E-mail
womensinstitute@ben.edu

Phone
(630) 829-6126

Fax
(630) 829-1375

Hours
8:30 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.

Karen Chung

Karen possesses over 18 years experience in a range of disciplines including finance, operations management, accounting, sales, marketing and international business.  She is a multifaceted entrepreneur who has founded and operated an array of professional services businesses.  Karen is currently the owner of Nomadic Consulting, which assists Fortune 500 companies in identifying and placing strategic diverse talent in executive positions.  She also is also the founder of Nomadic Capital which has an industry focus on real estate.  Karen is currently in the process of forming Nomadic Investments to focus and expand on the real estate activities with a plan to create a real estate investment fund. 

Donna Grant Dorsey

Donna currently serves as vice president of human resources for Navistar Inc.  She is responsible for all strategies related to talent management, recruitment, performance management, diversity and people development. In addition to her business unit human resources responsibilities, Donna serves as an enterprise Navistar human resources leader responsible for HR project management and enterprise HUR strategy development.  Prior to joining Navistar Financial Corporation, she was manager of human resources at Sears, Roebuck & Company (now Sears Holding) where she was instrumental in leading the development of people strategies for corporate functions and serving as a leader for diversity initiatives across the enterprise. Donna is a member of Society Human Resource Management, HR Management Association of Chicago, Northwest Human Resources Council, National Association of African American’s in HR, American Society of Training and Development, National Urban League, American Bar Association and the Illinois Bar Association.

Olfat El-Mallakh

Olfat is an accomplished author, artist and educator.  She has published a myriad of poems, stories and articles and has served as editor for various publications.  Her expertise in the customs, manners, and character of the Middle East afforded her the opportunity to be interviewed on the Alice Neuman television show.  Olfat has also been a guest on WBEZ and WCLR radio and appeared on WBBM TV.  As a proponent for education, Olfat has served as lecturer for a number of Colleges and Universities.  Olfat is recipient of the Outstanding Adjunct Faculty Award for the Humanities; awarded by the College of DuPage.  She was invited to present scholarly papers at the Oxford Round Table at Oxford University on two occasions.

Ann Farrell

Ann is an executive, business and leadership coach who facilitates the powerful alignment between people and organizations.  She created and trademarked a leadership developing coaching system for executives, leaders and team success, which is currently used by more than 35 corporate coaching firms.  Ann has also developed a myriad of programs which include “Your Corporate Success”, a group coaching experience, Quantum EQ (Emotional Intelligence), Quantum Game Changers (Innovation), Quantum Start (Successful On-boarding), SOAR to Success (6 month virtual “next level” leadership program), “Best Life & Career” and “Shoot for the Stars, Not the Ceiling” for women.  As a business owner, Ann’s firm has delivered successful results for over 50 Fortune 500 companies and 500 small businesses.  She is a passionate sponsor of community and corporate initiatives.  Ann has served as Untied Way Executive Champion for three years and has also served as executive sponsor and champion for Women’s and Diversity groups.  Ann currently serves on the advisory board for Women of the World organization and the Benedictine University Masters of Science in Leadership program. 

Sammer Ghouleh 

Sammer Ghouleh is an accomplished author, artist and prolific orator.  Her art exhibits have been displayed globally and she has won international acclaim for her writing.  Sammer has published several books of poetry and is currently working on two books entitled “Leaves of Life” and “A Rose in My Garden.”  Her passion for empowering women, to improve the quality of their lives, led her to establish Spirit magazine.  The magazine, a reflection of the real faces of women around the world, focuses on the important roles women play in nurturing and promoting one another.  Sammer believes through communication, individuals easily learn to understand and accept each other, and through acceptance and understanding, bridges will be built to connect communities.  Sammer is the creator of Ms. Diversity USA, a unique pageant for women.

Ingrid Johnson

Ingrid has over 15 years of Marketing and Sales experience with Fortune 500 companies and  is currently the Midwest Region Entity Sales Controller for Xerox Corporation. She holds fiduciary responsibility for sales contract approvals, P&L analysis and planning, expense budget and management driving over $100MM in operating revenue in 7 states.  She is also the founder of Windy City Woman of Color, Inc. a nonprofit organization whose mission is to empower multicultural women through education, professional development and executive training. Ingrid’s ultimate goal is to create a forum for women to gain access to career advancement options, networking, and business opportunities.  Ingrid is a compelling speaker who has been featured as a speaker at the Chicago Black Women’s Expo, Embracing Your Future, Inc., American Business Women’s Association, and Xerox National Black Employees Association Conference.  Ingrid is the recipient of many accolades and awards for her personal and professional accomplishments.  In 2008, she was awarded the prestigious GE AAF ICON Award by the Chairman of GE.

