You are invited to the 2025 IES Illinois Regional!
The Immigrant Entrepreneurs Summit will be hosting a day-long Summit in the Quad Cities in Moline, IL.
3) Education – Provide workshops with a variety of different business topics, from how to start a business, compliance, taxes, marketing and more.
Sponsorship & Exhibitor Opportunities are available. Contact us to learn more!
PRESENTING SPONSOR
SILVER SPONSOR
BRONZE SPONSOR
CORPORATE FRIEND SPONSOR
Catherine Tran
Immigrant Entrepreneurs Summit
Executive Director
(515) 732-8433
catherine@iesusa.org
Get signed in, network, and grab breakfast bites.
Event Welcome: Catherine Tran, Executive Director, Immigrant Entrepreneurs Summit
Welcome from the City of Moline: Alderperson Alvaro Macias, 2nd Ward
Welcome from the City of Bettendorf: Alderperson Scott Naumann, 2nd Ward and Mayor Pro Tem
Sponsor Remarks: Marcia Treichel, Community Manager, JP Morgan Chase
Keynote, “Coming Together”: Ying Sa, CEO & Managing Partner, Community CPA
These will be held in individual breakout rooms. There will be three workshop options, so select the room that fits your business life and needs.
Do you know how to make the most of your business relationships? This session explores “connection currency”—how to turn your network into real insight about your customers. Once you understand what your market needs, you can use that knowledge to grow your business. Alvaro shares lessons from his work with the Latino/a community to help you build stronger connections and use them to improve and expand your business.
Participants are encouraged to visit exhibitors.
Second Session in breakout rooms. There will be three workshops, and you will select the one that fits your business life and needs.
Participants are encouraged to visit exhibitors.
Our luncheon is a time of inspiration where we celebrate the success stories of immigrant entrepreneurs, businesses, and those who champion them.
Keynote, “Become Empowered, Educated & Elevated” by Rashida Jamison, J&M Empire Consulting
Luncheon Panel: Advice from Immigrant Entrepreneurs – We Answer Tough Questions!
– Fred Ebong, Lead Videographer and Creative Director, FE Studios
– Xavier Francis, Founder and Managing Attorney, Francis Law
– Nana Ouro-Agoro, President & CEO, AKWAABA QC
– Ying Sa, CEO & Managing Partner, Community CPA
Participants are encouraged to visit exhibitors.
Final Session of our workshop — there will be three options. Select the session that fits your business life and needs.
Are you working harder than ever but not seeing the profits or freedom you want? This hands-on workshop introduces the Six Steps to Building the Business of Your Dreams—a proven system used by thousands of successful companies. Based on the ActionCOACH framework, you’ll learn how to gain clarity, take control, and grow your business. Walk away with practical tools and a clear plan to build a profitable business that works for you—not because of you.
One Big Beautiful Bill Act: Tax deductions for working Americans & businesses – Dan Arnell Belarmino, Sr. Stakeholder Liaison Tax Specialist, Internal Revenue Service
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) was signed into law on July 4, 2025, bringing with it significant changes to tax provisions that will impact most Americans. This workshop breaks down key benefits like “No tax on tips,” “No tax on overtime,” and “No tax on car loan interest.” Learn how these changes can boost your take-home pay, support your business, and ease financial stress.
Closing Ceremony and Giveaways
Sponsor Closing Remarks: Todd Shores, Virtual CFO, Creative Planning
Keynote, “Keep Rising: Leadership Skills For a Changing Business Landscape“: Brett Carter, Managing Director, The Jacobson Group
Closing Remarks from the IES: Kiyo Matsuyama, IES Board Director
(Exclusive Sponsorship Opportunity)
Dan Arnell Belarmino collaborates, informs, and communicates priority outreach messages to all taxpayer communities, including major employers, community associations and tax practitioner organizations to provide significant messages that impact taxpayers to ensure compliance with the tax laws. Dan started his career with the IRS in 2007. Dan immigrated from the Philippines in 1999 with his family, he speaks and writes fluent Tagalog and Cebuano languages.
Brett Carter manages C-level, Board Director, Vice President, and other executive-level searches for clients from all sectors of the insurance industry. He is a Certified Personal Risk Manager, Certified Insurance Counselor. He holds a Master of Business Administration from the Forbes School of Business & Technology at the University of Arizona Global Campus and also holds a Six Sigma designation. Brett is involved with the National African American Insurance Association (NAAIA) and Ascentra Credit Union.
