Early Career Achievement Awards 2024 - 2025 Award Recipients

Connor Achim '16

Marketing - Professional Sales

Connor Achim is an Account Director for Crexi, a Commercial Real Estate Tech Company based in Los Angeles. There he oversees the state of Nevada and work to grow the company’s presence through market penetration and acquisition.

Previously, Connor worked for some of the most well-known tech companies in Los Angeles including Clutter Inc. where he managed a team of 80+ sales agents as well as Compass Real Estate.  There he was the strategic growth manager for Hollywood and Calabasas, CA.

Since graduating Illinois State University in 2016, Connor moved to Los Angeles, CA where he lives with his dog, Zeus. Outside of his career, Connor takes a lot of pride in his health/wellness and continues to push his physical limits. In the past few years, Connor has completed 6 half marathons, 3 full marathons, 2 triathlons, and is currently training for his first ironman race in California.

Ashley Carboni '14

Accounting

Ashley Carboni is a distinguished Manager in KPMG's Accounting Advisory Services practice. Ashley plays a crucial role in leading teams that guide clients through complex accounting challenges, including the adoption of new accounting standards, and supporting clients through acquisitions and divestitures.

Beyond her client responsibilities, Ashley is involved in several initiatives at KPMG. She instructs new staff training and leads the Chicago office's purposeful interactions event series. Ashley's commitment to the accounting profession extends into her active participation in the Illinois CPA Society.  She is a valued member of the Accounting Principles Committee, Women's Committee, and Awards Committee.

Ashley graduated from Illinois State University with a Bachelor of Sciences in Accounting in May 2014 and then went on to earn a Master of Accounting Science from Northern Illinois University in May 2016. After passing the CPA exam, Ashley started her accounting career as a Technical Associate at the IFRS Foundation in London. During her two-year tenure, Ashley gained valuable insights into international standard-setting processes and had the opportunity to travel to 20 different countries.

Outside of work, Ashley celebrated her marriage to her longtime partner Zach Joiner in September 2022. They enjoy traveling and have become homeowners in Downers Grove.

 

Renee Haning '12

MBA

Renee Haning is Director of Total Rewards at COUNTRY Financial, serving in this role since 2020. Renee joined COUNTRY in 2007 as College Relations Recruiting Coordinator. She later served as Employee Relations coordinator, Manager of Organizational Development, HR Business Partner and Manager of Compensation. Prior to COUNTRY, she worked as the Program and Event Director at McLean County Chamber of Commerce.

Renee earned a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of Illinois, Urbana and an MBA from Illinois State University, Normal. She holds the Professional in Human Resources (PHR) and SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) designations. She has previously served as President of the local BNHRC SHRM chapter and ILSHRM Conference Director.

Renee and husband Tyler live in Minier, with their three children Teagan, Ainsley, and Tagg. In her free time, she's usually cheering on her kids at a softball/baseball field or on basketball court.

 

Ellen Janssen '16

Marketing |Organizational Leaderhip

Ellen Jansen has  been at TEKsystems since 2016 on the recruiting team in several roles as recruiter, senior recruiter, onboarding coach, and specialized recruiter lead. She manages her own network of professionals to help with their career opportunities while also leading a pod of other recruiters to do the same for their networks for their career success.

Ellen enjoys coaching new recruiter training sessions  and being a co-pillar lead in her company's Health and Well Being program.

Ellen is a member of the local Alumnae Chapter of Alpha Omicron Pi. She am married to Henry Janssen and they are expecting their first child this November.

Nicole Jones '18

BS/MPA

Nicole Jones is currently in her third season as a Senior Accountant with the Chicago Cubs (yes, they talk in seasons vs. years). She is responsible for the Rooftop and Hotel businesses along with managing the accounting for our charitable organization, Cubs Charities.

Nicole plays a key role in all monthly and annual reporting requirements and takes part in all investing and capital decisions. Nicole lives in Chicago with her dog, Lottie. She enjoys attending baseball games, running, reading, and cooking.

