For Chicago barber, stylist, and Timeout at Shannon’s CEO Shannon Jones, the job of a barber doesn’t end with a haircut. Instead, Shannon has dedicated his life to a career that embodies the culture and social importance of the barbershop and its role as a vital institution. 

On February 24, 1998 the first Timeout at Shannon’s opened its doors. Initially amazed at the scope and nuance of Shannon’s vision, visitors have since become accustomed to the high level of service and care Timeout at Shannon’s has offered for the past decade. Timeout has been featured in such media as Men’s Health, Slam, Hoop, Sophisticate’s Black Hair, Complete Women, Dime, Salon Sense, and was a feature story on Chicago’s Channel Seven ABC Nightly News. In 2002 New City Magazine voted Timeout the city’s hottest barbershop, and that same year saw a front-page story on Shannon and Timeout printed nationwide in the venerable Wall Street Journal.

Travis is an Account Executive with Microsoft’s Small and Mid-market Solutions and Partners (SMS&P) group focused on building and developing relationships for the Corporate Accounts segment.  Along with his team, he is responsible for delivering $180M+ in annual business expanding across Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin.  He carries responsibilities for direct sales and channel sales execution, multi-channel program execution and customer satisfaction for the full range of Microsoft solution lines. A passionate and collaborative leader, Swoope began his professional career in Cleveland, OH as an INROADS intern for the Chubb Insurance Group.

A resident of Chicago, Swoope enjoys spending time with his family, volunteering and traveling around the world. He is involved with the several boards including INROADS Great Lakes Region, Lutheran Child and Family Services Foundation, and the :20 Second Timeout Foundation. Swoope also serves as Commissioner to the Illinois Racing Board.

John is originally from Detroit, Michigan and attended Western Michigan University prior to moving to Chicago.  While at WMU John participated in an internship with Kellogg’s and upon graduation took a fulltime position with Kellogg’s as a Food Service Sales Representative.  After spending eight months with Kellogg’s John recognized that he wasn’t passionate about what he was doing and after exploring multiple career opportunities, in 2000 John decided to join the Northwestern Mutual Financial Network as a financial representative.

As a financial rep John helps people work towards achieving their most important financial goals. John will celebrate his 15 year anniversary with Northwestern Mutual in July of 2015.  He is passionate about giving back to his community and being a man for others. John and his wife, Eva, live in Chicago.

Frederick is an assistant manager at Credit Union 1, which currently serves nearly 100,000 members throughout the state of Illinois, Nevada and Indiana. He was born Colorado Springs to Frederick and Linda Tolbert and would later relocate with his mother to Chicago, IL. In 2003 Frederick graduated from Hales Franciscan high school and pursued at BA in management at Central State University a historically black college in Wilberforce, Ohio.

Currently Frederick is managing a staff of thirteen, assisting his church with community outreach on the near Westside of Chicago and pursuing his BA in marketing from the University of DePaul.  He is a major proponent of giving back to the community he believes everyone needs a little help in their pursuit of happiness.

Cameron moved to Chicago and joined William Blair in 2010.  He works in the Industrials group focusing primarily on the chemicals sector.  Cameron has advised both public and private companies on M&A and capital raises.  Prior to joining William Blair, Cameron worked for Kimberly-Clark as a Research Scientist in the Healthcare Sector.

Cameron holds a PhD in Biotechnology/Biochemistry from North Carolina State University, an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BSE summa cum laude in Chemical Engineering from North Carolina State University.  He resides in the South Loop neighborhood of Chicago.

Reyahd is the Director of Business Advancement for National Youth Advocate Program where he oversees multiple programs and divisions, manages the organization's service contracts, and advocates at the municipal, state, and federal level.  Prior to joining NYAP, Kazmi worked in the private sector for a law firm and in the public sector for various political campaigns, the City of Chicago, the City of Columbus, the Ohio General Assembly, for former Ohio Governor Ted Strickland, and Chaired the Ohio Commission on African American Males.

Recently, Kazmi was the Chief of Staff for Chicago City Treasurer Stephanie Neely where he managed all aspects of the office. In addition, Kazmi was appointed by City of Chicago's Mayor Rahm Emanuel to serve as a Commissioner on the Chicago Commission on Human Relations. In addition, Kazmi was appointed by the United States Commission on Civil Rights to serve as a member of its Illinois Advisory Committee.  Kazmi is a graduate of The Ohio State University’s Moritz College of Law and Glenn School of Public Affairs where he received his Juris Doctorate and Master’s degree in Public Policy and Management.  Kazmi is a member of City Church Chicago and is an Associate Board member for Chicago Scholars.

Raullo, as a hired Senior Financial Consultant for the Chicago Minority Business Development Council (“CMBDC”) consults with the St. Louis Minority Business Development Agency serving Eastern Missouri and Illinois. He is responsible for helping high growth Minority Business Enterprises with $1,000,000 and greater annual revenues with access to financial resources and access to capital necessary for their growth including: debt, equity, alternative resources, bonding and leases. In addition he provides assistance in entering or further developing relationships in the relations in capital markets. Eanes is a former manufacturer, commercial banker and corporate finance professional.

Eanes is a graduate of Marquette University and a very active Alumna.  While attending Marquette University, he received recognition as an Outstanding College Student in America, is listed among Outstanding Young Men in America and recognized in Who’s Who of College Students and Who’s Who in America. He met his wife Gina while attending Marquette and they have two children, Marlena and Alexander.

Gina Banks Eanes is a financial professional with Prudential Advisors and Managing Partner of Capaha Partners, LLC. In both her roles she works with small to mid-sized businesses and business owners achieving their financial goals through planning for retirement, education, disability and legacy completion.

Gina believes that education and exposure to new ideas and cultures has the power to change a persons’ life enabling them to seize upon opportunities to improve themselves and make a positive impact on our society. She is a firm believer that we all have something to contribute and we all have a responsibility to help someone along the way. Gina is an alumna of Marquette University and she and her husband are proud parents of two adult children.

Ella McCann is the International Program Associate at Chicago Sister Cities International, a division of World Business Chicago. Originally from Chicago, she moved to California to attend the Johnston Center at the University of Redlands and then to Japan to teach English on the JET Program. 

Ella graduated with a degree in “Language as a Tool to Breakdown Cultural Barriers”. Previously she worked for the Consulate-General of Japan in Chicago as the Outreach Coordinator, introducing Chicagoans to Japanese culture, doing translation work, and working with Japanese diplomats in Chicago. As a member of the 20 Second Timeout Foundation, Ella is working on a mentorship program for alumni that will encourage past participants to help current participants through school and beyond.

Foundation co-founder, Lydia B. Jones is an entrepreneur and philanthropist dedicated to empowering those with smaller voices and advancing the small business community. Lydia is a staunch advocate of mentorship programs and is committed to giving back, as she has been on the receiving end as a mentee during her lengthy career. Lydia has been the proprietor of various businesses over many years, all of which were established for the betterment of the community, its employees and their families. 

Lydia strongly believes that knowledge, wealth, power and influence originate from adding value to people’s lives. From spear-heading efforts for sustainable real estate development and living to preserving the planet’s natural resources, Lydia’s interests are limitless. Her devotion to promoting balanced wealth management propelled her to become a financial advisor and is the CEO and President of Living Modern Luxury, a luxury real estate firm. Branford Aspen, LLC is a where modern and luxury living meets generating capital. Originally from Washington, DC., Lydia is a resident of Oak Park, Illinois and is a graduate of DePaul University.