Learn about 'State of Local Business' at WIM Fox Valley meeting Nov. 8
Local leaders Carol Gieske, Melissa Hernandez and Jennifer Fukala will present the "State of Local Business" for the Northern Kane County and Elgin areas at the next WIM Fox Valley meeting on Thursday, Nov. 8, at Emmett's Brewing Co., 128 W. Main St. in West Dundee.
Networking begins at 11:30 a.m., with luncheon and program at noon. Meetings adjourn at 1 p.m.
Cost for members is $25 and $28 for nonmembers.
Area women in business are welcome to attend this month's presentation. Reservations must be made for attendance online at www.wimfoxvalley.org.
Gieske, president of the Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce since 2012, collaborates, promotes, and businesses throughout the Elgin area. She provides leadership, builds consensus, and develops strong relationships with key stakeholders and ensures the chamber is relevant, impactful and purposeful to its members and the community. In 2014, the Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce was named among the Top 3 Percent of all chambers nationwide. She serves on numerous boards in the Elgin area and has received many business honors, including two Elgin Area YWCA Leader Luncheon awards and Influential Women in Business-Business Ledger. In 2018, Gieske was named the Altrusa Club of Elgin's 69th Annual Woman of the Year for her valued service to the community.
Hernandez has served as Northern Kane County Chamber of Commerce president for the past 12 years. She has participated on committees for several of the villages represented by the chamber, including Business Development for the Village of Carpentersville and the Business Planning Committee for the Village of Gilberts. She is a board member of the Boys and Girls Club of Dundee Township and Consumer Credit Counseling of Northern Illinois and president-elect of the Carpentersville Morning Rotary. She is also a mentor for the incubator program hosted at Dundee Crown High School and a member of the Thom McNamee St. Patrick's Day committee.
Fukala is executive director of the Downtown Neighborhood Association of Elgin. After becoming a homeowner in Elgin, Fukala, a Larkin High School graduate, became heavily involved in the Elgin volunteer community. She served as the president of her neighborhood association, working with Neighborhood Housing Services and on area events such as the Historic Elgin House Tour. Her passion for volunteerism grew into an opportunity for her to work for the improvement of the community through her full-time position with the Downtown Neighborhood Association of Elgin.
This month's WIM Fox Valley sponsor is the organization's co-founder Pat Szpekowski, president of PR Strategies and PmS advertising, inc. in Elgin. The award-winning advertising agency/public relations firm specializes in professional writing, media relations, creative graphic design and custom candid event photography. A supporter of local business organizations, Szpekowski is current board member and former board chair of the Northern Kane County Chamber of Commerce and past board member of the Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce.
"WIM members look forward to hearing these experienced community leaders speak about the positive changes and opportunities available for businesses and residents in our local communities," said Ann Louis, 2018-19 WIM Fox Valley president.
Louis, a Campton Hills resident, owns Louis Consulting, Inc. in Elgin, IL. She adds, "Our upcoming speakers and programs again bring top level topics and expertise to our membership. We welcome business women in the community to join us, network, and make new community connections."
This year's programs include: Tony Sanders, CEO of Elgin Area School District U-46 on Dec. 13; Amy Schillinger of Balance Stress Management on Jan. 10; Nancy Effert of Effert Financial Solutions on Feb. 14; Kyla Duewel of Brittain, Twist and Twirl on March 14 (evening); Dr. Jennifer Mercier, M.D., on April 11; and Kathy Melone of Mutual Ground on May 2 (evening).
WIM Fox Valley, formerly known as Women in Management, was founded in 1984. It is a leading women's business organization in Elgin providing professional development and mentoring opportunities for area women.
WIM Fox Valley offers business education scholarships to women through the Elgin Community College Foundation. Members are comprised of women in business professionals and entrepreneurs in a wide range of categories.
Area women are invited to join. For more information visit wimfoxvalley.org.