Mission Matters

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 next 18 years in corporate leadership, ranging fro...

​Karen S. Wells is the Chief Operating Officer at Make-A-Wish America, a nonprofit creating life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. With over 30 years of distinctive career experiences, Karen has successfully held key leadership roles in a Fortune 500 company, multiple C-suite roles in nonprofits, and as an entrepreneur and small business owner. Before joining Make-A-Wish in Jan...

Alice Sima is the Board President of Friends of Imiliwaha, a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing education and healthcare in Tanzania. As an alumna of Benedictine University, she has been instrumental in fostering partnerships between the university and the Benedictine Sisters of Imiliwaha. Under Alice's leadership, the organization has significantly contributed to developing educational...

Jennifer Kopach is the CEO and SVP of Marketing Communications at Science Olympiad, the nation's largest K-12 team STEM competition. She oversees operations and manages partnerships with leading businesses, government agencies, scientific associations, and higher education institutions who join Science Olympiad's mission of improving the STEM experience for students, families, and teachers. Jennif...

Sr. Anthony Veilleux is the Director of Mission Integration at St. Patrick's Residence, a nonprofit organization providing care for the aged and infirm in Naperville, Illinois. A member of the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm for 50 years, she has played a vital role in enhancing the quality of life for residents through compassion and dedicated service. Known for her deep commitment to e...

Gabi Vargas is the Founder of the National Hispanic Suicide Prevention Network, an organization dedicated to addressing mental health and suicide prevention within the Hispanic community. She is a certified suicide loss grief support specialist and recognized 40 Under 40 Latinos in Chicago for her impactful work, empowering fellow suicide loss survivors to find hope. Gabi is also the Founder and C...

Carolyn Wahlskog, LCSW (she/they), is the Director of Operations and Programming at Youth Outlook, a youth services agency working to meet the ever-evolving needs of LGBTQ+ youth and their families in northern Illinois. She is the Co-coordinator of the Transformative Justice Law Project's Name Change Mobilization, which serves trans folks across IL to change their legal name and gender markers. Ad...

Alison Paul is the Vice President of Community Conservation at The Conservation Foundation, a nonprofit aimed at improving the health of communities by preserving and restoring natural areas and open space, protecting rivers and watersheds, and promoting environmental stewardship. She is a passionate environmental advocate with decades of experience in environmental science and social justice. Ali...

Kay McKeen is the Founder and Executive Director of SCARCE, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing environmental education and promoting sustainability in communities through recycling and composting initiatives. Since its inception in 1990, SCARCE has reached over 2.3 million people, helping educate and inspire action in 112 countries while spearheading significant legislative changes fo...

Vicky Joseph is the Founder of Families Helping Families, a nonprofit organization based in Naperville that provides housing and volunteer mentors to homeless families in DuPage County as they work towards self-sufficiency through education. Over the past 30 years, she has grown the organization to support 12 families, showcasing a strong community-driven impact. Vicky's inspiration stems from her...

Amy Rasmussen is the Executive Director of Chicago Arts Partnerships in Education (CAPE), a nonprofit arts and education organization dedicated to enhancing student learning through the arts by partnering with over 40 Chicago public schools. Under her leadership, CAPE has made significant strides in arts integration, collaborating with professional teaching artists and educators to create innovati...

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 programming company. After a long career in corpo...

Kelly Knox is the Illinois Director of Special Spaces, a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating dream bedrooms for children with cancer. With over a decade of leadership at Special Spaces, she has overseen the transformation of over 400 children's rooms, touching the lives of families throughout Illinois. Kelly's journey to finding her true purpose is inspiring and transformative, having ini...

Taylor Endicott is the Community Program Manager at Giving DuPage, an organization dedicated to promoting volunteerism and connecting volunteers with nonprofit organizations throughout DuPage County. She has government and nonprofit work experience, including her previous role at Make-A-Wish Illinois. Taylor is committed to serving the community and building a solid foundation that creates a space...

Chad Pedigo is the Vice President of Development at DuPage Pads, a nonprofit organization focused on ending homelessness in DuPage County by offering comprehensive services, including health resources, education, and food assistance. With over a decade of experience in nonprofit management and community leadership, he has been integral in transforming the organization's shelter model and expanding...

Mary Kerbs is the Executive Director at Naperville Elderly Homes and the nonprofit Owner of Martin Avenue Apartments in Naperville. Martin Avenue is a unique, affordable community of nearly 200 lower-income seniors who value independence. With over 25 years of corporate experience at Amoco Corporation and BP America, Mary brought her finance and real estate expertise to the nonprofit realm to make...

Jenifer Fabian is the CEO of People's Resource Center, a nonprofit organization based in Chicago, IL, that provides essential services for low-income and disadvantaged communities in DuPage County. Under her leadership, PRC has grown to engage over 2,300 staff and volunteers, serving 25,000 to 30,000 residents annually. With a microbiology and public health background, Jenifer has dedicated over 2...

Molly Beck Dean is the Director of WeGo Together for Kids, a nonprofit organization collaborating with over 60 community partners to support West Chicago families and their children from birth to 12th grade. With over 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, she has excelled in program development, networking, and event planning, contributing significantly to the organization's efforts to a...

Kendra Connor is the Executive Director of the Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides toys and gifts to children and teens undergoing cancer treatment. Since joining in July 2023, she has leveraged her extensive experience in the nonprofit sector, having previously worked at CASA of River Valley and DuPage County Area Project and obtained her master's...

Kimberly White is the Executive Director of the Career & Networking Center (CNC), a company that provides diverse resources to empower individuals to achieve fulfilling employment. She is a visionary leader who champions career transformation and community service. Having begun her journey assisting military personnel in career transitions, Kimberly brought her expertise to CNC in 2005. Her leader...

Nina Menis is the CEO and Executive Director of KidsMatter, a nonprofit organization focused on supporting youth and fostering community engagement. In her role, she leads efforts to provide youth with opportunities for personal growth, mental health support, and career exploration. For over 30 years, Nina has worked in advancement for public and private P-20 educational institutions, association...

Marc Kalan is an Associate Professor of Professional Practice at Rutgers Business School. As a seasoned marketing and sales executive turned award-winning educator, Marc leverages his over 30 years of experience in the corporate world to train future business leaders. He also has an extensive background in consumer packaged goods (CPG) and brand management, working with prominent companies such as...

Luke Greeley is the Associate Dean of the undergraduate program at Rutgers Business School in Newark, leading all aspects of the student lifecycle from recruitment, advice, student experience, retention, and career preparation to graduation. He boasts 15 years of experience in higher education administration, leading diverse projects and initiatives to improve academic offerings and the student ex...

Kara Murphy is the President of DuPage Health Coalition, a nonprofit organization helping people access high-quality healthcare. With a vast history in the hospital and healthcare industry, she channels her experience into leading purpose-driven healthcare efforts. Kara has led the Coalition through economic crises and pandemic challenges, emphasizing collaboration and resourcefulness to keep door...

Kandice Henning is the Founder and Executive Director of the Alive Center in Naperville, Illinois, an organization that offers inclusive experiences in learning, sharing, and discovery to help individuals connect with their passions. Since merging with NaperBridge in January 2015, Alive has enhanced its teen program.  Kandice is also a Life Coach and Certified Yoga Teacher (CYT). After over 25 yea...