Best Under 40 2016

Meet the area’s brightest young professionals

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2016 • A NORTHWEST HERALD PUBLICATION

Northwest Herald / NWHerald.com • Sunday, October 23, 2016

| BEST UNDER 40

2

Chris Leathers Age: 29 Occupation: Personal trainer and owner of Your World Fitness Current residence: McHenry Hometown: Johnsburg Family: I have a 7-month-old labradoodle named Teddy.

Education: Carthage College bachelor’s in business administration What was your first job? The first job I ever got paid for was shoveling driveways in my neighborhood. I saw these soccer cleats in a magazine I wanted but since nothing was wrong with my current soccer cleats, my parents told me if I wanted new cleats, I’d have to finance them myself.

Favorite non-work related hobby: Spending time with family and my dog, Teddy. My family and extended family are my reset button. I’m lucky to have them in the area.

Favorite book: One of my all time favorite books is Mark Cuban’s “How to Win at the Sport of Business.” I love competition and business is 24/7/365 and you have to compete with everybody. It’s the competitive side of me that drives me to be a successful entrepreneur.

What’s one word that best describes you? Energy

What is your job and how have you found success with it?

I’m a personal trainer to professional athletes and Fortune 500 Companies and the CEO of [Your World Fitness]. My day-to-day responsibilities/jobs have evolved since starting YWF in 2010. Our organization now has 30 people on staff, plus a fulltime general manager. We’ve found success by pivoting but never straying from our core competencies.

How did you first get involved with your current job? Why have you kept doing it?

I’ve been involved in fitness training since college as a part time trainer. I actually helped set up the health center that I eventually purchased. I had an opportunity to purchase the business from the original owner in 2010.

What’s a recent accomplishment and innovation that you are most proud of?

Why? Recently, I was asked to speak to the Health and Fitness student club at the University of Notre Dame.

I have so much respect for [Notre Dame] and what that university represents.

How do you give back to the community or your profession? What drives you to volunteerism?

Being from McHenry County, I feel it’s my responsibility to give back to our community. For the past several years, Transition Students from numerous high schools in McHenry job train at YWF and also workout. Those kids bring our members and my staff and I a lot of joy. We also help schools and non-for profits in our local communities.

We do around 10-plus charity fitness events a year.

What is the best career advice you have received?

There is never a lack of opportunity. Believe in yourself, because before anything else happens, you have to believe you can achieve.

Without great risk, there is no great reward.

Do you consider yourself one of the county’s Best Under 40? Why or why not?

This recognition is a reflection of our entire organization. I always tell my athletes/clients to own the moment and not let the moment own you.

H. Rick Bamman - hbamman@shawmedia.com

adno=0321250

Joe Cicero

3

BEST UNDER 40 | Northwest Herald / NWHerald.com • Sunday, October 23, 2016 H. Rick Bamman - hbamman@shawmedia.com

Age: 40 (was 39 when selected) Occupation: Radio personality Current residence: Crystal Lake Hometown: Addison Family: Two children, Steven, 10, and Adam, 8 Education: Bachelor’s degree from North Central College – Naperville What was your first job?

Rosati’s Pizza in Addison at age 15 as a dishwasher and pizza maker.

I gave up many weekends to make a few bucks and buy my first car.

Favorite non-work related hobby: Softball (prefer 12- to 16-inch) Favorite book: “War Day” by Whitley Strieber What’s one word that best describes you? Relentless

What is your job and how have you found success with it?

Morning radio show host with co-host Tina Bree. Success has come from living and working in the area just like everyone else. We want to talk about local happenings, whether lighthearted or serious, that affect the daily lives of those in our area. Some of the best compliments we get from our fans is they feel like we are best friends. There’s a connection there!

How did you first get involved with your current job? Why have you kept doing it?

Like anyone in radio, I bounced around a little bit and was fortunate enough to be invited back to the Chicago area. I keep going because it’s so much fun, and waking up to start someone’s day with a smile or laugh still gets me jacked up to be up at 3 in the morning!

What’s a recent accomplishment and innovation that you are most proud of? Why?

Work in the community, especially with the Family Health Partnership Clinic. It’s a cause near and dear to my heart.