 

Ellen Marr '17

Integrated Marketing Communications | Human Resource Management

Ellen Marr graduated from Illinois State University in 2017 with majors in Interactive Marketing Communications & Human Resource Management. She joined Spark Foundry, a leading media agency in Chicago, right after college, starting as a Media Strategy Associate. Over the past seven years, Ellen has worked with clients like Mattel, State Farm, Starbucks, and Dreyer's Ice Cream, and now serves as a Director of Digital Investment.

In her current role, Ellen manages the planning and execution of digital ad campaigns, overseeing more than $50 million in ad spend. She loves coming up with creative strategies and bringing them to life to drive results for her clients. One of Ellen's favorite parts of her job is managing a team and facilitating their growth.

Outside of work, Ellen enjoys traveling and spending time with her friends and family. She has taken advantage of opportunities to travel while working, including spending two months working from Paris.

 

Fili Miljevic '12

Finance | International Business

Filip Miljevic is a experienced private equity professional with a diverse career. Her is currently a Senior Associate at G Square Healthcare Private Equity in London, Filip has played a crucial role in several high-profile transactions and holds board positions in several European companies.

He co-led the exit of a €50m+ EBITDA European MedTech distributor, managed a UK mental health software investment, facilitated a £50m+ EBITDA merger, and creating a leading UK social care business Prior to G Square. Filip worked three years at August Equity as an Investment Executive, investing in healthcare, business services, and technology business.  

Filip began his career in New York as an Associate in Credit Suisse by joining the largest North American Private Banking team with $4bn AUM. He helped manage portfolios of UHNW individuals, investing across all asset classes. He later joined Morgan Stanley after which he moved to the UK to pursue his MBA at University of Oxford as a professional tennis player.

Dakota Niesen '15

Business Teacher Education

Dakota Neisen is a dedicated educator and coach currently residing in East Peoria, Illinois, with his wife Ashlyn and their daughter Wynter. He graduated from Illinois State University in 2015 with a degree in Business Teacher Education. Dakota began his teaching career at Mendon Unity High School, where he taught and coached boys basketball and girls track for three years. He then transitioned to Tri-Valley High School in Downs, Illinois, teaching Computer Science while coaching girls basketball and track for two years.

In his current role at Morton High School, Dakota teaches Business and continues to coach girls basketball and track. His accomplishments include coaching a state champion sprinter in 2021, serving as an assistant coach for the girls basketball team that finished 3rd in the 3A state championship in 2022, and earning the title of Distinguished Modern Classroom Educator through the Modern Classrooms Project. In 2023, he completed his Masters in Business Administration from Eastern Illinois University and became a business owner with his wife Ashlyn in May 2024. Dakota’s commitment to education and athletics reflects his passion for fostering growth and excellence in his students and athletes.

 

Nicole Poggensee  '14

Marketing

Nicole Poggensee is a experienced Content Director at Publicis Collective (formally known as Performics) in Chicago, where she leads the SEO content strategy and oversees implementation for prominent brands including Microsoft, Haleon, and OLAPLEX. With nearly a decade of experience in SEO and content marketing, Nicole excels in driving successful organic search traffic and revenue through comprehensive content programs.

In her current role, Nicole serves as a trusted partner to her clients, overseeing a team of three Content Managers across eight accounts and fosters seamless collaboration across multiple teams to drive strategic execution.

Outside of work, Nicole pursued her passion for fitness as a Pure Barre Instructor for three years, integrating her commitment to wellness with her professional endeavors. She remains actively engaged with Illinois State University, participating as a panelist for Business Week Transition Seminars in both 2020 and 2024.

 

Matt Riley '16

Finance

Matt Riley began his career at State Farm working in risk and compliance. He then made the jump from corporate risk management to personal risk management becoming a Fiduciary Officer for First National Bank and Trust. Since then, he has become the VP of Wealth Planning, helping clients to meet their prosperity goals through investments and retirement planning.

