Executive Team

Andre Hughes is the Global Managing Director of the newly formed Accenture Cisco Business Group and Managing Director of Accenture’s human capital, inclusion and diversity, and corporate citizenship actions and results in the United States...

Andre Hughes is the Global Managing Director of the newly formed Accenture Cisco Business Group and Managing Director of Accenture’s human capital, inclusion and diversity, and corporate citizenship actions and results in the United States. A 20-year veteran of Accenture, he has held roles of increasing responsibility including Global Managing Partner and founder of the Network Consulting Practice, which grew to more than $500 million in five years. Most recently, he was the Communications & High Technology North America Managing Partner. He is an alumnus of both Purdue University with a bachelor’s degree in Engineering, and the University of Chicago with an MBA in Finance.

Tracey Patterson is a senior manager at Accenture leading large scale global technology deployments. She works across our internal businesses to deliver leading edge and cost effective solutions...

Tracey Patterson is a senior manager at Accenture leading large scale global technology deployments. She works across our internal businesses to deliver leading edge and cost effective solutions that help optimize Accenture’s ability to serve external customers. Tracey graduated from Northwestern University’s Kellogg Graduate School of Management where she majored in Management Strategy.

Melinda Brown joined PepsiCo in 1983 and has held a variety of finance positions in Corporate and North American Beverages. After the Quaker merger, she and her family moved to Chicago and she became the Controller of Pepsi Beverages and Foods North America...

Melinda Brown joined PepsiCo in 1983 and has held a variety of finance positions in Corporate and North American Beverages. After the Quaker merger, she and her family moved to Chicago and she became the Controller of Pepsi Beverages and Foods North America. In 2006, Melinda assumed additional responsibilities as the senior business leader in charge of the Quaker business integration with One Up including all readiness and training activities. Melinda is currently the Controller of PBA and has recently been focused on the bottling integration, in addition to “finishing the One Up play.” Melinda is the executive sponsor of the EQUAL chapter in Chicago.

When she is not working, Melinda spends time “working out,” bargain shopping and exploring Chicagoland with her “retired” husband, Richard. In addition, she is the CFO of a new non profit, Powered by Action. Melinda’s daughter is a sophomore at the University of Iowa and her son is a CRM/sustainability consultant with Accenture.

Jennifer M. Mikulina is a partner in the law firm of McDermott Will & Emery LLP and is based in the Firm’s Chicago office. She focuses her practice on a broad range of intellectual property matters, including unfair competition, trademark and copyright counseling, prosecution, licensing and litigation...

Jennifer M. Mikulina is a partner in the law firm of McDermott Will & Emery LLP and is based in the Firm’s Chicago office. She focuses her practice on a broad range of intellectual property matters, including unfair competition, trademark and copyright counseling, prosecution, licensing and litigation.

Jennifer’s practice includes trademark counseling for clients in a wide variety of industries. She works with U.S. and international clients to register, maintain, protect and license trademarks, service marks and trade names. Jennifer also assists clients with copyright matters pertaining to various works of authorship, including print publications, software, multimedia presentations, web pages and online databases.

Jennifer’s intellectual property litigation experience in the areas of trademark, trade dress, unfair competition, trade secret, copyright and patent law includes cases involving computer software, consumer services, consumer products, electronics, medical devices, transaction cards and apparel construction. Jennifer frequently assists with the intellectual property aspects of corporate transactions, including financings, joint ventures, and mergers and acquisitions.

Jennifer is currently co-chair of the Chicago Pro Bono & Community Service Committee. She provides pro bono services to a variety of clients as a volunteer attorney for Lawyers for the Creative Arts. Jennifer is a member of the Board of Directors for WITS (Working in the Schools) and Lawyers for the Creative Arts. She has also volunteered with the Bet Tzedek Holocaust Survivors Justice Network, the Children and Family Justice Center at the Northwestern University School of Law, CARPLS (Coordinated Advice & Referral Program for Legal Services), the Tax Assistance Program/Ladder Up! and the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless HELP (Homeless Experience Legal Protection) Legal Assistance Program. Jennifer tutors elementary school students at Brown Elementary School in Chicago through McDermott Will & Emery’s Partners in Reading Program and was the co-Vice President of Board Development for the Literacy Chicago Associate Board. In addition, Jennifer was one of four recipients of the 2006 McDermott Will & Emery Associate Award for Outstanding Commitment and Service to the Community.

