Capacity Building for Capacity Builders
A day-long workshop centered on “Strengthening Collaboration for All Chicago Business,” curated by and for Chicago’s business-serving organizations.
Building on the momentum of last year’s full-day workshop, Capacity Building for Capacity Builders returns in 2025 focused on strengthening collaboration and supporting the outstanding work in Chicago’s business serving organizations. With an emphasis on ensuring equitable access to resources for minority owned businesses, this day builds capacity throughout the entrepreneurial and small business ecosystem to lift up all of Chicago’s entrepreneurs and small businesses.
Join peers and practitioners to share best practices, surface emerging strategies, and explore what it takes to create an equitable and resilient entrepreneurial ecosystem that drives inclusive economic support.
Sponsored by Loyola University Chicago’s Quinlan School of Business, this collaborative workshop is designed by and for capacity builders with input from leaders of community based organizations, business serving organizations, funders, and government. This workshop offers space for connection, professional development, and strategic action. Together, we’ll elevate efforts to advance equitable economic development in underserved communities.
This event is part of a three-year initiative led by Quinlan and supported by local partners including Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, Illinois 9th District, who appropriated the funds administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration to address inequality and inequity across Chicago’s minority business landscape.
Staff Track
8:30 a.m.
Breakfast
9:00 a.m.
Opening Remarks
- Welcome: Dean Michael Behnam
- Call to Purpose: Dorri McWhorter (Social Enterprise Aficionado)
- Keynote Welcome Remarks: Toni Preckwinkle (President, Cook County Board of Commissioners)
9:15 a.m.
Connecting the Dots
Facilitator: Jonathan McGee, Sr. Consultant, Baker Tilly
Join staff from business service organizations, financial/access to capital institutions, government, Philanthropy, and Community-Based Organizations for a lively and interactive structured networking session. Attendees will organize around tables into five different interest groups. Each interest group will go through guided activities that facilitate networking and information-sharing to strengthen relationships, and set the stage for a robust and collaborative day.
10:30 a.m.
Coffee Break
10:45 a.m.
Resources and Best Practices for Supporting Small Businesses
BSO staff serve on the frontlines of 1:1 business coaching, resource coordination, and providing technical assistance for small businesses across the city. Join BSO staff for a panel, where they discuss best practices, lessons learned, and innovative strategies that have allowed for them to continue to drive small business growth.
Panelists: Cam Brown (Director, Neighborhood Business Development Center, Far South Community Development Corporation), Sanita Lewis (Director, Achor Mission, West Side Health Authority), Sheree Moratto (Director of Sustainability, Rogers Park Business Alliance), Chettha Saetia (Director, Neighborhood Development Center, Chinese Mutual Aid Association)
Noon
Lunch and BSO Executive Leader Panel Discussion: Charting the Course for BSOs Now for Tomorrow
In this changing business climate, executive directors, and CEOs of BSOs, are constantly forced to think about creative ways to keep their organization staffed, funded, and nimble enough to meet the needs of their diverse constituencies. Join four BSO executive leaders, who have leveraged public-private-partnerships to expand their service offerings, impact, and wealth generation in their respective communities.
Panelists: BJ Stewart (Executive Director, Sunshine Enterprises), Adrian Soto (Executive Director, Greater Southwest Development Corporation), Bo Kemp (CEO, Southland Development Authority), Kelly Evans (VP, Chicago Urban League), Jaime Di Paolo (CEO, Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce), Malik Henfield (Founder, Loyola's Institute for Racial Justice), Dominique Jordan Turner (VP, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Loyola University Chicago), Moderator: Ericka White (Director, Illinois SBDC).
1:30 p.m.
Case Studies in Supporting Small Business: Navigating Informational Resources
In this interactive session, BSO staff will brainstorm how best to support entrepreneurs seeking assistance. Based on real case studies of business experiences, Katie Smith of ChiBizHub and Domini Gamble from the Cook County Business Source will moderate this discussion and share information on resources that are available from across the BSO ecosystem.
Featuring: Katie Smith (Manager Business Connections, Allies for Community Business) and Domini Gamble (Program Manager, Cook County Source)
2:15 p.m.
Managing Risk for Success in 2025 and Beyond
How can BSOs be resilient and help small business clients navigate natural disasters, regulatory change, and shifts in the economy? Join LISC and the former SBA Adminstrator for a conversation around strategies that BSOs can put in place to address urgent threats in the business environment.
Featuring: Caroline Rendon (Senior Program Officer, LISC) and Geri Aglipay (Former SBA Regional Administrator)
3:00 p.m.
Networking Break and CIGC Meeting
4:30 p.m.
Reception
Executive Track
8:30 a.m.
