Presenting Firms Bio

You can register to attend each of the six professional service areas presentations.

Bio

Architecture & Engineering

Atul Karkhanis Architechs (AKA)
Atul Karkhanis Architects Ltd. is a full service Professional Design Corporation registered under the State of Illinois Corporate Act. The Firm has completed projects of various scope and magnitudes. AKA specializes in Commercial, Educational, Healthcare, Hospitality, and Residential projects. At AKA, every project is given full attention and complete quality control regardless of its size. Be it a campus expansion project or a small bathroom renovation, we do it with the same professional approach.

Additionally, AKA is unique due to their experience with Medical projects within the Educational field. Their in depth knowledge about Healthcare design stems from their large Healthcare portfolio and has allowed the Firm to not only focus on standard Educational projects, but also successfully complete specialized Educational/Medical projects, labs, and demonstration rooms according to project needs.
Atul Karkhanis Architects Ltd.

GSG Consulting
Beginning in 1992 as a small environmental services company, GSG Consultants, Inc. has evolved into an industry- leading Hispanic-owned, MBE/DBE certified, infrastructure, engineering and scientific consulting firm. The firm’s service philosophy is to help clients manage risk, reduce design and construction costs and protect human health and the environment. Combining this philosophy with services ranging from initial concept planning through detailed design and construction, GSG can address the specific needs of their clients.

Today, GSG maintains a staff of over 100 technical professionals delivering planning, design, and construction services for new infrastructure developments, expansions, and renovations throughout the Midwest. The main services offered by GSG include: Geotechnical Services, Environmental Engineering, Construction Management, Natural Resources, Design Services, and Program Management. GSG maintains expert-level staff in each service area, promoting cross training to offer a diverse range of project experience to their clients.
GSG Consultants, Inc.

STLarchitects
STLarchitects is an award-winning architecture and urban design firm founded in Chicago in 1996 that is widely recognized by the international architectural press for its design excellence. In collaboration with owners, contractors and consultants, the firm proposes an architecture that is based on research, looking at projects through the creative prism of innovation and inventiveness. Our team is made of architects and design professionals from around the world who share a passion for architecture and design excellence. STLarchitects collaborative design process emphasizes interdisciplinary teamwork over personal The Principals at STLarchitects are committed to providing an environment that allows our architects to think boldly and more efficiently by using the latest technologies available with flexible work hours. Each principal has over twenty-five years of experience, and prior to working at STL occupied senior positions at the offices of SOM and Lohan & Associates in Chicago.
STLarchitechs

Nia Architects
Founded in 1996, Nia Architects is a multidisciplinary firm with demonstrated expertise in architecture, planning, construction consulting, and management. Our clients and the communities we serve recognize our dedication to innovation and creative problem-solving. Our mission is to provide outstanding design solutions and impeccable client services.

Nia has developed a diverse portfolio of architecture projects over the company’s history, and a knowledgeable team of designers, urbanists, and technical experts. By paying careful attention to our clients’ needs, close attention to the communities’ needs, involving invested parties in the design process, and incorporating everyone’s feedback, our team has helped our clients achieve something meaningful that exceeds their vision.

A full range of in-house capabilities allows us to manage all phases of a building project from a single point of responsibility. We can be responsible for everything from concept design to final installation.
Nia Architects

OSEH
OSEH Inc is an engineering consulting firm with a startup, entrepreneurial culture. Our company was founded on three core principles; Commitment to excellence, innovation and a belief that good stewardship is of fundamental importance. Our mission is to design, develop and build sustainable infrastructure through innovative, quality and timely services that foster economic growth. OSEH Inc. brings over a decade of experience in Civil/Transportation Engineering in both Phase I and II design. Our team brings a wealth of knowledge to tackle your project needs and is dedicated to fulfilling our client's objectives. Our staff collectively bring over 35 years of experience in the design of highways and local roads. We offer signing and striping plans, maintenance of traffic plans, utility coordination, construction inspection and more.
OSEH

RTM & Associates Inc.
Our expertise covers a full range of MEP and Civil engineering and design services. Our multi-disciplinary team-approach on every project means that our clients can come to us for all their building needs, from system upgrades and tenant improvements to large scale new construction projects. Our services include mechanical, electrical, civil, technology, sustainability, construction administration, process engineering and more.

