About the BBB of Chicago & Northern Illinois Foundation

The Educational Foundation of the Better Business Bureau serving Chicago & Northern Illinois is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to educating and empowering consumers and businesses on marketplace trust. The programs offered by the Foundation span all demographics and reach thousands of businesses and consumers each year. From students to seniors, the BBB Foundation presents on topics including cybersecurity, scams and trust.

Since 2008, the BBB Educational Foundation has provided educational programing to thousands throughout the Chicago and Northern Illinois region.

Our Mission

The Educational Foundation of the Better Business Bureau serving Chicago and Northern Illinois is a non-profit organization, 501(c)(3), dedicated to providing information and developing resources that promote and build awareness of ethical business practices and marketplace trust to benefit consumers and businesses. For consumers our focus is on avoiding scams and frauds, identity protection, and financial fitness. For businesses our focus is on promoting ethics, fostering trust with customers, and successful business practices

What We've Achieved

  • Worked with thousands of military personnel and veterans to avoid scams and assist them in transitioning to civilian life. We are also honored to provide support to military families by partnering with Folds of Honor.
  • Provided education to thousands of business owners on a series of topics designed to help them build better businesses.
  • Awarded over $100,000 in scholarships to students pursuing higher education.

Meet Our Board

photo of Allen Rodriguez
ALLEN A. RODRIGUEZ

Rodriguez Consulting
Foundation Chair

Banker, educator and civic leader with nearly thirty (30) years as a financial leader (Banking). Over 10 (ten) years of focus in community affairs, civic and economic development. Partnered successfully with businesses, financial institutions, community and faith based organizations; local, state and federal agencies. Strategically designed and developed financial, economic and lending initiatives to enhance business development capacity while excelling in community leadership. Recognized as a committed professional with proven ability to lead, develop staff, resources, and business development.

photo of Steve Bernas smiling
STEVE BERNAS

BBB
CEO & President

With over thirty (30) years at the Chicago BBB, Steve focuses on advancing marketplace trust. In addition to overseeing day-to-day operations, he works with a multitude of trade associations to develop and execute programs which enable and encourage best business practices, and expertise interviews for broadcast and publishing media for clarity and commentary on consumer confidence issues, customer/business relations, self-regulatory initiatives and a variety of business relative topics.

Alex Felton
ALEX FELTON

CIBC Bank

Sales management professional with 16+ years of results-oriented experience in B2B partnership strategy and new business development. Ability to implement strategic plans to successfully accomplish multiple objectives within established deadlines. specialties include but are not limited to: auditing, structuring and negotiating loans, relationship building, management of credit deposit development, training/presentation and client retention.

Dr. Rhonda Henderson
DR. RHONDA HENDERSON

Lucebene Consulting

Business Professor and Educationist with over 15 years of extensive experience working with small businesses, as well as community-based and non-profit organizations.  Focus on economic and small business development, strategic business planning, entrepreneurial training programs, and real estate. 

Duane Moore
DUANE MOORE

Tire Kickers, LLC

Duane has been passionate about cars and motors since he was young. He worked on a lot of electric motors at a very young age at his Dad's insistence. Duane rebuilt his first gasoline engine unaided at 12 years of age. Duane is an Air Force Veteran and strives to put as many Veterans to work as possible.

Tuan Nguyen
TUAN NGUYEN

American Commercial Bank & Trust

Tuan Nguyen is a commercial vice president for First Midwest Bank, working out of the Plainfield Hub for Business Banking. He is the relationship manager for a portfolio of approximately $50 Million in loans, consisting of industries in transportation, retail, manufacturing, import and export, printing, service, and professional. He joined First Midwest Bank in October 2013, having previously spent five (5) years at Standard Bank and Trust, and prior to that, eight (8) years at American Chartered Bank. He has been in banking for twenty (20) years, seventeen (17) of those working as a commercial officer. Additionally, he has had international experience working in Shanghai, China for two (2) years in the mid 90’s. Tuan graduated from Illinois Wesleyan University with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and has an MBA from Benedictine University specializing in International Business and Marketing. He lives in Naperville, Illinois with his wife Elsie of twenty (20) years, three (3) children Austin, Sophie, and Jessica. In his free time, he loves to travel to Europe and Asia and speaks conversational Mandarin and Vietnamese.