Fred Ebong is the founder and creative director at FE Studios, a video ad agency specializing in commercial and corporate work. Fred is originally from Nigeria and has lived in Iowa since 2008. Growing up in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, Fred spent most of his adolescence in a boarding school, where he developed a strong curiosity and love for human interaction. This would eventually lead to a fulfilling career as a visual artist. What started as a hobby quickly became a passionate endeavor of capturing people’s feelings, emotions, and stories through video.
For the past six years, Marcia Erickson has found her passion nurturing business owners and leaders to be more successful. She’s does this by sharing business education, helping them to strategically plan their future and holding them accountable to achieving their personal and professional goals. Marcia is a certified Business and Executive Coach partnered with ActionCOACH Business Coaching, the world’s largest global business coaching firm.
Founder and Managing Attorney at Francis Law, is renowned for his expertise in employment-based visas. His journey in immigration law started at 17 when he migrated from Jamaica to the U.S. This formative experience has deeply influenced his personal values and professional approach. He has advised a wide array of clients including Fortune 500 companies, professional workers, and startups. Xavier’s approach is rooted in his understanding that immigration is transformative, which shapes the firm’s ethos for its clients.
Rasheda Jamison is a powerhouse entrepreneur, Business owner, and the visionary behind J&M Empire Consulting and EmpowerMinds Financial Solutions. Known for her raw, no-fluff approach to transformation, Rasheda helps entrepreneurs break through mental roadblocks, scale strategically, and design lives they don’t need a vacation from. Her signature E³ Method Empower. Educate. Elevate. has equipped countless business owners and leaders with the clarity, confidence, and strategies to not just make money, but to multiply it, protect it, and live abundantly.
Erie D. Johnson is a dedicated financial and business professional applying fiduciary standards to the management of various types of investment accounts. Mr. Johnson delivers personalized relationship management to affluent and very high net worth clients using an information-gathering approach. An attorney and Certified Financial Planner® dedicated to helping people accomplish their goals through planning and personalized wealth management strategies.
Alvaro Macias is a respected leader in the credit union industry, known for his work in community development, multicultural marketing, and advocacy. As VP at Ascentra Credit Union, he leads strategic efforts to support underserved communities. A longtime Moline resident and current Alderperson, Alvaro brings deep local roots and a passion for empowering others through inclusive financial strategies.
Nana Ouro-Agoro, originally from Togo, she holds business degrees from the University of Lome. Since immigrating to the U.S. in 2008, she has led initiatives supporting immigrant and refugee communities. Fluent in six languages, Nana brings cultural insight and advocacy to her work. She founded AKWAABA QC in 2022 to foster unity, break language barriers, and empower underserved populations. She also serves as Board Emeritus for QCAIR and on the Board of Directors for Community Health Care.
Alfred Ramirez is President of Diverse Strategies Now. He is a keynote speaker, trainer, and coach for organizations, businesses, government entities, and educational institutions. Alfred specializes in developing and facilitating leadership, diversity, and culture change programs. His past roles include corporate vice president, human resources, senior official in the Clinton White House, and president of a Hispanic chamber.
Ying Sa is the CEO & Managing Partner, and Certified Public Accountant of Community CPA, a firm she founded in 1998. Born in Beijing, China she immigrated to Canada before settling in the US. Ying served 6 years as the CFO for the Iowa Manufacturing Extension Partnership at Iowa State University and 5 years as VP of Controllers for Wells Fargo Financial, Inc. Among her contributions, Ying served on IRS Taxpayer Advocacy Panel from 2019-2021. She is also an author of two business books.
Todd Shores is a seasoned financial executive with nearly 30 years of experience guiding manufacturing, construction, and distribution companies through growth, transition, and challenge. At Creative Planning Business Services, he helps business owners create clear, actionable financial strategies that improve performance and drive results.
Marcia Treichel is dedicated to delivering financial health education and nurturing relationships with key community leaders, nonprofit partners, and small businesses. With 25 years of experience in financial services industry. Marcia brings a wealth of experience to her role. She organizes complimentary workshops, hosts community events, and delivers tailored programming to all communities. Marcia is also a member of the West Des Moines Chamber serving on the Executive Board.
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