Women for Women awarded a record-breaking $70,000 in grants to three local nonprofits during its 18th Annual Grant Reception on Wednesday, May 13, recognizing organizations addressing some of central Illinois’ most pressing challenges facing women and children. This year’s grants will support programs focused on childhood food insecurity, family support services, and care for children […]
SBJ Staff
Posted inAnnouncements
State to connect small businesses with procurement experts
The Illinois Department of Innovation & Technology’s Office of Supplier Diversity and the IT Procurement Office have announced the launch of a new Office Hours program, with the inaugural session scheduled for 10-11 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 15, as part of the “Leveraging Diversity in Technology Procurement” educational series. “We’re launching this Office Hours program […]
Posted inArticles
Mennonite College of Nursing Springfield graduates inaugural class
Illinois State University Mennonite College of Nursing has graduated 25 students in its first cohort of nursing students in Springfield, More than 30% of the graduating class have signed on with Memorial Health. “This momentous occasion is the culmination of a great deal of planning and collaboration between our two organizations,” said Dr. Marsha Prater, […]
Posted inColumns
Building permits – July 7 to July 13
Sangamon County received a commercial permit for new construction at 100 S. Ninth St. for SSCTC West. Contractor is O’Shea Builders and the architect is Hanson Professional Services. 1828 Property LLC received a commercial remodel permit for 1244 E. Sangamon Ave. Contractor is Krunal Patel and architect is Evan Lloyd Architects. The project is valued […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
2025 class of Forty Under 40
The July issue of Springfield Business Journal highlights 40 young professionals who are under the age of 40 in the Springfield and neighboring business communities. These individuals are selected based on their contributions to our local business community and the community in which they reside. Click to view 2025 winners Click to view past winners For […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Natalie Grider
Natalie Grider 38 Occupation: Hairstylist and owner of Appearances Salon and Retreat Email: appearancesng@gmail.com Education: USCA School of Cosmetology Family: Husband, Nathan; daughters, Hadley and Caroline Affiliations/community activities: Greater Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce; Women Entrepreneurs of Central Illinois; Sleep in Heavenly Peace; Central Illinois Food Bank and St. Agnes Church. What is your guiding […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Becky Gabany
Becky Gabany 38 Occupation: Owner, ChangeBridge Consulting Email: Becky@ChangeBridgeConsulting.com Education: Bachelor of arts in communications; master of arts in human services Family: Husband, Adam; two sons, Julian and Arlo; 30-plus pets Affiliations/community activities: National Association for Community and Restorative Justice, co-chair, DEI committee; Washington Street Mission, life skills training facilitator, volunteer; St. Patrick’s Catholic School, community advisory […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Jessica Barney
Jessica Barney 34 Occupation: Department administrator of internal medicine, SIU School of Medicine Email: jbarney@siumed.edu Education: MBA, Master's in nursing leadership Family: Husband, Justin; children, Noah and Sophia; Mom, Reny Drendel and sibling, Adam Drendel Affiliations/community activities: SIU Internal Medicine Community Advisory Board; volunteer with children’s programs at West Side Christian Church What is your guiding principle in life? My mother and my husband taught […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Vistrit Choudhary
Vistrit Choudhary 32 Occupation: Health policy coordinator at SIU School of Medicine Email: vistrit.c@gmail.com Education: Master’s degree in public policy, University of Chicago Family: Wife, Melessia; cats, Luna and Benzene; dog, Nala Affiliations/community activities: Rural Health Leadership fellow, National Rural Health Association; chair, Administrative Professionals Council, SIU School of Medicine What led you to your current career? While […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Nick Koch
Nick Koch 29 Occupation: Strategic account representative, TechGuard Security Email: nicholas.koch@techguardsecurity.com Education: University of Mississippi Family: Parents, Steve and Jodie Koch; Mom, Lisa Kincaid; Wife, Dr. Allison Long Affiliations/community activities: RISE, chair-elect, community service subcommittee, events subcommittee; United Way of Central Illinois, board of directors and resource development committee; Local First Springfield, board member; Chatham Jaycees, member; Wooden It Be […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Benjamin McGill
Benjamin McGill 39 Occupation: Sergeant with the Springfield Police Department Email: bmcgill2@gmail.com Education: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Family: Single with a golden retriever named Igloo Affiliations/community activities: Phi Beta Sigma Inc.; PBPA #5 Springfield; PBPA of Illinois; NOBLE; NAACP What is your guiding principle in life? My guiding principle is rooted in integrity and resilience. I […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Jessica Sisk
Jessica Sisk 39 Occupation: Director of residential operations, Hope Email: jsisk@hope.us Education: Bachelor’s degree from Eastern Illinois University Family: My fur babies, Luna and Ryno What led you to your current career? I began working at Hope 15 years ago and quickly realized I was working with a team of amazing people to support a […]