Brilliance Core Team

The lessons that guide Brilliance Business Solutions’ success began on a launching pad, when company founder Lori McDonald served as part of the team that put NASA’s Space Shuttle missions into orbit.

While performing the technical task of managing the Shuttle’s in-flight data recorders at Mission Control in Houston, Lori also gained an invaluable personal insight from the dedicated NASA professionals working around her. “On one hand, it was exciting to work with people who had such a passion for discovering creative solutions,” she recalled. “Yet their passion had a different focus than people commonly expect. They were totally dedicated to precision and reliability. These were people who trained over and over again to make sure no mistakes happened, and they held themselves personally accountable for any problems that arose.”

It’s only natural that when McDonald transitioned from space science to web development and from Houston Texas to Milwaukee Wisconsin, this same dual focus on creativity and reliability continued as a common thread. “Everybody loves an impressive, exciting web site,” she said, “but unless it achieves its practical business goals it’s like a rocket that never gets off the ground.”

Lori graduated from Purdue University with a Bachelor’s degree in Computer-Electrical Engineering. She is a Microsoft Certified Professional. Her status as a recognized industry expert has resulted in regular speaking engagements at business conferences. Lori has been working with ACTION Business Coaching since December 2007 as she believes that improving herself, her leadership and her focus are critical for the ongoing success of Brilliance Business Solutions.

When Lori is not at work, she enjoys her family. She is married to David and has two young boys. She enjoys living out her faith through service at her church and community. She has a passion for making a difference in the lives of those in need and has worked with Milwaukee foster care as well as work on over 10 mission trips focused on home repair projects throughout the United States. Lori believes that those who lead best serve others first and she hopes this servant-based leadership is evident to every client of Brilliance Business Solutions.

As Business Development Specialist, Jim brings over fifteen years of experience in providing technology solutions to businesses large and small.

Jim is a focused individual who is committed to providing unparalleled customer service, maintaining exceptional client relationships, and elevating the brand name reputation and online presence of his customers. He approaches every challenge with an open mind, looking for that unique solution and working diligently to identify methods that will help his customers reach their goals.

He has extensive experience collaborating with clients, always striving to deliver solutions that exceed their expectations. Jim is equipped with diverse skill sets and draws from a broad background of professional and personal experience. He has helped solve communication and marketing challenges facing organizations such as Aurora Health Care, Harley-Davidson Motor Company and the Kohler Company to name a few.

Jim is a lifelong learner who stays abreast of current industry trends through training courses, seminars, and self-study. He attended the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, majoring in Mass Communications.

“Information technology and business are becoming inextricably interwoven. I don't think anybody can talk meaningfully about one without the talking about the other.”
-Bill Gates

David McDonald graduated from Purdue University with a BS in Aerospace Engineering.  During college he worked for NASA - Johnson Space Center as a Shuttle Operations team member on 7 shuttle flights.  David left NASA to pursue a career outside of the Aerospace industry and began working for Rockwell Automation.  He worked for Rockwell Automation for 15 years.  During this time, he worked for 3 years as a field application engineer helping Rockwell customers implement their automation systems.  He then joined a group for 12 years designing, architecting, and program managing a 15 person team that built and maintained the largest custom e-commerce and marketing system and database at Rockwell.  

David is excited to be serving as the Development Director at Brilliance Business Solutions as they find ways to create a better world by: 1) Helping our customers succeed through websites and software technology, 2) Growing our people, 3) Giving back to the community.

Carrie works as the lead technician at Brilliance Business Solutions. She has worked in many different platforms and environments. She joined Brilliance Business Solutions after 15 years developing software solutions in the Commercial Banking Industry. She has a Masters of Business Administration from Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Carrie loves the design process and continually refining applications and procedures to come up with the most efficient and reliable applications. She loves to implement simple solutions to complex problems. She looks for better ways to do things for the customer while maintaining the highest level of quality standards. Customer service and adding business value to our clients is her goal.

Chrystal is a data technician at Brilliance Business Solutions with 12 years experience as a data analyst and several years in customer service. She received a Bachelor’s degree with honors in Management Information Systems from UW-Milwaukee. Chrystal appreciates the logic of databases and the queries used to discover data trends and resolve data discrepancies. She is proud to be part of team that truly believes in superior customer service and listening to their customers’ needs to meet and exceed desired business goals.

Wisconsin’s beautiful lakes and parks, spending time with family and friends, good food and laughter, all contribute to making her days special and enjoyable.

“Knowledge speaks, but wisdom listens”
– Jimi Hendrix

Karleen works as a .Net Developer at Brilliance Business Solutions.  She has an Associate's degree in Computer Science from Rock Valley College, Rockford, IL.  Recently, she attended Waukesha County Technical College taking Web Development courses.  She gained up-to-date IT skills using cutting-edge development tools. Karleen has worked as a Computer Programmer for Johnson Controls and a small family-owned business. 

Karleen is excited to be part of the development team at Brilliance Business Solutions where helping customers is their number one priority.