Growing Community Media (GCM) is the nonprofit that leads independent community newsrooms on the West Side and near west suburbs of Chicago. Since 2020, GCM has been publisher of four flags serving seven communities: Wednesday Journal, the Austin Weekly News, Forest Park Review and Riverside-Brookfield Landmark. The board focuses on GCM's strategic planning, financial oversight, governance and development.

Helping govern and direct this powerful 20+ year institution providing quality arts and fitness instruction to enrich and transform the lives of children and their families in Maywood, IL and surrounding communities.

Oversee Board Governance committee for Pro Bono Network (PBN), which provides legal aid to low-income individuals in need of immigration, domestic violence, tenant advocacy, incarcerated mothers, veterans' rights and other legal services. PBN removes barriers that prevent attorneys from volunteering by providing flexible hours, matters with limited time commitment, trainings, attorney back up, and malpractice insurance. Since its inception in early 2011, PBN has partnered with 11 legal agencies and grown to more than 400 attorneys who have provided more than 20,000 volunteer hours to low-income individuals in need of legal aid throughout the Chicagoland area.

Served as OPEF’s first Executive Director, transitioning the organization from volunteer run to professionally administered. Grew revenue tenfold, tripled the number of major programs and increased the number of students participating in free residencies by 160%. Major accomplishments: Created BASE Camp (Build A Summer Education Camp) to generate revenue, serve as innovation incubator for programming, meet community need for hands-on summer learning, and employ and develop teachers. Secured a $200,000 grant to dramatically expand camp scholarships for low-income kids and help prevent summer learning slide. Developed innovative camp curricula in partnership with teachers and community organizations. BASE Camp launched with 135 campers in year one, growing to more than 2,000 campers in year six, generating half of OPEF’s revenue. Led comprehensive fund development effort generating $3 million; brought in $1 million in in-kind donations over 10 years. Led four community-wide “Calls for Ideas” resulting in four new programs. Recruited and facilitated committees to plan new district-wide programs, hired staff and oversaw program implementation and management for:- VEX Robotics: launched and supervised growth of what became the largest hands-on robotics program in the state, comprised of 35% girls, with teams consistently winning top awards at the state and national level- Architecture Adventure: local architects leading design and modeling projects - Geared Up: teaching simple machines and engineering with LEGOs- Spoken Word: competitive middle school slam poetry teams led by renowned local performers Created 20+ staff positions, hired and supervised team. Developed policies, procedures, training and recruitment programs for paid staff and volunteers. Developed brand standards and communication tools including state-of-the-art website, annual reports, sophisticated social media and digital and experiential marketing campaigns.

Proposed and helped develop a visiting artists program, then launched the program to serve 600 students every year. Recruited, hired, matched and supervised 75 artists. Fostered collaborations between artists and District 97 teachers, monitored artistic projects and conducted annual evaluations. Created and managed budget; wrote and won foundation, corporate and government grants annually. Planned and chaired workshops and recognition events for participants. Created marketing materials, arranged for public displays of students work and obtained press coverage for the program and the Foundation.

Managed federal, state and local grants to public school district. Identified new grant opportunities, researched, wrote and submitted grant applications, represented District 97 at grant interviews and provided assistance to those responsible for grant implementation. Worked with parochial school representatives to determine and monitor their share of federal grant monies. Worked with school district business office to track and project grant revenues.

Researched and wrote feature articles, marketing brochures, speeches, newsletters, and public relations programs for a wide variety of educational organizations and businesses. Advised clients on improving relationships with their customers, prospects, employees and the general public through communication materials. Clients included Ameritech, YMCA of the USA, Illinois Institute of Technology, The Quaker Oats Company, Allstate, Kraft Inc., Tellabs Inc., Illinois Department of Public Aid, Stone Container Corporation, Jefferson Smurfit Corporation, Harris Bankcorp Inc., EHS Health Care, CNA Insurance Companies, The University of Illinois at Chicago, the Chicago Tribune and FamilyFun Magazine.

Researched, wrote and managed production of a bi-monthly magapaper for 18,000 employees worldwide. Supervised contributing writer.

Wrote publicity materials and fielded calls from the public and the media.