Please join us on Thursday, November 7, at 9:00 am CST for the Pontiac Correctional Center Cohort 3 Business Coaching Day!

What's it all about?
At Defy business coaching events, volunteers support the talented, ambitious Entrepreneurs in Training (EITs) who are progressing through Defy’s CEO of Your New Life program, developing employment readiness skills and taking the first steps in their entrepreneurial journeys. Volunteers provide one-on-one coaching on EITs’ resumes and personal statements and serve as early sounding boards for the business concepts that EITs are beginning to develop. In addition to career coaching and business planning activities, these events also include fun icebreakers and powerful empathy-building activities, which encourage conversations and connections that enhance EITs' self-esteem, ambition, and sense of hope that is critical to their transformational journey. 

Please reach out to Melissa ([email protected]) with any questions, and we'll see you soon!

Details

• Date: Thursday, November 7, 2024

• Start Time: 9:00 am CST

• End time: 2:30 pm CST

• Location: Pontiac Correctional Center, 700 W Lincoln St, Pontiac, IL 61764

• Transportation: Defy Bus (departing at 6:30 am from downtown Chicago area. Drive Self (approximately 2 hour drive from Chicago)

The deadline for this event is now closed. If you would like to attend at Pontiac in the future, please reach out to Melissa at [email protected]

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At Defy business coaching events, volunteers support the talented, ambitious EITs who are progressing through Defy’s CEO of YNL program, developing employment readiness skills and taking the first steps in their entrepreneurial journeys. Volunteers provide one-on-one coaching on EITs’ resumes and personal statements and serve as early sounding boards for the business concepts that EITs are beginning to develop. In addition to career coaching and business planning activities, these events also include fun icebreakers and powerful empathy-building activities, which encourage conversations and connections that enhance EITs' self-esteem, ambition, and sense of hope that is critical to their transformational journey.

Details

• Date: Monday, August 19, 2024

• Start Time: 9:00 am CST

• End time: 3:00 pm CST

• Location: Logan Correctional Center

• Transportation: Defy Bus (departing at 6:00 am from downtown Chicago area. Drive Self (approximately 2.5 hour drive from Chicago)

Registration for this event is now closed. If you would like to attend a future Logan event, please contact Melissa at [email protected]

Business Pitch Competitions (BPCs) are the culminating events for hard-working EITs completing the CEO of Your New Life program. During a BPC, EITs will present their business ideas in several rounds of a Shark Tank-style competition to panels of business leaders and investors. The event also includes Defy’s signature icebreaker and empathy-building exercises designed to create an inclusive and accepting community. At the end of the day, five winning pitches are selected from the group in an awards ceremony.

Details

• Date: Monday, April 29, 2024

• Start Time: 9:00 am CST

• End time: 2:30 pm CST

• Location: Pontiac Correctional Center

• Transportation: Defy Bus (departing at 6:00 am from downtown Chicago area. Drive Self (approximately 1 hr 40 min hour drive from Chicago)

Registration for this event is now closed. If you’d like to attend future events at Pontiac, please contact Melissa at [email protected]

Kickoffs are an opportunity for EITs that are just starting their CEO of Your New Life journey to get to know Defy and our community and to begin building trust and understanding. Volunteers play an important role in these events as caring representatives of the outside world who truly believe that EITs are capable of succeeding as CEOs of their personal and professional lives. 

Please reach out to Melissa ([email protected]) with any questions, and we'll see you soon!

Note The deadline to register is 3/14/24.

Details

• Date: Wednesday, April 17, 2024

• Start Time: 9 am CST

• End time: 11:30 am CST

• Location: Logan Correctional Center

Registration for this event is now closed. For information on future events to Logan, please contact Melissa O’Dell at [email protected]

Business pitch competitions and graduations are the culminating events for EITs as they complete Defy’s rigorous CEO YNL program. During these events, EITs present their business ideas in several rounds of a Shark Tank-style competition to panels of volunteer judges. Judges ask clarifying questions, provide feedback to strengthen the business concepts and pitches, and evaluate the overall presentations with their fellow judges to select competition winners. The event also includes icebreakers and empathy-building exercises designed to create an inclusive and accepting community. At the end of the day, five winning pitches are selected from the group in an awards ceremony, followed by a cap and gown graduation ceremony in which EITs are awarded a Certificate of Entrepreneurship issued by the Drucker School of Management.

