About the Business Development Center

Ileen Kelly

Kelly, Ileen

Business Development Center

Manager, Business Development Center

Phone: (630) 942-2616

Office Location: IND 243

Email: kellyi421@cod.edu

Dr. Ileen Kelly, who joined the team in July 2019 as the Program Coordinator, now holds dual positions as the Business Development Center Manager and Illinois APEX Accelerator Program Manager.

Bringing with her over a decade of experience in Leadership and Capacity Building training for small businesses and non-profit organizations, Dr. Kelly has established herself as a formidable asset to the team. Her expertise spans various sectors, having spent more than 10 years in workforce development at the City Colleges of Chicago, where she assessed and provided training for both incumbent and future workforce across multiple industries.

Prior to her tenure in academia, Dr. Kelly amassed over 30 years of experience in marketing, advertising, and public relations with Chicago Tribune Media. During her time there, she managed the public messaging for national clients and brands, demonstrating her proficiency in strategic communication and brand management.

In her new capacity, Dr. Kelly's primary responsibility is to advise clients on growing their businesses through local, state, and federal government contracting. This includes assisting clients in processing their Certification applications for the set-aside programs offered by various government agencies. Additionally, she serves as the team leader of the Business Development Center, nurturing the continued growth and success of a super dynamic team whose mission is to empower the businesses they serve.

Andres Blandon

Blandon, Andres

Business Development Center

Coordinator, APEX Business Development Program

Phone: (630) 942-3113

Office Location: IND 243

Email: blandona@cod.edu

Andres joined the Business Development Center in April 2026, bringing with him a strong background in business operations and logistics, with experience dating back to 2013. Throughout his career, he has developed expertise in managing operations, coordinating logistics, and supporting businesses in streamlining processes to improve efficiency and performance.

In his role, Andres is committed to supporting businesses by providing guidance, resources, and individualized assistance to help them grow and succeed. He brings a service-oriented approach, emphasizing professionalism, responsiveness, and strong relationship-building with clients and community partners.

Hilary Burkinshaw

Hilary is a Mentor and Advisor for Business Development Center at College of DuPage since 2017. She is an accomplished trainer and speaker and an expert in small business financing, growth and development, business strategy development, implementation, and market development. In her previous career, she held the Director position at the CenterPoint SBDC at Governors State University in University Park, IL. She has a long history and involvement with Illinois small businesses and was appointed as the Vice Chair of the Coordinating Council for the Illinois Small Business Development Association in 2006 and 2007.

Monica Hernandez

Hernandez, Monica

Business Development Center

Program Manager

Phone: (630) 942-3041

Office Location: IND 241

Email: hernandezm68@cod.edu

Monica started her career with the Business Development Center’s ITC Program in March 2024. Monica’s work history includes dedication to fostering global connections, promoting cultural understanding and driving successful international initiatives. She brings a wealth of expertise and has supported and facilitated seamless interactions for businesses in the global marketplace. Monica is fluent in both English and Spanish which helps her to seamlessly bridge language barriers, enhance communication and facilitate collaboration across the globe. Monica’s primary responsibility is to advise and guide small businesses in expanding into global markets, following best practices to manage growth and minimize risks.

David Lezondra

Lezondra, David

Business Development Center

Manager, Small Business Development Center

Phone: (630) 942-2630

Office Location: IND 237

Email: lezondrad@cod.edu

David joined the Business Development Center’s SBDC Program in October 2022. Besides leading the SBDC team, his responsibilities include advising and counseling business owners and entrepreneurs with ideation and business planning, business financials and funding, marketing and sales, operations and management, and growth and expansion strategies.

His career and expertise in small business began with Bank of America where he became a top-ranked small business consultant and financial advisor in the Chicago area for over 15 years. He is a recipient of the bank’s prestigious “Pinnacle Diamond Award” which is the highest-level of recognition for exceptional performance, recognizing top-performing employees and financial advisors with significant contributions to the company, clients, and communities.

