Aurora Women in Business Financial Literacy Forum

Name: Aurora Women in Business Financial Literacy Forum
Start: 2026-05-13T09:00:00-05:00
End: 2026-05-13T11:00:00-05:00
Location: 43 W Galena Blvd, Aurora, IL, United States, Illinois 60506

Schedule

Wed May 13 2026 at 09:00 am to 11:00 am

UTC-05:00

Location

43 W Galena Blvd, Aurora, IL, United States, Illinois 60506 | Aurora, IL

Aurora Women in Business Financial Literacy Forum
Join us for a dynamic event dedicated to empowering individuals and communities with the knowledge and tools needed to achieve financial success. This forum brings together industry experts, community leaders, and financial professionals to share practical strategies on budgeting, saving, investing, credit management, and building long-term wealth. Whether you're just starting your financial journey or looking to strengthen your financial future, this event offers valuable insights, interactive discussions, and networking opportunities.
Fees: Member - $30 | Nonmember - $45
Business Finances
Take control of your business finances with clear, practical tools that drive smarter decisions. This session explores how projections, P&L, and EBITDA help you forecast revenue, manage cash flow, and plan for sustainable growth. Learn how to analyze past performance, adjust for upcoming changes, and navigate market factors with confidence.
Speaker: Carolyn Chiovino, CEO and Owner of Express Employment Professionals North Aurora
Carolyn leads a mission‑driven team dedicated to connecting talented people with meaningful work. Express supports businesses across office administration, accounting, IT, non‑clinical medical, hospitality and leisure, skilled trades, and manufacturing, offering contract, evaluation‑to‑hire, and direct-hire solutions. Her guiding mantra is "Leaving People Better Than We Found Them." Carolyn has a diverse background as an ordained minister, musician, jazz and blues vocalist, licensed John Maxwell coach, and motivational speaker. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Aurora Regional Economic Alliance (and was a former Chair of the Aurora Regional Chamber of Commerce) and also is on the Board of Directors for the Kane County Workforce Development and previously served on the Board of Directors for the Lazarus House.
How the Right Financial Partner Makes All the Difference
Caroline Rossow and Yaneth Medina share how, as dedicated local banking specialists, they devise custom financial solutions and expert advice to help clients reach any financial or business goal. Topics include ways your business can prepare to apply for growth utilizing a variety of credit facilities including operating lines of credit, SBA solutions, and commercial real estate loans. You don’t want to miss this conversation.
Speakers
Caroline Rossow, Vice President Commercial Banking, Wintrust Commercial, a Wintrust Community Bank
Caroline thrives on helping her clients achieve their business & commercial real estate goals. She builds relationships through consultation to understand current priorities and identify financial objectives and needs. She advises on comprehensive strategies to ensure her clients continue their success. She specializes in a variety of loan structures, including traditional commercial real estate for closely held middle market companies, multi-family, medical office and industrial investment property purchases and refinances, business acquisitions equipment purchases, operating lines of credits 504 and 7a project requests. Caroline graduated Cum Laude & earned her B.A. in History & Secondary Education from Central College, Pella, Iowa.
Yaneth Medina, President for Elgin State Bank, a Wintrust Community Bank
Business leader, author, speaker, and philanthropist, with more than 25 years of leadership experience in banking, Yaneth holds a multifaceted role, contributing to business development, compliance, and employee recognition. She is actively involved in internal and corporate-level committees, showcasing a diverse skill set. Yaneth’s career success is attributed to a robust work ethic and unwavering integrity. Colleagues recognize her as a supportive management team member who champions a positive culture, fostering an environment where everyone can flourish. Her passion lies in elevating others, extending beyond business to assist individuals in achieving their personal and financial goals. Moreover, she has a particular focus on helping minority businesses accelerate at all levels. She also dedicates her time to serving several organizations in the local area.
Capital Readiness: Preparing Your Business to Acquire External Capital
Securing funding looks different depending on where your business is in its lifecycle. This presentation helps business owners understand capital readiness and how funding needs and sources evolve from startup through growth and into established operations. Participants learn the difference between cash flow and capital, explore various capital types, sources, and uses and understand which funding options are most appropriate at different stages of business development. The session also provides guidance on evaluating your own capital readiness so you can pursue funding strategically and with confidence.
Speaker: Minerva Calatayud, Director of Entrepreneurial Business Program and Services, Division 1
Director, Women’s Business Development Center Aurora
Minerva Calatayud holds a Bachelor of Science in Food Engineering from the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico and an M.B.A. from the Instituto Tecnologico de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, Mexico. She also holds an Executive Master’s in International Business from St. Louis University in St Louis, Missouri.