Details

• Date: Friday, February 23, 2024

• Start Time: 9:00 am CST

• End time: 6:00 pm CST

• Location: Kewanee Life Skills Reentry Center

• Transportation: Defy Bus (departing at 6:30 am from downtown Chicago area. Drive Self (approximately 2.5 hour drive from Chicago)

Registration for this event is now closed. If you would like to attend future events at Kewanee, please contact Melissa at [email protected]

Please join us on Wednesday, December 6, at 9:00 am CST for the Pontiac Correctional Center Cohort 2 Business Coaching Day!

What's it all about?
At Defy business coaching events, volunteers support the talented, ambitious Entrepreneurs in Training (EITs) who are progressing through Defy’s CEO of Your New Life program, developing employment readiness skills and taking the first steps in their entrepreneurial journeys. Volunteers provide one-on-one coaching on EITs’ resumes and personal statements and serve as early sounding boards for the business concepts that EITs are beginning to develop. In addition to career coaching and business planning activities, these events also include fun icebreakers and powerful empathy-building activities, which encourage conversations and connections that enhance EITs' self-esteem, ambition, and sense of hope that is critical to their transformational journey. 

Please reach out to Melissa ([email protected]) with any questions, and we'll see you soon!

Details

• Date: Wednesday, December 6, 2023

• Start Time: 9:00 am CST

• End time: 3:00 pm CST

• Location: Pontiac Correctional Center, 700 W Lincoln St, Pontiac, IL 61764

• Transportation: Defy Bus (departing at 6:30 am from downtown Chicago area. Drive Self (approximately 2 hour drive from Chicago)

This event is now closed. If you’d like to register for an event at Pontiac in the future, please contact [email protected]

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Business pitch competition and graduations are the culminating events for EITs as they complete Defy’s rigorous CEO YNL program. During these events, EITs present their business ideas in several rounds of a Shark Tank-style competition to panels of volunteer judges. Judges ask clarifying questions, provide feedback to strengthen the business concepts and pitches, and evaluate the overall presentations with their fellow judges to select competition winners. The event also includes icebreaker and empathy-building exercises designed to create an inclusive and accepting community. At the end of the day, five winning pitches are selected from the group in an awards ceremony, followed by a cap and gown graduation ceremony in which EITs are awarded a Certificate of Entrepreneurship issued by the Drucker School of Management.

Details

• Date: Wednesday, November 1, 2023

• Start Time: 9:00 am CST

• End time: 6:00 pm CST

• Location: Logan Correctional Center

• Transportation: Defy Bus (departing at 6:15 am from downtown Chicago area. Drive Self (approximately 2.5 hour drive from Chicago)

Registration for this event is now closed. If you’d like to attend a future event at Logan, please email Melissa at [email protected].

Please join us on Friday, October 20th, at 9:00 am CST for the Kewanee Life Skills Reentry Center Business Coaching Day!

What's it all about?
Business Coaching Days (BCDs) are great ways to meet like-minded volunteers and many talented, ambitious Entrepreneurs in Training (EITs). In addition to one-on-one career coaching and business planning activities, these events also include icebreakers and powerful empathy-building activities. BCDs support employment readiness and entrepreneurship skills and, through conversations and connections with our volunteers, enhance EITs' self-esteem, ambition, and sense of hope that is critical to their transformational journey.

Please reach out to Melissa ([email protected]) with any questions, and we'll see you soon!

Details

• Date: Friday, October 20, 2023

• Start Time: 9:00 am CST

• End time: 3:00 pm CST

• Location: Kewanee Life Skills Reentry Center

• Transportation: Defy Bus (departing at 6:15 am from downtown Chicago area. Drive Self (approximately 2.5 hour drive from Chicago)

Registration is now closed for this event. If you would like to join us at Kewanee in the future for an event, please contact Melissa at [email protected].