We have the agility of a small firm, but a portfolio and resource spanning nationwide, which allows us to offer distinct regional and national advantages to our clients. We cover all market sectors including commercial office, education, government, healthcare, industrial, aviation & aerospace and more.
RTM & Associates Inc.

Communications

The Lemon Ad Stand
Calfi Design, Inc. launched into the creative realm in May of 2003 providing quality design services at reasonable prices for small businesses seeking to elevate their brands. Today, Calfi Design, Inc. serves as the parent company to The Lemon Ad Stand; a premier design agency offering a refreshed approach to Advertising, Branding, Design, Marketing, SEO and Software, Mobile and Web services. When you step up to The Lemon Ad Stand, our goal is to provide you with genuine client care while offering fresh perspective and expertise in achieving your target objectives. We form authentic partnerships with our clients by taking on the gravity of your projects and goals as if they are our own. We listen to your concerns and are transparent in our actions. You will find that we are available and remarkably responsive.
Whether you are planning a year in advance or in a time crunch, we’re giving you our best. Their enthusiasm for Higher Education stems from over 12 years of experience in the industry.
The LemonAd Stand

Plum Three
PlumThree was launched in 2005, We provide fresh, clean design, and our multi industry experience gives us the insight to offer marketing recommendations relative to project execution, budget or overall strategy. PlumThree has experience in advertising design that encompasses the entire campaign process from creating the media plan to developing concepts and creative. Services include headline/message development, photography or imagery development, call- to-action development, copywriting and final file production and submission. PlumThree also Print Collateral and Publication Design provides services in Website Design, Media Planning and Negotiation, Brochures, Tradeshow and Events, and Marketing Planning and Evaluation.
Plum Three

Teamplete
Teamplete, LLC (Teamplete) provides writing, editing, illustrating, and document designing/layout services to produce marketing communication deliverables for product and business promotion. Effective collaborative team leadership and project management. Brennan has over 25 years of experience as a communication professional, including 12 years as the owner of Teamplete, LLC.

Teamplete clients include federal, state, and county agencies as well as corporate and non-profit businesses. Teamplete is registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) and is certified as a minority-owned, woman-owned, and veteran-owned business, a veteran-owned small business, and a disadvantaged business enterprise. She has championed process optimization by setting and implementing standards and recommended practices. In 2017, she led a successful effort to apply a North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code to technical editing services.
Teamplete,LLC

Enrollment Marketing Solutions
Enrollment Marketing Solutions Inc. is a Communications Management Consulting Firm with over 25 years of subject matter expertise in Higher Education incorporating sustainable approaches, customized solutions, and holistic strategies using industry best practices, tools and techniques. We have a proven track record creating value and successful outcomes. Their methodologies include data-driven decision-making, collaborative leadership skills, and innovative mindset. Enrollment Marketing Solutions Inc. is a full-service Communications Management Consulting firm who provides Communications, Project Management, and Technology Services.
Enrollment Marketing Solutions

Jak Creative Design
We are Jak Creative Design, a 100%- woman-owned branding and design agency based in the western suburbs of Chicago. At Jak, we don’t just embrace challenges—we thrive on them. For each and every client, we create high-quality, high-impact work that builds brand equity. Our agency combines a passion for design with the drive to provide above-and-beyond service to our clients.

What do we bring to the table? We work quickly to learn your brand inside and out, customizing solutions to meet your business’ unique creative needs. We offer so much more than award-winning design, from content writing to promotional items. You’ll always have your own personal Jak account executive ready when you need a problem solved or a question answered. We are deeply experienced with rush projects and agile enough to change direction midstream.
Jak Creative Design

RLM Media
RLM Media is a diverse team of experienced and dedicated professionals and we are eager to generate new connections while sustaining relationships with existing ones. We have proven to be an adaptable and reliable agency over the course of the last decade while working with direct brands and as partners to other advertising agencies. We are experienced in creating a personalized total market approach for every campaign that we touch. In addition, we have the capacity to leverage new business opportunities with other advertising agencies by acting as an extension of their company.

