Power Session: What does it take to be successful?
You won’t want to miss out on this session, as this session will host a group of local business owners and leaders in a round table setting with audience interaction and discussion around this powerful topic!
Meet our Panelists:
Christine Bare-Kemper, Christine is trusted in the Peoria community as a caring person who gives. Professionally she works as the Director of Business Development for CORE Construction. Her passion is to foster and maintain relationships between local businesses, non-for-profits and everyday people. The relationships have produced business partnerships, hundreds of thousands of dollars in donations, and most importantly happiness. Her philosophy is simple: “Life is a series of choices. Choose to make a positive difference.”
Christine’s story is not entirely unique, but rare. She was raised in poverty, worked to purchase her items of sustenance since age 12 and birthed her first child at 18. She worked in the service industry as a waitress and bartender as a single mother of three children for years and then again to pay for her higher education and life expenses. Attending ICC, then Bradley University and graduating Magna Cum Laude as an adult she found a higher grade of confidence and began using the innate, now cultured talent of human relations. As a waitress, a bartender and now business development director, her dedication to listening and empathizing to the real human conditions of people in our community, she has gained strong personal relationships with a large cross section of Peoria.
As a very active member of Rotary International, the President of the Peoria Regional Learning Center and a vice-president of the Illinois Central College Foundation Board, she not only finds money to support their cause, she more importantly listens, understands, provides advise and speaks passionately to the community and her network about the cause. Live to benefit others.
Jeff Griffin, President & CEO Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce & CEO Council Originally from Ohio, Jeff Griffin is a graduate of The Ohio State University with a bachelor’s degree in criminology and the University of Texas at Arlington with a master’s degree in social work. Before his work with Chambers of Commerce, Jeff spent 20 years working in social services and youth counseling. Jeff served as president of the Wooster Area Chamber of Commerce for four years prior to coming to Peoria. In 2014, Jeff made the move to Peoria with his wife Rosy, and three children, Max, Alex, and Camilla, where he has since served as the president of the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce and CEO Council.
Dr. Sheila Quirk-Bailey, joined Illinois Central College in July 2016. She brings more than 24 years of community college experience to her role as the fifth president of ICC.
Dr. Quirk-Bailey is passionate about engaging the community, aligning programs and service and realizing high levels of outcomes for our students, their families, the workforce and our region. Her particular interest is in working with high school and businesses to increase college and workforce readiness.
Dr. Quirk-Bailey holds a Doctorate in Management in Community College Policy and Administration from the University of Maryland, a Master’s degree in Communications from Northern Illinois University, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Speech Communication from Bradley University. She and her husband Dave, have three children – and two spoiled rescue cats.
Andre Allen, is a very proud native of Peoria and alumni of Peoria Public Schools. He is currently working in the field of Higher Education as the Dean of Students at Methodist College in Peoria, Illinois. Methodist College is one of the best health science colleges in the Midwest. Responsible for all student activities, residential life practices, student conduct, career services, volunteerism and shares deputy Title IX duties. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies and Master of Science in Sports Administration both from Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, Illinois.#BleedBlue #GoPanthers