Stacey Pitts Caldwell

Ignited by her passion for helping entrepreneurs thrive, and energized by her experience in business, development, and non-profit management, Stacey has nearly 20 years of professional experience within the areas of management, business and more recently non-profit leadership and fundraising. As owner of SMP Creative Business and Design™, a boutique graphic design firm, Stacey continues to be a resource and helps small businesses with their branding needs.

Previous to her current role, Stacey led small business efforts at the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce. Through individual advising, program development and community outreach, as the Executive Center Director, Stacey worked to elevate and bring awareness to the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC), an invaluable resource in the small business ecosystem.  

Born and raised on the South Side of Chicago, Stacey earned both her Bachelor of Arts in Management (BA) and Master of Business Administration (MBA) degrees from Benedictine University. Currently pursuing a PhD in Business Psychology, Stacey has a renewed focus on organizational development and change management, particularly through the lens of connecting the behaviors and actions of people as a contribution to a more equitable and inclusive workplace. 

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With dynamic presence and strong passions for the advancement of Black young professionals, entrepreneurs and leaders, Stacey is also a wife, mother of her only daughter and two doggie daughters, small business owner, scholar, and trusted advisor within the entrepreneurship space, who enjoys wearing multiple hats and is fulfilled by strategic execution of ideas and innovation.