PAST EVENTS

MEETING SEPTEMBER 8, 2025

Dr. David Livingston, President

Lewis University

Dr. David Livingston, President of Lewis University, led our 9/8 session. With his authentic and engaging style, he shared key lessons on how leaders shape culture, influence morale, and guide vision.

Lesson #1- It’s not enough for employees to do good work, their tone and attitude must also reflect the values of the organization. Culture can be built or broken by the energy we bring.

Lesson #2- There are many paths to success, comparing it to choosing between getting to Seattle or Miami, There’s no one right way to lead or to get the job done.

Lesson #3- Small actions, like picking up trash, speak volumes. They reflect pride, ownership, and the standards we set.

Lesson #4- When we’re willing to step out of our comfort zones, unexpected and rewarding career paths can open up.

Lesson #5- Leaders don’t need to do every job themselves; they need to cast a clear vision and work with their people to achieve it.

MEETING JULY 8, 2025

Brian Sloane, Owner/President

T.R. Miller Cooling, Heating and Plumbing

As the President of TR Miller Heating, Cooling, Plumbing, and Electric, Brian Sloan is responsible for leading more than 130 employees while overseeing all company operations. Before becoming President, Brian had to work his way to the top, beginning his 17 years of experience in the warehouse, sweeping floors. TR Miller started as a family business, and Brian had the opportunity to work at every level and learn the responsibilities of every role. As President, Brian has brought this experience to the job, which has helped him facilitate a strong, trust-based work environment and quality service to clients. These relationships and his dedication to TR Miller led to Brian’s success in expanding the small family-owned business to a larger, scalable business model. As a member of a multigenerational family business, Brian emphasized the importance of balancing legacy and pursuing innovation. It is clear that Brian was successful in this endeavor; he spoke about the company’s impressive expansions, which were driven by strategic growth, adaptability, and an understanding of the markets they serve and the employees they work with. Equally important was Brian’s personal journey of growth and development, underscoring that leadership excellence begins with continual self-improvement.

MEETING JUNE 10, 2025

Luis Guzman, Owner/President

Rancho Los Guzman

We heard in Luis Guzman’s inspiring story, success often comes from showing up, working hard, and being open to growth, even when the journey is unconventional. With only an eighth-grade education, Luis shared practical takeaways about the value of mentors, the willingness to work with your hands, taking risks, and the importance of long hours when pursuing meaningful work. He also reminded us that it’s okay to involve family in your work, his sister Martha and wife Marge played key roles in his journey.

MEETING MAY 13, 2025

Mike Mutterer - President

Silver Cross Hospital

Mike Mutterer, President of Silver Cross Hospital, shared an inspiring look into the innovative and non-traditional approaches that set the hospital apart. His insights on maintaining organizational independence, reimagining hiring and promotion practices, and implementing effective cost-saving strategies offered a fresh perspective on leadership in healthcare. Mike’s forward-thinking vision left a lasting impression, encouraging the group to rethink what’s possible in their own leadership journeys.

MEETING MAY 5, 2025

Tim Brophy - Will County Treasurer

Our latest leadership session featured Tim Brophy, Will County Treasurer and Joliet City Councilman, who shared his diverse career journey through banking, real estate, nonprofit work, and public service. Starting at First Midwest Bank, Tim later became an entrepreneur with Dow Realty and eventually transitioned into association work at the North American Spine Society, each step shaping his approach to leadership.

Tim emphasized the value of adaptability, service, and community impact across all his roles. A standout moment was a story about his father, a former firefighter who, during a hectic day, turned off the switchboard and said, “If it’s really important, they’ll call back.” It was a memorable lesson in setting boundaries and staying focused, key takeaways for any leader.
His session offered practical insights on leadership rooted in experience, relationships, and knowing when to pause in order to move forward.

MEETING APRIL 8, 2025

Jamie Little - Plainfield Village Trustee

MoeJoe's, Plainfield

Jamie Littell spoke powerfully about the importance of adaptability in leadership. She shared her personal journey, from the sudden loss of her husband to transitioning from a runway artist to managing a bar. Along the way, she faced and overcame challenges within her community, including confronting racism head-on. Through resilience, a strong mindset, and a "get it done" attitude, Jamie has become a true pillar in her community. Her leadership and dedication ultimately led to her current role as one of Plainfield’s Village Trustees.

MEETING APRIL 7, 2025

Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant - Will County Executive

Royal Palace Event Centre

We had the privilege of hearing from Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant, former Illinois State Senator and current Will County Executive. Jennifer shared her inspiring journey from the classroom to the world of politics, a path she never anticipated but embraced with openness and a deep sense of service.

