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Bill graduated from ��ݮ��Ƶ in 1972 and returned in 2014 to accept the ""Most Distinguished Alumni"" award and to give the commencement speech for the class of 2014. Bill spent 3 years on the ��ݮ��Ƶ Foundation Board of Directors.

Bill's organization, The Pollakov Financial Group Inc., was one of a kind, and has won numerous awards both from MassMutual and from the industry for outstanding performance, including being voted the ""#1 Best Place to Work in San Diego"" in 2014. Bill's individual achievements include: the “Founders Award” from Child Help International in 2008, was “Community Leader of the Year” for the city of Rancho Bernardo in 2008, was a finalist for the city of Poway “Man of the Year” in 2007. Bill was awarded the “#1 Most Admired CEO in San Diego” in 2011, and also the #1 Best Place to Work in San Diego.

In 2018, he entered the Financial Services Hall of Fame. Bill is a sought-after speaker, and has spoken all over the United States, Manila, Taiwan, Kuala Lampur, Singapore, Jamaica, and Canada. He was an expert witness for industry legal issues, and a consultant for  both the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University Grad School. And The Carey School of Business at ASU.

Bill has used his 46 years of insurance industry experience and expertise to merge Duke Insurance Benefits, Developmental Insurance Agency, and SFG Insurance Benefits into Pollakov & Duke Health Insurance Services, Inc., where he currently serves as the President / CEO.  Bill’s biggest achievement is that he is Founder and CEO of Bikes for Kids Foundation, a charitable organization that serves underserved children. They have given away over 99,000 new bikes and is the largest foundation in the country to do that.

Bill is a U.S. Army veteran ('68-’74), lives in Poway with his wife Debbie, and has three children.

Chris Sulla recently retired as an Associate Teaching Professor at Arizona State University’s W.P. Carey School of Business, where he taught graduate and undergraduate courses in Information Security, Technology Ethics, Project Management, and Service Delivery. At ASU, he served on the Information Systems Executive Advisory Board, was a faculty senator, and mentored students in honors and veteran programs.

Before his decade in academia, Chris spent 38 years in senior IT leadership roles across global organizations. He served as CIO at Sensient Technologies Corporation and held executive IT positions at CSM Nv/Corbion, ACCO Brands, GATX, US Foodservice, and Waste Management. His expertise includes IT governance, cybersecurity, business intelligence, and technology strategy across manufacturing and supply chain operations. An NEIU alumnus, Chris earned his BS in Information Science as the university’s first IT intern and later served as a part-time instructor and Executive Advisory Council member for the College of Business and Technology. He also holds an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and continues to advise startups, including Koat.ai.

David Swanson retired in May 2020 as a Managing Director at Antares Capital, a Chicago-based firm. With over 30 years of experience in Cash Flow/Business Value lending, he was responsible for originating, structuring, and closing transactions with private equity firms in the U.S. and Canada.

A co-founder of Antares Capital in 1996, Dave’s career also includes significant experience with Heller Financial and Continental Illinois National Bank. Throughout his career, he built strong relationships within the financial industry, contributing to the growth and success of the organizations he was part of.

Dave holds a B.A. from ��ݮ��Ƶ and an MBA from Loyola University-Chicago, where he laid the foundation for a career dedicated to finance and private equity.

Edwin Medina is the Director of Operations at Blooms Grooms Mobile, where he leads strategic initiatives and oversees daily business functions. A first-generation Latino college graduate, Edwin earned both his Bachelor of Science in Marketing (2022) and MBA (2024) from ��ݮ��Ƶ.

During his time at NEIU, Edwin served as the Student Trustee, championing student advocacy, inclusion, and equity. His leadership reflected a deep commitment to representing underrepresented voices and fostering meaningful change within the university. Combining academic insight with operational expertise, Edwin now consults with small businesses on scaling strategies, process improvement, and sustainable growth. His work is rooted in mentorship, community empowerment, and a belief in the transformative impact of education.

Fidel Guzman is a dynamic Learning & Development leader with a strong background in instructional design, training development, and project management. He earned his MBA from ��ݮ��Ƶ and currently serves as Manager of Internal Training at ION Group, where he and his team support onboarding and professional development for more than 13,000 employees worldwide. 

