Roxanne trabajó en una variedad de puestos ejecutivos y de liderazgo tanto en el sector público como en el privado, centrándose en el desarrollo legal, de gobernanza, de relaciones externas y de pequeñas empresas.
Roxanne obtuvo su BA y MA en Administración de Servicios Sociales de la Universidad de Chicago y su JD de la Facultad de Derecho de Harvard.
Associate Director, Certification Program and Services
Erin White is Associate Director of the Certification Program and Services at the Women’s Business Development Center in the WBDC’s Chicago office. Erin supports women business owners in the certification and recertification process to provide them with a nationally recognized tool to market and grow their businesses.
Erin has extensive administrative experience in hospitals and medical offices and began honing her paralegal skills in the legal services field in 2018.
Erin holds a B.A. from Northeastern Illinois University, where she studied Studio Art and Media Communications. She later earned a Certificate in Paralegal Studies in 2018 from Roosevelt University in Chicago, Illinois.
Director, Entrepreneurial Program and Services, Division II
__('Email', 'wbdc-text-domain')Regina Williams is Director of Entrepreneurial Program and Services, Division II 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.
