Vetted Founders in the Chicago Metro

hemant jha

Screened

Executive Design & Innovation Leader specializing in product, strategy, and sustainable systems

Chicago, Illinois25y exp

“Product/system designer focused on ultra-clean, modular, customizable work/organization environments (e.g., making stations for studios and fabrication spaces). Emphasizes rules-based interaction models, restrained structural visual language, and hands-on field research/prototyping to embed industrial constraints (tolerances, load paths, safety) into intuitive, training-free user experiences.”

Jourdan Smith

Screened

Executive UX design and research leader specializing in AI, voice, and digital commerce

Chicago, IL15y exp

“Product and UX leader with high-profile experience across Amazon Prime Wardrobe, Amazon Fashion, and Alexa smart home, plus consulting work for large enterprises like Hy-Vee. Particularly compelling for roles at the intersection of product, design, and AI: they’ve built zero-to-one consumer experiences, applied ML to reduce fashion returns, and led scalable UX systems across complex ecosystems while navigating heavyweight enterprise politics.”

“Operations and growth-oriented leader who helped build McMaster-Carr's first international sales/export function, then evolved the role into UK market growth and digital marketing. Combines cross-border operational expertise with hands-on customer experience analysis, team management, and UI/UX-driven process improvement.”

Melissa Douros

Screened

Executive Product & Operations Leader specializing in FinTech, governance, and digital transformation

Buffalo Grove, IL25y exp

“Operations/product transformation leader with experience driving customer-centric operating model changes at Discover, shifting from a centralized PMO/SAFe to a Product Delivery + Scrum structure aligned to customer journeys. Cites measurable outcomes including a 54% reduction in compliance issues and 20% new product revenue growth, and currently advises a startup board mentoring a first-time founder on org structure, roadmap, and governance-focused decision-making.”

Sehar Uddin

Screened ReferencesStrong rec.

Senior Digital Marketing & Technical SEO Strategist specializing in B2B and B2C growth

Northbrook, IL9y exp

“Performance marketer with pharma advertising experience managing $50K+/month budgets across search, display, and programmatic. They highlight measurable efficiency gains—about 20% lower CPA and 30% higher conversions over two quarters—while using a structured, statistically minded testing approach and full-funnel budget allocation across Meta, TikTok, and Google. Seeking contract/freelance work.”

“Executive sales leader with 20+ years of experience spanning Director to COO/CSO/founder roles, known for building and rebuilding large sales organizations. Particularly notable for transforming a 357-person GoHealth region into the company's top performer and for creating Rewards Network's first inside sales function after 30 years of field-only selling, producing outsized early results. Brings a rare mix of public sector exposure, national-scale sales leadership, and hands-on operational design across CRM, forecasting, compliance, and manager development.”

“Seasoned entrepreneurial operator who has raised $185M across ventures in seed treatment, drone spraying, gene editing, and biofuels. Has worked closely with accelerators including AgLaunch and Iowa Startup Accelerator as both a participant and later a mentor, and is now open to either founding a new impactful company or stepping into an experienced CEO/C-suite role.”

“Serial founder and fractional CTO with 8 companies founded and 3 exits, now looking to commit full-time to a venture-backable startup. Currently advising two startups that recently raised $400K friends-and-family and $1M pre-seed, and brings thoughtful perspective on venture-scale economics, team quality, and AI disruption risk.”