Welcome to EWN's Young Executives Organization!

Our Mission: Create opportunities for young professional women to: 

BUILD, ACT, LEAD and SUCCEED by, developing new relationships, enhancing career opportunities, mentoring and sharing professional knowledge and participating in the community to make a difference.

Networking: Monthly opportunities to meet women across a wide variety of professions at various levels of their careers.

Professional Development/Skill Building:  Speakers discussing topics of interest to young professionals. Panel Discussions with the ability to ask questions of more experience business women.  Access to EWN's Professional Development programs.

Mentorship:  Ability to meet women established in a diverse array of careers participating in the broader EWN organization. Our future plans are to establish a mentoring program within EWN.

Volunteerism:  Reaching out to others in our community!  Upcoming event partnering with Dress for Success.

EWN Young Executives Event

September 23rd - 6:30-8:30pm

The Poison Cup, Chicago 

SPEAKER: Rita Forden (Executive) American Cancer Society

Connect with other successful young professional women. Enjoy a buffet of delicious and healthy faire. Enrich your mind!  To register: click on EVENTS from home page.

EWN Corporate Leadership Reception

October 7th - 5:30-7:30pm

East Bank Club, Chicago

Featuring Dorri McWhorter, Partner Crow Horwath, LLP

EWN-YE (TABLE hosting a business attire clothing drive for "Dress for Success"). To register: click on EVENTS from home page.

Chicago Making Strides Breast Cancer Walk

October 17th 7:30am Registration

Montrose Harbor, Chicago

Fun healthy way to give back to the community for an important women's cause while participating in a networking event!

EWN-YE Advisory Board Biographies

Pranjal Hegde - Co Chair

Pranjal Hegde is the Web Development Supervisor at McMaster-Carr Supply Company, an industrial supplies distributor specializing in next-day delivery. Along with managing the web regression testing team, she has helped to market the McMaster-Carr retail web site by analyzing site traffic and conducting web usability tests with clients. Pranjal graduated from Washington University in St. Louis in 2008 with concentrations in Marketing, International Studies and Spanish. In her free time, Pranjal continues to pursue her passion for dancing. She also travels extensively and enjoys learning about different cultures. Pranjal believes it is important to develop young women executives to excel in leadership by creating and sustaining a network of like-minded professionals. Pranjal is a Co-Chair of the EWN Young Executives Board and a member of the Community Outreach/Mentorship committee.

Megan Schlesinger - Co Chair

Megan Schlesinger is a Senior Client Service Associate at William Blair & Co., a global investment firm based in Chicago.  Her focus is servicing institutional domestic and international accounts.  Prior to joining William Blair in 2010, Megan worked for Advisory Research, Inc. as a client service associate for institutional and high net worth clients for over 2 years.  Megan graduated from Pennsylvania State University with a B.S. in Finance and a minor in International Studies.  Megan enjoys traveling, running, good food and wine.   She joined EWN in 2007, and has been a fundamental contributor in developing EWN?s Young Executive Group.  Megan is a Co-Chair of EWN Young Executives Advisory Board and a member of the Programming committee.

Nicole Snyder

Nicole Snyder is an Account Executive at Snyder Insurance & Financial Services.  Acting as a liaison to clients and potential new business, she focuses on managing risk and protecting clients? lives, businesses, assets and income.  Nicole graduated from Governors State University in 2005 with a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies.  In her free time, she plays competitive beach and women?s indoor volleyball, and enjoys wine and traveling. Nicole has been a member of Empowering Women Network for the past two years and has been inspired and challenged to grow on both a professional and personal level.  She is looking forward to sharing this amazing opportunity with other young professionals so they can experience the incredible warmth, support and network of vivacious women that are a part of this organization.  Nicole is on the Leadership Team for Empowering Women Network (EWN) and a member of the Programming committee on the Young Executives Advisory Board.

Sarah Johnson

Sarah Johnson is the Director of Marketing Consulting for PDI Global, Inc., a marketing and management consulting firm to professional service companies.  She advises accounting, law and partner environment firms on how to grow through practical, results driven marketing and business development techniques. Additionally, Sarah has a deep focus and understanding of digital communications and media, including how to use social media to develop business and drive growth. Sarah graduated from Purdue University in 2003 with a B.S. in Business Management and a specialization in Marketing.  In her free time, Sarah enjoys training and competing in triathlons. A foodie at heart, she also enjoys cooking and eating at some of Chicago?s best restaurants.  Sarah?s  has been lucky to have a strong set of mentors and leaders to help her progress throughout her career so far and wants to develop a similar environment for all young professional women. Sarah is a member of the Membership committee on the Young Executives Advisory Board.

