Tim O’Neil

Founding Partner, President

By profession, Tim is a commercial general contractor having worked for his family’s business, W.E. O’Neil Construction Company for 22 years and since 2020, a principal at O’Neil Building Corporation. Tim has extensive knowledge on how to execute projects from small multi-family residential to large commercial projects. He can see creative solutions, and his passion for being onsite contributes to the success of every project. Tim also served on the Board of Directors for O’Neil Industries, Inc., the national holding company for the W. E. O’Neil subsidiaries.

Tommy is the visionary behind ARTEMPLE Chicago, an ambitious project rooted in his deep belief in the transformative power of the arts. A lifelong artist whose own life was shaped and saved by the arts community, Tommy has spent the past 25 years as Founder/ CEO of Cleverpillar Creators Collective creating live-work opportunities for artists, fundraising for exhibitions, co-producing artistic events involving between 50-5000 people, and mobilizing critical resources to support creative endeavors. As the founding executive director of ARTEMPLE Chicago, they bring an unwavering commitment to the mission, combining passion with practical expertise. With an indomitable spirit and a keen eye for both big-picture vision and intricate details, Tommy is dedicated to making ARTEMPLE a thriving reality for artists and the community.

Bruce D’Souza, an accomplished illustrator and painter, was born in Pakistan and his family immigrated to the U.S. when he was eight years old. He has been a member of the Cleverpillar Creators Collective for the past 15 years and co-produced hundreds of highly successful transformational art events and fundraisers. He is known nationally for creating visually expressive pieces and building out artistic spaces from blueprint to experience in various US cities. Bruce began his college education at Purdue University where he was an Asian Student Union member and worked to bring awareness to and advocate against racism. He finished his BA at Columbia College, in Chicago.

Donna “Dante” Marie Gary is an African American femme, non-binary, and bisexual poet. They are currently based in Chicago as the Program Coordinator of the UIC Disability Cultural Center. Their dedication to equity can be surmised from their time as Operations Manager for Free Street Theater, and as a Tech Facilitator for the equity firm, Morten Group LLC. They graduated first generation and summa cum laude from NYU’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study. Their research focus and concentration was entitled “Poetics of Embodiment; The Ways Marginalized Folks Re-Imagine Their Value.” They also acquired a cross school Disability Studies Minor, and made a lasting impression as the co-president of the Disability Student Union. In their free time they curate activations for the Chicagoland creative community through their brand The6ixCollective, and their poetry series Dante’s Originals.

Kathryn is an experienced non-profit executive serving in executive leadership positions for the past 20 years. She co-founded Be Strong Families in 2012 and has grown it from zero to $3 million / year annual budget primarily through earned income contracts with state and local government systems. She completed her bachelor’s degree at Princeton University, graduating summa cum laude, and earned a Master’s degree from Sofia University (formerly known as the Institute for Transpersonal Psychology) in Women’s Spirituality and Creative Expression. Kathryn earned her doctorate in Psychology from the California Institute for Integral Studies. In addition, Kathryn has a private executive leadership and organizational development coaching practice: Yes! Coaching and Consulting. She is an IPEC-certified life coach and a yoga instructor (RYT-200). In 2021 she founded Satkona Sanctuary in Wadsworth, IL, a healing sanctuary where art and holistic wellbeing flourish in a context of sacred protection.

Gene co-founded Chicago-based Rebel Hospitality (formerly Neighborhood Development Corporation) in 1988 and has been leveraging his vision and development expertise ever since. Gene has overseen the design of over 16 independent boutique and brand hotels, restaurants, and entertainment venues in Chicago, Memphis and Phoenix. As a Principal of Rebel Hospitality, Gene focuses much of his attention on the design, planning, engineering, creative, and branding portions of the business. He is integrally involved in each and every facet from conception, vision and branding. Gene has an ear to the ground and an astute understanding of what consumers are looking for – combined with his knowledge of current trends, Gene creates hotels full of imagination. Gene speaks on many industry panels and at trade shows on the topic of boutique hotel development, investment and design. Under Gene’s leadership, virtually every property and outlet has received multiple industry, press and consumer awards and accolades for spectacular design as well as innovative extras. Gene serves as ARTEMPLE’s real estate and hospitality advisor.