Chicago Community Ventures

Susan is responsible for CCV's fundraising and marketing strategy. She has raised over $2.5 million for the organization through investments, donations and the implementation of new earned income strategies. She also oversees the delivery of all client services and the development of strategic initiatives.

Prior to joining CCV, Susan worked as an analyst with a venture capital firm in London, and provided business-planning consulting to start-up for-profit and not-for-profit organizations in Chicago. Susan has also worked for the Lions Clubs International Foundation where she managed over $20 million in public health projects in Africa and the Middle East, and for Zonta International where she tripled programmatic impacts as Director of Foundation Programs and Administration.

Susan is a member of the Big Idea Forum, Fifth Third Bank’s Community Advisory Board, the Chicago Advisory Board for The Entrepreneurship Institute, and is a Term Member of the Council on Foreign Relations in New York. She also sits on the Midwest Selection Committee for the German Marshall Fund for which she was an American Marshall Memorial Fellow in 2000.

Susan holds an undergraduate degree in English from the University of Michigan, a Master's in Public Service Management from DePaul University and an International MBA from the University of Chicago. Having lived, worked or traveled in over 40 countries, Susan now lives happily on the north side of Chicago with her husband Ziad, daughter Saafya and son Suhail.

Anita is a forward thinker and is responsible for CCV's financial and administrative strategy. Since she joined the organization in 2000, Anita continues to develop and streamline CCV's internal infrastructure. She also oversees CCV's loan products, manages the organization's government contracts, and develops organizational strategies.

Prior to joining CCV, Anita worked in South Carolina and dedicated 13 years to the IT field. During this time, she worked as a Senior Systems Engineer, Systems Engineer, Management Specialist, and Database Manager, where she not only provided support but also was instrumental in developing client databases as well as statewide information systems. Anita also has a background in funeral service.

Anita, a native of Chicago, holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Spelman College and a degree in Funeral Service from Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service. She earned a Master of Science in Human Service Administration from Spertus College, and served as a 2006 Association Forum of Chicagoland Workforce Diversity Scholar.  Anita is a member of the National Alumnae Association of Spelman College, Chicago Chapter, the Association Forum of Chicagoland, and the CYC-Eliot Donnelley Center Local Advisory Board. She serves on the Spertus College Self-Study Steering Committee and volunteers her time with various projects and committees around the city.

Hans has eight years professional experience in finance, procurement, marketing development and project management. He is a former Senior Business Consultant at the Latin American Chamber of Commerce, and Marketing Analyst at Texas A&M International University, Laredo, Texas.

Hans has a Bachelors of Science Degree in Electrical and Mechanical Engineering from Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara, in Mexico and an MBA with an emphasis in International Finance from Texas A&M International University in Laredo, Texas. Hans is also a member of the National Association of Hispanic MBAs.

Bryan has experience working in both the for-profit and non-profit sectors. He spent nine years as the founder and president of Symbiotic, Inc., a Chicago based business consulting, distribution, and marketing organization for companies in the media and entertainment industries.

Most recently, Bryan served as the Director of CenterPoint at Governor's State University's Entrepreneurship Center. He has also served as the Small Business Development Center Director for the Industrial Council of Nearwest Chicago, where he handled consulting to 90 early stage ventures housed within the FCC business incubator.

Bryan achieved his MBA from the University of Illinois, where he concentrated in Entrepreneurship and graduated with honors. He is a member of the Beta Gamma Sigma business honor society and has been a guest lecturer at UIC, Columbia College, Governors State University and the Chicago City Colleges.  He also holds a BA from the University of Kansas.

Gail joined CCV in 2002 as an AmeriCorps*VISTA Volunteer focused on community outreach. Today, she holds the position of Marketing & Communications Manager where she oversees development of collateral and marketing pieces, and maintains the organization’s website. Additionally, Gail is responsible for managing CCV's volunteer Client Advisory Committee. Previous to joining CCV, Gail worked as a public policy intern at the Elizabeth Glasier Pediatric AIDS Foundation in Washington, D.C..

Gail graduated with University Honors from American University in Washington, D.C. with a Bachelor of Arts in International Service and a concentration in International Development. Gail has also attended the Freie Universität in Berlin and the American University of Rome.

Hussain joined CCV as an Americorps*VISTA Volunteer in April of 2005 and recently joined the organization as full time staff member. Hussain helps manage CCV’s loan portfolio and assists in the due diligence for potential loan clients. Hussain also works with the Small Business Development Initiative for which he assists with various consulting projects and monthly workshops for businesses.

Prior to joining CCV, Hussain assisted his father in running the family business, Broadview True Value Hardware. At True Value, Hussain helped integrate the current accounting system, market commercial supplies to manufacturers, and design the company’s market strategy through direct target marketing and networking.

Hussain graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana/Champaign with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics. He is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Public Service Management from DePaul University.

Manjima began at CCV as an AmeriCorps*VISTA Volunteer and has since joined CCV as a full-time member. She works with the development team on cultivating and maintaining a portfolio of donors. Along with fundraising efforts, she also assists with the development of marketing and collateral materials. Prior to joining CCV, Manjima worked on marketing and fundraising at several other Chicago area nonprofits including CommunityHealth, Bangamela, and Aavegh Dance Troupe.

Manjima graduated from DePaul University with a Bachelor of Arts in English and minor in Psychology. She is also a member of Aavegh Dance Troupe, a socially aware group focused on giving back to local charities.