Kimberly Kelnosky

Kim Kelnosky is a Sales Associate at JMB Insurance, a full scale independent Agency.  JMB is known for expertise in real estate, hospitality and food service.  Since joining JMB last fall, Kim has also concentrated her practice on insuring technology and environmentally driven businesses. Kim graduated from the Katie School of Insurance at Illinois State University in 2008 with B.S. degrees in Insurance and Economics.  When she is not working she enjoys spending time with her husband, Steve and puppy, Lola.  Kim comes from a wonderful family, where her parents always encouraged and pushed her to pursue professional growth.  Knowing how vital that support system is and that not all women have been as lucky, she is inspired to help other women through professional development and active networking.  Kim is a member of the Community Service/Mentorship Committee on the Young Executives Advisory Board.

Ellie O'Donnell

Ellie O'Donnell is a Market Manager at Walgreens Corporate, headquartered in Deerfield, Illinois.  She works in the Market Strategy division and is focused on providing analysis for new site locations and overall retail and healthcare strategy on the East Coast.  Ellie graduated from Miami University of Ohio in 2007 with a B.A. in Urban and Regional Planning and a B.A. in Geography, concentrating on urban economics.  She moved to Chicago three years ago to begin her career with Walgreens and enjoys all that the city has to offer.  She is excited to work with young women who are empowered to develop professionally as they grow in their careers.  Ellie is a member of the Programming Committee on the Young Executives Advisory Board for EWN.

Marissa Nino

Marissa Nino is a Project Manager at RR Donnelley Logistics, the world?s largest provider of integrated communications solutions.  Her primary role is to ensure the successful implementation of system, process or capital/strategic initiatives, but she also works towards enhancing training and development programs on site.  Marissa graduated from North Central College in 2007 with a BA in Communications and minors in Spanish and Gender and Women Studies, with eventual plans to pursue a Master's in Organizational Development.  Outside of work, Marissa's hobbies include reading, cooking/baking and traveling.  She also has a strong passion and value for people and their growth, both personally and professionally, and she strives to accomplish this through helping other career driven young women.  Marissa is a member of the Community Service/Mentorship Committee on the Young Executive Advisory Board.

Alex Stupnitsky

Alexandra Stupnitsky is a Sr. Market Analyst for Walgreens Corporate.  She has worked in the Market Strategy division since her graduation from the University of Illinois in 2007.  Her focus is on providing analysis and recommendations for new store locations as well as healthcare business units within Walgreens.  Her main objective is to drive the proper growth strategy for the South region of the United States.  Her background at the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana includes a B.A. in Economics and International Policy.  During her years at U of I, she especially enjoyed her involvement in the Real Estate club and has now put her time and energy into being a part of the Young Executives Board for EWN.  She is excited to learn and grow from other young professional women, as well as share the insight she has gathered with her peers.  Alex is a member of the Membership Committee on the Young Executives Advisory Board for EWN.

Mary Willoughby

Mary Willoughby is a Senior Business Consultant at LECG-SMART, a global expert services and consulting firm.  Her focus is the Insurance industry and over the past 5 years she work has worked to bridge the communication gap between the business and technical resources at her clients with implementation of business software.  Mary graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 2005 with a B.S. in Computer Science and a B.A in Vocal Performance.  In her free time, Mary cantors and sings in the Contemporary Choir at her church.  She also reads extensively and enjoys attending book clubs.  Mary feels she has been well mentored during her young career and, understanding the importance of such mentorship, wants to help other young women grow and achieve as they get started in their careers as well.  Mary is a member of the Membership committee on the Young Executives Advisory Board.

Andrea Yacub

Andrea Yacub is an Assistant Director for Student Employment at DePaul University, one of the nation?s largest private universities.  Andrea oversees the human resources functions for an average of 2,500 student employees across campus; her responsibilities include recruitment and selection, employee relations, payroll processes and procedures as well as development and implementation of training programs. She is also responsible for the development and delivery of career workshops for student employees on various topics including resumes development, job search strategies, social media (LinkedIn and Twitter), and career and professional development. Additionally, she meets with students one-on-one to advise them regarding job opportunities on and off campus. Andrea graduated from the University of Florida in 2006 with a B.S. in Psychology with a minor in Communication Studies and graduated in 2008 from Middle Tennessee State University with a Master?s degree in Industrial Organizational Psychology. In her free time, Andrea enjoys exploring Chicago, working out, and spending time with friends. Andrea found her job at DePaul through networking and feels strongly that it is one of the best tools for finding your career and growing professionally. She wants other young women to understand the value of this tool as part of EWN.  Andrea is a member of the Programming committee on the Young Executives Advisory Board.