About Fortress Consulting Group Consulting Group Consulting Group

TEAM

A room full of creators & innovators

Fortress prides itself in bringing together people from diverse creative circles and combining them to form a single team with a shared mission. The content creators, designers, developers and digital marketing experts on our team collaborate on every project to produce customized deliverables that ensure success for our clients. Welcome to the Fortress family!

CREATIVE THINKING INSPIRES IDEAS.
IDEAS INSPIRE CHANGE.

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OUR TEAM

We’ve built our team of the most capable, accomplished, and talented people we’ve encountered, and the diversity of the backgrounds, educations, perspectives, and areas of expertise we represent makes us stronger together. We’re united by our shared values, our competitiveness, and our desire to exceed our clients’ expectations, and we have no greater strength than our commitment to one another. Fortress has become more than just a team; we have become a family.

JOEL MATHEW

CEO & Founder

Joel Mathew started Fortress after working in Chicago media for several years. He saw the need in the market for a firm that had the creative aspects of an ad agency but the technical abilities of a web development firm. After Joel came to that realization, Fortress was born, and today has served hundreds of clients, from start-ups to billion-dollar global corporations.

"Joel ran the full Chicago marathon one year because someone told him he couldn’t do it.

Image of Eric, Our Director of digital strategy

ERIC LUCASERIC LUCAS

Director of Digital Strategy

When Eric was five, he wanted to be either a cowboy or a fighter pilot when he grew up. After realizing he missed the boat on being a cowboy by about a century, and learning Top Gun was not a true story, he decided marketing might make for a fun career. Eric has worked in corporate, run his own agency, and worn many other hats in the industry. He loves to play sports and hates to lose. Eric brings his “always win” mentality to his work and will do whatever it takes to ensure his clients always win. When he isn’t working, he loves hanging out with family and friends, playing guitar, and cheering on Chicago sports team (except the White Sox).

"Went hang gliding in the alps.

ONE OF US IS AFRAID OF STATIONARY ESCALATORS!

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SHABBIR SHAIKH

Director of Project Management

Linda grew up similar to many other writers; nose stuck in a book, addicted to coffee, and refusing the fact that she couldn't live in the world of fiction forever. After graduating from the University of Illinois at Chicago with a degree in English and a double concentration of creative & professional writing, she started her career in the Windy City. She aspires to do what she can to make the world she lives in as great as the one's she writes about. On her off time, she enjoys weightlifting and trying new recipes with her husband Ryan and cuddling with their fur babies, Copper and Luna.

"Sang on the Rising Star stage in Orlando, FL.

AUBIN DYER

Creative Lead

Originally hailing from Kalamazoo, MI Aubin moved to Chicago in 2014 to pursue his dream of helping local and global brands thrive through creative design and design thinking. In his off-time, Aubin enjoys playing recreational basketball, creating Spotify playlists and raising his 2 comical children with his fiancé Kaitlin.

"Aubin was a state contending track and field athlete in high-school.

A team member met BO Jackson and Michael Jordan

NAVYA KALER

Web Developer

Navya loves to learn new things and share them with others. When she is not nerding out on her computer, she can be found listening to music, watching horror movies or suspense thrillers, painting/sketching, or hanging out with her friends. She has always wanted to know the unknown secret of the Bermuda Triangle. Her bucket list includes skydiving, kissing a dolphin, and sitting in front of the Eiffel Tower.

"As a child, Navya used to make decisions by randomly selecting folded post-it notes that said “yes” or “no”.

CARLOS SINGLETON JR

Designer

From street art to skyscrapers, from Bulls games to deep dish pizza Chicago has held an influence on Carlos's creative drive and artistic perspective. He is a professional music enthusiast that likes to design in his free time. Carlos has always been competitive, stemming from being a two-sport student athlete in College. He believes design is a lifestyle and tries to implement it into his daily routine, as well as integrating design into his perspective of the world. “Look at usual things with unusual eyes.” –Vico Magistretti

"Carlos participated in the National Junior Olympics twice.

Someone is related to the man previously engaged to Yolanda King (MLK's Daughter)

RYAN REILLY

Account Executive

Originally from California, Ryan grew up in the Chicago suburbs. When not working Ryan loves just hanging out with his friends, playing NBA 2K, and relaxing. On the weekends he leads his intramural soccer team. He thinks of himself as a "people person" and loves getting to know new people. He strives to use his easy-going nature and dedication to take his business development knowledge to the next level.

"Ryan likes to play Beach Volleyball