Dylan Ladd is a school leader, music educator and the Co-founder and Executive Director of the Illinois Conservatory for the Arts. With experience in teaching grades 6-12 and leading an arts magnet program in an urban school district, he has developed skills in educational leadership and arts curriculum and instruction. Dylan is currently pioneerin…

Janell Robinson is the Executive Director at Hope's Front Door, a mission-focused organization providing resources like food, medication, and educational programs in DuPage County. With over 18 years of experience in human services and management in the nonprofit space, her expertise lies in fundraising and advocating for civic engagement. Through …

Joel Friend is the Director of Corporate Giving and Sponsorships at Paramount Theatre in Aurora. Passionate about fostering relationships between the business and arts communities, his commitment to philanthropy supports the Paramount Theatre, RiverEdge Park, the Copley Theater, and the newly opening Stolp Island Theater. Joel's background in perfo…

Andrea Ingram is the President and CEO of DuPage Children’s Museum, where she has led transformational change culminating in evidence-based impact. As a visionary, entrepreneurial, and mission-driven leader, she champions diversity, equity, and collaboration. Andrea is also an experienced lawyer, public policy advocate, social service agency execut…

Nicki Anderson is an entrepreneur, author, and the former Founder and Director of Benedictine University’s undergraduate women's leadership program. With over 25 years of business experience, she is a seasoned strategist and visionary leader focused on driving results through innovative approaches and dynamic leadership. Nicki has mentored and coac…

Chase Harmer is the Founder of Wishes Inc, a platform designed to make charitable giving instant, tax-deductible, and transparent. As an accomplished entrepreneur, he built and sold a $40 million business at the age of 32. A veteran in the payments industry, Chase has a track record of scaling startups and creating innovative technological solution…

Shelley Taylor is the Executive Director of the Center for Educational Change (CEC), which works with school districts across the US to implement measurable social change. In her role, she manages programs, partnerships, and content for teacher evaluations, mentoring, and leadership and inclusion practices. As a National Board Certified Teacher (NB…

Dorri McWhorter is the President and CEO of the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago, an organization that is inspiring change with the power of play. Dorri is known for her innovative leadership and commitment to social impact. With a background in both corporate and social change sectors, she brings a unique blend of experience to her role. Recognized as…

Clara Lucia Jaramillo-Carrier, Brand Strategist at Paul Gregory Media, is an expert in transformational leadership and coaching with more than 40,000 hours of studying and training to her credit. She helps people, businesses, and organizations find success by activating their purpose. Over the past decade, she has used relentless mental fitness and…

Tara Beth Leach is the Senior Pastor at Good Shepherd Church in Naperville and dedicated to spreading the message of love and grace. With a rich background in ministry, she’s served in various leadership roles, including Youth Minister at Good Shepherd Church and Pastor of Servant Ministry & Missional Life at Christ Church of Oak Brook. Previously,…

Marcela Sweeney is the Executive Director of Educare West DuPage, a leading early-learning institution in West Chicago. Joining Educare in May 2012, she swiftly rose from Master Teacher to School Director, eventually assuming her current role in May 2020. In her capacity, Marcela oversees the education of 182 children aged five and below and suppor…

Megan Pennington is the Advocate Supervisor at CASA of River Valley, a nonprofit volunteer organization advocating for the best interests of children involved in abuse and neglect cases within the Will and Grundy County court system. With a deep commitment to protecting vulnerable children, Megan has been an integral part of the CASA team for six y…

Amy Van Polen is the CEO of Bridge Communities, a nonprofit organization helping homeless families. She oversees an eight-person executive leadership team that consists of fund development, community engagement, finance, program, and evaluation directors. Leveraging 25 years of experience in nonprofit leadership and management, Amy spearheads the N…

Nancy Wiersum is the Executive Vice President of Advancement for Loaves & Fishes Community Services, an anti-poverty, hunger relief agency providing food and leadership to the Naperville and DuPage areas. With a wealth of experience in nonprofit leadership, she has held executive positions at renowned organizations such as the Robert Crown Center f…

Mike Briggs is the President and CEO of Little Friends, a nonprofit agency supporting the needs of individuals and families dealing with developmental disabilities and autism. With over 35 years of experience leading private and nonprofit organizations as President, CEO, and COO, Mike has a proven track record of success. His expertise spans variou…

Bob and Judy Jung are the Founders and Co-owners of Jung Family Painting, a family-operated painting and decorating business offering paint products, doors, fences, crews, and more. Specializing in interior and exterior painting for residential and commercial properties, they extend their expertise to staining decks, doors, fences, and more. Commem…

Ashley Abraham is the Executive Director at Ride Assist Naperville, which provides seniors with affordable and dependable transportation to and from medical appointments. She joined RAN in 2021 and leverages her extensive background in working with nonprofit organizations. Over the past decade, Ashley has accumulated experience collaborating with s…

