Jason Lyrla is an audit partner at BDO, where he is responsible for the performance of financial statement audits and audits of internal control for companies in the technology, manufacturing, and professional services industries. He has experience conducting audits under PCAOB and AICPA auditing standards, and serves as a partner on audits of both public SEC registrants and privately-held companies, including those in the emerging growth space. Jason has been an advocate for diversity and inclusion in the Chicago corporate community throughout his career, and has been recognized by Crain's Chicago Business as a "Notable LBGTQ Executive" and the Windy City Times with its "30 Under 30" award.

As BBDO’s Global Business Leader for SC Johnson, Anne’s focus is ensuring BBDO and their partners around the world collaborate to create brilliant strategies, ideas and integrated communications that work “media to shelf” to accelerate growth for SCJ. Her professional experience prepares her well for this.

Prior to taking on this role, Anne served as COO of Omnicom’s Batten & Co, a consultancy that works with C-Suite clients to help them achieve transformational growth. Their client roster spanned the Health, Agriculture, Beauty, CPG, Hospitality, Luxury and Entertainment categories.

Prior to joining Omnicom, Anne led Strategy and Business Development in Kraft Foods’ Meals Division. She began her career at Leo Burnett, working on the P&G account for eight years. Anne’s passion is developing and coaching others to achieve their full potential. She accomplishes this as a member of the Faculty of BBDO University and is also actively involved in mentoring many professionals in the Omnicom global community. She is currently the Executive Sponsor advising the LGBTQ ERG OpenPride.

She is currently the Executive Sponsor advising LGBTQ colleagues at BBDO and other Omnicom agencies on the formation of an ERG and the launch of a chapter of Omnicom’s OpenPride in Chicago.

She is the proud mother of three amazing young adults, one of whom is a member of the LGBTQ community.

Jason Lyrla is an audit partner at BDO, where he is responsible for the performance of financial statement audits and audits of internal control for companies in the technology, manufacturing, and professional services industries. He has experience conducting audits under PCAOB and AICPA auditing standards, and serves as a partner on audits of both public SEC registrants and privately-held companies, including those in the emerging growth space. Jason has been an advocate for diversity and inclusion in the Chicago corporate community throughout his career, and has been recognized by Crain's Chicago Business as a "Notable LBGTQ Executive" and the Windy City Times with its "30 Under 30" award.

Lupe Sanchez is the Small Business Banker Manager for the Small Business Consultants in East Expansion. His market covers Indiana, Pittsburgh and Kentucky.

Lupe has 20 years of banking experience, 10 of which have been with Bank of America. Prior to being an SBBM he held roles as a Consumer Market Leader in Chicago and the Operations Market Manager in Arkansas. Lupe grew his career within Bank of America, starting as a Financial Center Manager in Chicago.

Lupe was born and raised in Illinois, moving from Chicago to Cicero in his youth. Being witness to and experiencing social injustice, prejudice and discrimination only fueled his desire to give back to the community that helped raise him.

Lupe just purchased a home in the western suburbs of Chicago. When not out in the field he volunteers at multiple non-profits, including as a board member for Casa Central and is the Co-Chair of LGBTQ+ Employee Network Group in Chicago as well as being part of the Hispanic Business Council and Chicago Racial Equity Committee within Bank of America. He works to ensure that everyone can bring their full self to work within Bank of America.

Susan Betteridge is an Executive Creative Director and Partner at an advertising agency in Chicago named Pahnke. Since opening her agency in 2020, it has grown with a focus on hiring diverse employees and creating work that fuels change. Susan and her agency were recently tapped by the City of Chicago to create a campaign to educate Chicagoans on the diverse experiences of members of the LGBTQ+ community that use pronouns outside of the gender binary. Prior to opening her agency, she spent 20+ years at local creative agencies creating campaigns for iconic brands like Disney, State Farm and Volkswagen.

Susan is a proud LGBTQ+ Mom and lives in the Lincoln Square neighborhood with her wife and daughters. She sits on the board of Common Threads, a non-profit promoting healthy eating for kids in underserved Chicago neighborhoods, and a member of Chief, an organization of influential women in senior leadership positions. Susan regularly provides thought leadership to the 3% Movement (advocating women in creative leadership positions) and mentors young creatives, especially LGBTQ+ individuals and women.

Ms. Sinclair has been as a member of the Joel Hall Dancers for over thirty years. She is continually inspired by Mr. Hall’s visions and Urban Jazz style. It is with honor that she has danced in many of his world premieres, including El Gato Negro, The Phoenix, Nuts & Bolts, Great White Cheddak, Te Deum II, Y2 Day, The Crossing, For Marvin, Silkman Suites, An Evening with Nina Simone, Sweets for my Suite, The March and Conversations with Charles Heath. After several years as the company’s Rehearsal Director, she was promoted into the role of Assistant Artistic Director. She then went on to serve as Artistic Director until recently.