Tracy Malone

Kathryn J. McDonagh

Kathryn has over thirty-five years experience in healthcare leadership.  She has served as Chief Nursing Officer, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Executive Officer for a myriad of health service organizations across the country.  Kathryn is currently the Vice President for Executive Relations at Hospira, Inc. Kathryn has published extensively and is a sought after conference speaker, with expertise in governing board effectiveness and healthcare leadership. In 2000, she received the Telly Award, a National Cable Television Award, for her role as host and creator of the program Focus on Health.  Through her involvement in professional and community organizations, Kathy has also received the Fellowship in the American Academy of Nursing and the YWCA Academy of Women of Achievement Award.

Michelle McGovern

Patricia Mitchell

Patricia has over three decades of experience working with major corporations, school districts and religious organizations. She has extensive experience in all levels of public education, ranging from preschool through doctoral level teaching. She is an accomplished writer and has published in the areas of organizational management and leadership, curriculum development, reading and language arts.  Her most acclaimed book, Cracking the Wall: Women in Higher Education Administration, has become a best seller for the publisher.  Other writings include, A New Era: The Female Leader and Ten Stupid Things Women Do to Mess Up Their Careers.  Patricia is a sought after conference speaker who has been featured in the Bay Area Women in Business magazine.  The Governing Board of Editors of the American Biographical Institute nominated her for the prestigious Woman of the Year in 2009. 

Tanesha D. H. Pittman

Cheryl Richardson

Cheryl is a business professional with over 25 years experience in human resources and organization development.  She has worked extensively in the United States and Asia for Fortune 500 companies such as Johnson & Johnson and McDonald’s corporation.  Cheryl is the owner of a consulting business, CBR Consulting, specializing in HR, Diversity, Strategic Planning and OD services. Cheryl ‘s altruistic character and business acumen led her to serve as board member for the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boys & Girls Club and the Community Career Center in Naperville. She is a proponent for education and serves as an adjunct professor and graduate level student advisor.  Cheryl is an active member of the Women’s Advisory Council at Benedictine University and was instrumental in helping develop the Master of Science in Leadership degree program.

Anne M. Schwab

Anne is a publisher, inspirational speaker, author, and financial planner. Following a 15-year career in hospital administration, she acquired a Certified Financial Planner ® designation and launched into a solo practice as a financial planner.  Anne has over 30 years experience as an entrepreneur and is currently the sole owner and publisher of Authentic Woman, formerly DuPage Woman Magazine.  The paper, which began in 2003, has grown rapidly, has a readership of approximately 175,000, and found in over 2000 businesses throughout DuPage County. Anne has devoted her time to nonprofit organizations and has served on the Board of Directors for the Lupus Foundation of Illinois. She has also served as the Chapter Representative to the national Lupus Foundation of America, Inc.  Anne has used her newspaper as a platform to sponsor many events and nonprofit organizations such as Family Shelter Services, Woodridge Community Pantry, and Naperville Chamber’s Women in Business.

M. Patricia Shehorn

Patricia is Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer at Westlake Hospital.  She has extensive experience in healthcare administration and has served as Secretary for the Boards of Director of Presbyterian University Health System, Inc.   Patricia is a proponent of community service and currently serves on the board of West Cook YMCA.  She has also served on the board of directors for the West Cook Regional American Cancer Society, South Suburban Family Shelter, Family Health Society and Family House.  Patricia has been active on a myriad of advisory councils and volunteers for organizations to make a difference in the lives of those  who are underserved.  She has received a myriad of honors and recognition for her altruism and contributions in healthcare.  Patricia is recipient of the following awards Woman of Achievement, Volunteer of the Year, Woman of the Year in Healthcare, and the University of Pittsburgh Distinguished Alumnus Award.

web: www.ben.edu/womensinstitute
e-mail: womensinstitute@ben.edu