Dr. Loren Williams holds a Doctorate in Education, with concentrations in non-profit management and social entrepreneurship. She herself is an entrepreneur and looks forward to starting several more entrepreneurial ventures! She has operated in various leadership roles across Chicago and its surrounding Suburbs. In these roles, she has led teams to accomplish strategic goals by implementing strategic interventions. As a Licensed Professional Counselor, she believes in the overall health and wellness of communities and their economies. She is an advocate for equitable access to quality products and services for all.
Dr. Williams sits on several board of directors in and around the Chicagoland area. She is committed to her lifelong mission to advocate for those who are often overlooked and underserved.
Dr. Williams enjoys spending time with her loved ones, especially her 8 nieces and nephews, traveling the world, working in her garden and cooking.
Mario Baxtrom is a freelance business consultant specializing in business development and operations, accounting systems and practices, workforce development, labor market research, and youth and adult education. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Roosevelt University, with concentrations in accounting, marketing, and management. He furthered his studies in human development, child and adolescent education, and family studies at Colorado State University and the University of Illinois. Currently, he serves as the workforce development manager for Greencorps Chicago, a city training program.
Mario has made significant contributions to the development of programs for organizations such as Camelot Education (Excel Academy), the Illinois Department of Human Services, the Midwest Asian Health Association, and Greencorps Chicago.
Beyond his professional achievements, Mario is deeply committed to helping underserved businesses and community members in the Chicagoland area. He is also a strong advocate for diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice. In his spare time, he enjoys spending quality time with his five children and reading career-related articles and novels to broaden his skill set. His dedication to continuous learning and personal growth reflects his well-rounded approach to life and work.
The Woodlawn Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to promoting and supporting business development in order to improve the quality of life of Woodlawn residents.