Breakfast
9:00 a.m.
Opening Remarks
- Welcome: Dean Michael Behnam (Quinlan School of Business)
- Call to Purpose: Dorri McWhorter (Social Enterprise Aficionado)
- Keynote Welcome Remarks: Toni Preckwinkle (President, Cook County Board of Commissioners)
9:15 a.m.
Connecting the Dots
Facilitator: Jonathan McGee, Sr. Consultant, Baker Tilly
Join staff from business service organizations, financial/access to capital institutions, government, Philanthropy, and Community-Based Organizations for a lively and interactive structured networking session. Attendees will organize around tables into five different interest groups. Each interest group will go through guided activities that facilitate networking and information-sharing to strengthen relationships, and set the stage for a robust and collaborative day.
10:30 a.m.
Coffee Break
10:45 a.m.
Resources and Best Practices for Supporting Small Businesses
Learn about upcoming federal and local changes in the business ecosystem and how BSOs can support businesses in navigating uncertainty. The panel will kickoff with former SBA Regional Administrator Geri Aglipay, who will discuss business resilience, wealth building, and equitable growth. At 11:00 am., Lotika Pai, Chief Small Business Officer, for the City of Chicago will discuss strategic priorities at the BACP, and tactics BSO executives and leaders can use to equip small businesses with technical assistance, capital, and resources.
Featuring: Geri Aglipay (Former SBA Regional Administrator) and Lotika Pai (Chief Small Business Officer, City of Chicago)
Noon
Lunch and BSO Executive Leader Panel Discussion: Charting the Course for BSOs Now for Tomorrow
In this changing business climate, executive directors, and CEOs of BSOs, are constantly forced to think about creative ways to keep their organization staffed, funded, and nimble enough to meet the needs of their diverse constituencies. Join four BSO executive leaders, who have leveraged public-private-partnerships to expand their service offerings, impact, and wealth generation in their respective communities.
Panelists: BJ Stewart (Executive Director, Sunshine Enterprises), Adrian Soto (Executive Director, Greater Southwest Development Corporation), Bo Kemp (CEO, Southland Development Authority), Kelly Evans (VP, Chicago Urban League), Jaime Di Paolo (CEO, Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce), Malik Henfield (Founder, Loyola's Institute for Racial Justice), Dominique Jordan Turner (VP, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Loyola University Chicago), Moderator: Ericka White (Director, Illinois SBDC)
1:30 p.m.
Understanding the State of the Business Serving Ecosystem
To better understand the support environment for small business in Chicago and the current business challenges, this interactive session will build upon a pre-conference survey to crystalize an understanding of opportunities and challenges faced by small business, and identify potential solutions.
Featuring: Garvester Kelly (Principal, Community Development) and Robin Newberger (Policy Advisor, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago)
2:15 p.m.
Creative Strategies to Fund the Path Forward
In this changing business climate, executive directors, and CEOs of BSOs, are constantly forced to think about creative ways to keep their organization staffed, funded, and nimble enough to meet the needs of their diverse constituencies. Join philanthropic, corporate, and public funders who have leveraged public-private-partnerships to help BSOs expand their service offerings, impact, and wealth generation in their respective communities.
Featuring: Nathan Stevens (Senior Program Officer, Entrepreneurship and Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, The Coleman Foundation), Rowan Richards (Director of Business Coaching, Allies for Community Business), Adam Engle (Director, Fund for Equitable Growth), Phylicia Manley (VP and Program Officer in Global Philanthropy, JPMorgan Chase & Co.), Karen Weigert (Director, Baumhart Center)
3:00 p.m.
Networking Break and CIGC Meeting
4:30 p.m.
Reception
Building on the momentum of last year’s full-day workshop, Capacity Building for Capacity Builders returns in 2025 focused on strengthening collaboration and supporting the outstanding work in Chicago’s business serving organizations. With an emphasis on ensuring equitable access to resources for minority owned businesses, this day builds capacity throughout the entrepreneurial and small business ecosystem to lift up all of Chicago’s entrepreneurs and small businesses.
Join peers and practitioners to share best practices, surface emerging strategies, and explore what it takes to create an equitable and resilient entrepreneurial ecosystem that drives inclusive economic support.
Sponsored by Loyola University Chicago’s Quinlan School of Business, this collaborative workshop is designed by and for capacity builders with input from leaders of community based organizations, business serving organizations, funders, and government. This workshop offers space for connection, professional development, and strategic action. Together, we’ll elevate efforts to advance equitable economic development in underserved communities.
This event is part of a three-year initiative led by Quinlan and supported by local partners including Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, Illinois 9th District, who appropriated the funds administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration to address inequality and inequity across Chicago’s minority business landscape.