Illinois Business Consulting is student led and student driven. Students apply for the leadership positions and are selected based on their prior IBC experience, work experience, project management skills, leadership capabilities and interpersonal communication skills. The Student Leadership Team is responsible for running the consulting operation, staffing the projects and performing key marketing, operations and training activities. Student Senior Managers are responsible for ensuring the successful execution of the client projects under their supervision.
Student Director
Ken Fairbanks
Ken Fairbanks graduated from Michigan State University in 2009 with a Bachelor’s degree in Finance and a concentration in Marketing. Currently, Ken is a second year MBA student at the University of Illinois with a focus in Strategic Management. Prior to joining the Illinois MBA program, Ken worked for GCG Financial Inc. as an Associate in Investments and Financial Planning. During the summer of 2011 he worked for Allstate Insurance in the company’s financial division as a Training Consultant. Ken has been with IBC since August 2010, completing three projects and has held positions as Consultant, Project Manager and most recently Student Director.
Senior Managers
Megan Cook
Megan is a senior majoring in Finance and Accountancy and in her sixth semester with Illinois Business Consulting. In IBC she has worked with clients ranging from Fortune 500 corporations to local and international start-ups during her time as a Consultant and Project Manager. This summer Megan interned with Ernst and Young doing advisory in the Financial Services Office. On campus she is involved in the Sigma Kappa sorority and Order of Omega honor society.
Elijah Han
Elijah is an undergraduate senior in the College of Business with a double major in Accountancy and Finance. He joined IBC in Fall 2009 as a Consultant on a project for a metal finishing company. In the spring, he was the Project Manager on an engagement for a pension fund. As a Project Manager, he led the team to build financial models and analyze risks for six investment portfolios. This past summer, he worked at Grant Thornton LLP and worked at Mitsubishi previous summers. Elijah is also an active member of the Business Council.
Michelle Jang
Michelle is currently an undergraduate senior pursuing a degree in Chemical Engineering. She joined IBC in the fall of 2010 and as a consultant she conducted marketing analysis and created a business plan for a start-up biotechnology company. The following semester, she was promoted to Project Manager, where she managed a team to create a better marketing strategy and strengthen internal organization for a local education institution. In addition to her role in IBC, Michelle is also a research assistant for Dr. Kong, working under a scholarship from the National Science Foundation for Emergent Behavior of Integrated Cellular Systems. This past summer, Michelle interned with Accenture as an analyst on a systems integration project for a utility company.
Natalie Keable
Natalie Keable graduated from the University of Illinois in 2010 with a B.S. in Architectural Studies. Currently, Natalie is pursing an MBA with concentrations in Strategic Management and Marketing. During her undergraduate years she was a member of Fighting Illini Co-Ed Cheerleading, Delta Delta Delta Sorority, and Women in Architecture. She is experienced in market analysis, business tool development, and the implementation of social media marketing. Natalie is a LEED Green Associate, and is in the processes of becoming a LEED Accredited Professional. She is currently working as an associate project manager at Jones Lang LaSalle in its Projects and Development Services division. This is her third semester with IBC.
Katie Kilbridge
Katie is an undergraduate junior in the College of Business majoring in Accountancy. Katie has been involved in IBC since the fall of 2010 and has project experience ranging from strategic analysis to researching environmentally friendly agricultural techniques. Katie is also involved in Business Council, a professional organization associated with the College of Business, where she assisted with coordinating volunteers for the Career Fair. Additionally, Katie assists with recruitment efforts for the College of Business Honors Program and enjoys creating a community garden with CU-Garden in Champaign-Urbana. Katie’s past experience includes interning at Wintrust Financial Corporation in their Internal Audit department.
Bruno Kolb
Bruno is an undergraduate senior in the College of Business double majoring in Accountancy and Finance. Bruno has been involved in IBC since the fall of 2009 and previously worked on four engagements for IBC. Bruno's project experience includes market analysis, financial analysis and risk assessment and investment research. Bruno is also involved with Illinois Investment Banking. Bruno just completed an internship as an investment banking summer analyst at William Blair and Company in Chicago and will be starting as a full time analyst after graduation.
