Meet the Rock Stars Behind Your Growth
Led by an all-women leadership team and backed by expert partners across Illinois, we're delivering hands-on, tailored support to help your business rise and thrive.
Our Trusted Network
At the Small Business Growth Initiative, you’re supported by a powerful, all-women team of professionals dedicated to your business success. We’ve carefully curated a network of external experts — including bilingual CPAs, experienced attorneys, lenders, and tax specialists — who work under the direction of AEMC and are fully integrated into your support team. Assigned based on your unique business needs, these partners meet with you directly via Zoom and collaborate behind the scenes to deliver seamless, specialized guidance at every stage of your growth.
Kristal V. Stevenson, CPA, MBA
Program Director, President & Founder, Anderson’s Enterprise Management Corporation
Highlights
- Licensed Illinois CPA with 20+ years of experience in tax strategy, accounting systems, and small business advisory
- Leads delivery strategy, program oversight, and technical assistance coordination for the initiative
- Experience supporting entrepreneurs with financial readiness, operational planning, and access-to-capital preparation
- Oversees quality control, compliance alignment, and participant service delivery standards
- Founder of AEMC, a licensed Illinois public accounting firm serving businesses across multiple industries
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Kristal Stevenson is a powerhouse CPA and visionary behind Anderson’s Enterprise Management Corporation (AEMC), a firm she built from the ground up with one mission in mind: to help underserved entrepreneurs turn hustle into legacy.
With more than 20 years of experience in tax strategy, financial advisory, and business development, Kristal leads with both precision and heart. She’s advised hundreds of small business owners—from start-ups to 7-figure firms—on everything from tax resolution to securing capital. Her gift lies in making the complex feel possible, and her track record speaks for itself: clients walk away more informed, more confident, and better positioned for growth.
As the architect of the Small Business Growth Initiative (SBGI), Kristal directs the program with a laser focus on impact, equity, and results. She ensures every participant receives practical, personalized support—because she knows firsthand what it takes to build a business that lasts.
When she’s not leading strategy or advocating for entrepreneurs, Kristal is hosting “Conversations with a CPA,” her signature platform where she breaks down money, mindset, and the realities of building wealth—especially for women, BIPOC communities, and first-generation founders.
Pamela Johnson, RN, MBA, MPH
Intake Coordinator
Highlights
- Oversees participant onboarding, intake review, and initial eligibility coordination
- Brings extensive experience in healthcare administration, regulatory systems, and participant engagement
- Supports intake workflows, communication routing, and participant readiness for service delivery
- Helps ensure businesses are connected efficiently to appropriate technical assistance resources
- Provides a participant-centered onboarding experience with a focus on clarity, responsiveness, and support
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Pamela Johnson brings a rare combination of heart, discipline, and deep regulatory knowledge to her role as Intake Coordinator for the Small Business Growth Initiative. With over two decades of experience as a Registered Nurse and healthcare administrator, Pamela is a natural connector—skilled at listening, assessing, and guiding individuals toward the support they need.
Her background includes leadership roles in case management, utilization review, and compliance across major organizations like Blue Cross Blue Shield, Molina Healthcare, and the Illinois Department of Central Management Services. She’s led multidisciplinary teams, managed complex systems of care, and educated professionals on federal and state standards.
At SBGI, Pamela is often the first voice participants hear—and they quickly realize they’re in good hands. She manages onboarding with compassion and clarity, making sure every business owner feels welcomed, heard, and ready to succeed. Her attention to detail and people-first mindset ensure that no one falls through the cracks.
Whether she’s navigating intake logistics or simply offering reassurance, Pamela’s presence sets the tone for the quality and care participants can expect throughout their journey with SBGI.