They help under[insured] and uninsured women fighting breast cancer, along with a bevy of other services. Each and every year, for the past seven years, I’ve tried to rally those around us to give to this very worthy cause. Through social media, we have been able to deepen our roots and connect with those who aren’t familiar with either the organization or the radio station.

also individuals going through a hard time. We’ve done fundraisers to help people that just needed a lift. Frustrating when you can’t help everyone, though.

How do you give back to the community or your profession? What drives you to volunteerism?

As far as the profession goes, I try to help those who are new to the industry.

Someone always took the time to help me out, and those who work hard deserve that tutelage. Plus, they may end up being my boss one day! Volunteering is key to what we do as a community station.

It’s great to support organizations, but

Do you consider yourself one of the county’s Best Under 40? Why or why not?

According to those that I see out and about, yes. I’m honored and flattered, and if winning this award, by any means, helps others or exposes them to some of the good happening in McHenry County, I’ll take it. Also, I’m a radio personality and have a large ego. So, um, a big YES. Thank you!

What is the best career advice you have received?

From Tim Sabean. He ran WCKG-Chicago and went on to run Howard Stern’s SiriusXM stations. He told me out of college, “Be a friend to the sales staff, and you’ll always have a job.” It’s true.

Business is business.

Tim Fraser

Northwest Herald / NWHerald.com • Sunday, October 23, 2016

| BEST UNDER 40

4

Sarah Nader - snader@shawmedia.com

in the plan and making sure that all decisions flow through that plan.

This helps maintain the best possible outcome for our client’s dreams and goals.

Age: 37 Occupation: Owner, Fraser Wealth Management, Inc. Current residence: Woodstock Hometown: Crystal Lake Family: Wife, Logan; son, Kingston, 6; daughter, Larkin, 4; son, River, 2 Education: Finance and accounting from Anderson University What was your first job? My first job was working for my father, Mike Fraser, at Mike’s Service Center in Crystal Lake. I worked the front desk, answered phones and ran for parts.

Favorite non-work related hobby: I love to play golf, basketball, and spend time with my family!

Favorite book: Always fun to escape in a Clive Cussler novel like “Rising the Titanic.”

What’s one word that best describes you? Exuberant

How did you first get involved with your current job?

I first got involved in the industry by chance. As I graduated from college, I put my résumé out and received some attention from financial firms.

I interviewed with a few and decided to give this career a shot. Through my years working with my father and my time going through school, I had learned that I would need to be in a position where relationships matter.

I had to find a place that I could be satisfied with the day-to-day and find my passion and fulfillment from the relationships I would build and grow.

What is your job and how have you found success with it?

My job is to build financial plans for our clients around their dreams and goals. Then act as an advocate for those clients by managing the assets

Why have you kept doing it?

I have kept doing the job because it has given me the chance to use many of the things I do well in a position where I can make positive impact on the relationships I am building. It is very hard for me to picture myself doing almost anything else.

What’s a recent accomplishment and innovation that you are most proud of?

Absolutely nothing makes me prouder than my wife and children.

My wife spends most of her days shaping and molding our three wonderful children in a way I can only aspire to mimic. My kids surprise and amaze me daily with the loving and passionate way they attack the day. They are the reason I bring so much passion to what I do. As for a recent professional accomplishment, I am most proud of Fraser Youth Foundation. Why? We started the foundation as a way to give back to the community and fund some of the amazing charities that support the youth of McHenry County. For the first two years of the foundation, we have been able to give to wonderful organizations like JourneyCare Pediatric hospice and CASA of McHenry County.

How do you give back to the community or your profession?

I really enjoy the time I spend in and around this wonderful community. I have had the pleasure to be involved with the Crystal Lake Chamber of Commerce, sit on the board of

Family Alliance in Woodstock, serve on the Advisory Committee for JourneyCare, and serve in many capacities at First Church in Crystal Lake. Currently, I sit on the board for Trinity Oaks Christian Academy in Cary.

What drives you to volunteerism?

This community has given me so much in the form of amazing relationships and opportunities. I want to make sure that those types of relationships and opportunities are available for as many people as possible.

What is the best career advice you have received?

Trust is built with time, take time and get to know people.

Do you consider yourself one of the county’s Best Under 40? Why or why not?

I believe this community is full of amazing people of all ages, under 40 being no exception. I will always work to be my best in everything that I do, from being a husband and father, to working with my clients.

To be singled out and mentioned as member of this group is an honor and a privilege.

Aimee Knopp

5

BEST UNDER 40 | Northwest Herald / NWHerald.com

What is your job and how have you found success with it?

