Cornell Lurry, Sr. serves as a Regional Community Development Relationship Manager for Midland States Bank with the primary responsibility of developing and maintaining relationships with community centers of influence in the Bank’s market for institutional support of community economic development solutions. 

Cornell’s experience includes implementation, management, and execution of the diverse functions associated with the Bank’s community and economic development strategy.  To accomplish his professional duties, Mr. Lurry maintains a contemporary understanding of community and economic developmental needs, practices, strategies, tactics, and solutions.

Cornell has 20 years of financial and management experience which includes customer relations, call center eccentrics, business and commercial banking, employee development, financial planning, regulatory compliance, sales, training with extensive consumer and residential lending platforms.

Cornell is an alum of Joliet Township High School (JTHS) West.  He received an Associate of Arts in Business from Joliet Junior College and an Undergraduate Degree from Chaminade University of Honolulu in Hawaii with a Bachelor of Science in Management and Marketing. He has obtained numerous certifications including Leadership Academy Training and Succession Planning.  Mr. Lurry has received various accolades and rewards for his stellar performance and service.    

Cornell serves on various state, regional, and local community and economic boards including Housing Action Illinois, Joliet Junior College Foundation, Will County Center for Community Concerns, Workforce Investment Board of Will County, Will County African American Business Association, Cornerstone Services Inc., Joliet City Center Partnership, Spanish Community Center, Southland Development Authority, and the Kankakee Riverfront Society Inc.    

He galvanized the creation of the Community Builders Network of Will County to support the evolution of an ecosystem to achieve solutions for key housing challenges throughout Will County.

Cornell is the Board Chair for the JTHS Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities (CEO) Program which will launch this Fall as the first in Will County and the Northern Illinois region.

Born and raised in Joliet, Dr. Guseman began her career in education at Joliet Township High School (JTHS) in 2000 as a science teacher at Joliet Central.  She served in this capacity for six years, taking on various leadership roles associated with the science curriculum, school improvement planning, the Strategic Plan, and professional development.  In 2006, she shifted to an administrative role as the Curriculum Director for Science and Applied Life before being promoted in 2011 to Assistant Superintendent for Educational Services.  Dr. Guseman was promoted to Superintendent of Joliet Township High School District 204 in February 2020.

Joliet Township High School is a high school district with two large campuses, Joliet Central and Joliet West, serving approximately 6,800 students and their families and 1,000 staff members.

Community involvement is immensely important to Dr. Guseman, which is demonstrated by her leadership within the Kiwanis Club of Joliet where she was awarded the Distinguished President Award for her leadership and involvement with high school Key Clubs at Joliet Central, Joliet West and JCA and Builder’s Clubs in District 86 and Elwood Schools.  Dr. Guseman served as the YMCA Metro Board Secretary and is a member of the Board Governance Committee during her nine years on the Board.  Joliet Township High School, under her leadership, was a 2020 Gold Star Awardee from the National Hookup of Black Women Joliet Chapter in recognition of commitment to Family and Community for its extraordinary work during the COVID-19 Pandemic and the Superhero Award from the Will County Democrats. Dr. Guseman was also awarded the College of Education Alumni Award in the fall of 2021 from the University of St. Francis.

Dr. Guseman also serves as the Chair of the Joliet Chamber Education Committee, Chair-elect of the Three Rivers Education for Employment System, Chair of the Three Rivers Education Partnership, and Vice President of the JTHS CEO program Board.

Dr. Guseman believes that all students must have an equal opportunity for a high-quality education.  All students must have access to a relevant and rigorous curriculum that will allow them to acquire the knowledge and skills to be successful in the post-secondary experience of their choice. 

Dr. Escortina Ervin is a wife and proud mother of 6 beautiful children. She is a visionary leader with a strong track record in higher education and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). She currently serves as the first Chief Equity Officer at Joliet Junior College (JJC), providing executive leadership and contributing to the institutional sustainability of the college. Dr. Ervin has been instrumental in establishing JJC’s DEI Office and developing programs such as Cultural Competency Workshops, Employee Resource Groups, Diversity Book Club, Peace and Restorative Justice Circles, community engagement, and professional development.

