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Carla Cubert is Vice President of Consulting Services at RubinBrown LLP, one of the nation’s top 50 CPA and consulting firms. With more than 20 years of experience in program and project management, Carla has led large-scale, mission-critical business transformation initiatives across a wide range of industries. Her expertise includes Business Process Improvement, ERP implementations, Organizational Change Management, and PMO Enablement.

A proud double major graduate of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ with a BS in Computer Science and Business Administration (Marketing emphasis), Carla began her career as a computer programmer and has worked with organizations such as IBM Consulting, Capgemini, and the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. She also served as President and CEO of her own Chicago-based consulting firm for two decades. In her current role, Carla drives business development and leads client engagements across RubinBrown’s consulting practices, with a focus on delivering strategic improvements for clients in sectors including healthcare, life sciences, insurance, real estate, and not-for-profit. She was recently appointed to the Executive Advisory Council of NEIU’s College of Business and Technology, continuing her commitment to giving back to her alma mater and shaping future business leaders.

Geoff was born in Detroit and raised in the suburbs of Detroit and Chicago. A graduate of Addison Trail HS, he earned a BBA in accounting from the University of Michigan, an MS in Taxation from Depaul, and an MBA from Northwestern. Geoff spent 44 years in public accounting, starting with Arthur Andersen and retiring as a tax partner from Wipfli. His involvement with the Illinois CPA Society, where he previously served as Chairperson of the Board of Directors, continues. He is currently serving as Treasurer on the Board of the CPA Endowment Fund of Illinois.

For many years Geoff was a media spokesperson for the ICPAS and was a frequent guest on local TV and radio stations discussing tax matters. He also served on the Governing Council of the AICPA and as a member of the State of Illinois task force on
regulating income tax return preparers. Community involvement over the years has included being a founder of the Warren Cherry Preschool in Evanston, Treasurer of First Night Evanston and Peaceable Cities Evanston, and President of the Evanston Youth Hockey Association. Geoff joined the Executive Council of the NEIU College of Business and Technology in 2008.

A true gearhead, Geoff’s current project is building a replica of a 1965 Shelby Cobra sports car. He hopes to have it titled and licensed by the spring of 2026. Geoff and his wife Ginny are avid sports fans and long-time Blackhawks season ticket holders. They have three adult children, all of whom reside in the Chicago area. They split their time between a condo in Lakeview East and a home in Pentwater, Michigan.

Heather Acerra is a group benefits consultant and small business owner with extensive experience in human resources leadership, specializing in compensation, benefits consulting, and organizational development. Heather is passionate about helping employers design comprehensive total rewards plans to enhance employee engagement and retention.

Heather's business acumen extends to her entrepreneurial venture, Lux Blox, an award-winning educational toy she co-invented with her husband. Lux Blox has been a focal point in collaborative classroom projects at NEIU, where students have explored product development and marketing under the guidance of Professor Garo Agopian. As an Executive Advisory Board member at NEIU and College Relations Director for the Illinois SHRM State Board, Heather enjoys mentoring college students in business and career development. In addition to her professional roles, she serves on the Galesburg City Council and is an active member and lector at her church. Heather is dedicated to making a positive impact in her profession and the communities she serves, particularly the students at NEIU.

Jack Butler holds a B.A. in Business Administration from Washington State University and an M.B.A. from the University of Oregon, with a focus on Accounting and Business Statistics. His career began at the Department of Defense Computer Institute in Washington, D.C., where he developed and taught computer systems courses to senior military officers. This experience sparked a lifelong commitment to bridging the gap between complex technologies and non-technical users.

Jack’s professional journey includes leadership roles in technical education at a management consulting firm, a property management software company, and enterprise software leader PeopleSoft. Most recently, he managed global technology training at Medline Industries, an international medical products company. More than 25 years ago, Jack joined the NEIU Foundation Board, which led to his long-standing relationship with the university. He served as an adjunct professor in the College of Business and Technology, teaching Business Statistics for over 14 years, and has been an active member of the Dean’s Executive Council. Jack is proud to have played a role in NEIU’s mission and is continually inspired by the determination and resilience of its students.
 

