SELECT & GROW CREATIVE LEADERS

We help build effective organizations by identifying and developing innovative talent.

WHO WE ARE

THE BASIL ADVANTAGE

We distinguish ourselves through our tailored service, science-based approach, and specific focus on creativity, empathy, and inclusion.

 UNDERSTANDinG 

CHALLENGES

We have dedicated our careers to the science of talent assessment and development and have previously worked in the same roles many of our clients hold.

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 COMMITTED TO SERVICE

Dedicated to your success, we will partner with you to identify solutions specific to your needs. Rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, we engage each partner with a fresh perspective on improvement.

CREATIVE POINT OF VIEW

We help organizations build and sustain innovative, inclusive cultures by placing special emphasis on empathy and creativity. We believe all organizations, regardless of industry or size, can benefit from embracing specific innovation principles.

BRENDAN NEUMAN, PhD

For over ten years Brendan has been helping organizations select, develop and lead their employees. After cultivating corporate experience in HR analytics, leadership development and talent acquisition, Brendan returned to his passion of consulting across organizations.

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With a particular focus on identifying and cultivating creative leaders, Brendan’s areas of expertise include individual psychological assessment, leadership development and coaching. He has supported organizations in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors across industries including financial services, transportation, utilities, consumer package goods, and telecommunications.

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Brendan received his bachelor's degree in psychology from Northern Illinois University, and a master's and doctorate in industrial-organizational psychology from the Illinois Institute of Technology. In addition to his consulting work, Brendan has served as an adjunct faculty member at Roosevelt University and the Illinois Institute of Technology, where he has delivered undergraduate and graduate seminars in organizational psychology and the psychology of creativity.

SAMANTHA SMITH, PhD

Sam partners with organizations to identify and select talent, develop leadership capabilities, and build an inclusive organizational culture. She has a background in both large-scale and executive assessment, leadership development, and training facilitation and is particularly passionate about enhancing organizational diversity and inclusion through education and advocacy. Sam has also served as an adjunct faculty member at DePaul University, where she taught undergraduate psychology and served as a student mentor.

Outside of the office, Sam is a comedic improvisor at iO Chicago and a Facilitator for Second City Works. Sam combines tools used by improvisors with her professional background to enhance her understanding of personal and organizational creativity and empathy.

Sam received her bachelor’s degree in psychology at Butler University, and completed her master's degree and doctorate in industrial-organizational psychology at DePaul University.

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Jake trussell

Jake is a design strategist who uncovers synergies and connects dots to facilitate human-centered experiences.

He discovers insights into people's needs and problems, ideates possible solutions, and refines those solutions into useful and usable products, services, and experiences that create value.

Jake has been designing experiences for over 20 years as the leader of his own design and branding consultancy; as Creative Director at Chicago's economic development organization chaired by the Mayor; as a music producer and record label founder; and as Webmaster of the Massachusetts College of Art & Design.

He sits on the Board of Directors for the Arts & Business Council of Chicago, is a mentor at the 2112 creative industry incubator, and is a member of the Chicago Ideas Co-op.

Jake holds a BFA in Interrelated Media from the Massachusetts College of Art & Design and an innovation certificate from IDEO U.