Jason is well known in the Chicago area as a “connector” and go-to person for entrepreneurs who want to grow and maintain their success.  Currently, he is Director of Business Development for Sales Results, Inc. and The Executives Profit, both of which provide results focused sales training and executive coaching for entrepreneurs.  Jason is familiar with the needs of small business owners as a result of his assistance to hundreds of entrepreneurs while working at KMG Enterprises, Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center, and Vcapital.  With his extensive network, he is able to provide the appropriate resources to entrepreneurs at various stages of development. He has served on the board, contributed to, or been an active member of The Big Idea Forum, DePaul Entrepreneurs Network, Illinois Entrepreneurship Consortium, and DePaul University Alumni Board.  Jason received his MBA from DePaul University and his bachelor’s degree from University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Darrell Williams (COM '81)

Darrell is an investment banking advisor for Loop Capital Markets specializing in mergers & acquisitions, financial advisory, private equity, and special projects.  He brings over 20 years of deal execution and advisory experience for entities ranging from start-ups to successful publicly traded companies in a broad array of industries.  Prior to joining Loop, Darrell was Managing Member of DuSable Capital LLC, a financial investment and advisory practice he founded to target growth-oriented companies and the organizations that support them.  Prior to founding DuSable, Darrell was Chief Investment Officer of the Washington DC-based Telecommunications Development Fund; Vice President of Venture Capital at Ameritech Development Corporation; and worked in Mergers & Acquisitions at the First National Bank of Chicago.  Darrell has served on the boards of directors or advisors for 12 companies and two non-profits. He holds a bachelor’s degree from DePaul University and an MBA from the Harvard University Graduate School of Business.

Moderator

Cadey O’Leary

Cadey is an experienced marketing and sales executive in the health and beauty care industry.  She is passionate about entrepreneurship and understands the process behind launching and growing businesses because she has done it, twice.  Cadey led the mass-market introduction and growth of a small, one-product company from $1 million to nearly $5 million in two years, spearheading the company’s sales and marketing efforts. Most recently, she founded a business in 2004 launching a line of branded and private label outdoor skin care products in the mass market and other retail channels.  She is currently exploring options for the company’s ongoing growth and is investigating consulting roles with other personal care companies.  Cadey began her career in marketing and public relations agencies in Atlanta and Chicago, after receiving her bachelor’s degree from Miami University of Ohio.  Cadey is actively involved in Chicago’s entrepreneurial community including the Coleman Center, and is a communications committee member of Chicago Young Republicans.