By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — A Rockford businesswoman who co-founded a nonprofit that helps other entrepreneurs succeed was honored by the state treasurer on Monday during a celebration intended to highlight the achievements of women in Illinois.
Sheila Hill, who is the president and CEO of Hill & Hill Enterprises and the co-founder of Think Big and Women & Wealth, was recognized for outstanding service in leadership by Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs.
“Dr. Sheila Hill is doing nothing less than changing lives,” Frerichs said. “To be it, you have to see it. Through her leadership in Rockford, Dr. Hill is showing other Black women that there is no limitation on their ability to succeed.”
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The event was held in recognition of Women’s History Month at the state government building in Chicago. Hill was one of eight women honored for their contributions to their communities.
“I’m very grateful and honored to be among such great women who have accomplished so much in life,” Hill said in a phone interview after the event. “For me, it was truly a pleasure but more importantly an honor to sit among them.”
The other honorees are: Sonya Garg, director of the American sales associate program at Google in Chicago; Blondean Davis, superintendent of the Matteson School District; Laura Glaza, executive director of the Glen House Food Pantry in Glen Ellyn; state Sen. Laura Ellman of Naperville; Genie Kastrup, president of SEIU Local 1 in Chicago; 3rd Ward Chicago Alderwoman Pat Dowell; and Reveca Torres, founder and executive director of Backbones in Prospect Heights.
“We all stand on the shoulders of other great women who came before us and we all had the unction to serve,” Hill said. “We all may be leaders, but all of our stories intertwine with serving. That’s what drew us into leadership is serving others.”
Frerichs said he hoped the recognition would allow young women to see the leadership demonstrated by a diverse group of women in the state.
“Today, we honor women who are educating our youth, feeding the hungry and inspiring others,” he said.
Hill and Duntai Mathews co-founded Think Big Corp., a nonprofit businesses incubator and accelerator that helps provide development resources to women and minority entrepreneurs. In October, the nonprofit broke ground on the future Think Big Minority Business Accelerator at the Provenzano Center at 1311 N. Main St., which is the former Jerome Interiors building.
Hill said the goal is to open the facility by August.
She also co-founded Women & Wealth, a leadership program dedicated to cultivating women’s personal and professional growth. The program’s goal is to empower women in leadership roles and inspire them to contribute to their communities. The organization’s key fundraiser, The Women Who Lead Gala, is at 6 p.m. Saturday at Cliffbreakers, 700 W. Riverside Blvd.
Hill has been married for 27 years to Pastor Recee Hill of Park Church, and she serves as the church’s co-pastor. Together, Frerichs said, they are committed to sharing God’s love, inspiring others, serving the community and training future leaders.
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas