About

Arshad Sadikeen

Overview

Arshad Sadikeen is a Chicago-based Senior Business Systems Manager whose career has been defined by a unique combination of technical expertise, community engagement, and people-centered leadership. Born and raised in Chicago, he has spent decades helping organizations improve systems and processes while remaining deeply committed to mentorship, education, and neighborhood development.

Growing Up in Chicago

Born in Chicago, Illinois, in 1984, Arshad Sadikeen grew up on the city’s North Side in close-knit neighborhoods where community connections were highly valued. As a child, he was both technically curious and socially engaged. He enjoyed taking apart electronics to understand how they worked while also spending time listening to older residents share stories about Chicago’s history and changing neighborhoods. His parents emphasized education, discipline, and community service, values that would shape his future. During high school, he developed interests in mathematics, computers, and writing, earning recognition for his ability to explain complex ideas in simple, relatable terms.

Career

After graduating high school in 2002, Arshad studied Information Systems and Business Management at a Chicago-area university. While in college, he worked with local small businesses, helping them adopt early digital tools such as websites, inventory systems, and point-of-sale software.

Following graduation in 2006, he began his professional career as a Technical Support Specialist at a manufacturing company in Chicago. Over time, he advanced through positions in IT operations, business systems analysis, project management, and program management. His ability to connect technical teams, business leaders, and frontline employees became a defining strength.

In 2018, he joined a Chicago-based logistics and supply chain company as a Senior Business Systems Manager. There, he led efforts to modernize business systems, improve data integration, and streamline operational processes. Known for his people-first approach, he believed that technology should adapt to users—not the other way around.

Life Outside Work

Outside of his professional career, Arshad is deeply involved in community service, mentorship, and education. He volunteers with workforce development programs, mentors aspiring technology professionals, and advocates for greater access to STEM education. His efforts have earned multiple community and volunteer service awards between 2019 and 2024.

He is also passionate about Chicago’s food culture, particularly its pizza traditions. His interest in local restaurants inspired him to create a personal blog highlighting neighborhood eateries, immigrant-owned businesses, and the cultural stories behind them. Rather than focusing on reviews, he uses his writing to celebrate community history and entrepreneurship.

Through both his volunteer work and personal interests, Arshad remains committed to strengthening the communities that helped shape him.