At RLM, we recognize that the consumer market and workplace is vastly diverse and multi-faceted. The “one-size-fits-all” approach to advertising and marketing is ancient history. We utilize a total market approach to thoroughly comprehend and analyze your target audience. We are able to effectively and efficiently generate data that helps your business reach the right consumers. In doing so, we create a media buy that garners successful and accurate results. We take pleasure in providing excellent media buying, advertising, and marketing services for businesses on a local, regional and national scale.
RLM Media

General Services

ERM/B&H
Thirty-three years after our establishment, The Will Group (TWG) is the pioneer company of several different companies that are prominent within the lighting and electrical industry - Electrical Resource Management (ERM), Lyons View Manufacturing and Supply (LV), Lighting Solutions of Illinois (LSI), TWiG Technologies (TWiG) and Industrial Electric Supply (IES).

Our companies have superseded their respective roles to go beyond the traditional boundaries of lighting businesses - branding itself as a provider of complete industry solutions that make positive contributions to its clients’ bottom line. Operating under the philosophy and mission “Where There’s A Will, There’s A Way”, the corporate culture of The Will Group fosters ingenuity and creativity with every endeavor. Our competitive distinction is our ability to be an encompassing single source provider for our clients’ lighting, manufacturing, and sourcing needs. We represent some of the industry’s most prominent lighting fixture and pole manufacturers. Our in-house team is fully trained on our infrastructure assessment software and are experts in assembly.
ERM/B&H

Creative Content Development Group
Creative Content Development Group (CCDG) specializes in creating custom eLearning/online courses. We administer the DISC Behavioral Assessment for Students, Employees & Leadership. Samples of our online training deliverables include ethics courses, diversity training, sexual harassment courses and we can custom build any type of unique training course.

CCDG is an eLearning, training and education company that creates and delivers high-quality, engaging, state of the art, custom-training solutions tailored for an organization or institution. These training solutions allow employees or students to access training over the web through computers and mobile devices in one or more languages as needed globally.
Creative Content Development Group

McConnell & Jones LLP
McConnell & Jones LLP (MJ) practice areas include management and operations, consulting, accounting and financial services, outsourcing, and technical and logistical support. MJ serves a national clientele in industry segments such as education, energy, entertainment, financial, health services, and government.

MJ has worked with a number of community colleges and higher education institutions with enrollments ranging up to 137,000 students. Our education services are diverse not only in the types of markets we touch, but also in the value we bring. We have managed educational operations, developed extensive educational training materials, conducted performance reviews, performed cost studies, led change management efforts, prepared program evaluations, and reviewed accounting systems. With each project and each type of service, MJ is committed to delivering unmatched service and uncompromising value.
McConnell & Jones LLP

Keystone Advisors of Illinois, LLC
Keystone Advisors, LLC. (Keystone) is a Certified Public Accounting (CPA) Firm that provides a wide range Accounting and Advisory Services in the areas of Management, Organizational and Business Improvement, Financial Analysis, Audit Readiness, Budget Execution and Reporting Support, and OMB A-123 internal control reviews to both government, manufacturing and commercial clients. We also offer staff augmentation services for both long term and short-term contract and temporary staff requirements.

Established in 2008, our principals have over 30 years’ experience. We employ a staff of licensed CPAs, Certified Information Systems Auditors (CISAs), Accountants, IT and Cyber Security Specialists, Project Directors, Program Managers, and other subject matter experts with a proven track record of performance and experience in financial statement management, accounting, review, and financial management and advisory services.

We have past performance in working on engagements with the Army, GSA, Navy, Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), and Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Cook County Health and Hospital Systems (CCHHS), Air Force and others.

