Built In Chicago

Photo credit: VelocityEHS REVIEWED BY Justine Sullivan Summary: VelocityEHS’ nine-month Game Changers mentorship program pairs employees with executive leaders outside their day-to-day work to build leadership skills, business acumen and cross-functional confidence. Through consistent meetings, personalized goals and practical guidance on real workplace challenges, the program helps employees grow into stronger leaders while giving mentors a meaningful way...

Chicago has long maintained a reputation as a powerhouse for technical innovation and enterprise growth. As artificial intelligence fundamentally alters how businesses operate, the Windy City continues to solidify its status as a major destination for tech professionals expanding their careers.

What It’s Like to Build a Sales Career at Beyond Finance Erin understands the struggles that Beyond Finance’s customers face. What Does Beyond Finance Do? Beyond Finance is a leading financial wellness and debt consolidation company helping Americans get out of debt, and providing the tools for long-term success. After all, she was one of them once. Erin discovered the company while facing personal financial hardships.

Fortune Brands Innovations, a company dedicated to creating home, security and digital products for commercial and residential spaces, announced the appointment of its new chief executive officer. Jesse Singh joins the company, effective immediately, and has been appointed to its board of directors. Previously CEO of The AZEK Company, Singh brings more than three decades of leadership experience across the building products, consumer, tech and manufacturing sectors.

What It's Like to Build an AI-Native Career at Huntress At Huntress, Enablement Lead Maisaa Saadeh draws a line between AI that makes you a little faster at what you already do and AI that takes an entire task off your plate. The first is table stakes. The second is the bar she holds her team to, because it frees people for the work that actually needs human judgment. What Does Huntress Do?

Analytics8, a Chicago-based data and analytics consultancy, has received recognition for its delivery framework. The firm was granted the Data Management Innovation Award from AI Breakthrough, a market intelligence organization, in its ninth annual AI Breakthrough Awards program. The AI Breakthrough Awards recognize the achievements of companies in the areas of agentic AI, machine learning, generative AI, robotics, AI hardware and computer vision.

REVIEWED BY Justine Sullivan Summary: Braze’s business development organization is built around diverse, high-performing teams, psychological safety and strong career development, with Del Patara emphasizing early-career growth, leadership investment and hands-on opportunities across the customer journey. The team also helps customers modernize customer engagement with AI-powered decisioning and optimization, while giving employees multiple paths to...

REVIEWED BY Justine Sullivan Summary: Caterpillar is modernizing its dealer ecosystem by using Microsoft Dynamics 365 and Cat Converge Suite to create a more connected, scalable ERP foundation across its global dealer network. The work combines global platform deployment, dealer-facing business transformation and career growth for ERP professionals who want to expand from traditional system...

REVIEWED BY Justine Sullivan Summary: Toast’s Strategic Cuisines team uses language expertise, sales and onboarding support, and close cross-functional collaboration to help restaurant operators communicate in their preferred language and succeed on the platform. Employees say the team combines purpose, ownership and a strong “One Team” culture to improve customer experience, support high-growth segments and...

There are a lot of factors that go into employee wellbeing, but for these three Chicago tech companies it comes down to a blend of flexible work, autonomy and trust. For Laura Lyne, senior manager of organization development and wellness at McCain Foods, the key ingredient is to “protect energy, not just time.” “That’s when flexibility truly works: when people feel supported, can perform at their best and choose to stay and grow because of it,” Lyne said.