Chapter Officers

Back in eighth grade, I fielded 18 classmates’ calls for help within 24 hours before an assignment on assembly language was due. Those classmates always believed I’d end up working with computers. As for me, enabling them to understand the material delighted me.

Interested in how people learn, I pursued my Ph.D. in cognitive psychology, focusing on mathematical reasoning. As a grad student, I also improved communication within and beyond the department by setting up and maintaining the department’s website (debuting it in 1994).

Since then, with my commitment to greater understanding, quality service, and clear communication, I do that “computer work,” while enabling colleagues and clients to solve problems and understand how to use or build technology solutions.

Arun Karthick Shanmugam (AK) is a distinguished Senior Advisor and Enterprise Architect with two decades of expertise in IT, specializing in Microsoft Dynamics Suite of Products, client/project management, presales consulting, business process reengineering, and more. He has a proven track record in various industries, including retail, manufacturing, automotive, and telecom, among others. At HSO Enterprise Solutions LLC, he leads as a Senior Solutions Architect, managing and architecting Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance and Supply Chain Projects. Arun is adept at business process reengineering, developing POCs, and leading high-value engagements. His skill set encompasses Dynamics 365, AX versions, CRM, and NAV solution

Arun holds an MBA in Management Information Systems and Marketing from Madurai Kamaraj University, along with numerous certifications in Microsoft suite of products and TOGAF, among others.

Marci Watts, MBA, FLMI, ACS, ARA, CTM, SAFe 6 SP, SAF3 6 POPM, SAFe 6 APM has over 25 years’ experience working as a Business Analyst/ Product Owner/ Product Manager for Allstate Insurance Company in its auto and property insurance lines. Marci also has 25+ years of volunteer experience with organizations such as Junior Achievement and Community Threads.

Marci holds a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration with a minor in Economics from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, and an MBA from Lake Forest Graduate School of Management. She holds several SAFe Agile certifications and is working on her IIBA Agile and Product Ownership Analysis certifications.

Renata Sala-Helton has a diverse IT background in the insurance and healthcare industry, including working with a variety of IT systems development: managing and developing projects, forecasting information, providing data analysis, reporting and cleansing, providing process analysis, design, and preparation, which streamlined project management methodology across three IT areas, PMs, BAs, and business clients. To develop herself professionally she completed courses in Business Analysis, Agile Scrum Master, JIRA, Tableau, and PMP Exam prep training.

In addition, Renata enjoys volunteering, especially in the IIBA Chicagoland Chapter in the area of Social Media, and her daughter’s school.

Renata holds a Bachelor of Arts - BA from Loyola University of Chicago, where she majored in Political Science and English, and a minor in Computer Science and Mathematics; she also holds a Computer Programming and System Design Certificate in Computer Career Program (CCP) from DePaul University, Chicago, and Certification of Information Technology Project Management from Computer Training Source, Inc.

Lola Adesegha is a Transformational Leader with a global footprint and ability to navigate complex organizational challenges across both the private and public sectors. With a robust background spanning Banking, Business Analysis, Project, and Change Management, she bridges the gap between high-level strategy and operational excellence. Throughout her career, Lola has remained dedicated to ensuring that technology, processes, and people work in harmony. Whether she is collaborating on cutting-edge software, coaching career transitions, or guiding an entrepreneur through the hurdles of a new venture, her focus remains on sustainable growth and measurable results.

Meredith Schmidt has 10+ years’ experience working in the financial markets, fulfilling a variety of roles that all have centered around business analysis, including business data analytics, customer experience, business process improvements, and business analysis as a service. She has conceptualized and gained executive support to invest in business analysis as a service and has since built out the practice at OCC.

She’s hands-on in development and plays a critical role in the mentorship and oversight of analysts fulfilling the BA role. She has a passion for business analysis and believes it’s the foundation to success on all endeavors.