With his B.S. in Finance and minor in Financial Planning, he has continued his education journey, earning eight other designations including the Chartered Financial Consultant(R) and is currently obtaining his MBA.

On the side, Matt is co-owner of a dog daycare/boarding facility where he handles all financials. In addition to work, Matt became a member of Rotary in April of 2019, has been president of the Warner Hospital and Health Services Foundation since June 2020, and is treasurer for his church. He wouldn't be where he is today without his loving wife Alexis and their son Jameson who is destined to be a Redbird one day.

 

Penney Rodd '14

MBA

Penney Rodd started her career as an Industrial Engineer at Nissan Engine facility. After few years, she led a major supply chain project for increasing capacity. Through the project, she recognized her skills and passion in Finance and business which led her to get her MBA at Illinois State University.

After graduation, Penney started working for Sony Disk and Digital corporation as a financial analyst in early 2015 involved in many cost saving projects and process improvements. Sony decided to close that facility in few years as the products got outdated and new technologies were taking over. Yer later she received an offer from Navistar as a Sr. Financial analyst at Corporate FP&A in 2020.

In 2022, Penney was promoted to the Finance Manager role to manage overhead cost and she is still serving Navistar in this role.

 

Megan Smalter '20

Finance, Insurance and Risk Management

Megan Smalter graduated from Illinois State University in 2020 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Risk Management & Insurance and Finance with a minor in Spanish. During her time at Illinois State University, she was involved in Gamma Iota Sigma - Risk Management & Insurance Fraternity, Alpha Kappa Psi - Professional Business Fraternity, and was a Business Week mentee/mentor. Megan also was a Katie School of Insurance International Intern in Zurich, Switzerland, and studied abroad in Granada, Spain.

Megan is currently a Private Company Management Liability Underwriter at CNA Insurance. She manages a $3M book of business and maintains many broker relationships in the Chicago and Cincinnati territories. Megan is also involved in the insurance industry as the President of Rising Risk Professionals, President of Insurance Associates, a committee member of the Future PLUS Mentorship Taskforce, and an active member of the Association of Professional Insurance Women.

 

Brendan Surmeier '17

BS/MPA

Brendan Surmeier received his BS/MPA from Illinois State University in the spring of 2017. After graduation, he joined Brown CPA Firm as a staff accountant in Northbrook, Illinois. While at Brown, Brendan was involved with Federal and SALT tax compliances for families and small business. In December 2018, Brendan joined Ernst and Young as Staff Accountant in their Financial Services Office where he was promoted to Senior Tax Accountant shortly after. Around the same date as his start date, Brendan passed his final CPA exam and officially became a Certified Public Accountant.

Today, Brendan is a Tax Manger focusing on Federal Tax Compliance services for Private Equity Funds, Hedge Funds, and Mutual Funds. Brendan is married to his wife Megan. They have two children, Mason, Olivia, and their dog Willow.

 

Nathan Willard '14

Human Resource Management

Nathan Willard is the Chief Executive Officer at JSM Living, a real estate and development firm located on the University of Illinois campus. He leads the strategic planning process in an effort to provide the best possible living and leasing opportunities. Entering his 15th year at JSM, Nathan was originally hired as a Leasing Agent and worked in various part-time roles as a student.

After earning his Bachelor’s in Human Resources Management, he returned to Champaign as an HR Generalist and soon after, was promoted as the HR Manager. Nathan took on oversight of all HR, IT, and Marketing operations in 2021 and most recently, began as CEO. Nathan credits his career to the examples put forth by his parents and countless role models.

Outside of work, he enjoys coaching youth sports and spending time in the outdoors. Additionally, he appreciates the opportunity to return to campus and speak with HRM students. Today, Nathan lives in White Heath with his wife Emily and their son Landon.