W. Isaac McCoy
Co-Founder
“The other part is this innovative mindset. I am not saying we are going to have all these entrepreneurs and these businesses started, but you are going to get a student (who is) going to think a little bit differently, they are going to agitate systems. They are going to push the status quo in their departments, in their companies. They are going to use data as a reference and as a baseline for a lot of things they do. But at the same time, you are going to have individuals who are socially and environmentally conscious.”
William Isaac McCoy is a professional mentor, and business development executive skilled at navigating the busy intersection of nonprofits, corporations, and social impact investment. During a 20 year-long academic and professional career marked by success, William Isaac — who goes by “Isaac” — has founded or led companies and nonprofit organizations that improved civic health and increased economic opportunities for communities and businesses.
From 2010 to 2013, Isaac served as Vice President of Operations and Public Affairs at Proviso Leyden Council for Community Action (PLCCA), a faith-based organization that has aided thousands of families each year, in the Chicago land area, since its founding in 1968. In this role, Isaac was responsible for the development and management of the annual operating ($6 million) and capital budgets ($4 million). He directed the development, maintenance, and monitoring of organizational plans to align with PLCCA’s mission, vision, and values. At PLCCA, Isaac also developed innovative initiatives through inter-departmental collaborations to enhance internal efficiency and effectiveness, and monitored, and appraised the performance of each department.
Following his time at PLCCA, Isaac served as the senior operations manager for the Illinois African American Coalition for Prevention (ILAACP), a statewide, membership-based charitable organization that strengthens prevention systems, policies, and programs in underserved communities through culturally-relevant research, training, and advocacy. In this position, he managed the day-to-day operations for all the ILAACP initiatives.
Isaac was appointed to serve as Senior Advisor for Business Development at the U.S. Department of Commerce, Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA). For nearly 50 years, MBDA has been the leading Federal bureau dedicated to supporting and growing companies and entrepreneurs from across the nation’s rich tapestry of ethnic communities. In this role, Isaac served as an agency liaison between various industry task groups, White House officials, and other Federal agencies; state and local organizations, and financial services companies in the effort to support minority-owned businesses.
During his time advising White House officials and members of the business community, Isaac helped spearhead marketing initiatives, entrepreneurship programs, and technological innovation programs to spur the domestic and global expansion of minority-owned companies (MBEs).
Recently, as co-founder of Jamii Group, a social impact and business development firm, Isaac has combined his passion for education and mentoring entrepreneurs with the best practices and principles of corporate responsibility. By leveraging his Certifications in project management, business analysis, and other organizational specialties along with his advanced degree in Public Service Management, Isaac focuses on positive results and measurable outcomes.
In 2017, the U.S. State Department selected Isaac to its inaugural cohort of Global Innovation Fellows. The inaugural class of Global Innovation Fellows (50 American entrepreneurs and 50 Chinese entrepreneurs) were matched with one another to discuss business trends and accessing American/Chinese markets, as well as build relationships––all to promote shared economic prosperity, inclusive innovation, and civic responsibility across the globe.
Now, as Dean of the Business School at historic Stillman College, Isaac brings deep knowledge of current business intelligence, capital investment opportunities, technological innovation, and community support systems to the table. His vision and strategy to achieve the School of Business’s goals & objectives focus on these areas: Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Technology, Accreditation, Fundraising, Globalization, and Civic Engagement and Responsibility. While guiding the next generation of business leaders, Isaac plans to develop partnerships in corporate, government, and nonprofit sectors, and build upon Stillman’s legacy of excellence.
Isaac brings his experience and passion to serve his community on several boards and committees in Alabama and Illinois. In Alabama, he serves as a board member for The EDGE Entrepreneurship Center, a member of the Realizing the Dream Committee, and Rotary International – Tuscaloosa Morning Club. In Illinois, he was appointed to the State of Illinois’ Charitable Trust Stabilization Committee (confirmed by the IL State Senate) and the Advisory Committee for the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office (confirmed by Cook County Board of Commissioners). He serves as a member of the 100 Black Men of Chicago and is a board member of the New Path Transformation Foundation, Inc., and associate board member of Goodcity Chicago. Isaac holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a master’s degree from DePaul University.