Cook County Supports for Creative Small Businesses
Tuesday, July 28
2-3pm
Virtual
Arts Alliance Illinois is a new Cook County Small Business Source referral partner. This webinar will provide more information on the program and how to access its free business advising services, small operating loans, and other resources. This program is designed particularly to meet the needs of small businesses (less than 20 employees) and micro businesses (less than 10). Megan Lewis, AICP, will be joined by Krista Elam, Cook County Bureau of Economic Development, who will give a program overview, and Arts Alliance Creative Worker Program Director Sasha Ongtengco, who will speak to the specific needs of creative businesses. Learn more about the Cook County Small Business Source here.
Arts Alliance Illinois is a new Cook County Small Business Source referral partner. This webinar will provide more information on the program and how to access its free business advising services, small operating loans, and other resources. This program is designed particularly to meet the needs of small businesses (less than 20 employees) and micro businesses (less than 10). Megan Lewis, AICP, will be joined by Krista Elam, Cook County Bureau of Economic Development, who will give a program overview, and Arts Alliance Creative Worker Program Director Sasha Ongtengco, who will speak to the specific needs of creative businesses. Learn more about the Cook County Small Business Source here.
Speakers
Krista Kahle Elam
Krista Kahle Elam is a community and economic development leader dedicated to strengthening communities and expanding equitable opportunities across Chicago. As Manager of Community & Economic Development with the Bureau of Economic Development, she oversees initiatives designed to support local businesses, foster inclusive growth, and improve quality of life for residents. Krista is known for her collaborative approach, working closely with partners throughout the small business ecosystem to advance projects that deliver meaningful, long‑term impact. With over 25 years of experience, her work reflects a deep commitment to public service, thoughtful engagement, and building communities where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
Megan Lewis, AICP
Megan Lewis, AICP, brings more than 20 years of experience in project management, organizational development, strategic planning, relationship building, and project concepting. At Arts Alliance she oversees the Public Funding Navigator program, which conducts research and provides technical support to Illinois’s creative sector. A certified urban planner, Megan brings her ability to understand the important connection that the arts and culture sector brings to community health and vitality. She holds a BA in economics from Indiana University and master’s degree in regional planning from the University of Pennsylvania.
Sasha Ongtengco
Sasha Ongtengco oversees the Alliance’s expansion into policy, advocacy and resource development to increase the economic stability of Illinois artists and creative workers. Her previous experience with nationally recognized workforce organizations such as Cara Collective, Chicagoland Healthcare Workforce Collaborative, and Talent Rewire focused on systems-level improvements from employer policy & practice change to public/private cross-sector partnerships, all aimed at lowering barriers to strengthen workers and small businesses. Sasha holds an Economics degree from DePaul University and is a 2019 Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Fellow with the Chicagoland Workforce Leadership Academy. She also currently serves as board chair for Northwest Center in Chicago’s Belmont Cragin neighborhood. In her spare time, Sasha performs at open mics as a piano/vocalist, enjoys being an aunt, and hiking with her pitbull.
