Recap: 3rd Annual ReDo Entrepreneurship Summit

Watch recordings from this year’s ReDo Summit here.

As we move into fall, we’re pausing to reflect on one of the highlights of our summer: the 3rd Annual ReDo Entrepreneurship Summit, hosted on July 9 by Chicago:Blend in partnership with VITALIZE Venture Capital.

This year’s Summit gathered more than 200 investors, founders, and changemakers to celebrate and elevate the role of women in business and entrepreneurship. With energy and insights flowing all day, it was a reminder of how powerful it is when the entrepreneurial community comes together with intention.

A Day of Powerful INSIGHTS

The Summit, presented by William Blair, featured an inspiring mix of keynotes, panels, and spotlight talks that left attendees energized and challenged to think differently about inclusion in entrepreneurship.

Highlights included:

• Keynotes from Abena Boamah-Acheampong (Hanahana Beauty) and ​COL (IL) Jennifer Pritzker (TAWANI Enterprises, Inc.), who each shared stories of resilience, leadership, and the future of entrepreneurship.

• A conversation on the evolving role of philanthropy in catalyzing entrepreneurship, featuring leaders from major foundations.

• A panel on starting an investment firm, offering practical insights from trailblazing fund managers.

• Spotlight presentations on timely topics shaping today’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

• ...and much more!

🎥 Couldn’t make it, or want to revisit the conversations? We’ve made video recordings of every panel, talk, and presentation available below (or click here to view the entire playlist).

Summit Recordings

Keynote: "Risk & Resilience: Building Success Across Battlefields & Boardrooms"

Col. Jennifer Pritzker, President & CEO of TAWANI Enterprises, Inc., talks about “Risk and Resilience: Building Success Across Battlefields and Boardrooms,” followed by an intimate Q&A moderated by Chicago:Blend CEO Joey Mak.

Keynote: "Build it Anyway: Leading Through Uncertainty & Creativity"

Hanahana Beauty founder Abena Boamah-Acheampong talks about creativity and leading through uncertainty.

ReDo Summit Recap

The 3rd Annual ReDo Summit by Chicago:Blend took place on July 9, 2025, bringing together more than 200 leaders, founders, and changemakers to celebrate and elevate the role of women in business and entrepreneurship.

Spotlight: "Data, Deals, and Disruption: A New Era in VC"

NVCA’s Research Director Shiloh Tillemann-Dick gives us a preview on what’s happening in the economy and its impact on entrepreneurs and fundraising.

Panel: "Making an Impact"

Panelists discuss the power of philanthropic investment in entrepreneurship.

• Nathan Stevens, Senior Program Officer, The Coleman Foundation

• Paul Sznewajs, Executive Director, The Richard L. Duchossois Foundation

• Brenda Darden Wilkerson, President & CEO, AnitaB.org

• Nancy Bonges, Head of Community Engagement, William Blair (moderator)

Spotlight: "The Key Ingredients for a Healthy Ecosystem"

Cooley LLP’s SVP of Business Development Alya Adamany Woods talks about empowering women entrepreneurs in Chicago and the key ingredients needed to build a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Panel: "Starting an Investment Firm"

Panelists discuss the ins and outs of building an investment firm.

​• Betsy Fore, Founding Partner & Managing Director, Velveteen Ventures

• ​Karen Kerr, General Partner, Exposition Ventures

• Dipa Mehta, Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Valeo Ventures

​• Desiree Vargas Wrigley, Founding General Partner, Velocity Catalyst - moderator

Spotlight: "Building a Practice, Building a Family"

Anastasia Slivker, Partner at Norton Rose Fulbright, talks about the challenges of building her law practice while building her family.

Panel: "WooWoo in Business"

“WooWoo in Business" explores how intuitive, creative, and nontraditional practices—often dismissed as ‘woo-woo’—can actually spark innovation, build resilience, and bring fresh perspective to entrepreneurship and leadership.

​• Robyn Miller Brecker, Co-Founder / President / Host, Seeking Center

• ​Michelle Nolan, Tarot Therapist & Channel, Inner Arrow

• Mary Beth Rodriguez, Founder, With/Ritual

• Gale Wilkinson, Founder & Managing Partner, VITALIZE Venture Capital - moderator

Gratitude to Our EVENT Partners

This convening would not have been possible without the generous support of our sponsors and partners:

Thank you to our Event Supporters! William Blair • Cooley LLP • Norton Rose Fulbright • Greenberg Traurig • Lofty Ventures • Spark • Three Cities Social • Wells Fargo • Mmmm...Enjoy • Sweet Thing Shop • TAWANI Enterprises, Inc. • VITALIZE Venture Capital

Thank you to the TAWANI Enterprises creative services team for capturing the day through photography and videography.

Why It Matters

At Chicago:Blend, we believe that creating spaces like the ReDo Summit is essential to building a more inclusive and dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem. These conversations not only spotlight extraordinary leaders but also spark the connections and ideas that move our community forward.

If you weren’t able to join us this summer, we invite you to experience the Summit through the full set of recordings. We hope you’ll be inspired by the voices of founders, funders, and changemakers who are reshaping the future of entrepreneurship.

👉 Watch the videos now

Together, we can continue to reimagine and rebuild a stronger, more inclusive business landscape.

A Special Thank You

The ReDo Summit was founded by Gale Wilkinson, Founding Managing Partner at VITALIZE Venture Capital and board member of Chicago:Blend. Huge thanks to Gale and her team for bringing this year’s Summit to life!