Terrie is an entrepreneur and civic leader, the first Director of the Women’s Business Center Aurora, the first female Chair of the Board of Quad County African American Chamber of Commerce and the first in her family to graduate college.

Terrie is a strategic innovator who has demonstrated the ability to lead change and to influence and motivate diverse teams to achieve outstanding success in a variety of areas. Terrie is expertly experienced in non-profit management, leadership development and business development. She has also taught at the master’s degree level. As a corporate leader she created a call center, saved over $15M annually though strategy developing and process improvements and has supported small business in securing millions in loans and grants as well as helped to create and retain hundreds of jobs.

Terrie is the owner of Strategic Exceptions, a Professional Business Consulting Firm. Strategic Exceptions is an innovative employee training and organizational development company focused on delivering exceptional service standards with quantitative results. Our vision is to provide business strategies that produce exceptional customer experiences. Strategic Exceptions specializes in helping organizations drive results in the areas of People and Processes.

Terrie also founded the Lewis Simmons Foundation, a 501c3 corporation that aids in the areas of business growth and professional development. Their core focus is on those who have been incarcerated and need a second chance. Our mission is to help close the income gap for those in under-served communities.

Terrie is a mom, wife, mentor and servant leader.