Community Relations Deputy, working with community leaders, organizations, youth, seniors, schools, media, etc., on small and large projects and events. From presentations to crime prevention to school safety and administering social media accounts at the Sheriff’s Office, each day is different and I love it. I have found success watching projects or others succeed. I have taken great pride in bringing the Sheriffs Office to the community, trying to be transparent, showing the community the services we provide.

We pride ourselves on educating seniors on scams/fraud and when you have seniors telling you they hung up the phone or didn’t fall for the scam, that’s success. On Christmas morning, knowing there’s 200 less fortunate children in McHenry County who have something new to wear and a present to open on Christmas because of the McHenry County Police Charities “Shop With A Cop” program you were part of, that’s a success. When you walk into a school and the kids stop paying attention to their teacher (sorry, teachers) to yell “Hi Deputy Aimee” or color you a picture of them and you, that is success.

Or when you work on a project with other community providers, leaders and members of the community and it comes together, saving lives through

• Sunday, October 23, 2016

Age: 36 Occupation: Sheriff’s deputy Current residence: McHenry County Hometown: New Orleans Family: Husband, Brian, three daughters Education: Western Illinois University – Bachelor in Law Enforcement and Justice Administration, minor in Sociology and Public Communication Human Relations What was your first job? At 16, worked at Family Fun Tyme for a local family business. Business was go carts, batting cages, mini-golf, arcade games. I worked inside where I helped customers with the games, their tickets and picking out prizes at the prize counter. I also set up and hosted children and adults in Lazer Tag. When needed, I would also fix the arcade games, making sure they would give tickets out when someone won.

Favorite non-work hobby: Spending time with my family.

Favorite book: A book my Grandma gave me when I was three: “I Can Bake Cookies.” My mom still has it and we’ve made lots and lots of her famous chocolate chips cookies.

What’s one word that best describes you? Committed, compassionate. (They both start with a C so it’s one.)

H. Rick Bamman - hbamman@shawmedia.com

drug take-back bins or Narcan for all police officers, that’s success, too.

I am the fortunate one who has a supportive administration and many caring, dedicated co-workers and partners in the community who make these successes possible. It’s a win for everyone and that is what matters.

How did you first get involved with your current job? Why have you kept doing it?

I started at the Sheriff’s Office and was a patrol deputy for nearly five years. The Community Relations Deputy position became available, I applied and was selected. I sought out Community Relations to still serve the community, but in a different capacity. I enjoy the various ways I come into contact with the community and how I can be a part of positive change in McHenry County on a larger scale. I enjoy helping community members with services and organizations to aid them with hopefully long-term positive effects. Everything I put into this job, I truly believe I get out of it.

What’s a recent accomplishment and innovation that you are most proud of? Why? The Sheriff’s Office started a Police Explorer Club and Explorer Post.

The Explorer Club at Harrison School

was the first in the tri-counties. After a year, this program has allowed us to building relationships with six- to eighth-graders, develop leadership skills, educate the youth on law enforcement and build friendships.

We started the Explorer Post in the spring for 14-21-year-olds with a similar mission. These youth are our future leaders. I was a Police Explorer in high school and it is rewarding to give back, just like other officers did to you in the past. It is really exciting to hear from parents on how these programs are positively influencing their child. You are touched when one of your Explorers texts you before and after a medical procedure to let you know they are OK, or they text you before they get on the plane for boot camp, or joke with you and call you “Ma.” It’s rewarding to see this because they know and feel that you do truly care about them, their peers and the community. What makes me proud is the youth participants, co-advisors and the services the Explorer and Volunteer Program are providing to the community while having some fun. It’s teamwork at its best.​ How do you give back to the community or your profession? What drives you to volunteerism?

I have volunteered as a coach for youth sports and have been president of my children’s preschool board of directors. Often, my volunteerism and giving of talents is associated with my work missions, as well. What drives me is seeing others happy, successful, having a better day, or not in harm’s way because of something you were part of. Giving of my time, my heart, my talents is something I have done since I was a youth. My parents instilled it in me and the drive to help others just grew.

What is the best career advice you have received?

Three things: A good leader surrounds themselves with good people.

Most recently: Leadership means partnerships, cooperation, mentoring and support. Finally, life begins at the end of your comfort zone.

Do you consider yourself one of the county’s Best Under 40? Why or why not?