Before joining JJC, Dr. Ervin served as the inaugural Director of Black Student Initiatives at Aurora University. In that role, she implemented principles of diversity, inclusion, and equity through program management, student affairs, and faculty development. Dr. Ervin also contributed to committees focused on student retention, emergency management, budget & strategy, diversity education, and staff executive council. One of her proudest career accomplishments is her impact on the retention of black and conditionally admitted students during her tenure at Aurora University. Prior to transitioning her career to higher education, Dr. Ervin spent most of her professional career at IBM. Her compassion and dedication to serving others extend beyond her professional responsibilities.

Dr. Ervin proudly serves on various community committees and nonprofits, including Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Joliet Chamber of Commerce Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council, Joliet Township High School CEO Program, Joliet Chamber Visionary Committee, Joliet Chamber of Working Women, and the Illinois Community College Diversity Commission. She is also the founder of Shelter Assistance Foundation and Encouragement, a nonprofit that partners with community organizations and volunteers to provide mentoring, housing assistance, and encouragement to homeless families.

Dr. Ervin is a passionate advocate for education, believing that it changes lives and is an effective tool to fight against poverty. As a first-generation college student, she earned her bachelor’s degree from Purdue University and later obtained her Juris Doctor from Thomas Jefferson School of Law. She is also a Certified Diversity Executive.

When faced with the enormity of global challenges, Dr. Ervin reflects on her favorite proverb, "Each one Teach one." She believes that each of us holds the responsibility to incrementally contribute to the success of others. Dr. Ervin knows DEI work will never be done. There’s a quote from John Lewis that helps during the tough struggles: "Ours is not the struggle of one day, one week, or one year. Ours is not the struggle of one judicial appointment or presidential term. Ours is the struggle of a lifetime, or maybe even many lifetimes, and each one of us in every generation must do our part."

Steven Jamnik has over 40 years’ experience in the Will County Banking market.  He has served as Senior Vice President of Busey Bank since October of 2020.  Prior to joining Busey Bank, Steven was employed with a few area banks, including First Community Bank and First Midwest Bank.  He graduated from Eastern Illinois University in 1984 with a B.A. in Finance and from Lewis University in 1995 with an M.B.A.  He also graduated in 1990 with honors from the Graduate School of Banking at Colorado.

Steven and his wife, Amy, live in Shorewood, IL and are the proud parents of two boys, Jeremy and Jameison.  He serves on the College of Business Advisory Boards for both Eastern Illinois University and Lewis University.

Steven enjoys fitness and spending time with his family.

Leslie Newbon is the Manager of Marketing and Community Relations at Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox, Illinois.   Silver Cross Hospital is an independent, not-for-profit healthcare provider serving Will County and southwest suburban communities since 1895. Silver Cross has been recognized as a 100 Top Hospitals National Award winner 11 times, honored with an “A” Hospital Safety Grade by The Leapfrog Group 18 times, and is rated 5 Stars by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. In 2024, Healthgrades ranked Silver Cross #1 in Illinois for surgical care.    Leslie joined Silver Cross in 2013.   

She is responsible for maintaining and cultivating community connections, building new partnerships, developing, and providing ongoing support to diverse cultural and socio-economic communities, leveraging social determinants of health, and advancing health equity through partnerships, education, and outreach programs.

Over the several years, Leslie has worked closely with the Silver Cross Healthy Community Commission, overseeing the grant and scholarship program that support Health Equity, Education, Workforce Development, and Youth Programs.   The Commission has provided more than $3.5 million in grants and scholarships to several local organizations and agencies.   

She also administers the Community Benefits Program, identifying and addressing community health needs and tracking hospital outreach and follow-through efforts.  In FY23, the hospital provided $45 million in benefits to the community.  

Ms. Newbon played a key role in developing the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Council at Silver Cross, which fosters the exploration and mitigation of disparities and inequities in the workplace.  

Since 2013, Leslie has worked with the marketing team at Silver Cross Hospital to win several national and state advertising and marketing awards for Silver Cross.  As a member of several professional and service organizations, Leslie currently serves on the 

• Board of Directors for Easter Seals of Will County 

• Board of Directors Will-Grundy Medical Clinic

• Executive Committee for the Will County Mobilizing for Action through Partnerships and Planning 

• Illinois Society for Healthcare Marketing and Public Relations

She holds an M.B.A. from Lee University.   She is a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.

