The Disruptors

In this special Women’s History Month episode of The Disruptors, we sit down with Stephanie Piccirilli, President & CEO of Ignite, and Chineze Mogbo, Director of Engagement, to explore how Ignite is transforming the lives of young people facing housing instability.

Ignite envisions a world where youth are defined by their potential, not their circumstances. Through safe housing, holistic support, and community advocacy, they are breaking cycles of homelessness and helping young people step into leadership and self-sufficiency.

Stephanie and Chineze share powerful insights on women in leadership, overcoming systemic barriers, and the role of courage and community in creating lasting change. We’ll also highlight the unique challenges young women face and how Ignite is shaping a future where every young person has the opportunity to thrive.

Tune in for an inspiring conversation on resilience, leadership, and the power of investing in our youth.

https://www.ignitepromise.org/

In this episode of The Disruptors, we sit down with Arielle Johnson—entrepreneur, advocate, and former city and state government leader. Arielle shares her journey from public service to launching Fierce Staffing Agency, a company rooted in workforce development and economic empowerment. She discusses the challenges Black women face in leadership, the importance of advocacy, and how she balances being a CEO and a mother. Tune in for a conversation on resilience, community impact, and building bridges for collective power.

Learn more about Fierce Staffing Agency: https://www.fiercestaffingservices.com/

In this insightful episode of The Disruptors, host Ashley E. sits down with Myetie Hamilton, the first Black woman to serve as CEO of Leadership Greater Chicago. With a distinguished career spanning education, non-profit leadership, and civic engagement, Myetie shares her journey of stepping outside her comfort zone to lead transformative initiatives across Chicago. She discusses the importance of leaning into discomfort, the role of mentorship, and the unique challenges faced by Black women in leadership positions.

To learn more about Leadership Greater Chicago visit https://lgcchicago.org/

We’re back! 🎙️ Kicking off Season 2 of The Disruptors with a special series celebrating Women’s History Month. Stay tuned as we spotlight incredible women leaders in Chicago’s nonprofit, civic, and entrepreneurial sectors who are making a lasting impact.

Plus, check out Bowa Gives, the philanthropic arm of Bowa Construction, to see what we’ve been up to while we’ve been away.

🔗 BowaGives.org

In this episode of The Disruptors, we sit down with Jose Acevedo, Director of Iman Central’s Green Reentry Program, to explore how their transformative initiative is creating pathways to new beginnings for justice-involved individuals. We dive into the program's mission, which blends construction training, community support, and sustainability practices to offer participants meaningful skills and fresh opportunities. Learn how Green Reentry aligns with Bowa's community-centered vision, and discover the powerful impact of building futures while transforming neighborhoods.

Visit Iman Central for more information: https://www.imancentral.org/

In this episode, we sit down with Phil Beckham, founder of P3 Markets, to discuss his transformative work in Chicago’s Bronzeville community. From the 43 Green project to the upcoming Lake Park Partners development, Phil shares his journey of creating affordable, mixed-use housing that empowers communities. Learn how his commitment to equitable development is reshaping Bronzeville and inspiring the next generation of community builders. Whether you’re in construction, real estate, or simply passionate about urban development, this episode is a must-listen!

In this solo episode of The Disruptors, host Ashley takes us on a journey through Bowa’s core mission: building stronger communities, not just through construction but through workforce development and philanthropy. She dives into how Bowa Construction stays true to its community-centric values, with highlights on the Build Up Program, which opens doors for the next generation of the workforce, and Bowa Gives, the company’s philanthropic arm dedicated to giving back. Listen as Ashley unpacks the powerful connection between Bowa’s work and the communities they serve, and get a sneak peek into what’s next for Bowa’s community-driven initiatives.

In Episode 3 of The Disruptors, we sit down with Victoria Barner, freshman architecture major at the University of Illinois Urbana - Champaign. As a recent participant in Bowa’s Emerging Leaders Program, Victoria shares her journey from high school to her first steps into the world of construction. From blueprints to bold beginnings, hear how Victoria’s experience shaped her vision for the future of design and construction. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about the power of mentorship, creativity, and building a career from the ground up.

In this episode of The Disruptors, we sit down with Natalie Pedraza, Bowa Construction’s HR Specialist, to explore the intricacies of people strategy and leadership. With over 30 years of experience, Natalie shares her approach to navigating complex workplace dynamics and fostering collaboration across all levels of the organization. From guiding young HR professionals to offering strategic advice to executives, Natalie emphasizes the power of listening, empowering, and mentoring to create a supportive and effective work environment. She reflects on the balance between directness and empathy, the importance of learning from both successes and failures, and the evolving role of women in construction leadership. Join us as we dive into what it truly means to lead with people at the heart of every decision.

Welcome to the inaugural episode of The Disruptors, where we bring you a bold conversation with a leader shaking up the construction industry and beyond. In this episode, we sit down with none other than our visionary CEO and founder of Bowa Construction, Nosa Ehimwenman

Nosa takes us on an inspiring journey, from the humble beginnings of Bowa to becoming a game-changing force in the industry. Tune in as he opens up about the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, the principles that guide his leadership, and his ambitious vision for the future of Bowa. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, an industry veteran, or just curious about what it takes to build a thriving business from the ground up, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss!