Crossroads Career Expo
Build Your Day
Create your own professional development experience by choosing the sessions that matter most to you.
12:00 p.m. Doors Open
Explore nearly 70 employers, educational institutions, workforce organizations, veteran service organizations, entrepreneurs, and community partners from across Chicagoland.
12:15–2:00 p.m. Professional Headshots
Courtesy of Western Governors University, Professional Development Sponsor, and photographed by Oscar Kush.
12:30–1:15 p.m. Entrepreneurship Panel
Breaking the Blueprint: How to Scale Up Without Burning Out Moderator: Raghu Sundara, Always Be Connecting
Learn how successful entrepreneurs build businesses that grow without sacrificing their time, leadership, or vision.
12:30–1:00 p.m.
Workshop
1:15–2:15 p.m.
Workshop
Careers Beyond the Teller Line: Transferable Skills and Career Pathways in Banking | Presenter: Cody Lee, Old National Bank
Discover how your military and professional experience can translate into rewarding careers throughout the financial services industry.
Practical Veteran Guide for Career Growth: How to Speak and Write with Executive Clarity | Presenter: Chad Eaves, Eaves Group
Strengthen your communication, executive presence, and leadership through practical techniques you can apply immediately.
1:30–2:15 p.m.
Workshop
Sourcing Opportunity: Leveraging Your DoD Experience with the Illinois APEX Accelerator | Presenter: Chris Cooks, Southland Development Authority / Illinois APEX Accelerator
Learn how military and federal experience can translate into opportunities in government contracting, consulting, manufacturing, and America's defense industrial base.
2:30–3:30 p.m.
Workshop
Prompt vs. Presence: How Not to Lose Yourself in an AI-Driven World | Presenters: Behati Hart (BE) & Scott Raether (CareerCultivated)
Explore how AI fluency and authentic human leadership combine to shape tomorrow's workforce.
2:45–3:30 p.m.
Industry Panel
Infrastructure of Tomorrow: Next-Gen Careers in the Data Center Space | Moderator: Kevin Kramer, Village of Hoffman Estates
Featuring leaders from Compass Datacenters, Gurtz Electric, Convergint, and Power Construction discussing careers in one of the nation's fastest-growing industries.
3:45–4:30 p.m.
Workshop
The Networking Supercharger: From Transactional Networking to Power Partnerships | Presenter: Raghu Sundara, Always Be Connecting
Learn practical strategies for turning conversations into long-term professional relationships.
4:30–5:00 p.m.
Keynote Address
Service Never Ends: Leading with Influence in Your Next Mission | Dr. Brian Smith, Founder & Senior Managing Partner, IA Business Advisors
Discover how the principles developed through military service can shape your leadership, strengthen organizational culture, and create lasting influence in every aspect of life.
5:30–8:00 p.m.
Networking Reception
Presented by Thrivent
Continue the conversation with employers, entrepreneurs, educators, workforce organizations, veteran service organizations, and fellow professionals.
Additional support for the Networking Reception is generously provided by Western Governors University.
Complimentary hors d'oeuvres will be served, and Bell Market's full-service bar will remain open.