Michael J. Paone (Mike), IOM, is the Executive Vice President at the Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the largest and most active Business Organization in Will County. Mike has worked with numerous businesses and organizations in the Joliet region to help increase their awareness and bottom line through various member benefits and opportunities.

In his current role he has become more involved with legislative and community affairs, planning governmental lobby trips to the State Capitol and Washington DC, in addition to local government relations. Mike is the co-creator of the Joliet Area Young Professionals (JAYP), the African American Business Association (AABA), and the Joliet Region Food & Beverage Association (JRFBA). Mike is also the ex-officio leader of the Chamber Ambassadors, a volunteer group of Chamber members.

Currently Mr. Paone serves as the Board Chair for Cornerstone Services, as Board Chair for the Illinois Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives, United Way of Will County board chair elect, Workforce Investment Board of Will County board member, a member of the Joliet Kiwanis and Rotary clubs, and additional committees.

Mike is a past Regent for the U.S. Chamber Institute for Organization Management as well as a 2008 graduate of the program (IOM designation). Mike is a 2001 Joliet Chamber Community Leadership School graduate, past board member of the Joliet Catholic Academy Alumni Assoc., and has served on many other committees throughout the community.

He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of St. Francis in Joliet, Illinois and currently resides in Shorewood with his wife Carleen and two sons Brandon & Alexander.

Director, Workforce Investment Board of Will County

The Workforce Investment Board is responsible for planning and implementing the programs and strategies to ensure a workforce system that is flexible, seamless, and responsive to the needs of both job seekers and employers.

Caroline serves as the administrative officer for the Workforce Investment Board (WIB) of Will County and is charged with implementing policies, procedures, and programs of the Board for the benefit of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).

She plans, implements, and directs workforce development activities, coordinates and develops programs for the Board, including those related to workforce and economic development, state, federal, and private grants, services for/with vendors/partners, and conducts special research and analysis deemed necessary by the Board.

She received PHR Certification through SHRM (Society of Human Resource Management); her MBA at USF (University of St. Francis) and IOM Certification (non-profit organizational management) through the US Chamber. She serves as the President of the Illinois Workforce Partnership and honored to be the 35th recipient of the Athena Award through the Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

She lives in Shorewood with her husband, Vince Portlock, a local attorney, and their rescue dog Qira.

Kayla joined the CED in 2022 and is responsible for leading the CED’s investor relations program by communicating the CED’s mission and developing strategies to foster relationships with the CED’s 60+ Board of Directors as well as with current and prospective investors. As a leader on the CED staff, she helps to encourage investor engagement, grow board and committee participation, and cultivate relationships among investors. Kayla brings with her nearly a decade of state government experience. Prior to joining the CED, Kayla served under Governor JB Pritzker’s administration as the Director of Legislative and Governmental Affairs for the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum as well as numerous years with the Illinois State Legislature. Kayla is a Joliet native and a Joliet Junior College alumnus. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Management and Political Science from Northern Illinois University and her master’s in public administration degree from the University of Illinois-Springfield.

Kayla is a proud member of the Joliet Area Rotary Club, Joliet Area Young Professionals Board of Directors, Shorewood Planning and Zoning Committee, and enjoys volunteering for many community initiatves throughout the Will County area.

• Founding charter member (1991) and past President of the Joliet Chapter of NHBW (1999-2003); National 2nd Vice President, Membership Chair (2003- 2009) National President (2009-2017).  Became NHBW, Inc. "Life Member" in 2014.
• Launched the National “Reading for Life” program (2010) and the National T.O.P. TEEN SUMMIT (Teens Overcoming Pressure) in 2012. Fostered numerous programs for the growth, development, and leadership of women and for the betterment and preservation of families.
• Retired Elementary, High School English and Reading teacher with an MA in Educational Administration.  Served on the School Improvement Team, District’s Equity Action Committee, Educational Conference Presenter, and co-facilitator of district-wide Literacy Council. Served as adjunct instructor at Lewis University and Joliet Junior College. 
• Awards:  NHBW Inc.’s President’s Award in 2001, the Woman of Excellence Award from the Midwest Christian Women’s Conference 2002, and the Joliet Chapter’s Unsung “She-Ro” Award in 2005; The Outstanding Award in Education from Amistad Court #85 in 2006;  A Service Award from Fairmont School District #89 in 2008, The Lebanon Baptist District Association’s Community Service Award and The African-American Shero Award from The Life Center C.O.G.I.C. in 2010; The Year of the Woman Award from The Generation Dance Company, Joliet Reads Award from District #86 in 2014, Lively Hope C.O.G.I.C. Community Service Award in 2016 and the  First Lady of the Arts in 2018 from United in Excellence.
• Member of Brown Chapel AME Church, and married to her husband Roscoe 44 years.  The proud mother of two daughters and three beautiful and amazing grandchildren.

