inTheir20s

Jonny Imerman is the Co-Founder of Imerman Angels and CLOZTALK. Imerman Angels' connects a person/family with cancer to another person/family who's been through a similar cancer journey. CLOZTALK's mission is to raise awareness and funds for important non-profit organizations. They try to inspire people to rock their favorite non-profit logo on their clothes.   Jonny Imerman fought testicular cancer for two years in the Detroit area in his 20’s. Jonny and a group of cancer survivors co-founded Imerman Angels in 2006. Imerman Angels has 12,000+ trained, volunteer cancer survivors and caregivers on call. In 2017, Jonny Imerman and his brother Jeff Imerman co-founded CLOZTALK to raise awareness & funds for great nonprofits.  In our interview, we speak with Jonny about how he overcame cancer in his 20s and how people in their 20s can be involved in non-profit organizations.

Introduction music by:  LAKEY INSPIRED - Chill Day

LAKEY INSPIRED - Chill Day  Download→ https://soundcloud.com/lakeyinspired/chill-day

Dennis Bautista currently serves as the Vice President of Data Analytics at HUB International, which is an insurance company based in Chicago, IL.   In his 20s, Dennis began his career in the insurance industry as a large group underwriter from nationally recognized insurance companies. He held roles on the service and business/consumer side of the health insurance industry, serving as an Account Executive, and Vice President of Benefits Consulting.  Dennis' success in the insurance industry has been credited to what he learned in his 20s.

Introduction music by:  LAKEY INSPIRED - Chill Day

LAKEY INSPIRED - Chill Day  Download→ https://soundcloud.com/lakeyinspired/chill-day

Kevin Coval is the Artistic Director of Young Chicago Authors (“YCA”), which won a MacArthur Award for Creative & Effective Institutions, & the founder of Louder Than a Bomb: The Chicago Youth Poetry Festival, the world's largest youth poetry festival, now in more than 19 cities around the world.  Kevin has mentored and created safe spaces for some of Chicago’s brightest young creatives, including now-blossoming YCA alums Chance the Rapper, Noname, Saba, and Jamila Woods.   In our interview, we discuss with Kevin how he found his passion for poetry and writing and the importance of having a creative space.

Introduction music by:  LAKEY INSPIRED - Chill Day

LAKEY INSPIRED - Chill Day  Download→ https://soundcloud.com/lakeyinspired/chill-day

Ron Louis has built a very strong foundation for himself within both the Chicago fashion scene and the thriving streetwear industry. He has used his influence from other designers such as Virgil Abloh, Don C, and Kanye West to create garments that have gained recognition from Chicago legends.

Ron is still in his 20s, but has already accomplished so much in the clothing design industry. He started designing clothes in high school and has been able to scale his brand to be well known in Chicago.

In our interview, we speak with Ron about how he became a designer, how he was able to build his brand, and goals for his brand as he moves through his 20s.

Introduction music by:  LAKEY INSPIRED - Chill Day

LAKEY INSPIRED - Chill Day  Download→ https://soundcloud.com/lakeyinspired/chill-day

Beto O’Rourke is an American politician who represented Texas's 16th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives. Beto is most notable for his 2018 campaign for United States Senate where he had endorsements from celebrities including Beyonce, Lebron James, and Travis Scott.  Recently, Beto ran as a Democratic candidate for president of the United States in 2020 against Joe Biden and other candidates.  

We were fortunate enough to speak with Beto about experiences he had during his 20s including some of the biggest risks he took while in his 20’s and what skills Beto gained while in his 20s that he still uses today.

Introduction music by:  LAKEY INSPIRED - Chill Day

LAKEY INSPIRED - Chill Day  Download→ https://soundcloud.com/lakeyinspired/chill-day

Steve Stoute currently serves as the Vice President for Strategic Initiatives and Chief of Staff at DePaul University. In his role, Steve serves as the university president’s senior advisor and oversees operations in the Office of the President. His responsibilities include facilitating the implementation of the university’s strategic plan, as well as serving as the liaison to the Board of Trustees on key executive matters.  

Steve is an attorney and experienced leader in higher education and previously worked as an associate specializing in corporate and securities matters at Dechert LLP in Philadelphia. He also worked at Princeton University, first as an assistant director of the Princeton Varsity Club in the Department of Athletics and later as a capital giving officer in the Office of Development. He was the life skills coordinator in the Department of Athletics at the University of Southern California.  

In our interview, we speak with Steve about the importance of higher education and the impact higher education can have on your family and community.

Introduction music by:  LAKEY INSPIRED - Chill Day

LAKEY INSPIRED - Chill Day  Download→ https://soundcloud.com/lakeyinspired/chill-day

Chris Johnson is currently working as the Managing Director of Ground Operations at Southwest Airlines. Chris leads the daily efforts of domestic Ground Operations to ensure that the Customer Service, Operations, and Ramp Employees working at the airports have the tools and support they need to deliver the safest, most reliable, most efficient, and most hospitable airport experience.  

Chris started at Southwest Airlines in 1993, spending his entire career with Southwest. Chris started as a Ramp Agent in Detroit and has held Leadership roles as a Manager in Orlando, Assistant Station Leader in Oakland, Station Leader in Birmingham, Sacramento, Los Angeles, and Phoenix, Station Director, Senior Station Director, and Senior Director of Labor Relations.  

In our interview, Chris talks about how commitment to a company can elevate your career from being an everyday employee to an executive!

Introduction music by:  LAKEY INSPIRED - Chill Day

LAKEY INSPIRED - Chill Day  Download→ https://soundcloud.com/lakeyinspired/chill-day

Kati Quigley is currently working as the Senior Director of Global Industry Marketing at Microsoft. Kati has nearly 20 years of experience with Microsoft holding various positions in their marketing department. 

Kati has always had a passion for event planning and execution. In her 20s she worked for various non-profit organizations, giving her experience in event planning. Kati used this experience in her 20s to get an event marketing position that began her amazing career with Mircosoft.   

In our interview, Kati gives important advice to students and professionals in their 20s trying to find the perfect company culture.

Introduction music by:  LAKEY INSPIRED - Chill Day

LAKEY INSPIRED - Chill Day  Download→ https://soundcloud.com/lakeyinspired/chill-day

Mike Haracz aka Chef Mike is a corporate chef, brand ambassador, social media influencer. Chef Mike recently worked for McDonald’s on their Culinary Innovation team and has been featured as a spokesperson in multiple Wendy’s commercials. Chef Mike has built a huge personal brand through social media and community engagement. Chef Mike has his own YouTube channel where he helps people create amazing food dishes from the comfort of their homes. We speak with Chef Mike about how you can build a personal brand for yourself in your 20s and some of the differences between being a corporate chef verse other culinary career paths.

Introduction music by:  LAKEY INSPIRED - Chill Day

LAKEY INSPIRED - Chill Day  Download→ https://soundcloud.com/lakeyinspired/chill-day