She candidly reflected on her beginnings as a teacher and how that role naturally evolved into public service. Jennifer emphasized that her entry into politics wasn't something she had planned. Rather, it was the result of being in the right place at the right time, staying open-minded, and recognizing opportunities to serve others in new ways.
Her insights into the political landscape were both meaningful and thought-provoking. She shed light on the realities of leadership in government and reminded us that effective leadership often begins with a commitment to listening, learning, and lifting up others.
Jennifer’s story is a powerful reminder that leadership can take many forms, and sometimes, the most impactful paths are the ones we least expect.

Zach Harbour shared meaningful insight on the unique experience of being part of a family business. He spoke about the importance of not only working alongside family but also fostering a strong sense of family among employees. By creating a culture rooted in trust, respect, and shared values, Zach emphasized how leaders can build lasting connections that drive both personal and professional success.

MEETING MARCH 11, 2025

Zach Harbour, Executive Vice President

Harbour Construction

MEETING MARCH 3, 2025

Larry Weirs - Former Troy Schools Superintendent

Joliet Re-Store

During the session, Larry provided valuable insight into what it means to be a servant leader, emphasizing the importance of leading with humility, empathy, and a commitment to the growth of others. He shared a powerful example from his experience as a Superintendent, describing one of his most challenging moments, bringing his team together to address deep trust issues at one of their schools. His story underscored the critical role of trust in effective leadership and the courage it takes to confront difficult situations head-on for the sake of collective progress.

MEETING FEBRUARY 11, 2025

Introduction and Kick-Off

Cohort #2

MEETING FEBRUARY 3, 2025

Dan Bradley , General Manager

Mistwood Golf Club

Dan Bradley shared an inspiring story about how, early in his career, he played a key role in the creation of a miniature golf park and was a partner in the business. He emphasized that everything you do should be done with excellence—a principle that has guided his journey. Today, he leads eight entities under JBM Hospitality and is deeply passionate about leadership, especially being the kind of leader who believes in and invests in his people.

MEETING JANUARY 6, 2025

Terri Cowan- Professional Salon Concepts

The Space

Terri was an incredible speaker—so inspiring to hear how she built her business from the ground up, gave back to the community,

and developed so many leaders along the way. The tour of her warehouse and salon studio was such a unique experience, and it was especially powerful to hear from her longtime employees. In a time when long-term loyalty is rare, it was amazing to see a team that’s grown together for so many years. We also enjoyed delicious food, celebrated Jinane’s birthday with some amazing cake, and shared meaningful conversations. A big highlight was our discussion with Ryan, one of our members, who led a thoughtful conversation on leadership and he talked a lot about how some of his managers were his best mentors.

MEETING DECEMBER 6, 2024

Joliet Catholic Academy Innovation Research Center

Exxon Government Affairs Manager - Pete Colarelli and

Lewis University-Dean of College of Education and Social Science- Dr. Kip Klien

Pete and Kip shared valuable insights with our emerging leaders on the vital role community involvement plays in leadership. They discussed their collaborative work on community projects, highlighting how such initiatives strengthen leadership skills.

They also shared that being connected within the community allows you to build relationships with others who can help you make things happen, offering support and resources that are crucial for success.

Both Pete and Kip bring strong, dynamic personalities to everything they do, and with these big personalities comes an increased sense of accountability. They emphasized that when people have expectations of you, it’s essential to not just meet them but to exceed them, always going above and beyond in both leadership and service.

MEETING NOVEMBER 11, 2024

Ali Tucker of Ali's Catering at Monte Bello Estate in Lemont

Ali Tucker, founder of Ali Tucker's Catering, shared with the LLC emerging leaders her inspiring journey of transformation, recounting how she turned a struggling Sweet Shop Cafe into a thriving commercial catering business. Today, her company serves esteemed organizations such as the Diocese of Joliet, Silver Cross Hospital, and Argonne National Laboratory. Ali has a unique ability to elevate ordinary catering into something truly extraordinary, bringing creativity and excellence to every event.

MEETING OCTOBER 7, 2024
Will County Habitat for Humanity CEO- Joliet ReStore

The first session of Leaders Link Communities marked an exciting beginning for our group. We kicked off by providing an overview of LLC’s mission and objectives, setting the stage for our journey ahead. Each participant had the opportunity to introduce themselves, sharing their background and personal stories, fostering a sense of connection and collaboration from the start.

This session was particularly special as it was our first time coming together as a group, laying the foundation for the leadership development and community building that LLC aims to achieve.Below are a few highlights from this memorable session.

MEETING SEPTEMBER 9, 2024
Introduction and Kick-off

The second session of Leaders Link Communities took place on October 7th at Habitat for Humanity Joliet, and it was a truly inspiring experience. Nicole Murray, the CEO of Will County Habitat for Humanity, served as our main speaker. She shared her leadership journey, offering valuable insights into leading with purpose and building strong, community-centered organizations. A special shoutout goes to Nickolas Columbus, who did a fantastic job as the discussion leader, guiding us through thoughtful conversations and reflections on the role of leadership in driving positive change.