Kickoffs serve as an introduction to the CEO YNL program. The kickoff event occurs at the start of a new cohort and is an opportunity for new EITs to meet Defy staff and volunteers and learn about Defy's culture firsthand. Through this event and interactions with volunteers, EITs are inspired to join CEO YNL and become a part of the Defy community. They deepen their commitment to the work that lies ahead and see that transformation is truly possible

Please reach out to Melissa ([email protected]) with any questions, and we'll see you soon!

Details

• Date: Monday, September 25, 2023

• Start Time: 9:00am CST

• End time: 11:30 am CST

• Location: 700 W Lincoln St, Pontiac, IL 61764

Transportation: Drive self or carpool (approximately 2-hour drive and 100 miles from Chicago)* Note: Defy IL will not be providing a bus for this event.

Registration for this event is now closed. To learn about upcoming events for Pontiac, please contact Melissa O’Dell at [email protected]

Kickoffs are great ways to meet like-minded volunteers and many talented, ambitious prospective Entrepreneurs in Training (EITs). In addition to one-on-one career coaching and business planning activities, these events also include icebreakers and powerful empathy-building activities. Kickoffs support EITs' self-esteem, ambition, and sense of hope that is critical to the start of their transformational journey.

Details

• Date: Friday July 28, 2023

• Start Time: 9:00 am CST

• End time: 11:30 am CST

• Location: Kewanee Life Skills Reentry Center

• Transportation: Self drive or carpool. Note, Defy will not be providing a bus for this event.

Sign up here—only 13 slots available!

Registration is now closed. If you would like to attend an event at Kewanee in the future, please email [email protected]

At Defy business coaching events, volunteers support the talented, ambitious EITs who are progressing through Defy’s CEO of YNL program, developing employment readiness skills and taking the first steps in their entrepreneurial journeys. Volunteers provide one-on-one coaching on EITs’ resumes and personal statements and serve as early sounding boards for the business concepts that EITs are beginning to develop. In addition to career coaching and business planning activities, these events also include fun icebreakers and powerful empathy-building activities, which encourage conversations and connections that enhance EITs' self-esteem, ambition, and sense of hope that is critical to their transformational journey.

Details

• Date: Monday, July 10, 2023

• Start Time: 9:00 am CST

• End time: 4:00 pm CST

• Location: Logan Correctional Center

• Transportation: Defy Bus (departing at 6:15 am from downtown Chicago area. Drive Self (approximately 2.5 hour drive from Chicago)

Registration for this event is now closed. We hope you can join us for the Pitch Competition in November.

Business pitch competitions and graduations are the culminating events for EITs as they complete Defy’s rigorous CEO YNL program. During these events, EITs present their business ideas in several rounds of a Shark Tank-style competition to panels of volunteer judges. Judges ask clarifying questions, provide feedback to strengthen the business concepts and pitches, and evaluate the overall presentations with their fellow judges to select competition winners. The event also includes icebreakers and empathy-building exercises designed to create an inclusive and accepting community. At the end of the day, five winning pitches are selected from the group in an awards ceremony, followed by a cap and gown graduation ceremony in which EITs are awarded a Certificate of Entrepreneurship issued by the Drucker School of Management.

Details

• Date: Monday, April 17, 2023

• Start Time: 9:00 am CST

• End time: 6:00 pm CST

• Location: Kewanee Life Skills Reentry Center

• Transportation: Defy Bus (departing at 6:45 am from downtown Chicago area. Drive Self (approximately 2.5 hour drive from Chicago)

Registration for this event is now closed. If you would like to volunteer at Kewanee in the future, please contact Melissa at [email protected].

Kickoffs serve as an introduction to the CEO YNL program. The kickoff event occurs at the start of a new cohort and is an opportunity for new EITs to meet Defy staff and volunteers and learn about Defy's culture firsthand. Through this event and interactions with volunteers, EITs are inspired to join CEO YNL and become a part of the Defy community. They deepen their commitment to the work that lies ahead and see that transformation is truly possible.

Registration for this event is now closed. If you would like to join us for a coaching session at Logan, please contact [email protected]

Business Pitch Competitions (BPCs) are the culminating events for hard-working EITs completing the CEO of Your New Life program. During a BPC, EITs will present their business ideas in several rounds of a Shark Tank-style competition to panels of business leaders and investors. The event also includes Defy’s signature icebreaker and empathy-building exercises designed to create an inclusive and accepting community. At the end of the day, five winning pitches are selected from the group in an awards ceremony.

