Gareda Diversified Business Services, Inc.

Areas of Expertise

Healthcare services – specializing in professional nurse staffing, allied staffing and Homemaker services.

Organization Profile

Gwen C. Duncan-James founded Duncan & Associates in 1972 providing accounting services to other local entrepreneurs and individuals. Two years later, Gwen founded Duncan Nurses Registry, Inc., which quickly grew to be the largest African American Nurses Registry in the Chicago area. In 1980, Gwen reorganized her company and formed Gareda Diversified Business Services, Inc.

Through the years, Gareda has provided services ranging from cable TV installation to hospital staffing. Today, Gareda proudly reigns as a premier health care agency boasting an employee base of over 1,100 professional nurses, therapists, homemakers, and respite care workers.

Professional Background

Gwen has spent her entire career as a successful entrepreneur. Against the odds she became one of the first and most successful African-American providers of supplementary staffing in the Chicago area. By daring to venture into un-chartered waters Gwen has bolstered her business savvy as evidenced by the company’s consistent growth.

Education/Awards

Duncan-James attended Herzl College majoring in Business Administration. Throughout the years Gwen has received many awards including Illinois Governor’s (Ryan) Entrepreneurial Success Award (2000) / United States SBA Entrepreneurial Success Regional Award (2000) / United States SBA Entrepreneurial Success District Award (2000) / Chi Eta Phi Nursing Sorority Outstanding Service to the Nursing Profession Award (2003) / Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Finalist Award (2004) / Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Finalist Award (2005).

Business/Community Affiliations

Member: Board of Directors of The Black On Black Love Foundation, Community Mental Health Council, Illinois Association of Community Care Home Care Providers, Covenant United Church of Christ, South Chicago Coalition On Aging, Illinois Home Care Council, Community Care Program Advisory Board.

Clients Include

Illinois Department on Aging, Illinois Dept. of Human Services, Cook County Bureau of Health Services, Concentra Medical Centers, U. S. Veteran’s Administration, University of Chicago Hospitals, Childrens’ Hospital.

Certifications

Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) / Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) certifications as awarded by the State of Illinois, Cook County, City of Chicago and Minority Business Development Council. Illinois Department of Labor