VOICE! Goal Setting & Accountability Multi-chamber Power Lunch

VOICE! Women in Business Workshop
Meet up with Women in Business from DBR, Glenview & Northbrook Chambers for a special power lunch program.

Introductions and a program about Goal Setting & Accountability featuring Kim Kleeman, Accelerate Successfully and Marcela Melendez, First Bank Chicago.

Kim Kleeman has dedicated her career to empowering leaders in startups and enterprises. With a passion for sustainable growth and scalability, Kim has successfully guided businesses from their early stages through $150 million in revenue. She is also author of Lead From Within, found on Amazon along with eight of her members in an anthology filled with success traits for leaders. Kim's reputation as a public speaker, strategic networker, sales leader, and business maven has earned her prestigious accolades, including being recognized by Inc. 500 and Chicago Crain's 40 under 40. These remarkable accomplishments paved the way for Kim's new role as the CEO of her family's commercial bakery business, Simon Bros Bakery and Simon Bros Bakery Labs.

Marcela Melendez joined First Bank Chicago in August 2019 and was promoted to Chief Lending Officer, Lease Finance Group, in March 2022.  As CLO, Marcela is responsible for strategic planning, origination, credit and documentation functions as well as overseeing and managing daily operations to achieve business objectives. Under Marcela’s leadership, the lease portfolio has grown nearly 90% over the last 12 months. Prior to joining First Bank Chicago, Marcela worked for LaSalle Solutions, an equipment leasing company, for almost 20 years. Marcela also spent six years working in the Lease Finance Division at MB Financial Bank, N.A. She serves as an advisory board member for Gratitude Generation, whose mission is to inspire gratitude in future generations through education and service.


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Participating Chambers: