Kathleen Clarke Email & Phone Number

Aptum is an adaptive consulting service designed to provide incremental, scalable support to organizations in highly-regulated industries, including financial institutions, fintech, startups, and more.

Second Vice ChairExecutive Committee MemberPresidential Search Committee Member

Groundwork supports high-growth organizations and start-ups as they move from big ideas to outcomes. We understand the many challenges and demands that leaders and founders face in bringing a mission-driven project to life. We know that great outcomes are built on the foundation of strong project plans, and just as critically, the thoughtful and dynamic way those plans are executed.

With a focus on mission-driven organizations and initiatives, Kathleen ensures organizations have the strong financial and operational footing needed to maximize their impact. As a trusted advisor and solutions-based partner, her areas of focus include:• Operationalizing and executing on complex ideas and high stakes projects seamlessly with an emphasis on thoughtful stakeholder engagement, sound and sustainable organizational practices, and prudent utilization of financial resources• Thought partnering and coaching executive leaders and boards• Conducting in-depth financial and impact analysis • Identifying and implementing business and organizational strategies

CICS’s core purpose is to offer Chicago families excellent and innovative school choices where their children thrive every day. Through a high- performing portfolio model of 14 schools managed by diverse operators, it serves over 8,300 students and offers varied and high-quality options to Chicago families.Motivate, lead, and promote collaboration among an executive team charged with executing key internal functions of strategy development, talent cultivation and human resources, communications, food services, capital planning, facilities management, data analysis, operations, and finance.

Greater Chicago Area

Spearheaded all operational efforts for a high-performing non-profit, including capital planning, facilities management, food services, risk mitigation, and procurement. Engaged diverse stakeholders to launch new food service program across all 14 campuses focused on fresh and healthy meals for students. Increased student participation, program investment, and food program revenues for our campuses. Conceived, developed, and led the organization’s newly piloted back office facilities services model. This effort focused on providing higher quality and more effective custodial and maintenance services to schools. Launched in July 2018, the initiative doubled the size of the CICS team with the addition of 23 new staff members. As an opportunity to provide value in an area in which schools and non-profits often lack expertise, this entrepreneurial venture will be scaled beyond CICS to encourage larger social impact.

Greater Chicago Area

Managed a $100 million operating budget. Led a $51M bond issuance, which resulted in a favorable bond rating, lower annual debt payments, and additional funds for capital investment. Secured an unqualified financial audit, balanced budget, and positive net income despite funding cuts and political uncertainty. Oversaw the development and successful roll-out of a five-year $23.5 million facilities management plan to prioritize and address deferred maintenance needs across a portfolio of 26 buildings. Advised CEO and Board of Directors with respect to financial stability and growth as well as strategic planning. Actively contributed to a strategic planning process which outlined a new mission and vision for the organization as well as opportunities for increased stakeholder satisfaction and financial savings.

Chicago

Founded in 2004, Namaste Charter School promotes lifelong student success and a love of learning by implementing and sharing a groundbreaking educational model that combines health and wellness with academic rigor in a peaceful environmentOversaw the financial, human resources, legal, IT, and facility operations of a rapidly growing nonprofit while maintaining dedication to the organization’s mission. As the founding Director of Operations, grew nonprofit operations from 16 employees serving 90 students with an annual budget of $1M to 60+ employees and 450 students with an annual budget of $5M. Planned and oversaw a $7.5M facility renovation and new addition construction. Secured construction financing through tax-exempt bond issuance and a private loan.

Chicago

Chicago

Public Policy, Finance

Education record

Education record

Education record

Education record