I am humbled and honored to be recognized. I work with many amazing people within the Sheriff’s Office and in the community. I am the fortunate one because of these wonderful people. Finally, I am the best me because of my wonderful, supportive husband and loving family.

Scott Smith

Northwest Herald / NWHerald.com • Sunday, October 23, 2016

| BEST UNDER 40

6

Sarah Nader - snader@shawmedia.com

Age: 39 Occupation: Engineer/manufacturer/business owner Current residence: Crystal Lake Hometown: McHenry Family: Wife, Denise; daughter, Amelia, 8; son, Cameron, 5 Education: 1998, Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin; 2006, Juris Doctor, Michigan State University College of Law, East Lansing, Michigan What was your first job? I had a lot of jobs growing up, such as caddie, mowing lawns, shoveling snow, babysitting, etc., but my first real paycheck came from Lakewood Golf Club (now Redtail) at 14 years old.

Favorite non-work related hobby: My favorite hobby is golf.

I grew up playing the game at McHenry Country Club, played competitively into college and continue to enjoy it to this day.

Favorite book: “I Love You, Daddy” by Jillian Harker and Kristina Stephenson What’s one word that best describes you? Loyal

What is your job and how have you found success with it?

I’m currently the CEO of Miller Formless Company in McHenry, Illinois, and I don’t know if I’ve found success with it. I don’t believe I’ll really know whether I’m successful until I’m ready to retire or when I face final judgment. While I’m here, though, the best I can do is to continue to provide for my family and help my employees provide for theirs. In order to do that, we need to create a company culture that will grow and sustain our business for many years, and I believe we are on our way to do that.

How did you first get involved with your current job? Why have you kept doing it?

In 2013, I left a prior job to join some friends at another engineering firm as their regional director in the Midwest region. Rather than start from scratch and grow organically, as my father had with his firm, I wanted to use my education and experience in mergers and acquisitions to aggregate a few smaller firms together to form one. Not long into this new venture, but before any acquisitions had taken place, my father and I met with a long-time friend of the family – Chuck Miller. Chuck was trying to figure out how to transition

his own company, Miller Formless, to a new owner and wanted to hear of the successes and failures my father had experienced in his own exit strategy.

After a short negotiation period, my father, another friend and I agreed to make the deal happen and officially became owners of Miller Formless in October 2015.

What’s a recent accomplishment and innovation that you are most proud of? Why? Aside from my greatest accomplishments, which are Denise, Amelia and Cameron, taking the reigns of Miller Formless itself has been one of my proudest accomplishments. Rather than risk the future of the company to a larger buyer, we’ve been able to extend the life of Miller Formless in McHenry County and preserve the legacy Chuck has developed over the last 50 years.

How do you give back to the community or your profession? What drives you to volunteerism?

Over the years, I’ve been involved with the McHenry Riverwalk Foundation, Marian Central Alumni Association, and Marquette Alumni Association, as well as a volunteer in different capacities at St. Thomas the Apostle

Church in Crystal Lake. Lately, most of my volunteer time has been spent with Home of the Sparrow. I’m entering my final year on the Board of Directors and will have been President of the Board for two years when I’m done next October.

What is the best career advice you have received?

Love Works. It’s not only a book written by Joel Manby, but it’s also a guiding principle in running a business. I’ve watched my father run a successful business and get the most out of his employees. He was successful because he knew to treat others with love, compassion and respect. I now try to emulate his example and run my business with this same servant leadership mentality.

Do you consider yourself one of the county’s Best Under 40? Why or why not?

I am humbled and very appreciative that the committee has considered me for this honor. But it’s hard for me to measure myself to other “Best” in the County. I can think of many others who aren’t being recognized who seem more deserving than me. We are all “Best” if we make the most out of the gifts that have been given to us.

Katie Wozniak

7

BEST UNDER 40 | Northwest Herald / NWHerald.com

Age: 37 Occupation: Senior manager of clinical research, Department of Clinical Affairs, Sage Products, Cary Current residence: Crystal Lake Hometown: Naperville Family: Husband, John; and daughters, Naomi, 4, and Natasha, 2 Education: Bachelors of Arts in U.S. and Women’s History from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; graduate studies at the University of Chicago in medical history and regulations What was your first job? I had been working as a research assistant at the Beckman Institute of Engineering at University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, when I was finishing college and trying to get my foot in the door.