With experience across industries including finance, telecommunications, and fitness, Fidel has developed impactful onboarding programs and career pathways that enhance learning outcomes and employee engagement. He is an active contributor to company-wide initiatives in diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as work-life balance and community service. Fluent in English and Spanish, Fidel holds certifications in coaching and leadership from SHRM and PMI. He is also Vice President of Education for Toastmasters International and has volunteered as a tutor and MMA class instructor. His passion for lifelong learning, service, and personal growth continues to drive his success and inspire those around him.

Dr. Jay Fulgencio is a passionate educator and innovator, known for advancing teaching through technology and entrepreneurship. A proud NEIU alumnus, Dr. Jay holds a B.A. from ��ݮ��Ƶ and earned a Ph.D., M.S., and M.A. from Oklahoma State University.

A U.S. Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (USASBE) Teaching & Learning Scholar, Dr. Jay has authored numerous academic works and designed impactful online learning experiences that merge instructional design with emerging technologies. His certifications span learning management systems, tech tools, and entrepreneurial mindset assessments. Beyond the classroom, he has held leadership roles including Chair of the Online Entrepreneurship Education special interest group and Advisory Board Member for the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City – Oklahoma City Branch. Dr. Jay also serves on the Illinois Education Association – Higher Education Council, shaping policy and practice in higher education across the state. With a focus on blending content creation, innovation, and digital learning, Dr. Jay continues to empower the next generation of educators, entrepreneurs, and changemakers.

Julio Arreola is an Assistant Vice President at KeyBank’s Community Development Lending & Investment group, where he supports the origination, underwriting, and structuring of affordable housing transactions nationwide. With over $2 billion in closed real estate deals, his expertise spans multifamily, affordable housing, and community development.

During his time at ��ݮ��Ƶ, Julio founded the university’s first Investment Society, providing students with real-world financial learning opportunities and access to industry professionals. He also co-founded and served as Vice President of NEIU’s ALPFA chapter, championing professional growth for underrepresented business students. Julio remains passionate about leveraging finance to drive social impact and continues to give back to NEIU by mentoring students and participating in alumni panels.

Lanesha Mohip is the founder of Polished CFO Solutions, a financial strategist and wealth-building advocate committed to empowering Black families and entrepreneurs across the U.S. A native of Chicago’s West Side, Lanesha launched her career through nonprofit finance internships and has since built over a decade of accounting and financial experience across real estate, consulting, and tech sectors.

She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, an MBA, and a Master’s in Human Resources Management, along with several investment licenses. Currently pursuing her Series 65 Advisor’s Representative license—a distinction held by few Black women—Lanesha has managed nearly $1 million in client investment assets and supported over 450 clients nationwide. Lanesha’s mission is rooted in financial education, not just financial products. Through her unique blend of technical expertise and personalized coaching, she helps families make confident money decisions and build generational wealth with intention and purpose.

Mike Hines is the Assistant Vice President of Executive Communications at Northwestern University, where he oversees strategic messaging for the President, Provost, and other senior leaders. Prior to joining Northwestern, Mike served in several key communication roles at ��ݮ��Ƶ, leading executive, internal, media relations, and web communications.

A 2019 MBA graduate of NEIU’s College of Business and Technology, Mike continues to contribute to the university as an adjunct instructor in both the Department of Management and Marketing and the Department of Communication, Media and Theatre. Before transitioning to higher education, Mike spent 15 years in journalism, holding various editorial roles in news, sports, and features for daily newspapers.

Nader Mubayed graduated from ��ݮ��Ƶ in 2014 with a passion for business and a deep appreciation for the mentorship he received during his time at the College of Business and Technology. Inspired and guided by Professor Michael Bedell, Nader credits his education and support system at NEIU as the foundation of his professional success.

After nearly a decade in the corporate world, Nader followed his entrepreneurial instincts and opened several businesses in Chicago. His first venture, a Middle Eastern restaurant in Wicker Park, was a notable success. Today, he is the proud owner of a liquor store and a grocery store, both serving local communities in the city. His journey reflects the transformative power of mentorship and education.