Details

• Date: Wednesday, February 22, 2023

• Start Time: 9:00 am CST

• End time: 3:00 pm CST

• Location: Pontiac Correctional Center

• Transportation: Defy Bus (departing at 6:15 am from downtown Chicago area. Drive Self (approximately 2 hour drive from Chicago)

Registration for this event is now closed. For more information regarding future events, please contact Melissa at [email protected]

Please join us on Thursday, December 8, at 9:00 am CST for the Kewanee Life Skills Reentry Center Business Coaching Day!

What's it all about?
Business Coaching Days (BCDs) are great ways to meet like-minded volunteers and many talented, ambitious Entrepreneurs in Training (EITs). In addition to one-on-one career coaching and business planning activities, these events also include icebreakers and powerful empathy-building activities. BCDs support employment readiness and entrepreneurship skills and, through conversations and connections with our volunteers, enhance EITs' self-esteem, ambition, and sense of hope that is critical to their transformational journey.

Please reach out to Melissa ([email protected]) with any questions, and we'll see you soon!

This is an in-person event, and in order to keep everyone safe, all volunteers will need to show proof of Covid vaccination. Masks will be required of all participants during the event. Acceptable forms of vaccination proof can include: vaccination card (can be a copy or photo on the phone), or a digital record provided by a state agency.

Details

• Date: Thursday, December 8, 2022

• Start Time: 9:00 am CST

• End time: 4:00 pm CST

• Location: Kewanee Life Skills Reentry Center

• Transportation: Defy Bus (departing at 6:15 am from downtown Chicago area. Drive Self (approximately 2.5 hour drive from Chicago)

Registration for this event is closed. If you are interested in future events, please contact Melissa O’Dell at [email protected]

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Please join us on Wednesday, September 21, at 9:00 am CST for the Pontiac Correctional Center Cohort 1 Business Coaching Day!

What's it all about?
Business Coaching Days (BCDs) are great ways to meet like-minded volunteers and many talented, ambitious Entrepreneurs in Training (EITs). In addition to one-on-one career coaching and business planning activities, these events also include icebreakers and powerful empathy-building activities. BCDs support employment readiness and entrepreneurship skills and, through conversations and connections with our volunteers, enhance EITs' self-esteem, ambition, and sense of hope that is critical to their transformational journey.

Please reach out to Melissa ([email protected]) with any questions, and we'll see you soon!

This is an in-person event, and in order to keep everyone safe, all volunteers will need to show proof of Covid vaccination. Masks will be required of all participants during the event. Acceptable forms of vaccination proof can include: vaccination card (can be a copy or photo on the phone), or a digital record provided by a state agency.

Details

• Date: Wednesday, September 21, 2022

• Start Time: 9:00 am CST

• End time: 4:00 pm CST

• Location: Pontiac Correctional Center, 700 W Lincoln St, Pontiac, IL 61764

Registration is now closed for this event. If you would like to join us at a future event at Pontiac, please email Melissa at [email protected]

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Kewanee Cohort 3 Kickoff

Please join us on Wednesday, September 7, at 9:00 am CST  for the Kewanee Cohort 3 Kickoff!

What's it all about?

Kickoffs serve as an introduction to the CEO YNL program. The kickoff event occurs at the start of a new cohort and is an opportunity for new EITs to meet Defy staff and volunteers and learn about Defy's culture firsthand. Through this event and interactions with volunteers, EITs are inspired to join CEO YNL and become a part of the Defy community. They deepen their commitment to the work that lies ahead and see that transformation is truly possible.

This is an in-person event, and in order to keep everyone safe, all volunteers will need to show proof of Covid vaccination. Masks will be required of all participants during the event. Acceptable forms of vaccination proof can include: vaccination card (can be a copy or photo on the phone), or a digital record provided by a state agency.

Please reach out to Melissa ([email protected]) with any questions, and we'll see you soon!