Favorite non-work related hobby: If I’m not working, then I’m with my family – it’s as simple as that.

My husband is my best friend, and we love to spend time together, especially with our two young daughters. We love finding fun, interesting and educational activities around the Chicago area.

Favorite book: “East of Eden” by John Steinbeck. It is beautiful novel that illustrates the complexity of human nature. While it is a bit of a tragic tale, I found it to be very meaningful.

What’s one word that best describes you? Passionate

What is your job, and how have you found success with it?

I am the senior manager of clinical research for Sage Products in the Department of Clinical Affairs. I love working in clinical research because it is such a dynamic field and a great melding of science, medicine and law.

I am always learning.

How did you first get involved with your current job? Why have you kept doing it?

I was contacted by a recruiter in the summer of 2009, and at that point, it was a matter of timing. I loved my work at the University of Chicago Medical Center but was feeling a need for change and more opportunity for growth. I also was engaged to be married, and it was a good time to move back out the suburbs. I have stayed at Sage for these past seven years because of the people, the culture and the work that I get to do. We have a lot of opportunity at Sage to be part of a real community and also give back to the community around us.

What’s a recent accomplishment and innovation that you are most proud of? Why? Starting Women in Leadership at Sage was a huge accomplishment for me, and I feel proud that I was able to do that, but it would not have been possible without the support of a lot of women and men at Sage who helped and supported me in undeclared ways.

How do you give back to the community or your profession? What drives you to volunteerism?

My husband and I try to give to those in need in different ways, and we support a number of different causes. The organizations that are most near to our hearts are those focused on support for people suffering from addiction, disabled veterans and those who often cannot have a voice of their own, such as children. I have done some work with United Way in recent years that has really opened my eyes to the needs of the community’s nonprofit organizations. In addition, through my participation in Leadership Greater McHenry County this year, I am excited to participate at a deeper level.

What is the best career advice you have received?

I’ve received a lot of good advice over the years; some of it probably more directives than advice. In terms of purposeful advice, my mom (Chicago attorney Sherri Arrigo) is a major influence on me, and I will never forget when I first started out in my career, she told me, “Document everything.” Clinical research is a highly regulated field, and I quickly learned the value of that advice while working on studies in hospital clinics for doctors who put a lot on my shoulders.

During my time at Sage, I have received a tremendous amount of

constructive counsel, encouragement and mentoring from my brilliant boss, Dr. Joyce Ryan, vice president of the Clinical Affairs Department, and the esteemed Sean Haley, vice president of Commercial Operations. Mr. Haley once wrote to me: “Semper paratus,” which means “always ready” in Latin, or “always prepared.” That phrase has stuck with me because I believe it to be essential to achieve success in business, both personally and professionally.

Finally, I have to give credit to the amazing executive coach Kathleen Caldwell, whose insights and advice I have found to be truly transformative.

More personally, I have to acknowledge the tremendous input of my husband, John. He is a writer and stay-at-home dad. Without him, I could never do all that I do. He brings levity and fun to my life, and has a remarkably astute perspective.

Do you consider yourself one of the county’s Best Under 40? Why or why not?

I feel it is an honor to be named on the county’s Best Under 40, and I am grateful to have been nominated.

Through my work at Sage and community activities within McHenry County, I have always tried to put my best foot forward and come to the table ready to participate and learn. I am always growing, and I hope to make those who have helped me along the way proud.

• Sunday, October 23, 2016

Sarah Nader - snader@shawmedia.com

Jillian Elder

Northwest Herald / NWHerald.com • Sunday, October 23, 2016

| BEST UNDER 40

8

Sarah Nader - snader@shawmedia.com

Age: 39 Occupation: Director, Enterprise Location Intelligence at Walgreens Current residence: Crystal Lake Hometown: Wonder Lake Family: Single Education: University of Illinois, BA Geography, English minor; private pilot license; Lake Forest Graduate School of Management, Masters of Business Administration, Organizational Behavior Specialization, Hotchkiss Scholar What was your first job? My first job was lifeguarding at Turnberry Country Club in Crystal Lake when I was 16.

Favorite non-work related hobby: I have had the opportunity to travel extensively internationally for both business and pleasure.

I greatly enjoy learning about other cultures, understanding the differences of our surroundings and engaging in illuminating conversations with people from all over the world. In the past few years, I’ve visited Mexico, Costa Rica, Brazil, Morocco, South Africa, Mozambique, Swaziland, Iceland, The Netherlands and Ireland, plus quite a few destinations in the U.S. and the Caribbean.

