Girls Who Code founder started her volunteerism in Schaumburg

Reshma Saujani's roots for activism and volunteerism started while she was a student at Schaumburg High School.

That's where she helped to create the Prejudice Reduction Interested Student Movement in 1989, after she faced bullying in junior high school. She wanted to educate students about India and other cultures and end racial slurs.

"I was really inspired to teach others to be more respectful and live with our differences," said Saujani, 39.

The student ranks were not as diverse then as they are now, she said, and she views those years as "transformative."

Saujani's efforts continued through the years. She is the founder and CEO of Girls Who Code, a national nonprofit that aims to close the gender gap in technology and prepare young women for jobs in the profession. The organization has about 10,000 members and 300 clubs in 34 states. Some clubs are at the University of Illinois at Chicago, Walter Payton College Prep and elsewhere in Chicago.

Also, she published a book in 2003 called "Women Who Don't Wait in Line," where she advocates for a new model of female leadership focused on embracing risk and failure and promoting mentorships and sponsorships.

On Wednesday, she returns to the area to deliver the luncheon keynote speech at the 29th annual Entrepreneurial Woman's Conference at McCormick Place-West. It will be a coming home for her, of sorts, since her parents live in Barrington.

After she graduated from the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana, she earned a law degree at the Yale Law School and worked as a lawyer for several years before she became politically active in New York.

In 2010, she became the first Indian American woman nationwide to run for U.S. Congress. She is also the former deputy public advocate of New York City.

She's been named one of the 50 Most Powerful Women in New York by the New York Daily News, Forbes' Most Powerful Women Changing the World, Fast Company's 100 Most Creative People, among other honors.

Now a mother of a 6-month-old son, Shaan, she and husband/entrepreneur Nihal Mehta, 39, continue to live in New York. One of her main goals is to expand the Girls Who Code.

"I'd like to see it go into every state," she said. "I want to close that gap with women and computer sciences. Kids are more conscious of technology now and that permeates everything we do."

Owner relocates Epicure

Barrington resident Katherine Cappas, owner of Epicure Bistro in Barrington, cut the ribbon to her new bistro and offered tours to visitors. She enjoyed crepes at Magic Pan Stand in Northbrook so much, she was inspired to open her own creperi and restaurant in Woodstock 10 years ago. But when a space opened near where she lived for 26 years, she moved the restaurant.

Relator honored

Daniel L. Goodwin, chairman and CEO of The Inland Real Estate Group Inc. in Oak Brook, is among 10 finalists for Realtor Magazine's 2015 Good Neighbor Awards, hosted by National Association of Realtors. The award honors real estate professions who volunteer to help people. Goodwin founded New Directions Housing Corp., a nonprofit that provides affordable housing for low-income residents that has built or rehabbed nearly 500 multifamily units throughout Illinois. Goodwin also served on the board of the Illinois Housing Development Authority Trust Fund and chaired the first Affordable Housing Task Force for DuPage County.

FastTracks

Scott Rosenbach, president and owner of Palatine-based BCI Acrylic Bath Systems Inc., said his company acquired Glendale Heights based-Luxury Bath, a manufacturer of modern, functional and stylish bath products. Luxury Bath's headquarters will remain in Glendale Heights and Mark Domanico will continue there as CEO.

Lynn Pendergrass has taken the new role of president of hard lines at Hoffman Estates-based Sears. She will work across the Kenmore, Craftsman & DieHard business unit and its partners, including home appliances, lawn and garden, tools and Sears Auto Centers, to develop offers and build relationships with members who shop those categories.

Amy Florian, CEO and founder of Hoffman Estates-Corgenius, a professional training firm specializing in grief, loss and transition, has been recognized by LifeHealth Pro for her work on the use of grief education to improve client relations and long-term retention in financial services.

Mike DeMar, owner of Fidelity Wes Builders, a custom luxury homebuilder; Riley and Cindy McGaughy, owners of 2 Fancie Gals, a repurposed furniture store; Matthew Potempa and Meghan Mariani, owners of Scout and Forge, a vintage store; Jessica Capek and Maggie Iverson, co-owners of UnWined of Long Grove, a wine and gift shop; Tom and Lori Leavitt, owners of White Oak Gourmet, a home meal delivery service; and Jeff Pegler, owner of J. Scott Salon for men and women are among the new business owners in Long Grove.

Timothy J. Romenesko has been appointed vice chairman at AAR in Wood Dale. He also will continue as chief operating officer of the Expeditionary Services segment and as strategic adviser to the chairman and CEO. ... Sandy Miller has earned the registered paraplanner designation at Savant Capital Management in Geneva. ... Robert J. Fleming has been appointed as vice president of cyber, unattended systems and division strategy for Northrop Grumman Corp.'s Rolling Meadows-based land and self protection systems.

Chef Alain Roby of All Chocolate Kitchen in Geneva said he will have 1,500 square feet added for use as a special events/lounge-like area. ... Rebecca Holoman, formerly of Preservation Bread and Wine and Gracious Hall Catering, is the new executive chef of Fox Valley Food for Health.

Shelley Goodman, vice president and general manager of AT&T Illinois and Wisconsin, said a new authorized retailer has opened in Evanston. ... Joseph Zosky of Lemont is the new vice president of construction at Morgan/Harbour in Woodridge. ... Jeff Biegel, owner of Fish Window Cleaning in Highland Park, was recognized for top sales at the annual Fish Window Cleaning Convention in St. Louis, Missouri.

Condolences to the family and colleagues of Bob Beavers, a longtime McDonald's supplier and former company executive member, who died suddenly on Aug. 18 while on vacation in Tibet. Before forming Best Harvest Bakeries and becoming one of McDonald's suppliers, Beavers started as a part-time crew member and served 35 years with McDonald's Corp.

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