At the heart of our work is a commitment to building connections and strengthening the fabric of our communities.
Our Team
DEI Executive, Nonprofit Leader, Corporate Social Responsibility, Community Outreach
Brittany Williams, MNM
Brittany Williams is an accomplished executive with a passion for creating equitable and inclusive programming. With over 8 years of experience in the field of diversity, inclusion, and social impact, she has developed and implemented successful diversity, inclusion, and social impact initiatives, driving meaningful change for diverse communities. Brittany's expertise in program design, stakeholder engagement, and project management has made her a valuable asset in driving positive social impact and promoting a more just and equitable world. With a strong track record of mentoring leaders, developing metrics for evaluation, and establishing key partnerships, Brittany is committed to creating lasting and impactful change.
In her previous roles, Brittany served as the Vice President of Social Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion at PharmaCann, where she designed and implemented the Higher Initiative to centralize social equity and DEI programs across multiple locations. She also contributed as the IL Regional Director of Social Equity & Education Development (SEED) at Cresco Labs, spearheading social equity programs and partnerships to expunge records, provide grant funding, and increase community engagement. With her experience as a Program Director at Justice Cannabis Co., Brittany established strategic partnerships and launched equity-based initiatives to support social and restorative justice.
Brittany holds a Master of Nonprofit Management and a Bachelor of Arts in Communications. She is certified in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace. With strong skills in technology and a wide range of professional and leadership competencies, Brittany is a driven and dedicated professional committed to making a positive impact through her work in diversity, inclusion, and social impact initiatives.
DEI Practitioner, Educator, Consultant, Training and Development Professional
Donald D. Gilliam, M.Ed.
Donald D. Gilliam is a proud native of the southside of Chicago, Illinois and two-time alumnus of the University of Missouri (Mizzou) where he received his M.Ed. in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis and B.G.S in Business Marketing and Communication. He is an experienced Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) practitioner, educator, and published author with 10+ years experience leveraging an extensive background in executing diversity and inclusion strategies for student and employee populations. His work is centered around encouraging individuals and communities to reflect on their environment, realign their collective goals, and reimagine a world of authentic inclusion.
Donald credits his time as the former Program Instructor of the award-winning Mizzou Black Men’s Initiative (MBMI) program at the University of Missouri (Mizzou) as the catalyst for his career in diversity and inclusion. He worked alongside these young Black male scholars and encouraged them to critically examine their social identity and the world around them. He went on to serve as the inaugural Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at National Louis University and now works as an DEI Consultant. Through his strategic leadership and consultative services, he provides expertise in all aspects of DE&I planning, training, and strategy implementation to create sustainable equitable and inclusive practices.
Strategic Event Strategist, Sr. Project Manager, People Connector
Mariah D. Cater
Mariah D. Cater is an accomplished event professional with over 10 years experience in strategic event management and project coordination. With a passion for curating engaging and memorable experiences, Mariah has successfully orchestrated a wide range of events across industries, including but not limited to healthcare, non-profit, education, and hospitality. Mariah's ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams has led to her seamless execution of these events from establishing strategic goals to managing logistics and creating captivating content while overseeing vendor relations.
Currently serving as the Manager of Strategic & Industry Events at Press Ganey in Chicago, she coordinates over 45 client-facing events in addition to Press Ganey’s annual conference for over 3,000 attendees. Previously, Mariah worked as an Event Specialist and Project Manager Contractor at Wyn Win Communications. There, she managed multiple client projects focused on stakeholder and community engagement for organizations such as the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, Counting on Chicago Coalition, and the North Lawndale Employment Network. As an entrepreneur, she founded Mariah Denise, LLC. focusing on Event Management and Project Management services working with a diverse client base including brands such as Chick-Fil-A, Code.org, Medscape LIVE, and the Nike Tournament of Champions.
Mariah holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Marketing and Public Relations from Columbia College Chicago and has a certification in Integrated Marketing. With her exceptional leadership abilities, effective interpersonal communication, and natural talent for building collaborative relationships, Mariah consistently exceeds expectations in delivering extraordinary event experiences. Her passion for creating impactful events, combined with her strategic planning and project management expertise make her a valuable asset in any event management role.