Venice Chaplin
Stakeholder & Capital Access Manager
Highlights
- Manages stakeholder relationships and strategic partner engagement across the program network
- Coordinates outreach initiatives that expand awareness of available technical assistance services
- Supports ecosystem-building efforts with lenders, community organizations, and resource partners
- Assists with participant resource alignment and capital readiness pathway coordination
- Brings project execution, coalition-building, and program operations experience
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Venice brings a rare blend of precision, passion, and project execution to her role as Stakeholder & Capital Access Manager for the Small Business Growth Initiative (SBGI). With over 8 years of experience managing high-impact programs across the nonprofit, corporate, and education sectors, Venice is the engine behind our program’s ability to connect small business owners with the resources and partnerships they need to grow.
She has led statewide initiatives serving thousands, coordinated events for over 1,000 attendees, and built stakeholder coalitions that drive real outcomes—skills that directly fuel SBGI’s commitment to community and capital access. Her background in engineering, Lean Six Sigma, and agile project management makes her exceptionally equipped to keep our program running with efficiency and empathy.
Whether she’s streamlining our partner network or ensuring entrepreneurs get the support they deserve, Venice’s dedication to inclusive economic development and her natural ability to uplift others make her a driving force in the success of SBGI. Simply put—she’s a rock star, and we’re lucky to have her.
Trusted Network of Experts
In addition to our core team, SBGI works with a hand-selected group of licensed CPAs, attorneys, credit specialists, and business advisors. These professionals are brought in based on each participant’s needs and are fully integrated into our program through a collaborative service model. All partners meet with participants virtually via Zoom and are bound by confidentiality and quality standards under AEMC’s direction.
Legal Support
Legal Guidance You Can Trust
The SBGI program is supported by experienced legal professionals who offer critical expertise in small business law, real estate, and commercial transactions. Our legal advisors play an essential role in helping participants navigate business formation, contract review, compliance, and risk management. These attorneys are deeply committed to economic empowerment and have a strong track record of serving diverse, underrepresented communities. Their involvement strengthens our ability to deliver comprehensive, responsible technical assistance—ensuring our participants are protected and positioned for growth.
Accounting & Tax Support
Vetted Tax and Accounting Support
Our program includes a team of vetted CPA and accounting partners who deliver expert support in tax strategy, bookkeeping, and IRS compliance — all under the AEMC umbrella. These professionals work directly with clients through our systems (QuickBooks, tax prep platforms, and secure portals), ensuring consistent quality and accountability across the board.
Every accounting partner is handpicked by AEMC and assigned based on your business needs — giving you expert insights without the burden of managing multiple service providers.
Lender & Capital Access Support
Our Network for Funding
Our program connects SBGI participants with banking professionals and community-based lenders who understand the barriers small and minority-owned businesses often face when seeking capital. We provide tailored loan readiness guidance and match participants with vetted partners who evaluate funding opportunities based on each entrepreneur’s unique situation.
Participants also gain access to extended financial resources — including free credit counseling and capital access advisors who can support those still working toward loan readiness.
This collaborative model ensures that whether you’re ready to apply now or preparing for future financing, you have a clear, supported path forward.
Note: All lending decisions are made independently by participating banks or partner organizations. AEMC and the SBGI program do not guarantee approval or provide lending directly, but ensure participants are thoroughly prepared and aligned with suitable options.
Community & Financial Empowerment Partner
The K.E.Y.A. Foundation serves as a community-based partner within the SBGI ecosystem, supporting early-stage financial literacy, entrepreneurship exposure, and life-skills education for youth and emerging entrepreneurs. Through its partnership with Operation HOPE’s One Million Black Businesses (1MBB) initiative, the Foundation helps connect individuals to no-cost financial coaching, credit education, and small business development resources designed to strengthen financial confidence and long-term economic readiness.
By providing access to foundational education and trusted nonprofit resources upstream, The K.E.Y.A. Foundation complements SBGI’s technical assistance and capital readiness services, helping ensure participants are better prepared to engage in advanced business advisory and funding pathways when eligible.
Note: The K.E.Y.A. Foundation and Operation HOPE operate as independent nonprofit organizations. Participation in Foundation or Operation HOPE programs does not guarantee eligibility for SBGI services, funding, or loan approval. Program availability is subject to partner capacity and applicable eligibility requirements.