Jennifer received her B.S., with honors, in international relations, economics and political science. She is admitted to practice in Illinois and Wisconsin and before the Federal District Courts for the Northern District of Illinois and Western District of Wisconsin. While in law school, Jennifer was an intern for the Honorable Barbara B. Crabb, Chief U.S. District Court Judge for the Western District of Wisconsin.

Jennifer is a member of the American Bar Association, International Trademark Association (INTA), Intellectual Property Association of Chicago and Chicago Bar Association. She is also a member of the editorial board for the Annual Review of Intellectual Property Law Developments, published by the ABA Section of Intellectual Property Law.

Keely Stewart is an associate in the law firm of McDermott Will & Emery LLP and is based in the Firm's Chicago office. He counsels commercial banks, hedge funds, private equity funds, non-profit organizations and other businesses, with respect to a diverse range of finance matters, mergers and acquisitions, reorganizations, work-outs, business formation, strategic planning and general corporate matters...

Keely Stewart is an associate in the law firm of McDermott Will & Emery LLP and is based in the Firm's Chicago office. He counsels commercial banks, hedge funds, private equity funds, non-profit organizations and other businesses, with respect to a diverse range of finance matters, mergers and acquisitions, reorganizations, work-outs, business formation, strategic planning and general corporate matters.

Keely frequently represents, agents, arrangers, lenders, participants, borrowers and equity sponsors in the negotiation, documentation and administration of single-lender and syndicated financings for public and private companies of varying sizes and credit qualities. Keely has experience in a wide variety of transactions ranging in size from several million dollars to $1 billion.

Keely is admitted to practice in Illinois.

Marlon officially joined Abbott in December 2007 as the Divisional Vice President of Global Talent Acquisition. Prior to Abbott, Marlon served as the Senior Director of Staffing for The Home Depot, Inc...

Marlon officially joined Abbott in December 2007 as the Divisional Vice President of Global Talent Acquisition.

Prior to Abbott, Marlon served as the Senior Director of Staffing for The Home Depot, Inc. During his nearly 6 years with the Home Depot, Marlon held a succession of managerial roles, including Manager of Strategic Planning, Senior Manager of Technology & Operations, and Director of Retail Staffing.

Prior to Home Depot, Marlon worked as an Engagement Manager with McKinsey & Company, an international business consulting firm. During his 5 years with the firm, Marlon’s roles included Business Analyst and Associate, during which time he consulted to Fortune 100 companies in the US and Europe.

Marlon is a graduate of the Harvard Business School, where he earned his M.B.A. and holds a B.A. in Corporate Finance from Morehouse College.

Myrtelle Chery has 13 years of experience in project management including both commercial/industrial constructions and major civil engineering projects. Myrtelle is a Senior Project Planner for SNC-Lavalin...

Myrtelle Chery has 13 years of experience in project management including both commercial/industrial constructions and major civil engineering projects. Myrtelle is a Senior Project Planner for SNC-Lavalin, one of the leading engineering and construction groups in the world, currently working in 100 countries. Myrtelle has a bachelor degree in urban planning and a masters degree in Engineer Project Management. In parallel to her professional success, she founded the MosaikART gallery in order to promote emerging artists.

Reverend Dr. Alexis L. Felder is the co-founder and president of The Joseph Assignment Global Initiative, a not-for-profit organization and international NGO committed to responding to the basic needs of people living in poverty around the world...

Reverend Dr. Alexis L. Felder is the co-founder and president of The Joseph Assignment Global Initiative, a not-for-profit organization and international NGO committed to responding to the basic needs of people living in poverty around the world through sustainable initiatives. The JAGI currently has programs in Ghana, Haiti, Angola, South Africa, China, India, Guatemala, Burkina Faso, Brazil, Burundi, Liberia and the United States. Dr. Alexis has worked in the international department of the YMCA in the area of program development where she implemented social transformation programs on the continent of Africa, Europe, Philippines, Nicaragua and Argentina. She is an alumnus of Saint Leo University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Religious Studies and Psychology, with an emphasis in Philosophy, she holds a Master of Theological Studies Degree in New Testament from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary at Northwestern University, and she received her Doctor of Ministry Degree from McCormick Theological Seminary in social transformation.

Dr. Alexis is motivated by the principle, “Just because people are born into poverty; does not mean they are destined to a life of poverty.”

A woman of vision, Michelle is also a business entrepreneur, ministry leader, international speaker, television and radio personality, and mother of four...