Details

• Date: Wednesday, September 7, 2022

• Start Time: 9:00am CST

• End time: 12:00pm CST

• Location: 2021 Kentville Rd, Kewanee, IL 61443

Registration is now closed for this event. If you would like to join us at a future event at Kewanee, please email Melissa at [email protected]

Business Pitch Competitions (BPCs) are the culminating events for hard-working EITs completing the CEO of Your New Life program. During a BPC, EITs will present their business ideas in several rounds of a Shark Tank-style competition to panels of business leaders and investors. The event also includes Defy’s signature icebreaker and empathy-building exercises designed to create an inclusive and accepting community. At the end of the day, five winning pitches are selected from the group in an awards ceremony, followed by a cap and gown graduation ceremony.

As this event will be in prison, a photo of your vaccination card is required upon submission of your clearance information.

Registration is now closed for this event. If you would like to join us at a future event at Logan, please email Melissa at [email protected]

Kickoffs serve as an introduction to the CEO of Your New Life program. The Kickoff event occurs at the start of a new cohort and is an opportunity for new EITs to meet Defy staff and executive volunteers and learn about Defy's culture firsthand. Defy recruits top-level executives, venture capitalists, and other highly-skilled volunteers to work with EITs as well as to learn about how Defy transforms lives inside of prisons. Through this event, EITs will become inspired to be enthusiastic participants in the CEO of Your New Life program. They deepen their commitment to the work that lies ahead and see that transformation is truly possible.

Since this event is at Pontiac Correctional Center, proof of vaccination is required.

Please reach out to Melissa ([email protected]) with any questions, and we'll see you soon!

Details

• Date: Wednesday, June 8, 2022

• Start Time: 9:00am CST

• End time: 2:00pm CST

• Location: 700 W Lincoln St, Pontiac, IL 61764

Registration is now closed for this event. If you’d like to join us in the future, please contact Melissa at [email protected]

Business Pitch Competitions (BPCs) are the culminating events for hard-working EITs completing the CEO of Your New Life program. During a BPC, EITs will present their business ideas in several rounds of a Shark Tank-style competition to panels of business leaders and investors. The event also includes Defy’s signature icebreaker and empathy-building exercises designed to create an inclusive and accepting community. At the end of the day, five winning pitches are selected from the group in an awards ceremony, followed by a cap and gown graduation ceremony.

As this event will be in prison, a photo of your vaccination card is required upon submission of your clearance information.

Sign ups are now closed for this event. If you would like to attend future activities at Kewanee, please email Melissa at [email protected]

Please join us on Tuesday, April 19th, at 9am CST for the Logan Correctional Center Cohort 1 Business Coaching Day!

What's it all about?

Business Coaching Days (BCDs) are great ways to meet like-minded volunteers and many talented, ambitious Entrepreneurs in Training (EITs). In addition to one-on-one career coaching and business planning activities, these events also include icebreakers and powerful empathy-building activities. BCDs support employment readiness and entrepreneurship skills and, through conversations and connections with our volunteers, enhance EITs' self-esteem, ambition, and sense of hope that is critical to their transformational journey.

This is an in-person event, and in order to keep everyone safe, all volunteers will need to show proof of Covid vaccination. Masks will be required of all participants during the event. Acceptable forms of vaccination proof can include: vaccination card (can be a copy or photo on the phone), or a digital record provided by a state agency.

Sign ups are now closed for this event. If you would like to attend future activities at Logan, please email Melissa at [email protected]

Please join us on Monday, April 4, at 9:00am CST for the Cohort 1 Kickoff at Pontiac Correctional Center!

What's it all about?

Kickoffs serve as an introduction to the CEO of Your New Life program. The Kickoff event occurs at the start of a new cohort and is an opportunity for new EITs to meet Defy staff and executive volunteers and learn about Defy's culture firsthand. Defy recruits top-level executives, venture capitalists, and other highly-skilled volunteers to work with EITs as well as to learn about how Defy transforms lives inside of prisons. Through this event, EITs will become inspired to be enthusiastic participants in the CEO of Your New Life program. They deepen their commitment to the work that lies ahead and see that transformation is truly possible.

Since this event is at Pontiac Correctional Center, proof of vaccination is required.

Please reach out to Melissa ([email protected]) with any questions, and we'll see you soon!