We provide support in data gathering, analysis and financial management in accordance with government financial accounting standards and financial management principles. We coordinate and communicate with contracting officers, various contracting staff, budget analysts, the Chief Financial Officer and staff, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Office of the Chief Financial Officer and various levels of senior management.
Keystone Advisors of Illinois, LLC

Peralta Garcia Solutions
Peralta Garcia Solutions (PGS) is an independent minority + women owned financial advisory and management consulting firm providing services to governments, not-for-profits, and companies who understand the benefits of a fresh, yet seasoned perspective.

Key practice areas of Peralta Garcia Solutions include: financial advisory services, strategic consulting, operational consulting, and project management services. Peralta Garcia Solutions delivers results and improved financial and operational performance - whether that is in providing financial advisory services, developing strategic plans, structuring a privatization effort, or in the implementation of organizational efficiencies.
Peralta Garcia Solutions

Human Resources

B2BStrategic Solutions
B2B Strategic Solutions, Inc.is a management consulting firm with more than twenty years of industry experience. The B2B team specializes in Project Management and Training. We have achieved consulting success in many areas including education, public sector and non-profit organizations. The experience and skills of our team help our clients meet challenges, improve efficiencies, boost productivity, manage large software implementations and increase technology expertise.

Founder and President, Donna C. Bryant, established B2B to provide professional and quality consulting services to clients in a constantly evolving environment. Our team members have proven success records and are often entrepreneurs in the management consulting industry as well. B2B Strategic Solutions maintains an impressive client database which attests to the diversity of the organizations we assist.
B2B Strategic Solutions

KFA
At KFA, our motto is “Do the right thing the right way the first time.” We specialize in automating and delivering data for organizational business process efficiency and three category disrupting custom built platforms: Temforce™, KFA Virtual Mentor™ and PHAZE™. As experienced at the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), our solutions have been proven to deliver 250% more productivity in 50% less time.

The United States Federal Highway Administration cited KFA’s work at the CTA as, “an innovation that should be adopted.” With twenty-seven years of award-winning projects and satisfied clients, KFA has honed its methodologies to provide exceptional professional services consulting which can be applied to all categories of information technology in the private and public sectors. Our services include needs assessment and requirements definition, development/integration and configuration, roll out, training and support.
KFA

OverNorth
OverNorth was established in 2011 in Chicago to provide an alternative recruiting experience for clients who prefer a high-touch, customized and targeted approach to acquiring leadership talent. The firm works on a national basis and is committed to providing a quality recruiting experience for its clients and candidates. OverNorth’s experience and strengths span all major functions: Finance, Human Resources, Information Technology, Logistics, Procurement, and Sales & Marketing, as well as General Management roles for divisions and companies. Our expertise includes Director, Vice President, and C-level positions. Clients range from startups and private equity-backed companies to mission-driven and private and publicly held Fortune 500 companies.
OverNorth

Gagen MacDonald, LLC
Gagen MacDonald is a strategy execution consulting firm specializing in internal communication, employee engagement, culture change and leadership development. We work inside companies to move corporate and operating strategies off the shelf and into the workplace, turning them into reality. Whether you’re making major operational changes, building your brand or launching an entirely new strategy, business transformation is required for success.

To drive change, we help create an employee mindset toward alignment, action and urgency to improve business performance and make your company a better place to work. We help you to achieve the results you desire by ensuring employees have the information they need and the inspiration to act.
Gagen MacDonald

The Exeter Group (Exeter)
The Exeter Group (Exeter) is a privately-owned, Chicago-based healthcare equity consulting firm founded in 1998. Exeter partners with healthcare organizations to improve the quality of patient care and increase health equity. Our unique approach integrates research, practice, and actionable data to produce measurable results. Exeter partners with organizations in designing, developing, implementing, and evaluating diversity, equity, and inclusion strategies. We are a full-service firm with solutions that touch employees, patients, association members, and end-users, in addition to the broader communities served by healthcare organizations. Community partners, diverse suppliers, and board members are included in this subset.

Our client base comprises healthcare delivery organizations, such as Academic Medical Centers, County Hospitals, Private and Public Health Systems, Children’s Hospitals, Specialty Clinics, and FQHCs, as well as non-healthcare-delivery organizations, such as professional organizations, medical device companies and insurance plans.
The Exter Group

McNeil and Associates, LLC
McNeil and Associates, LLC is a professional development training, coaching and human resources consulting firm. The company, founded by Julie McNeil in 2006 provides customized training, executive level coaching and HR consulting solutions to support organizations with leadership development, team performance, employee engagement and inclusive work practices. Clients depend on McNeil and Associates for their expertise in delivering customized, transformational, professional development and human resources management strategies.
McNeil and Associated, LLC

Information Technology

BCG Learning Solutions 
Founded in 2016, BCG-North America Corporation dba BCG Learning Solutions is a privately held, certified Minority-Owned Business Enterprise educational services & technology company that design, develops, and implements small and large-scale personalized learning solutions for non-profit organizations, educational institutions, government entities, and healthcare facilities.

BCG goal is to take stress out of workforce development and personalize a learning & technology strategy that make the most sense for your individual and organizational needs.

Our Core Competencies are: Small and large-scale personalized learning solutions to fit any budget, workforce development, planning, & implementation maximizing productivity, micro-learning design and implementation increasing on-the-job competency, performance gap research and analysis improving operational efficiency, curriculum design and development customized to your needs, and much more.
BCG Learning Solutions

CCM Consulting
CCM Consulting Group is a minority-own firm that provides professional services including healthcare, IT and consulting. We help organizations resolve complex issues and identify opportunities within the perspective industries.

Healthcare Services: We assist its clients in navigating through the multitude of healthcare programs and implementations. What separates our healthcare personnel from the rest of the industry is our lead consultants have experience as both consultants and staff. Our consultants provide penetrating end-to-end expertise across the provider, payer, and public health landscape and broad cross-industry experience, they infuse fresh thinking to transform health services and improve your economic sustainability.

IT Services - We focus on being a business integrator. We bring clients industry-specific technological expertise in a range of services spanning strategy and enterprise architecture, security, privacy and risk issues, information management, IT infrastructure and business applications.

Consulting Services – We assist organizations drive growth, enhance performance and sustain leadership in the markets they serve. We assist them in developing strategies and implement solutions that enable the transformative change organizations need to own their future.
CCM Consulting Group

MSMNET Security
MSMNET Security is a client focused company focused on developing and implementing strategies for the delivery of Cybersecurity Solutions in the areas of Artificial Intelligence based Campus Security Gun and Weapon Detection Technology, HIPPA and Security Awareness self-paced eLearning, IT Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC) Advanced Development, Application Security Engineering (F5 ASM), PCI Program Development, Vulnerability Assessments, Penetration Testing, and other Cybersecurity and Compliance Centric Information Technology Services.

Our boutique Cybersecurity firm delivers exceptional value with senior-level talent at a reasonable cost. We outperform The Big 4 Management Consulting Firms with our ability to respond quickly to ever-changing customer needs. Whether your need is advanced IT GRC development, Symantec DLP Engineering support, Vulnerability Assessments, Penetration Testing, infrastructure Monitoring or Public Safety, MSMNET Security is the growing choice of many large corporations.
MSMNET Security

ASAPro
ASAPro was founded in 2014, it is a Media & Entertainment (M&E) Systems Integrator that designs and deploys secured storage solutions for video content creators, corporate communications, sports organizations, colleges and many others.

We use cloud-based tools to help our customers to maintain, upgrade and support their infrastructure remotely. We evangelize early on to our customers the benefits of future proofing their investment by leveraging the accessibility and power of cloud solutions.

We design and deploy solutions that enables our customers to collaborate remotely on their projects. We help our customers by providing consultative services to analyze their existing workflow and based on the findings, we work with them to develop solutions that shorten and optimize their current process, and open up bottlenecks.