Jenna Myers
Jenna is an undergraduate senior in the College of Business majoring in Business Process Management with a minor in Chemistry. She has been involved in IBC since the spring of 2011 as a consultant and project manager. Her project experience includes competitive analysis, market analysis, and business development with a start-up biotechnology firm and a metal finishing company. Outside of IBC, Jenna is involved in Alpha Kappa Psi Business Fraternity and has been a section leader for BUS 101, an introductory course for freshmen. Jenna has also interned with Baker Tilly LLP as a management consultant and will be working with Teach for America as a Corps Member in Memphis, TN after graduation.
Ameet Prahlad
Ameet received his bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and Engineering from R.V. College of Engineering, India in 2004 and is currently pursuing an MBA. Prior to joining the Illinois MBA, he worked as an IT Consultant for Tata Consultancy Services (TCS). During his tenure at TCS, Ameet served in roles ranging from software development to project management for various assignments in the Banking and Financial Services Industry Solutions Unit. During the summer of 2011, Ameet interned with the Office of the CTO at Sprint Nextel as Technology Development and Strategist Intern. Ameet also serves as the President of the Operations and Technology Management Association. Ameet has been involved with IBC for the last 2 semesters.
Adam Russell
Adam studied at the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom where he gained his Bachelor’s and Master’s in Aerospace Engineering. Adam is currently a 2nd year MBA student focusing on Strategy and Finance. During his time at Bristol, Adam spent three summer internships working for an Engineering Consulting engaging with civil and military aerospace clients. Adam played soccer for the University of Bristol and being part of the ski team. More recently Adam has been highly involved in IBC as this is now his forth semester in the organization. He has worked with a variety of clients in the energy, real estate and financial service industries. This past summer Adam interned with Deloitte in their Enterprise Risk Services department based out of Chicago.
Steve Sash
Steve received his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Saint Louis University in 2007, and is currently in his 2nd year of the Illinois MBA program. Prior to joining the Illinois MBA program, Steve worked in a Rotational Program at Cintas Corp. He gained exposure and responsibility in areas of operations management, six sigma, and sales & marketing. Steve’s primary focus of study at Illinois MBA will be Finance. During the summer of 2011, Steve was an Investment Banking Summer Associate for a regional boutique investment bank in St. Louis. Steve worked as a consultant for IBC during the fall of 2010, was promoted to Project Manager in the spring of 2011, and is now a Senior Manager. He was involved in 2 projects during the 2010-2011 year; One for the University of Illinois, and the other for USG - a F500 construction materials company based in Chicago.
Brian Schneider
Brian received his bachelor’s degree in Finance from the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign in 2006. He is currently in his 1st year in the Illinois MBA program and is a member Illinois Deans' Fellow program. Prior to joining the Illinois MBA Program, Brian worked for 4 years in the Disputes & Investigations Practice at Navigant Consulting in Chicago. While at Navigant, Brian specialized in accounting fraud investigations and quantifying damages in corporate litigation and disputes. He also worked for a year at Grosvenor Capital Management as an analyst on the software development team. Brian joined IBC as a Project Manager in the fall of 2011 and he is now a Senior Manager and member of the Senior Leadership Team. In addition to IBC, Brian also serves as the CFO and Director of Consulting Services for the Kola Foundation, which is a non-profit organization founded in 2010 by a group of Illinois MBA students.
Diana Vallejo
Diana is a second year MBA student at University of Illinois. She interned at ADM during the Summer 2011 as a member of the Leadership Development Program focusing on business development and strategic planning. Diana completed a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from Purdue University in 2003. After graduation, she joined General Electric - Consumer and industrial as a member of the Operations Management Leadership Program. After two years, she took a job as a production manager in the laundry plant to lead the high-end assembly operation. Later she moved to the quality team as the hydraulics subsystem leader where she received her Six Sigma Black Belt Certification. Diana has been with IBC since August 2010 and has held positions as Consultant, Project Manager and most recently Senior Manager.
Testimonials
Blair Dial
Marketing Director
ILMO Products Company
