Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1498399
www.negociosnow.com 22 Abril 2023 Age: 39 Title: Managing Director Organization: Mikva Chal- lenge As managing director of Illinois programs, Rubal- cava sets the vision and direction for Mikva Illinois' youth-facing programs, elevates the work of youth program facilitators, and oversees Mikva's school- based classroom initiatives. Before joining Mikva Chal - lenge, Rubalcava served as the director of enrollment management at Harold Washington College, one of the City Colleges of Chi- cago. She led a college-wide committee that designed a framework for student re- cruitment and established strategies for the college's three-year enrollment plan. She has been exposed to all areas of a nonprofit orga - nization. Rubalcava began her career as a community organizer in Uptown, Rog- ers Park, and West Ridge. She then joined the Asso- ciation for Child Develop- ment as the director of nu- trition services. After that, she spent six years working at the Academy for Urban School Leadership and Holy Trinity High School. Rubalcava earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Illinois Cham - paign-Urbana. In addition to her work at Mikva Chal- lenge, Rubalcava serves on the associate board of Erie Family Health Centers and sits on the steering com- mittee for the University of Chicago Consortium on School Research. Age: 39 Title: Vice President Organization: Wallin/Go - mez Architects Ltd Joanna Ruiz is vice presi- dent of Wallin/Gomez Ar- chitects, which she joined in 2007. She manages teams throughout an entire con- struction project, with clients during design, fol- lowed by permit and con- struction drawings with internal teams and en- gineers, and finally with contractors in the con- struction phase. She has successfully completed over $180 million of con- struction thus far. She is an accredited professional in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design and consults on all aspects of sustainable design. With her vast knowl - edge, she started an archi- tectural consulting firm in 2020 called Prism 312 LLC which is WBE and MBE certified. She is a founding mem- ber of the auxiliary board for the National Museum of Mexican Art. The board fosters the growth of young professionals who volunteer and plan fun - draising events that help support the museum. Joanna received her ar- chitecture degree from the Illinois Institute of Tech- nology in 2007. As a first- generation U.S. citizen with both parents of Mexi- can descent, she is one of the first from her extended family to receive a bach- elor's degree. Age: 34 Title: Founder Organization: Flourish Juice Co. Kaitlin Soto is the creator and owner of Flourish Juice Co. in Joliet, Illinois. She is dedicated to educat - ing others on how to im- prove their quality of life through nutrition and how to respect the environ- ment through sustainable practices. She graduated col- lege with honors when she received a bachelor's degree in nutrition from Benedictine University in Lisle, Illinois. She's received awards for nu - trition education, com- munity education, vol- unteerism, and nutrition advocacy. Her business has been flourishing since 2016. Her 6-year- old son is the company's marketing manager in hopes of encouraging other children to eat (and drink) healthier. Flourish Juice Co. was cultivated from com - munity outreach for a healthier way to fuel your body, mind, and spirit while caring for the Earth. Flourish incentivizes cus- tomers to return glass juice bottles to its shop through a bottle-recycle program. The company washes and, sterilizes, and refills all bottles, di - verting waste from land- fills. By 2023 Soto hopes to have farmland in order to create a circular econo- my supporting only local food systems. Carla Rubalcava Joanna Ruiz Kaitlin Soto Inspiring youth involvement Designing a new Chicago Healthier eating with less waste Ed Suarez Immigrant background is his bedrock Age: 36 Title: Head of U.S. Premier Service Sales Organization: BMO Financial Group As the head of U.S. premier service sales for BMO Harris Bank, Edward Suarez brings a results-oriented approach to the business with employ - ee engagement and relation- ship building at its core. As a Cuban immigrant, Suarez's personal expe- riences integrating into American society, while learning a new language, have helped him adapt to an evolving industry. His humble upbringing, which included helping to pay family bills in high school and putting him - self through school, fueled his success. He received a bachelor's degree in busi- ness administration from DeVry University and an MBA from Temple Univer- sity, both with 4.0 GPAs. He started in the financial industry in college and has lived in Philadelphia, Wisconsin, Florida, and Il- linois. The changes in envi- ronment have exposed Su- arez to an array of cultures, thus his specialty in leading diverse teams. His drive, perseverance, and team motivation have led his de- partments to outperform peers nationally. Suarez enjoys work- ing with people. Mentor- ing and helping others improve brings him joy. A fixer at heart, he connects with employees at all levels to identify and address un- derlying challenges.