Favorite book: “The Millennium Series” by Stieg Larsson What’s one word that best describes you? Enthusiastic

What is your job and how have you found success with it?

My background and degree in Geography uniquely suited me for the Site Analyst job at Walgreens when I started in 1999. Over time, my interest and passion for answering questions using spatial analytics proved that there could be a way of researching and problem-solving that was needed at the company. Today, I am the Director of Enterprise Location Intelligence, which includes the development and management of several systems as well as spatial analytics, methodology creation and business intelligence. I’m currently working to support our pending acquisition of Rite Aid. How did you first get involved with your current job? Why have you kept doing it?

When I started with Walgreens, I was a Site Analyst responsible for traveling around the country to research and make recommendations for new store locations. It was a fascinating application of my background in geography as well as a great opportunity to learn about the company. My role has changed over time, but I continue to be engaged by combining geography, technology,

data, research, and a little wizardry in developing strategy.

What’s a recent accomplishment and innovation that you are most proud of? Why? Last year, we started publishing the Walgreen Flu Index as a public facing map viewer, allowing our customers and the media to see where the flu was spreading. We will soon be publishing another application to combat drug abuse, enabling our customers to find drug take back kiosks and availability of Naloxone over the counter to prevent overdoses.

Not only do we get to showcase “cool maps” but we also help our customers get and stay healthy.

How do you give back to the community or your profession? What drives you to volunteerism?

The Geographic Society of Chicago is an over-100-year old organization that promotes geographic education to students and the community. As president, I have our developed our relationship with National Geographic, updated our branding and facilitated engaging activities like the GeoSphere, Giant Traveling Map, BioBlitz, receptions for Illinois GeoBee Finalists and many commu-

nity engagement activities. I have recently joined the University of Illinois Professional Science Masters Board and the ESRI Commercial Technical Advisory Board. In each of these responsibilities, I get to talk to people about how a passion for geography can be translated into a profession as well as mentor, coach, and meet so many interesting people along the way.

What is the best career advice you have received?

It doesn’t need to be perfect! Especially early in my career I would agonize over the smallest detail to get my work exactly right before sharing it.

Much of the work that I do now is an iterative process and often sharing in stages or rough cut numbers can guide a project along more quickly than waiting for a “ta-da!” moment.

Do you consider yourself one of the county’s Best Under 40? Why or why not?

Award or not, I am proud of my accomplishments. I am privileged to enjoy my career, volunteerism and personal life, all of which make me happy. I’m honored to receive the designation with other talented and inspiring people.

Scott M. Dehn

9

BEST UNDER 40 | Northwest Herald / NWHerald.com • Sunday, October 23, 2016 Sarah Nader - snader@shawmedia.com

Age: 39 Occupation: Owner/Operator of Golden Age Cinemas, LLC Current residence: McHenry Hometown: McHenry Family: Girlfriend, Krystle Lively What was your first job?

Cleaning boy at Mr. Don’s Cleaners in McHenry Favorite non-work related hobby: Baseball. Go Cubs!

Favorite book: “Watchmen” What’s one word that best describes you?

Open-minded

What is your job and how have you found success with it?

I own movie theaters, including The McHenry Outdoor Theater. I have found that providing a unique, affordable, family friendly, clean and fun entertainment destination has been the secret to success. I also rely on nostalgia and being a good community neighbor as a means of maintaining a strong relationship with my customers.

How did you first get involved with your current job? Why have you kept doing it?

Movies have always been my favorite pasttime and hobby. I also love people. So, working in the theater industry seemed a natural fit. I began as a door man and slowly worked my way up the ladder until I was able to eventually form my own theater

company, Golden Age Cinemas, LLC. What’s a recent accomplishment and innovation that you are most proud of? Why? I am most proud of our customers. They were the ones who voted for us to win the digital projection equipment which kept us in business as 35 mm film was being discontinued. Their votes allowed us to claim $100,000 worth of equipment and that enabled me to use the money I had been saving for new equipment to renovate and update our facilities.

How do you give back to the community or your profession? What drives you to volunteerism?

We have a program called “Project Popcorn” in which 10 percent of each week’s popcorn sales are donated to a variety of

important causes and charities. I feel it is important to use my business as a platform to give back to a community that has already given me so much.