Mrs. Debra Upshaw is a member of the National Hook-Up of Black Women, Inc., Joliet Chapter (NHBW).  NHBW is a public service organization that “advocates for women and their families”.  She has been a member of the organization since 2011 and has served as president since 2015.  Ms. Upshaw has also served as secretary and treasurer for Bounce Back Social Services from 2013-2017, Joliet Black Chamber of Commerce member 2013-2014 and Board Member of the Silver Cross Healthy Community Commission since 2018.

Debra has a deep-rooted passion for being of service to others and she has made it a lifelong commitment to make a positive impact on the lives of those who are underprivileged and less fortunate.  It was at the knee of her grandmother and mother that she learned the importance of giving back, while developing a sense of connectedness and love for her community. Debra has blazed the trail during her lifelong pursuits as an advocate for the balancing of scales in the areas of equity and inclusion, as it pertains to the provision of access to basic need resources for every citizen.   

Debra retired from the State of Illinois Department of Human Services’ Mental Health Division as the MetroWest Network Project Manager in 2002 after 30 years of service, many of which were spent during her time as a Project Manager with the Illinois Department of Public Health. She is a graduate of Robert Morris University and Roosevelt University, where she focused her studies in the areas of management and administration.  She is a member of Sigma Beta Delta, International Honor Society in Business member and serves as steward at Brown Chapel AME Church.

Debra is a board member of the Silver Cross Healthy Community Commission; she serves as the Scholarship Chairperson.  She also serves on the Executive Board of MAPP and chairs the Food and Nutrient Committee.  Facilitator and Instructor S.E.E.D. Workforce Development Program in partnership with Northern Illinois Food Bank.

Mrs. Upshaw has been the recipient of and received under her leadership the 2023 Presidents Regional Conference Award, 2023 African American Business Association of Will County -Community Collaboration & Activism Award, 2022-Governor Pritzker COVID-19 Ambassador Recognition Award; 2022-After the Peanut STEAM Innovation Award; 2022-Project Acclaim-Reverend James E. Allen Award for Service to the Community; 2022-INSPRA Distinguished Service Award-District 204; 2021-NHBW 2019 Roy Miller A.M.E. Sunday School Award; NHBW National Leadership Award-Washington, DC; 2020-P.E.P. Award- Community Service of the Year Award; Will County Democrats A Community Superhero Award; Central Region Outstanding Chapter Strategic Partnership Award; 2019 She ROCKS It Organization You Should Know Award; 2019 Operation Push Award; 2019 South Suburban Region Black Chamber of Commerce Community Outreach Award; 2018 District 204 Superintendent Medal; 2017 & 2018 MLK Monetary Award via Partnership Mt. Zion Baptist Church; 2017 Presence St. Joseph “Inspire” Monetary Award; 2016 NHBW, Inc., National President’s Award, NAACP Community Service Award.

Debra has been worked diligently to secure various community partnerships to benefit Joliet and surrounding areas: NHBW Joliet Headquarters housing via Laraway School District 70C, NHBW community garden, orchard, and programming partnership; Reading Connection, Kenya, Africa, book drives and donations, resulting in over 300,000 books and teaching materials.  “Real Men Read” partnership to assist 3^rd grade students in the area of literacy; Summer STEM program with Laraway; After the Peanut After School STEAM Program, NHBW /Summer STEAM Camp, “We Will Grow” NHBW Community Garden in collaboration with the Preston Heights community; $1.2 million allocation for various programming grants; $203,000.00 endowment in scholarships awarded to high school graduates and returning college students.  Additionally, she also provides management for 2 drop-off reading sites, 8 reading rooms and corners throughout the Joliet and Will County areas. 

God blessed her with a loving and supportive husband of 46 years Tyronne, two daughters Marquita, Tyronna and KoKo (Doggie), Grand Dogs Cooper and Snicker.