Crossroads Career Expo 2026

Create your own professional development experience by choosing the sessions that matter most to you.

Explore nearly 70 employers, educational institutions, workforce organizations, veteran service organizations, entrepreneurs, and community partners from across Chicagoland.
Courtesy of Western Governors University, Professional Development Sponsor, and photographed by Oscar Kush.
Moderator: Raghu Sundara, Always Be Connecting
Panelists: James Cheng, TSOR Group | Gregg-Brooke Koleno, MBA, IA Business Advisors | Dan Origer, DJ’s Auto Service Center

Learn how successful entrepreneurs build businesses that grow without sacrificing their time, leadership, or vision.
Presenter: Cody Lee, Old National Bank
Discover how your military and professional experience can translate into rewarding careers throughout the financial services industry.
Presenter: Chad Eaves, Eaves Group
Strengthen your communication, executive presence, and leadership through practical techniques you can apply immediately.
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.
Presenters: Behati Hart (BE) & Scott Raether (CareerCultivated)
Explore how AI fluency and authentic human leadership combine to shape tomorrow's workforce.
Moderator: Kevin Kramer, Village of Hoffman Estates
Panelists: Sean Glowacz, AICP, Power Construction | Garett Jaco, CPP, Compass Datacenters | Benjamin Mack, PMP, Convergint | Tim Moylan, Gurtz Electric Co.
Featuring digital infrastructure leaders discussing careers in one of the nation's fastest-growing industries.
Presenter: Raghu Sundara, Always Be Connecting
Learn practical strategies for turning conversations into long-term professional relationships.
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.
Continue the conversation with employers, entrepreneurs, educators, workforce organizations, veteran service organizations, and fellow professionals.
Complimentary hors d'oeuvres will be served, and Bell Market's full-service bar will remain open for beverage purchases. (RSVP by 7/13 required)

2026 exhibitors

2026 panelists & presenters

Crossroads Career Expo 2026

Create your own professional development experience by choosing the sessions that matter most to you.

12:00 p.m. Doors Open

12:15–2:00 p.m. @ ROOM 10 | Professional Headshots

12:30–1:15 p.m. @ MAIN STAGE | Entrepreneurship Panel — Breaking the Blueprint: How to Scale Up Without Burning Out

12:30–1:00 p.m. @ THE OFFICE | Workshop — Careers Beyond the Teller Line: Transferable Skills and Career Pathways in Banking

1:15–2:15 p.m. @ MULTI-PURPOSE ROOM | Workshop — Practical Veteran Guide for Career Growth: How to Speak and Write with Executive Clarity

1:30–2:15 p.m. @ THE OFFICE | Workshop — Sourcing Opportunity: Leveraging Your DoD Experience with the Illinois APEX Accelerator

2:30–3:30 p.m. @ MULTI-PURPOSE ROOM | Workshop — Prompt vs. Presence: How Not to Lose Yourself in an AI-Driven World

2:45–3:30 p.m. @ MAIN STAGE | Industry Panel — Infrastructure of Tomorrow: Next-Gen Careers in the Data Center Space

3:45–4:30 p.m. @ MULTI-PURPOSE ROOM | Workshop — The Networking Supercharger: From Transactional Networking to Power Partnerships

4:30–5:00 p.m. @ MAIN STAGE | Keynote Address — Service Never Ends: Leading with Influence in Your Next Mission

5:30–8:00 p.m. Networking Reception Presented by Thrivent, with the Generous Support of Western Governors University

Chicagoland’s Premier Veteran Network