What is the best career advice you have received?

Do what you believe in.

Do you consider yourself one of the county’s Best Under 40? Why or why not?

That is a hard question to answer. Our community is blessed with so many great, caring and successful young business people. I certainly do not do what I do for accolades. I do it because I love it and I enjoy giving back and paying it forward.

Hopefully, my actions speak for themselves and encourage others to care as much about their neighbor as they do themselves.

Carrie Holtz

Northwest Herald / NWHerald.com • Sunday, October 23, 2016

| BEST UNDER 40

10

Sarah Nader - snader@shawmedia.com

Age: 39 Occupation: Accountant Current residence: McHenry Hometown: Chicago until age 11, then moved to McHenry Family: Husband, Joe; son, Logan, 9 Education: Associate degree from McHenry County College, bachelor’s degree in business administration from Columbia College What was your first job? My first job was as a certified nursing assistant at a nursing home at age 16. I helped the residents with their activities of daily living. I worked there for three years until it became too hectic with college and my other job I had started which was bookkeeping assistant at United Way. Favorite non-work related hobby: I love to walk at Moraine Hills with family and friends.

Favorite book: Any autobiography or biography. I love true stories.

What’s one word that describes you? Dedicated

What is your job and how have you found success with it?

I am the Finance Manager at United Way of Greater McHenry County. I love working with the finances of our organization and operating on a bare-bones budget so we can allocate as many funds as possible to our partner agencies.

I also enjoy working with the mission we support which is enhancing the quality of life for those in need by facilitating access to resources. This job gives me satisfaction that I am helping out the community even though I am not providing a direct service to those in need.

How did you first get involved with your current job? Why have you kept doing it?

I worked at this office for 3 years while in college and always had an appreciation for nonprofits in our community. While on the board for the Volunteer Center McHenry County, I learned that the position of Finance Manager had opened up and I felt it was a good time to come back to United Way. What’s a recent accomplishment and innovation that you are most proud of? Why?

It is not a recent professional accomplishment, but one that I am definitely most proud of which is passing the CPA exam.

I studied many hours for that exam, but in the end it was a combination of the classes I had taken and the experience I had from working at the local accounting firm Eder, Casella & Co. that helped me to pass.

How do you give back to the community or your profession? What drives you to volunteerism?

With working at United Way, I find out about many volunteer opportunities and help out at events such as walks, golf outings and other annual fundraisers.

My favorite volunteer role is volunteering at my son’s school. I enjoy being involved at the school so that I can get to know the teachers, students and other parents on a level I otherwise wouldn’t have.

The volunteer role that I am most involved in all year long is sitting on the committee for the Human Race which is a local 5K Run Walk in April.

What drives me to volunteer is that I

enjoy giving back. I have sat on nonprofit boards before and I see how much volunteers help the bottom line of the organization’s financial statements.

Small grass roots organizations are not able to succeed without volunteers in the community lending their skills to the mission of the nonprofit.

What is the best career advice you have received?

The best career advice I received was from a local tax accountant when I was in high school. He encouraged me to become a Certified Public Accountant. He said that even if I didn’t ever work in an accounting office, I would have a good business foundation that would help me to grow in business whether or not I was preparing tax returns or financial statements.

Do you consider yourself one of the county’s Best Under 40? Why or why not?

I appreciate being chosen as one of the county’s Best under 40, but I never thought of myself as one. I am often inspired by reading interviews like this, so it is strange to be recognized in this way.

David Albanese

11

BEST UNDER 40 | Northwest Herald / NWHerald.com • Sunday, October 23, 2016 Sarah Nader - snader@shawmedia.com

Age: 35 Occupation: Insurance agent Current residence: Algonquin Hometown: McHenry Family: Single and looking to mingle Education: Bachelor’s degree in business economics from Wheaton College What was your first job? My first job was as a caddy at Bull Valley Country Club. I really love golf and it was pretty fun, though some of those bags I carried were heavy!

Favorite non-work related hobby: Probably participating in some sort of athletic competition, whether it be basketball, softball or golf.

Favorite book: The Bible What’s one word that best describes you? Loyal. Just ask my friends.

What is your job and how have you found success with it?

I’m an insurance agent, focusing on home, auto and business insurance. I believe I’ve found success by helping people and businesses manage their risk properly by really getting to know them or their business, and not by trying to group everyone into the same template.

People come from many different walks of life and need varying degrees of insurance protection.

Also, being involved with the community and the Crystal Lake Chamber of Commerce has helped grow my network of people and businesses that I can help.

How did you first get involved with your current job? Why have you kept doing it?

I was recruited by Chris Christensen, a former Best Under 40, while on his flag football team. I keep doing it because my dream of being a professional golfer or baseball player will probably never come to fruition.

And I truly believe if I help a family or business set up an insurance plan to protect that which is most important to them, then I’ve done a good deed.

What’s a recent accomplishment and innovation that you are most proud of? Why? Being elected to be part of the Crystal Lake Young Professional’s Executive Committee. It’s a great organization that I hope more people hear more and more about. This is a group of incredible young professionals who give their time and money to help give back through Community Harvest, the Lakeside Festival and other various volunteer projects.

How do you give back to the community or your profession? What drives you to volunteerism?

I give back to the community through a few ways. I’ve been a Big Brother through Big Brothers Big Sisters of McHenry County for the last couple of years. Having a mentor in my life has been very meaningful and I

hope I can help bring hope and happiness to a boy who needs a good influence in his life. Through my church, I run a basketball ministry on Saturday mornings.

Again, I do volunteer through the Crystal Lake Young Professionals. I’m driven to volunteer because I believe that those who can help make life a little bit better for someone else, give a little more hope, should. Plus I’ve made some good friends though the process by meeting like-minded people.

What is the best career advice you have received?

I was at a leadership summit this year and a guy said, “Treat every client as if they were your best friend.”

Do you consider yourself one of the county’s Best Under 40? Why or why not?

I am honored to receive the award, but I feel like I have to grow in many ways to consider myself one of the Best Under 40.

Northwest Herald / NWHerald.com • Sunday, October 23, 2016

| BEST UNDER 40

12 BEFORE

AFTER

Transform Your Business! ™ Transform Your Life!

D

uring her 20-year sales and marketing career, Business Strategist Kathleen Caldwell restructured, revitalized and re-energized corporate teams and organizations. In the process, she learned more than how to sell complex products and build effective teams.

“Through my experience I realized that I educated and inspired people not only to succeed in business, but also enjoy a fantastic quality of life,” said Caldwell, who held major leadership roles within several startup and established companies. She could have stayed in Corporate America, but...“I stepped back and realized that what I truly wanted to do was to bring this success methodology and knowledge to a broader corporate and individual audience,” she said.

That decision led to the founding of Caldwell Consulting Group, LLC and a series of specialized educational and mentoring programs known collectively as the WHEE Institute ®.

An acronym for the Wealthy, Healthy, Energetic Edge, the institute is unique. Its philosophy and approach are holistic and comprehensive.

“Our mission is to help people be successful in business, health, vitality and life. We focus

on strategies to love our business and career, body and life, Caldwell explained.

A sought-after speaker, business consultant and author, Caldwell has developed programs that incorporate education, coaching, mentoring and collaboration with other WHEE participants from around the globe.

WHEE participants learn and implement new strategies for successfully managing their business and career, which carries over to their lives replacing exhaustion with inspiration, and recapturing the thrill of setting and achieving new goals.

The WHEE Institute’s Team Intelligence™ program focuses on strategies for the group to succeed as a whole, renew the energy and creativity of team leaders and inspire the emergence of new group leaders.

Award, a Women of Influence Award, Congressional Award of Excellence and many others. Caldwell also holds three United States trademarks for her work in entrepreneurship, team building and leadership.

Her book, Blueprint for Success features Caldwell, Dr. Ken Blanchard, author of the One Minute Manager, Dr. Stephen Covey, author of Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, and thirteen business experts, sharing their insights on success and how to achieve it.

In applying WHEE strategies to her own life, Caldwell is also a certified Hypnotherapist, ZUMBA® Instructor, fitness and peak performance enthusiast. “Not only can you achieve your dreams and goals, you can have a fun time doing it,” she said.

Active in the community, Caldwell’s collaboration with local, national and global business leaders continues to fuel her innovation and spark new ideas. She is the Chair of the Crystal Lake Chamber of Commerce Foundation, graduate of LGMC and a member of many Chambers of Commerce and professional organizations.

She has also received numerous awards and honors including a Women of Achievement

Kathleen Caldwell • 815.206.4014 www.caldwellconsulting.biz

For More Information Contact: