Key Staff

Emma A. Kowalenko

Strategic Planner, Lean 6 Sigma Certified, Online Graduate Education Implementer, Coach, Mentor, Creativity and Relationship Builder

Ms. Kowalenko founded Kowalenko Consulting Group, Inc. (KCG) in 1988. She manages the execution of consulting services that include environmental planning, change management, program and professional development, and online education for public, private, and nonprofit sector clients. Connecting Veterans to education and professional advancement is a priority.

Ms. Kowalenko holds a Master’s Degree in History and has more than 35 years of professional experience. She is Lean Six Sigma certified for Executives and Sponsors and Adjunct Lecturer at Northwestern University. Currently, Ms. Kowalenko produces, implements, and facilitates online education for Northwestern University’s McCormick School of Engineering – Online Master of Science for Executive Management in Design and Construction – EMDC. This ongoing program was launched in January of 2016. https://www.mccormick.northwestern.edu/executive-management-design-construction/

Fluent in six languages she designs courses focused on managing change in changing times and cross-cultural competency skills. Her methods aim to bridge private, public, and nonprofit sectors, as well as small and large business cultures in the U.S. and overseas.

She guides organizations to put into practice effective communication flow and relationship building by incorporating collaboration and innovation into day to day operations. With the goals of maximizing human capital and meeting customers’ needs she shares 360º strategies. These emphasize knowledge gained from metrics and observation to improve processes, institute efficiency, and value diversity. https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-kowalenko-84510012

Anthony J. Bilotti

Anthony J. Bilotti, Ph.D., M.P.H.

Director, Environmental and Transportation Services

Anthony Bilotti is a career environmental professional who has advised industry and government agencies at all levels. His skills and experience include: planning and implementing of environmental impact and health assessment initiatives; conducting scientific research; developing university-based education https://www.mccormick.northwestern.edu/executive-management-design-construction/and training curricula and mentoring young professionals; managing environmental studies of federally-funded, mass transit improvements in the Midwest; assessing and mitigating environmental risks in commercial and industrial redevelopment; directing retrospective and prospective environmental studies and investigations for major public  works and infrastructure projects, including brownfields;  collaborating with governmental agencies to develop and maintain emergency plans and  response actions;  serving as appointed drainage district Commissioner in funding and implementing riverbank stabilization, channel restoration, and wetland mitigation projects. In these capacities, he has directed teams of engineers, geologists, urban planners, public health scientists, industrial hygienists, information systems analysts and technicians in the process of assessing the risks and benefits of planning and redevelopment initiatives.

He holds the Ph.D. in Public Health Policy and Master of Public Health in Environmental and Occupational Health degrees from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Dr. Bilotti is an Adjunct Lecturer at Northwestern University’s McCormick School of Engineering. He was Adjunct Assistant Professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago, School of Public Health, and served as a Co-Director of UIC’s Emergency Management and Continuity Planning Program.

Prior to joining KCG in 1993, Dr. Bilotti held several positions in UIC’s Midwest Training Center for Environmental and Industrial Health from 1985 to 1993. He was also Senior Planner with a nationally-recognized engineering/architectural firm, managing the conduct of environmental assessments associated with major infrastructure projects.

Throughout his 37-year career, he has built and nurtured working relationships with municipal, county, and state officials and agency staff, non-profit organizations and professional societies. He serves on the Plan and Zoning Commission for the City of Highwood; a Trustee of the South Lake Mosquito Abatement District. In past years, he was a Commissioner of the East Skokie Drainage District of Lake County; Plan and Zoning Commissioner, and Environmental Commissioner for the City of Highland Park. He is an active member of the Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) – Lake Michigan and Chicago Posts. https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthony-bilotti-560b38b/