Our Team

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Our Team

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The Builders Ave Team

The Builders team consists of a group of dedicated professionals who excel in their respective fields. From architects and engineers to construction managers and tradespeople, our team embodies a diverse range of talents and expertise. By leveraging their collective skills and knowledge, they work collaboratively to ensure the successful completion of each project.

Mejai Kai Dyson

Mejai leads our Estimating Program, helping our construction entrepreneurs improve their ability to cost estimate and bid through one-on-one coaching and training.

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Mejai began his decades-long career in commercial construction as a Project Engineer, coordinating and delivering built spaces for private and public clients. As Chief Estimator Mejai has assembled cost estimates for a variety of skilled trades and building types. He has represented all sides of the table from contractors and GCs to owners' rep. Mejai is passionate about continuous improvement, ensuring value and margins for all stakeholders.

Mejai Kai Dyson

Chief Estimator

Andrea Yarbrough

Andrea serves as the Program Director for Business Services Collective, working directly with participating construction entrepreneurs to understand their business goals and challenges. She co-creates personalized action plans to overcome barriers and coordinates with our network of professional service providers, including BIPOC accountants, estimators, and other industry leaders. Andrea also leads our back office apprenticeship program, working directly with service providers to train high school and college students in relevant back office skills to provide greater support to construction entrepreneurs. She is dedicated to delivering one-on-one training, mentorship, and support to implement a holistic set of business best practices. Before her current role, she worked as a commercial real estate consultant at a community development financial institution, supporting non-profits through development projects.

Andrea Yarbrough

Program Director

Jason Swan

Jason engages our program participants to implement their back office strategies and leads our personal and business credit program.

Jason is a Chicago native with nearly 20 years of community banking, lending and economic development experience. Jason has worked for several financial institutions and non-profits with a specific focus on leveraging capital for small businesses and entrepreneurs in low to moderate income neighborhoods in Chicago and its surrounding communities.

Jason Swan

Capital Coach

Kyle Johnson

Kyle works with service providers and contractors on a daily basis to build our shared back office.

Raised in the Northwoods of Minnesota, Kyle left a radical puppet theater in Minneapolis to join a microlender in Chicago, where he used grassroots organizing to extend a small business loan program across the city’s diverse neighborhoods.

Kyle Johnson

Chief Operations Officer

Nitika Nautiyal

Nitika directs our strategic partnerships to develop a coordinated ecosystem of supports for Chicagoland contractors. 

Nitika previously led the nation’s largest network of local, regional, national and international institutions anchored in the Chicagoland, with upwards of $20B in collective spend, driving inclusive economic growth through place-based strategies. 

Nitika Nautiyal

Chief Strategy & Development Officer

Our Board of Directors

Guided by a visionary and experienced Board of Directors, our organization is driven by a commitment to excellence and innovation in the construction industry. Comprised of industry experts and business leaders, our Board provides strategic direction and ensures that our Builders Ave continues to evolve and meet the evolving needs of our clients and service providers.

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Delmar Gillus, Jr.

COO, Elevate
Board Member

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Deon Lucas

President, E.G.Woode
Board Chair

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Claudette Soto

President, baso ltd.
Board Member

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Nora Sobolov

Founder, The Dividend Project
Chair Emeritus