Parlaying to a career in workforce development and working for DuPage County in business services and job development, he created and nurtured strategic alliances and partnerships with local businesses and entrepreneurs, while promoting no-cost, state-funded, and vital workforce programs and resources for businesses located in and around DuPage.

David holds bachelor’s degrees in business administration and visual communications, and majored in business management and graphic design, respectively.

Colleen Sall

Sall, Colleen

Business Development Center

Coordinator, Business Development Program

Phone: (630) 942-2184

Office Location: IND 242

Email: sallc@cod.edu

Colleen began her career with COD’s Business Development Center (BDC) in January 2023. Her primary responsibility is to advise clients to grow their business through local, state, and federal government contracting and coach clients through the certification process. Colleen has over a decade of experience with College of DuPage which includes serving the local community within the Provost’s Office and in Continuing Education. She worked with the business incubator/accelerator Innovation DuPage, to help support the collaboration and development of entrepreneur businesses with major corporate and leading educational institution partners. Her background consists of 15 years in corporate marketing communications and product management with industry-leading and Fortune 500 companies. She has written and edited industry articles, newsletters and press releases and is an event speaker. Colleen holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism with an English minor.

Arti Verma

Verma, Arti

Business Development Center

Department Administrative Assistant

Phone: (630) 942-3220

Office Location: IND 233A

Email: vermaa3475@cod.edu

Arti joined COD’s Business Development Center (BDC) as a Client Liaison in March 2026. She brings a strong background in education, client support, and marketing to her role. Arti has four years of experience assisting school staff and seven years of volunteer service in elementary schools. In addition, she has seven years of experience teaching at the elementary level in India and two years of professional experience in marketing.

As a Client Liaison, Arti provides exceptional experience for both new and existing BDC clients. She supports and uplifts BDC staff in their initiatives to serve small businesses and plays a key role in client engagement. Her responsibilities include managing the distribution of essential electronic communications, such as industry and government announcements, advisory newsletters, and registration information for BDC seminars, workshops, and special events.

Doug Voegtle

Voegtle, Douglas

Business Development Center

Program Specialist, Business Development Program

Phone: (630) 942-2771

Email: voegtled@cod.edu

Doug joined COD’s Business Development Center (BDC) in October 2019. In his position, Doug leverages teaching, marketing, and strategic planning expertise for small business clients. During his advertising career Doug developed a specialty for naming, packaging, and launching brands. Doug has led workshops on creativity, marketing, and communications for UW-Madison School of Journalism, JDRF, Loyola University Chicago, and industry events in Dallas, Chicago, and Madison. Creative credits include a TV commercial for Pepsi, and a multi-channel campaign for a Fortune 500 company that ran for 15 years. For fun he composes for musical theater and teaches the art of improvisational acting at Players Workshop Chicago. 

Jennifer Weggeman

Weggeman, Jennifer

Business Development Center

Coordinator, Small Business Development Center

Phone: (630) 942-3031

Office Location: IND 237

Email: weggemanj@cod.edu

Jennifer joined COD's Business Development Center (BDC) in June 2024. Jennifer's career included eight years in workforce development coaching thousands of job seekers and career changers and teaching a variety of workshops on job search skills to the local DuPage County community at workNet DuPage Career Center. Additionally, prior to most recent role, she coached entrepreneurs and freelancers using creative problem-solving techniques to develop strategies for personal and professional success. She coaches career professionals to enhance individual & team performance, and her industry background includes working within a large network of executive leaders in corporate, government, not-for-profit and entrepreneurial organizations.

Jennifer received her Master of Arts degree from DePaul University with a focus area of Coaching and Leading Groups. As an instructor with the School of Continuing Professional Studies (SCPS)at DePaul, she has been teaching career skills building, leadership skills and career development courses since 2007.

The Business Development Center at College of DuPage

Also known as The Illinois SBDC/ITC/APEX Accelerator at College of DuPage

Contact

Phone
(630) 942-2600

Email
bdc@cod.edu