GROW YOUR BUSINESS

One Relationship at a Time

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The BEA is...

a group of business leaders dedicated to improving their businesses through networking and sharing management philosophies and ideas.

How it Happens

1. Events

The BEA is a social group. We love to get together. Our organization meets twice a month as a group and one on one any time we can. Obviously, in-person meetings are not happening now, but we are still meeting twice a month via Zoom. When possible again we will meet once a month at the East Bank Club in Chicago. Our second meeting of the month is always somewhere new.

2. Learning

The BEA is filled with a wealth of knowledge. There are literally hundreds of years of experience between our members. Our members are eager to offer advice and share their knowledge when they can. We also strive to continue to learn by inviting guest speakers and experts to present new and innovative ideas.

3. Relationships

Relationships drive the BEA. Our members form lasting connections. That is evident in the years our members stay involved. 60% of our membership has been in the BEA for over 10 years! We even have three-member companies that are second-generation members. This speaks to the deep connections that are fostered in the BEA.

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Our organization has a dual purpose: To facilitate the exchange of business and leads among our members and to learn and share business insight with each other.

Upcoming Events

april

13apr7:15 am9:00 amBridging the Divide, The Value of Diverse Voices

Event Details

Bridging the Divide, The Value of Diverse Voices

Join us for a candid discussion about the importance of the diverse voice. Set in a panel style format, we’ll discuss why Diversity, Equity & Inclusion are vital to grow and maintain a successful business.

Panelists:

Jerome’ Holston, MPA, Director of the LGBT Chamber of Commerce

Jerome’ Holston is the Director of the LGBT Chamber of Commerce of Illinois which serves as the premiere voice for nearly 50,000 LGBTQ+ business owners. Jerome’ is responsible for leveraging corporate, nonprofit, and government partnerships to advocate on behalf of nearly 300 member businesses. Jerome’ has a B.A. in Communications from Alabama State University, and an MPA from the University of Illinois at Springfield. Jerome’ is participating in the 2021 Civic Leadership Academy at the University of Chicago, and has been recognized by Crain’s Chicago as a 2020 Notable LGBTQ+ Executive, and as a 2020 40 Game Changer by WVON and Ariel Investments.

Brittney Gale, Director of Learning & Engagement at Bonfire

Brittney’s love for learning started at a young age. Watching her mother as a CPS teacher and looking up to her dance teachers, she wanted to contribute to others reaching their goals and pushing themselves towards dreams they never thought imaginable. Brittney graduated from DePaul University with her bachelors in Communication and minor in Women Genders Studies. She continued her love for teaching as a dance instructor and choreographer at Gallery 37’s Advance Arts Education Program and as a teacher with Joffrey Ballet’s Exelon Strobel Community Engagement Program. From there, she transitioned into the tech industry as a Learning and Development Specialist at Uber Technologies Inc. After facilitating training programs, onboarding new employees, and creating Uber’s first Freight onboarding curriculum for their customer support line of business, she was promoted to Learning Program Manager for Uber Freight. Brittney’s curiosity peaked again and she transitioned into the corporate sector by contributing her skill sets to PwC’s Learner Experience programming. Now, with a fire and passion for learning, talent development and goal setting, Brittney is leading Bonfire’s cohort programming as their Director of Member Learning and Experience.

Marcy Fortnow, Owner & CEO of Engaging Play; National Association of Women Business Owners

Marcy Fortnow is the owner of Engaging Play, a team building and training company. She delivers workshops and programs using a combination of traditional training, active facilitation, and fun games and kinesthetic activities. Marcy develops and delivers experiential learning programs for corporate groups, organizations, and boards. Organizations who work with her help raise their leadership levels, improve team work, increase communication, solve problems more efficiently, and increase productivity. Before beginning her entrepreneurial ventures, Marcy accumulated more than 12 years in the business software world. She was instrumental in training and development, change management, and implementation and consulting for domestic and European clients. Marcy has a BS in Psychology and an MBA from Boston University. Marcy is a John Maxwell Leadership Trainer, and is certified as a DISC consultant in Advanced Behavioral Analysis. She most recently certified in LEGO® Serious Play®, which added another engaging methodology into her toolbox. Marcy is an involved community member and the immediate past president of the Atlanta chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners. Her offices are in Atlanta and Chicago, and she frequently travels around the country to work with clients.