Rachel Balestri

Lender, Eureka Savings Bank

Helping the next generation

The Illinois Valley is full of people who grew up here and decided to stay as adults, but 38-year-old Rachel Balestri grew up about 40 miles away and had to create a name for herself here.

“When I came here, I didn’t have a name that anyone recognized. I didn’t have established roots in the area, so it was really a challenge for me to immerse myself into not only the business side of the town but personally as well. Ten years ago, it took a lot for me to put myself out in the community and form relationships,” she said. “I think hard work, dedication, and getting involved in area organizations has really helped me establish some pretty great relationships which have helped me personally and professionally.”

Balestri, who lives in LaSalle with her husband and four children, loves to stay involved with the community by volunteering. She’s especially proud of her work with the IV Leads Group and the scholarships they’ve been able to offer.

“Together, with my co-founder, TJ Templeton, and an amazing group of individuals on our board, we were able to bring something to this area to help our next generation of leaders find a way to come together, while also providing them with some guidance and education they may not have otherwise been able to obtain. Our area is full of great mentors, and we have a large majority of young individuals that will be stepping into leadership roles within the next 5, 10, or 15 years,” she said.

“Mentoring is so important to me personally because I know how much I have looked up to my mentor when I was starting in my career and still do to this day. Tracy Tunnel is someone that guided me when I first started my career as a Loan Officer, and I still look up to her to this day,” she said

MaryJean Orozco

Entrepreneur, Sure Step IL Keeps going despite challenges

MaryJean Orozco has faced many challenges in her 29 years, but she hasn’t let them stop her from pursuing her goals with fierce determination.

“I did not take the traditional path to my success and where I am in my life,” she said. “I had my first child at 17, and I’ve gone through many bumps along the way. When I first started my business, I was enrolled at IVCC (Illinois Valley Community College) for my associate’s degree, working a full-time job, and just had a new baby three months prior, with three other children. I’ve had to work extremely hard and manage my time extremely well to get to my goals and achievements.”

Orozco, a Tonica resident, works tirelessly on self-improvement, staying fit, motivating others, growing her business, and taking care of her family. But her dedication to her goals was recently tested by two traumatizing ordeals.

Late last year, her young son became sick, and it took a month before the diagnosis of Eosinophilic Esophagitis came in. Then her mother, who was battling acute myeloid leukemia for the third time, lost her fight against cancer on Jan. 1, 2023.

“In these moments, and still today, I was tested. I was put right in front of giving up and lying down or staying strong and moving forward. I choose to keep going and finish what I started, alongside all my emotions, my self-doubts, my fears, my worries, and my sadness,” she said.

Orozco has become a local role model and wants to keep encouraging other people to tackle their goals.

“The best part about all my achievements is I often hear from others how I inspire them. I get messages daily from people thanking me for being so open and honest and giving them hope, and saying, ‘Because of you, I did this.’ I am honored I can inspire and motivate other people in my community,” she said.