Doug brings a well-rounded business background to Chicago Community Ventures. For the past 3 years, Doug held a sales position at Marcus Evans, a business intelligence firm, and also consulted small businesses for the Small Business Development Center at the Industrial Council of Nearwest Chicago, and then the Entrepreneurship Center at CenterPoint. Previously, Doug worked in various capacities for many local three and four-star restaurants including Spago, Tsunami, Trio and Green Dolphin Street. Doug’s core competencies include negotiations, personnel administration, sales and marketing strategy, and general business planning.

Doug graduated from the University of Kansas with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology, and holds a MBA from the University of Illinois at Chicago. He is also a graduate of the Cooking and Hospitality Institute of Chicago.

As Director of the Illinois Small Business Development Center at CCV, Tom advises start-ups and young companies on financing, marketing, and business development, and provides individual business counseling. Before arriving at CCV, Tom served as SBDC Director for the Industrial Council of Nearwest Chicago where he was responsible for helping small business owners receive over $2 million in financing.

An entrepreneur for the last 8 years, Tom owned several businesses including Route 101 Guitars, a company that manufactured custom electric guitars and JB Music, a guitar factory in Johor Bahru, Malaysia. Before joining CCV, Tom was a business coach helping clients grow their business by identifying new and emerging markets. Tom’s previous posts include promotion manager at Penguin Publishing (New York) and product/brand manager at Dana B. Goods (Los Angeles). In his spare time, Tom enjoys playing music, writing, and traveling abroad.

Aarti joined CCV as an AmeriCorps*VISTA Volunteer in September of 2007 and plans to pursue her MBA after completing the VISTA program. Aarti will be working primarily with CCV’s consulting team to deliver the Market & Customer Development Training program as well as strategic consulting projects to aid client growth.

Prior to joining CCV, Aarti worked for JP Morgan Chase. Her most recent position was an Internal Consulting role that focused on understanding various corporate cash management tools and the internal processes to support those tools, outlining possible process improvement opportunities, as well as identifying any risks to the bank. Prior to this role, Aarti held a Management position and a Strategy & Business Planning position at Chase.

Aarti graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana/Champaign with a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Marketing. Aarti also spent one year attending ESCP-EAP European School of Management in Paris, France.

As the Financial Analyst for the Chicago Minority Business Enterprise Center at CCV, Joshua identifies resources applicable to clients' needs and assists with finance and business development efforts. Joshua brings to CCV his analytical approach to building up businesses, having previously counseled entrepreneurs as an attorney and business consultant. As a business attorney with Tenney & Bentley, LLC, Joshua focused in the areas of corporate formation, property and asset acquisition and sale, raising capital, and contract matters. As business consultant, Joshua served as the Director of Business Development for Companions for Seniors, Inc.

Joshua also has experience teaching adult education courses on raising capital and was a co-founder of BG & Sons, LLC, a product development firm that launched the Stayclip®, a collar stay organizer with selection of collar stays.

Joshua holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from University of Michigan, a Juris Doctor from American University’s College of Law, and an M.B.A. from American University’s Kogod School of Business.

Kate recently joined CCV as a graduate intern/AmeriCorps member. Before joining CCV Kate was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Tanzania, East Africa. She later worked with McLean County Community Compact, a part of the area’s University of Illinois Extension Office, where she worked to develop stronger relationships between the county schools, community agencies and area businesses.

Kate graduated from Rutgers University with a Bachelor of Science in Ceramic Engineering. She is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Applied Economics with a concentration on Community and Economic Development with Illinois State University.

Joshua joined CCV as an AmeriCorps*VISTA Volunteer in November 2007 to work on projects related to the the Neighborhood Transformation Loan Fund and various consulting engagements.

Previous to joining CCV, Joshua worked with Jackson Clark Partners in Pittsburgh where he helped organize civic engagement projects around the topics of transportation policy and regional governance structures in Southwestern Pennsylvania. He also has ten years experience working with the Starbucks Coffee Company where his managerial responsibilities included overseeing the opening of two new retail locations in the Boston region.

Joshua received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business & Society with concentrations in Economics and Mathematical Operations Research from York University in Toronto, Canada. He also holds a certification in Economic Development Finance from the National Development Council.

Diane is responsible for reception and general organizational support, including maintaining CCV’s database, supporting communication flow, and meeting the organization’s logistical needs. Before joining CCV, Diane gained over fourteen years of experience working in a not-for-profit environment as the Computer Operator/Membership Coordinator for the American Judicature Society, a membership based organization.

A lifelong resident of the nearby Bucktown area, when Diane is not in the office, she enjoys spending time with family and friends and watching or participating in sporting events.

Duane currently serves as the Loan Officer at CCV where he assists the Director of Lending with managing CCV's loan programs.

Prior to joining CCV, Duane served as Business Development Manager for the Rebirth of Englewood Community Development Corporation. In that position he oversaw the Business Capitalization Initiative, a program that identified local, capital-ready businesses and helped them secure lines of credit and term loans. He was also responsible for overseeing an IDOT grant which helped small businesses assess their technology needs. Duane also has nine years of experience in retail management.

Duane holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Aviation Management and a Master of Science degree in Workforce Education and Development, both from Southern Illinois University.

Mwikali recently joined CCV's team as an administrative intern where she is responsible for maintaining the organization's timesheet management and financial coding systems, providing board support as needed, as well as other administrative duties.

Mwikali is currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in International Finance. She has previously worked as a beauty consultant for both Mary Kay and Clinique where she developed her business and communication skills.

Mwikali currently volunteers with various non-profit organizations including World Vision, Feed the Children, and St. Jude Hospital. She was born and raised in Nairobi, Kenya, East- Africa, and is now a member of United Kenyans in Chicago.