Priscilla Guasso, a bit of a reverse snow bird to Chicago, grew up in the Chicago suburbs, still has a lot of the big city, Midwestern mindset with her today! Priscilla joins the podcast to give share her expertise about the many areas that HR experts touch and how they can be a valuable resource to all employees. She also shares about what makes her so passionate about seeing many different kinds of faces around the table, and what she and her network are doing to help bring chairs to others who may have not had a seat before. Priscilla gives some incredible and inspiring insights, as well as shares about her book, Latinas Rising Up in HR and the many voices you will hear from when reading the stories. Be sure to listen to this absolutely amazing episode, you are sure to connect with Priscilla and how she is working to change the world!

Ivan Vislavskiy moved to the United States to pursue his version of the American dream, finding Chicago along the way, and the opportunities our city provides. In this episode, Ivan reflects on his time in Chicago, the opportunities higher education in Chicago provided to him, and how his family helped him dedicate his company, Comrade Digital Marketing Agency, to be a family-first company that truly partners with their clients. Ivan also discusses how small companies can make the leap to partnering with a digital marketing company, and what they can consider if they are not ready to make that leap. Ivan gives a masterclass on how keeping the faith, and sometimes bucking the trends, can help you grow your business the way that you want to and stay on the right path. The insights given by Ivan in this episode will be helpful not just for small businesses and marketers, but also to any business that has family oriented, people focused goals.

Partners in life and work, Ron & Sue Rescigno of Rescigno’s Fundraising Professionals, join the podcast to share about their work and about how their story is a true Chicago story. Aiming to help nonprofits either get systems in place to help them improve their fundraising efforts, or to put some systems in place, their work is not a lot of glory but very important. Teaching about how we communicate the needs and goals of the organization, Ron & Sue’s expertise is obvious and incredibly helpful for many different types of organizations. The level of care that Ron & Sue give their work helps to ensure that the needs of the public and the organizations don’t get lost, and that they are fully invested in doing what is best for the mission of the organization. Don’t miss this very insightful and encouraging episode!

Dan Futrell is a Chicago transplant, having lived on both the east and west coasts and is now settled with his family in the Midwest. A Pat Tillman scholar, Dan now leads the nonprofit helping to provide educational opportunities for veterans, which is headquartered in Chicago. Dan and his team at Polymath University are looking to change how people approach higher ed and making it more accessible to everyone. Marrying life and professional experience with classroom learning, Polymath hopes to create more well-rounded students who are ready to contribute to any field. Dan and his team are furthering education as a resource and making it less daunting for others.

Season 7 of the podcast continues with Clara Lucia, the Founder of Breaking Through Consulting and Coaching. Colombian born, Clara Lucia’s story is one of resilience and adventure as she created her identity in Chicago. Clara Lucia saw the opportunity as an open door, a way for her to have many experiences that would lead her to the path of entrepreneurship and sharing that story with others. Her network played a very important role in growing her finding work and building her up to starting her consulting company. Be sure to check out this episode so that you can learn from her experience and be inspired to do big things in your own life!

Today’s episode of the podcast features Jen Guzman, the Founder of Bestola Consulting. A Chicago native, Jen shares how the city has impacted her and informed her leadership style. Chicago’s gritty, Midwestern vibe has played an important role in her life and keeps her connected to home. Jen’s family has a history of humility and philanthropy, regardless of how much they had to give. Bestola Consulting is helping others learn how to bring their most authentic selves without worry about what others may think of you. Her story, and the story of Bestola will definitely resonate and inspire you to share your own story!

We continue our kick-off of Bridging Chicago's Season 7 premiere with Walter Mendenhall, Founder of the Male Mogul Initiative. In part one, we learned about Walter's childhood in the Chicago area and lessons he learned on the football field at the University of Illinois. Part two features Walter's work post grad, what brought him back to Chicago, and the Male Mogul Initiative. Walter also discusses a new project aimed at helping young people learn how their creative assets can turn into amazing entrepreneurship opportunities! Be sure to listen to part one if you haven't yet.

Season 7 kicks off with an exciting guest who’s name you may already know, Walter Mendenhall! Walter is a Chicago product, growing up in and around the city and taking his football talents to UIUC. It’s what Walter has accomplished more recently, however that brings him to Bridging Chicago, and we’re so happy he stopped by. This will be a two-part episode, and in part one, you can learn more about Walter’s background and how he was able to balance being a student athlete. You’ll also learn some of the life lessons he obtained from his time at U of I, as well as the big things to come in the future. Be sure to tune in next week for part two.

Cheryl Hamilton-Hill is the CEO of Lincoln Park Community Services, an organization that understands that doing good things for good people is important, but doing it in a way that sets them up to allow themselves and their families succeed is better. LPCS does not look at a moment in someones life and identify them by that moment, but they understand that moments aren’t forever, and given the chance, people can lift themselves out of any moment. Her teams desire to walk alongside the people they serve and provide resources that can change lives is truly inspiring. Cheryl shares about the difference housing and education makes for people and what they are doing to tackle these specific needs. Cheryl not only provides insight, but also hope for a better future for our city.

Little Village is a vibrant, dynamic neighborhood in Chicago that is very important to Chicago's cultural and economic impact on the country. Kim Close, Executive Director of Foundation of Little Village joins the podcast to share about why the neighborhood means so much to her and what prompted her to start the organization. Foundation of Little Village is dedicated to ensuring that the people of the neighborhood and its entrepreneurs can continue to start and grow their businesses and reinvest in the neighborhood. Don't miss this episode to close out National Hispanic Heritage Month with us!