Stories that inspire

Roya Mahboob

Roya Mahboob

Founder, Digital Citizen Fund

Roya is using technology to change the lives of tens of thousands of women in Afghanistan.  Video>

Kristi Ross

Kristi Ross

CoFounder, CEO dough, inc.

Kristi’s award-winning options-trading platform is transforming the way millions think about investing.  Video>

Kaney O'Neil

Kaney O'Neil

CoFounder, O'Neil Construction

After a hurricane blew veteran Kaney O’Neill off a balcony – resulting in paraplegia, Kaney blew the stereotype of what’s achievable when you have the spirit of an entrepreneur.  Video>

Elena Valentine

Elena Valentine

Founder, SkillScout

Elena’s passion to connect at-risk youth to employment, led her to build a revolutionary video-based startup.   Video>

Brenna Berman

Brenna Berman

Chicago CIO and Commissioner, Dept. of Innovation and Technology

Brenna Berman has been working with the Emanuel administration since 2011, most recently working to create an “open and data-driven government”.

Watch Brenna’s story

Shivani Jain

Shivani Jain

CoFounder at Cubii

“Don’t let your lack of experience deter you from trying something new.”

See Shivani’s story

Dana Oswald

Dana Oswald

Founder, Veterans Prime

Dana is a former marine who is helping transitioning veterans find jobs.

See Dana’s story

Samara Mejia

Samara Mejia

Sr. Assoc. MATH Venture Partners

Samara is a venture capital investor who specializes in digital and tech companies.

See Samara’s story

Dima Elissa

Dima Elissa

Founder, VisMed3D

Dima shares her conviction on execution trumping over analysis.

See the story.

Rose Afriyie

Rose Afriyie

Founder, mRelief

Rose is helping Chicago residents easily find out if they are eligible for social services with her text and app based startup MRelief.

See Rose’s story

Lisa Davidson

Lisa Davidson

Executive Managing Director, Savills Studley

Lisa Davidson is a champion for women in the Chicago commercial real estate community and in the tech community.

Watch Lisa’s story

Ann Marie

Ann Marie

Partner at Vue Ventures

Ann Marie, has advised, mentored and managed over 30 companies. Hear her thoughts on her career path.

See Ann Marie’s story

Desiree Vargas Wrigley

Desiree Vargas Wrigley

Founder, GiveForward

Desiree created one of America’s leading online platforms for helping friends and families in times of challenges.  Video > 

Sharon Schneider

Sharon Schneider

Founder, Moxie Jean & CoFounder, WTF

Stacy Ratner

Stacy Ratner

CoFounder, Hooray Learning

Stacy launched three for-profit companies with a combined $30 million in venture funding, then switched to the nonprofit sector in 2006.  See Stacy’s Story >

Riana Lynn

Riana Lynn

Founder, FoodTrace & CoFounder WTF

Kadesha Thomas Smith

Kadesha Thomas Smith

CEO, CareContent

Claire Lew

Claire Lew

CEO, Know Your Company

Alex Batdorf

Alex Batdorf

CoFounder, Zipfit Denim

Maura Gaughan

Maura Gaughan

Video Producer, Strategist

Terri Brax

Terri Brax

Founder, TeacherCare & CoFounder, WTF

Nicole Staple

Nicole Staple

Founder, Brideside

Jill Salzman

Jill Salzman

Founder, The Founding Moms

Katie Hench

Katie Hench

CEO & Founder, Infiniteach

Heide Brown

Heide Brown

Founder & CEO, Options Away

Jessica Tenuta

Jessica Tenuta

CoFounder, PackBack

Nicole Yeary

Nicole Yeary

Founder, Ms. Tech

Eileen Murphy

Eileen Murphy

Founder, ThinkCERCA

Kate Marie Sigfusson

Kate Marie Sigfusson

Founder, Babies4Babies

Mariela Santori

Mariela Santori

Founder & CEO, Let's Play Please

Corrielle Heath

Corrielle Heath

Founder & CEO, LiftUpLift.Com

Ce Cole Dillon

Ce Cole Dillon

CEO, School Loans 411

Karen Gordon

Karen Gordon

CEO, Lean Creative Labs

Liz Tillati

Liz Tillati

CoFounder & CEO, ZipFit Denim

Sandee Kastrul

Sandee Kastrul

CoFounder of i.c.stars

” The shift from being a consumer to an innovator is power.”

Hear Sandee’s full story

Daniela Bolzmann

Daniela Bolzmann

CoFounder, WeDeliver.us

Natalie Tessler

Natalie Tessler

Owner, Spa Space

Lindsay Austin

Lindsay Austin

Founder, Tapeplay

Julie Novack

Julie Novack

Founder, PartySlate

Makeda Ricketts

Makeda Ricketts

Founder, ThePinkThink

Nin Desai

Nin Desai

Founder, NINVentures

Sandra Edwards

Sandra Edwards

Founder, Wheelz on Time

X