200 Chicago IT Executives, i.c.stars alumni, sponsors and board members to discuss
key IT workforce capabilities, network and more

Chicago, IL (April 24, 2008) — Members of the Chicago Information Technology (IT) community are set to gather on Thursday, May 1, to discuss global trends affecting the IT workforce, meet i.c.stars alumni, sponsors and board members, and learn about the i.c.stars internship program while being immersed in the group’s innovative culture.

Chicago, IL (February 13, 2008) — Geneca, a custom software development company, announced today a $30,000 contribution to i.c.stars, a non-profit organization that provides IT career programs to inner city young adults, in 2008.

Theresa Riley joins i.c.stars as Director of Career Services

CHICAGO (February 16, 2007) – i.c.stars, a leading non-profit organization shaping the next generation of technology leaders, announced today that Theresa Riley has joined the team in a newly created position of Director of Career Services. Riley, a seasoned not-for-profit, corporate and technology industry executive, will be responsible for facilitating the placement of the expanding i.c.stars graduates and alumni, maintaining relationships with employer recruiters, developing and orientating volunteers, developing interns and alumni career paths, supporting community relations efforts and developing and sustaining new program initiatives, including Bridges.

i.c.stars Launches Scholarship Fund with $25,000 Donation from Geneca. DePaul partnership seen as a catalyst for i.c.stars scholarship fundraising

Chicago (January 15, 2007) – i.c.stars, a non-profit technology training organization developing 1,000 community leaders by 2020, today launched a scholarship fund for alumni of the program. Thanks to a generous donation of $25,000 from custom software development firm Geneca with $7,000 designated for scholarships, two alums each year will be awarded scholarships based on their contributions to the community and embodiment of the i.c.stars vision.

Contact Person:
Eric Lannert
p.312.640.3782
c.773.251.6362
eric@icstars.org
212 w. superior ste 300
Chicago, IL 60610

October 23, 2006

The Geeks Come Out at Night: IT Professionals Live It Up

University Park, October 19, 2006 – How to effectively meet the increasing demand for well-educated and experienced computer scientists and to encourage greater participation by minority students were the subjects of a daylong workshop sponsored by Governors State University and the National Science Foundation.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

IC STARS ANNOUNCES NEW CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
The Honorable Brigid McGrath Transitions Chairperson Role to Director David Ormesher

CHICAGO, IL (October 17, 2006) – i.c. stars, a not-for-profit organization based in Chicago that provides technology training programs to inner city young adults, announced today that its board of directors recently transitioned the role of chairperson to director David Ormesher, founder and CEO of closerlook, a marketing solutions firm in Chicago. The Honorable Brigid McGrath (Circuit Court Judge of Cook County) has been the Chairwoman of the board since the organization’s founding in 1999.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Announcing the publication of “Write The Future�

Chicago (June 1, 2006) – i.c.stars is pleased to announce the publication of “Write The Future�, the latest installment in its annual series of papers discussing the issues and challenges facing the IT workforce. This year, the paper addresses:

Media Contacts:
Sandee Kastrul: phone (312) 640-3851 or e-mail skastrul@icstars.org
Leslie Beller: phone (312) 640-3852 or e-mail lbeller@icstars.org
i.c.stars Co-founder Sandee Kastrul Appointed New President
Organization innovates to shape the next generation of technology professionals
CHICAGO, March 11, 2003 – i.c.stars, a not-for-profit organization that provides technology training and
leadership development for Chicago’s inner-city young adults, announced that Sandee Kastrul has been
appointed President, effective as of March 3, 2003.
Ms. Kastrul and Leslie Beller, former president and co-founder of i.c.stars, together integrated
the simulation-based educational model created by Kastrul into the program. This model has become
the nucleus of all i.c.stars programs. Prior to Kastrul’s role as President, she was charged with refining
and managing the curriculum training for i.c.stars student interns. Each semester she ensured that
team building, culture and learning style were customized to each class of interns.
"Sandee’s expertise in cross-curricular integration strategies, diversity training and curriculum
development will give i.c.stars the strategic direction required for this position," said Brigid McGrath,
founding i.c.stars board member and recently elected board chair. "Her strong ties to the Chicago
community and i.c.stars alumni will help take the organization to the next level."
Leslie Beller will continue to drive i.c.stars’ mission through her new social media venture that
employs integrated marketing to drive social change and economic development for both corporate and
community clients.
"We saw early on that the negative perceptions and low expectations of inner-city youth would
limit our graduates’ market opportunity. By bringing i.c.stars interns and business executives together in
meaningful relationships we were able to transform these negative stereotypes into leadership and value
models," said Beller.
In her new role, Kastrul will lead the i.c.stars long-term strategic plan to enhance current
education offerings and move toward a self-sustaining financial model. These offerings will provide
i.c.stars alumni with continuing education, mentoring, career guidance, placement services, venture
capital, and executive coaching throughout their career path, as well as help them with community
organizing to achieve social and economic freedom in Chicago's inner-city neighborhoods.
"We’re making a tremendous impact on the communities of Chicago by leveraging the
leadership abilities of our graduates. Our alumni are starting companies, working for community based
organizations, and securing careers with industry leaders including W.W. Grainger, Allstate, and
Microsoft," said Kastrul, president of i.c.stars.
Prior to i.c.stars, Kastrul spent a decade implementing a professional development program with
Harold Washington College Career Center and designing a comprehensive science and civics
interactive program for GED students at Jobs for Youth.
About i.c.stars
i.c.stars was founded to break the reproducing cycle of poverty that limits the ability of oppressed
persons to advance as leaders and alter the social and economic conditions of society. Our goal is to
empower resilient individuals from Chicago’s inner city with the social, financial and intellectual capital
necessary for acknowledged leadership. Our objectives focus on delivering programs and services that
increase the viability of resilient inner city young adults’ entrance and retention in leadership building
opportunities.

Contacts:
Eric Lannert, i.c. stars
(312) 640-3782

Gery M. Knapp, Modularis
(312) 648-1740 x208

i.c. stars and Modularis Partner to Deliver the Latest Technology Training to Inner City Young Adults