Besides our customers in the M&E market, AsaPro works with local municipalities to deliver Audio / Video (AV) solutions for boardrooms and conference rooms. AsaPro provides installation of cameras, projectors, screens and control systems for conference rooms, security desks and classrooms.
ASAPro

SDI Presence
SDI Presence LLC is an IT consultancy and managed services provider (MSP) that leverages its strong team presence to advance our clients to a secure digital enterprise. With a 20-year corporate resume, SDI delivers strategic managed services, IT consulting, and hybrid infrastructure solutions to optimize our clients’ technology environments. SDI is a certified Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), with a portfolio of clients that includes some of the nation’s largest airports, utilities, commercial real estate portfolios, and government agencies.
SDI Presence LLC

Legal Services

Clayborne & Wagner, LLP
Clayborne & Wagner LLP is a minority-certified law firm comprised of seasoned, diverse attorneys with decades as partners in a national law firm. Our practice is divided into litigation and commercial transactions. Our attorneys have developed highly-specialized capabilities in their dedicated practice areas and are recognized by their peers as leaders in their fields.

The National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) provides a nationally-acclaimed minority ownership verification program to ensure that corporate America has a credible source for minority suppliers, consultants and contractors. Clayborne & Wagner LLP is certified by the CMSDC as a minority-owned law firm. Clayborne & Wagner LLP is one of the few such Illinois firms located outside of Chicago. Clayborne & Wagner LLP is a member of the National Association of Minority and Women-Owned Law Firms (NAMWOLF) whose membership is limited to certified firms who have a demonstrated track record of delivering the highest quality legal services.
Clayborne & Wagner, LLP

The International Business Law Group
The International Business Law Group (INTBLG) is a boutique law firm that provides high-quality legal services to governmental entities, companies and individuals in the United States, Europe, Central, South and Latin America, especially Mexico and Brazil, that require cost-effective integrated business solutions. Most of our clients are States, as well as individuals or businesses that already invest abroad or wish to do so and prefer to retain bilingual Spanish-speaking counsel who can uniquely perform legal work in several jurisdictions with a multi-faceted and multi-cultural approach that will promote business success.

Our multi-jurisdictional skills make us uniquely qualified to act as advocate, arbitrator and mediator in several countries. INTBLG’s clients benefit from its unique and practical understanding of their worldwide business needs, which allows our clients to comply with domestic and international laws and effectively bridge the gap between different markets and cultures.
We will be there for you when you need to create, develop and implement proactive, strategic decisions, and contingency plans. In both the public and private sector, INTBLG will help you drive business value and minimize risks whatever the applicable law, business customs, political climates and cultural environments are.
https://intblg.com/

McClain & Canoy
McClain & Canoy was established with two key principles in mind: (1) running a successful health care organization is incredibly hard, (2) our job is to make it easier. But making it easier doesn’t mean cutting corners or ignoring real challenges. Our goal is to help you navigate a complex world, to do it right, and to achieve your objectives.

Our health care lawyers have extensive general counsel and big firm experience. We provide cost effective, just-in-time support for transactions, internal investigations, risk management, initiatives, litigation, and short-or long-term legal staffing gaps. Services include: Negotiating the broad range of legal agreements require by health care organizations, including payor, risk sharing, software, equipment and supply, employment, lease, and professional services agreements; establishing and maintaining HIPAA privacy & information security initiatives; developing and updating human resource policies and procedures; negotiating employment and severance agreements; legislative monitoring policy analysis and advocacy.
McClain & Canoy

Tristan & Cervantes
Tristan & Cervantes assists businesses in complying with various municipal ordinances regulating the operation of businesses within the City of Chicago. The firm has represented clients before various administrative agencies in defense of alleged violations of municipal or administrative laws and codes. Tristan & Cervantes also assists public utilities in advising them on regulatory matters generally and in proceedings before the Illinois Commerce Commission.

Tristan & Cervantes provides assistance to its clients in navigating the vast and complex arenas of local and state government. The firm’s attorneys are experienced in many areas of government relations including legislation, agency rule making, and procurement matters. The firm represents clients in the pursuit of administrative action such as zoning changes, obtaining business licenses, and or procurement and business opportunities with local and state government entities. Additionally, Tristan & Cervantes has experience in partnering with public affairs firms to provide a comprehensive approach to campaigns and media strategies.
Tristan & Cervantes

 

CHECK BACK FOR UPDATES!