Geri Kerger is the Executive Director of NAMI DuPage, a national organization providing support, advocacy, and education for people with mental illness and their families. As a dedicated nonprofit executive, she brings a wealth of experience in program management and administration to her role. Geri excels in resource development for nonprofits, em…

Michael Sitrick is the President and CEO of the DuPage Foundation, a charitable organization established to improve the quality of health, education, and human services in DuPage County. In his roles, Michael spearheads efforts to expand the organization’s capacity and influence. Additionally, he helps shape the foundation’s strategic vision by for…

Mark Buschbacher is the President and CEO of Serenity House Counseling Services, a substance abuse and community-centric support system helping addicts develop innovative processes to approach life to gain freedom for a fresh start. At Serenity House, Mark leverages his background in operational efficiency, talent acquisition, and performance manag…

Joan Wincentsen is the Executive Director of the American Hearing Research Foundation, a 67-year-old nonprofit funding hearing loss, balance disorders, and cause prevention research. Joan possesses over 20 years of nonprofit experience, including association management, where she’s honed her skills in fundraising, budget management, program develop…

Rick Lochner is the President and CEO of RPC Leadership Associates, a leadership and business consultancy that helps develop entrepreneurs, executives, nonprofit board members, and professionals. He honed his skills while serving 11 years in the military, leading soldiers in challenging environments worldwide. Upon leaving the Army, Rick spent the …

Suzanne Kinsey is the Executive Director of Fox Valley Community Services, an organization assisting seniors with homemaker services, adult day care, transportation, home delivery meals, and more. She brings 30 years of healthcare experience to FVCS, including leadership roles in various nonprofit organizations, such as Regional Vice President at H…

Rich Tatara is an active member and President of the Rotary Club of Naperville, a worldwide network of people in action triumphing over community issues through leadership and community building. He is an experienced global leader in telecommunications and IT and a retiree at Tellabs, where he worked for 22 years. Throughout his Tellabs career, Ric…

Adam Russo is the Founder of Reliable Coaching and Strategy, a coaching consultancy helping organizations manage people, processes, and strategies. He’s also the Founder of Edgewood Clinical Services, a full-service mental healthcare provider for all ages. Before exiting the company after 16 years, Adam grew the organization to eight figures in rev…

Rick Lochner is the President and CEO of RPC Leadership Associates, a leadership and business consultancy that helps develop entrepreneurs, executives, nonprofit board members, and professionals. He honed his skills while serving 11 years in the military, leading soldiers in challenging environments worldwide. Upon leaving the Army, Rick spent the …

Paul Feith is the President of Paul Gregory Media, a mission-based digital marketing agency that offers services such as branding, marketing campaigns, social media management, SEO, advertising, and fundraising. Paul is a self-described computer and technology nerd who started his first entrepreneurial venture as the owner of Compu-Tech, a database…

Sarah Grycko-Oprzedek is the President and CEO of United Way of Will County, an organization that champions the self-sufficiency, health, safety, and education of the residents in Will County. She’s been a loyal servant leader of the United Way for 17 years, beginning her career as a Community Relations Manager and progressing up the ladder into se…

Tim Frick is the Founder and President of Mightybytes, a Chicago-based digital agency and Certified B Corporation helping nonprofits, social enterprises, and purpose-driven companies. He is also a speaker, community leader, and author on sustainable design and has published four books, including Designing for Sustainability: A Guide to Building Gre…

Marissa Schmidt is the Marketing Director at Paul Gregory Media (PGM), an award-winning marketing agency driven by purpose. In her day-to-day role, Marissa interacts directly with clients and oversees the entire project lifecycle, from ideation to execution. She has over five years of digital marketing experience, including content strategy, graphi…

Shefali Trivedi is the Founder, President, and CEO of A Better We, a platform committed to empowering individuals and communities via resources, services, and curated events. With 30 years of experience in marketing, sales, and project management, Shefali has held various roles in the government and nonprofit sectors, including the Greater Chicago …

Ashley Kratschmer is the Digital Marketing Coordinator at Paul Gregory Media (PGM), a mission-based marketing agency dedicated to serving clients’ altruistic values. In her role at PGM, Ashley oversees all digital marketing tasks and is responsible for generating impressions, leads, and awareness for the agency's client base. Ashley’s five years of…

Katrina Syrris is the Social Media Manager at Paul Gregory Media (PGM), a mission-based marketing agency dedicated to serving clients’ altruistic values. A self-described social butterfly with a flair for communication, she acquiesced to hone her social media skills. Katrina’s hands-on experience and efforts make her an asset at PGM. When she’s not…

Paul Feith is the President of Paul Gregory Media, a mission-based digital marketing agency that offers services such as branding, marketing campaigns, social media management, SEO, advertising, and fundraising. Paul is a self-described computer and technology nerd who started his first entrepreneurial venture as the owner of Compu-Tech, a database…