Details

• Date: Monday, April 4, 2022

• Start Time: 9:00am CST

• End time: 2:00pm CST

• Location: 700 W Lincoln St, Pontiac, IL 61764

This event is currently postponed. Please email Melissa at melissa@defyventures if you would like to be notified when the event is rescheduled so you can sign up.

Please join us on Monday, February 7th, at 9am CST for the Logan Correctional Center Cohort 1 Business Coaching Day!

What's it all about?

Business Coaching Days (BCDs) are great ways to meet like-minded volunteers and many talented, ambitious Entrepreneurs in Training (EITs). In addition to one-on-one career coaching and business planning activities, these events also include icebreakers and powerful empathy-building activities. BCDs support employment readiness and entrepreneurship skills and, through conversations and connections with our volunteers, enhance EITs' self-esteem, ambition, and sense of hope that is critical to their transformational journey.

This is an in-person event, and in order to keep everyone safe, all volunteers will need to show proof of Covid vaccination. Masks will be required of all participants during the event. Acceptable forms of vaccination proof can include: vaccination card (can be a copy or photo on the phone), or a digital record provided by a state agency.

This event will be rescheduled. Please stay tuned for more information.

Business Coaching Days (BCDs) are great ways to meet like-minded volunteers and many talented, ambitious Entrepreneurs in Training (EITs). In addition to one-on-one career coaching and business planning activities, these events also include icebreakers and powerful empathy-building activities. BCDs support employment readiness and entrepreneurship skills and, through conversations and connections with our volunteers, enhance EITs' self-esteem, ambition, and sense of hope that is critical to their transformational journey.

This is an in-person event, and in order to keep everyone safe, all volunteers will need to show proof of Covid vaccination. Masks will be required of all participants during the event. Acceptable forms of vaccination proof can include: vaccination card (can be a copy or photo on the phone), or a digital record provided by a state agency.

The deadline has passed to register for this event. If you would like to join us in the future, please reach out to Melissa at [email protected]

Kickoffs are an opportunity for EITs that are just starting their CEO of Your New Life journey to get to know Defy and our community and to begin building trust and understanding. Volunteers play an important role in these events as caring representatives of the outside world who truly believe that EITs are capable of succeeding as CEOs of their personal and professional lives. 

Please reach out to Melissa ([email protected]) with any questions, and we'll see you soon!

Note: We only have 10 volunteer slots available so act fast! If we can't accommodate you at this event we will put you on the list to attend our Business Coaching Day at Logan in 2022. The deadline to register is 10/8/21.

Details

• Date: Wednesday, October 27, 2021

• Start Time: 9am CST

• End time: 2pm CST / 11:00p ET

For in-person events, all volunteers will need to show proof of Covid vaccination. Masks will be required of all participants during the event. Acceptable forms of vaccination proof can include: vaccination card (can be a copy or photo on the phone), or a digital record provided by a state agency.

The deadline has passed to register for this event. If you would like to join us in the future, please reach out to [email protected]

Kickoffs are great ways to meet like-minded volunteers and many talented, ambitious prospective Entrepreneurs in Training (EITs). In addition to one-on-one career coaching and business planning activities, these events also include icebreakers and powerful empathy-building activities. Kickoffs support EITs' self-esteem, ambition, and sense of hope that is critical to the start of their transformational journey.

Sign up today—only 10 slots available!

Date: January 29, 2020

Time: Volunteers must arrive at the facility at 9:30 am and the event will conclude by 7 pm. Bus transportation from CNI's office is on a first-come, first-served basis

Event Information: Business Pitch Competitions (BPCs) are the culminating events for hard-working EITs completing the CEO of Your New Life program. During a BPC, EITs will present their business ideas in several rounds of a Shark Tank-style competition to panels of business leaders and investors. The event also includes Defy’s signature icebreaker and empathy-building exercises designed to create an inclusive and accepting community. At the end of the day, five winning pitches are selected from the group in an awards ceremony, followed by a cap and gown graduation ceremony.

REGISTRATION: Go to the PERC volunteer page by 01/08/20 to secure your spot and submit your gate clearance information. We truly appreciate your support and willingness to help the EITs succeed! For any questions, please contact [email protected]