Native of Caracas, Venezuela. Of an entrepreneurial family. From fish jerky to market research for the “big fish.” Illinois SBDC International Trade Center (ITC) Director at WBDC. Our expert on tariffs and international trade. Meet Soraya Hernandez, a Power Partner.

Illinois Native. Peace Corp volunteer. Local economic development worker. Leading small business philanthropy in Chicago and guiding grantmaking in Indiana and Wisconsin for JPMorganChase. Meet Phylicia Manley, a Power Partner.

Long Island native. Grantor. Grantee. Leader of the Fund for Equitable Business Growth. A collaborator helping to grow more small businesses in Chicago. Meet Adam Engle, a Power Partner.

Originally from Finland. Entrepreneurship professor at DePaul University in Chicago. A researcher and educator on self-employment, disabilities entrepreneurship, women in business. Meet Maija Renko, a Power Partner.

Maija Renko, Coleman Chair of Entrepreneurship at the Driehaus College of Business at DePaul University.

Maija joined DePaul in 2019 after twelve years at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Her focus is on how entrepreneurs build financially successful businesses that contribute to positive social change. She has dedicated much of her life to studying and helping entrepreneurs with disabilities and those that have been historically disenfranchised understand their unique strength in the market.

About DePaul University

DePaul is the largest private university whose faculty members' priority is teaching. It is committed to an educational experience that weaves together mind, place, people and heart, preparing its students to succeed and make a difference in a changing world.

An American Dream childhood in a West Pullman community. A Baby Boomer with early days in computers and real estate. Now helping people in the construction trades build things, build themselves up, build their community. Meet Cyndi Stewart, a Power Partner.

From Saint Agatha’s to Saint Sabina’s. Learned the IT business at IBM. Leveraged her experience to own a consultancy.  Using technology for greater visibility to client challenges and opportunities. Making change happen on 79th Street.  Meet Rhea Steele, a Power Partner.

Life within a 3-mile radius on the Northwest Side. Getting every small business online. Building trust by listening and being present. Making ScaleUp and Plan For Profit work in Belmont Cragin. Meet Jessica Vazquez, a Power Partner.

Came to Chicago from Mexico City. Got a gentle push to learn a new language. Did so while running her restaurant.  An awning leads to a new dawn.  Now serves education to entrepreneurs.  Meet Erika Gonzalez, a Power Partner.

From a wart to Wartburg College. Started a high school. Started a farmers’ market. Started an entrepreneurship program. Not someone you can stop. Meet Sheree Moratto, a Power Partner.