A woman of vision, Michelle is also a business entrepreneur, ministry leader, international speaker, television and radio personality, and mother of four. She has worked as a leading business consultant for George Barna, John Maxwell’s INJOY, Bee Alive, American Association of Christian Counselors, Extraordinary Women, Family Restoration, and has assisted to achieve long term goals and objectives for major ministry leaders and church organizations.

In 1999 Michelle founded Shine Magazine, a general interest women's publication highlighting articles on fashion, travel and health. Her role as Editor-in-Chief allowed for wonderful interviews with well known personalities and leaders, such as First Lady Laura Bush, Anne Graham Lotz, Michael W. Smith, Kurt Warner, Chuck and Gena Norris, Beth Moore, and many more. Today in partnership with Tammy Maltby, she is President of "It's a Good Life" itsagoodlife.tv an organization focused on creating a life of meaning through and purpose through food.

Michelle is the wife of Michael Thornton, President of the Urban Restoration Team and the mother of four children, Joshua 18, Aaron 17, Madison, 15, and Jacob 13 and lives with her family in Nashville, TN.

Carolynn D'Antino is a Change Management Consultant at Accenture and has over 10 years of project management experience. Carolynn and her family have been involved as board members and volunteers to numerous charitable causes...

Carolynn D'Antino is a Change Management Consultant at Accenture and has over 10 years of project management experience. Carolynn and her family have been involved as board members and volunteers to numerous charitable causes. Because of her philanthropy, Carolynn has a deep experience with the media, marketing, event planning, and public relations of non-profit charities. She serves as an ambassador to several civic & global Initiatives, youth at risk and educational programs, environmental concerns, and disease research. Enabling her network and sharing her enthusiasm is what makes her a productive philanthropist and influential civic leader.

Carolynn D'Antino's philosophy is, "I feel every person on the planet has an obligation to give back somehow. Some people do it with kind words and a smile. I just add my network and my drive. Philanthropy is a choice. However, to me, it is my responsibility, but more importantly it's my passion."

Kathy Samuels is an Executive with Accenture Technology Labs, focused on helping clients understand the impact future technology will have on their business and developing a strategy and plan to managing it.

Kathy Samuels is an Executive with Accenture Technology Labs, focused on helping clients understand the impact future technology will have on their business and developing a strategy and plan to managing it.

Born in Kingston, Jamaica, the youngest of six children, Kathy moved with her family to Miami when she was five. Growing up, everyone in her family was interested in puzzles and technology and Kathy took her interest in problem-solving with her: she majored in biomedical engineering at the University of Florida and spent her summers interning at NASA, helping scientists replicate space experiments on the ground.

Within Accenture, Kathy became known for her expertise in imaging as well as her focus on government. While non-defense-related government agencies are not typically considered early adopters of emerging technologies, Kathy enjoys the opportunity to present options that enable the organizations to make quantum leaps in their way of thinking and working—such as using imaging to move toward a paperless environment.

A commitment to Accenture and to innovation has led Kathy to take on additional roles as well; she serves as the Chicago lead for the Accenture African American Interest Group and the Labs' Great Place to Work for Women initiative. "We cannot be innovative without a diverse set of backgrounds, perspectives and ideas," she explains. "Accenture is very focused on promoting diversity and expects everyone to take responsibility for achieving their own goals. If I can help by showing someone my path—which they may choose to follow a little or a lot—I'm happy to do that."

Just as Kathy values the Labs as a forum to reinvent oneself, she finds ways to reinvent who she is outside of work as well. "Every summer I focus on something different, something I have never done before. It can be French lessons, traveling to a new place, playing tennis, whatever, as long as it's new and stretching me in new ways. It doesn't always work out, but then again, I can always look forward to the next summer and the new experiences it will bring."

David Trier is a manager within Accenture’s Technology Labs, the Research and Development division of Accenture. In Dave’s 5+ year tenure in the Labs, his area of focus has been the Human Interaction and Performance initiative...

David Trier is a manager within Accenture’s Technology Labs, the Research and Development division of Accenture. In Dave’s 5+ year tenure in the Labs, his area of focus has been the Human Interaction and Performance initiative, which explores how emerging technologies can help improve the way in which people work with each other and with IT systems. In his spare time, Dave has been involved with several initiatives to help implement technology solutions for non-profits. Most recently, he has worked with the Humanitarian Free and Open Source Software (HFOSS) team. Dave obtained his BS in Electrical Engineering at the University of Notre Dame.