Janita Tucker is a seasoned leader with over 30 years of experience in nonprofit management, economic development, and community outreach. Since 2000, she has served as Executive Director of the Peterson Pulaski Business and Industrial Council (PPBIC), where she has played a pivotal role in strengthening Chicago’s Northwest Side industrial corridor. Under her leadership, PPBIC has retained and developed dozens of companies, preserved over 5,000 jobs, and facilitated millions in public and private investment.

Renowned for her ability to foster collaboration among businesses, government agencies, educators, and community partners, Janita has consistently advanced strategic initiatives that promote long-term economic sustainability. Her expertise spans strategic planning, board development, and advocacy. In addition to her work at PPBIC, Janita has served on numerous boards including the Senior Citizens Housing Development Corporation of Chicago and the Albany Park Community Center. She has also held leadership roles with the North Park Preschool Board and Peterson Park Advisory Council.

A longtime member of the NEIU College of Business and Technology Executive Advisory Council, Janita is also an honorary member of Beta Alpha Psi. She holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and has completed professional training through Loyola University, Southern Illinois University, and the International Economic Development Council. Janita remains deeply committed to fostering inclusive growth and improving quality of life for Chicago residents through education, economic empowerment, and civic engagement.

Kristen Evans is an award-winning consumer strategist, business executive, TEDx speaker, and educator whose career spans Fortune 500 companies, mission-driven organizations, and academic institutions. With over 15 years of experience in market research, brand development, and general management, she has led strategy for global brands including Procter & Gamble, Kraft Foods, Johnson & Johnson, COVERGIRL, The Olympics, and the NFL.

As Principal and Managing Partner at The Embedded Group, Kristen is recognized as a conscious leader who centers purpose and people in business strategy. She brings this philosophy to À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ’s College of Business and Technology, where she teaches entrepreneurship and small business fundamentals through the Business Innovation & Growth (BIG) Center.

Kristen is an active civic leader, serving on the Board of Directors for BUILD, Inc. and the Associate Board of the Chicago Public Library Foundation. Her TEDx Talk, Closing the Wellness Gap, explores the intersection of generational wellness, work culture, and rest. An alumna of the University of Michigan and Gonzaga University, Kristen is a fellow of the IMPACT and Management Leadership for Tomorrow (MLT) programs. Her honors include the David Ogilvy Award, the She Shines Award from Girls Inc., and the Outstanding Arts Consultant of Chicago.

Linda Del Bosque is a dedicated advocate for empowerment and education within the Latina community. She is the founder of Chicago Latina Magazine and the Business Foundation, two platforms that promote equity and provide essential resources to historically underserved groups. Her mission centers on nurturing growth and expanding access to educational opportunities that help Latinas succeed. Linda’s work focuses on eliminating disparities and creating inclusive spaces where Latinas can thrive. Through her leadership, she has become a catalyst for change, inspiring others to pursue their potential and build community.

A graduate of Northwestern University, Linda is now preparing to attend law school, where she plans to specialize in government affairs and business law. Her goal is to deepen her advocacy work and continue addressing systemic challenges that impact underrepresented communities. Linda’s journey reflects her deep commitment to service and leadership. By building pathways and expanding access, she continues to pave the way for a more equitable future.

Richard Gendon is Managing Director of the Center for Professional Management, a consulting firm specializing in strategic development, turnaround initiatives, and operational improvement. With over 25 years of experience in both the private and public sectors, his work focuses on bridging strategic planning with functional execution.

He has led initiatives across supply chain and operations management in a range of industries—from FMCG to agricultural processing—with particular emphasis on demand planning, risk management, and long-range planning. Richard is a past president of APICS-Chicago and continues to serve on the chapter’s Board of Directors. A proud graduate of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ, Richard credits the College of Business and Technology with providing the foundation that shaped his career in leadership and strategic consulting.