TESTIMONIALS

Working with the CEC and my ATHENAPowerLink panel, PatientImpact focused its sales and marketing strategy, expanded its product offerings, and doubled its revenues this past year, demonstrating that effective mentoring and guidance brings results.

• — Patricia Riskind, PatientImpact, 2009 ATHENAPowerLink® - Chicago Area Business of the Year

Representatives from National City, Now a part of PNC; Foley & Lardner LLP law firm and the Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center (CEC) congratulate the 2009 ATHENAPowerLink – Chicago Area Business of the Year and Advisory Panel of the Year Honorees, all of whom participated on the advisory panel for PatientImpact LLC. Front row, from left to right: Beth Houck (Chief Operating Officer of PatientImpact LLC), David Weinstein (CEC), Jasmine Moore Crawford (CEC), Michelle Michaels (Foley & Lardner LLP), Patricia L. Riskind (President & CEO of PatientImpact LLC; Business of the Year Honoree), Ann Offerman (National City, Now a part of PNC), and Kathleen Newrones (National City, Now a part of PNC). Second row, from left to right: John B. Weber (National City, Now a part of PNC; Advisory Panel of the Year Honoree), Maria Burud (Zanon Group; Advisory Panel of the Year Honoree), Catherine B. Nelson (Foley & Lardner LLP), Nik Rokop (Knapp Entrepreneurship Center at the Illinois Institute of Technology; Advisory Panel of the Year Honoree), and Andrew Crestodina (Orbit Media Studios, Inc.; Advisory Panel of the Year Honoree).

Working with the CEC and my advisory panel through this past year helped to provide important new perspective and insight that has helped me to grow my business,” said Michelle Hayward of Bluedog Design. “Not only did I receive strong strategic advice, but doors opened for top-notch new clients and professional contacts.

• — Michelle Hayward, Bluedog Design, 2008 ATHENAPowerLink® - Chicago Area Business of the Year

Kathleen Pasulka-Brown (right), a partner of Foley & Lardner LLP, congratulates Michelle Hayward of Bluedog Design, the 2008 ATHENAPowerLink – Chicago Area Business of the Honoree.

My ATHENAPowerLink® panel made all the difference in taking Sublime Promotions to the next level. The advisors were dedicated in helping my Sublime Promotions team through defining niche clients and reorganizing our corporate structure. As a result, we achieved amazing revenue growth of over 60% in less than a year!

• — Sarah Stopek Hirsch, Sublime Promotions, Inc., 2007 ATHENAPowerLink® - Chicago Area Business of the Year

Maureen Prochenski (National City Bank, third from left), Laura Bilas (Foley & Lardner, fifth from left), and Jasmine Moore Crawford (CEC, sixth from left) congratulate the 2007 ATHENAPowerLink – Chicago Area Business of the Year & Advisory Panel of the Year Honorees. (L to R): Tom Caprel (Breakthrough Consulting), William Hanekamp (The Well Advertising), Sarah Stopek Hirsch (Sublime Promotions; Business of the Year Honoree), Kristine Gross (K.G. Consulting, Inc.), and Scott Issen (Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center). – June 2007

ATHENAPowerLink® helped us increase our revenue by showing us how to define our core competencies, develop a new business strategy and formalize and streamline our internal operations.

• — Terri Scales, The Tercet Group, 2006 ATHENAPowerLink® - Chicago Area Business of the Year

Laura Bilas (Foley & Lardner, far left) and Joseph Gregoire (National City Bank) congratulate the 2006 ATHENAPowerLink – Chicago Area Business of the Year Honorees, The Tercet Group. (L to R): Aimee Floto, Terri Scales and Pam Helminski Devitt.

I've always believed in the value of advisors and mentors, and welcomed opportunities to help colleagues and friends by offering guidance and support. But, it was when I went into business for myself and joined the CEC's ATHENAPowerLink® program that I truly experienced how critical mentors and advisors can be. The expert advice that I have received has helped BrightStar Healthcare reach target goals in months rather than years and has renewed my commitment to aiding others in their business endeavors.

• — Shelly Sun, 24-7 BrightStar Healthcare, 2005 ATHENAPowerLink® - Chicago Area Business of the Year