Free Agents
Meet the community leaders available as ‘Free Agents’, to serve on a Nonprofit Board of Directors. Browse and review profiles before the selection event, below.
Kathryn J McKechnie
LSC Community Member for South Loop Elementary SchoolSelf-Employed I am naturally an entrepreneur. My formal education and all of my experience working for other people was in finance. After spending 10 years in finance I decided to go back to fashion school to...
Kyle Johnson
Director, Customer Success Hub Group I am an experienced leader in the transportation industry specializing in implementing solutions for customers. My previous experience includes compensation, training and development and event planning centered around community...
Ann Kerian
Media Consultant, Executive Coach & Motivational SpeakerSelf-Employed I spent more than 15 years motivating people through a camera lens. Now, I'm a consultant, motivational speaker, author, fundraiser and coach. I am a member of the prestigious National...
Reva Minkoff
Founder and President Digital4Startups Inc. I am the Founder and President of Digital4Startups, a full service digital marketing consultancy, and DigitalGroundUp, an award-winning interactive technology platform that enables anyone to learn digital marketing. I have...
Katharine Werring
Product Owner Echo Global Logistics Operating under the so-called mantra "knowledge is power", I have proven success in various aspects of product development, including project management, market research, customer service, and technical communications. While...
Ashley Sliva
Co-founder Solved Systems, Inc. I am a co-founder of Solved Systems Inc, a technology consulting firm focused on solving business problems through technology. My consulting experience has given me the opportunity to work in many different industries like healthcare,...
Susan B. Clark
Director, Grants and CommunicationsGaylord & Dorothy Donnelley Foundation With nearly 15 years of philanthropy experience, I have a keen interest in how technology, communications, and data advance the non-profit sector. In my current role, I design grantmaking...
Gordon M Mayer
OwnerGordon Mayer Communications I'm a writer and storyteller who has been ensuring all stakeholders have voice in shaping effective and fair policy for more than 20 years. What I can bring to a board Because communications, event planning and developing online...
Billy Collins
Principal ConsultantPunchkick I've spent more than a decade in digital marketing, sales, digital product UX and development, and technology consulting. I'm passionate about how technology can help solve problems for people and make our lives simpler and more...
Dana Todd
CEOBalodana I'm a longtime tech executive with a specific focus in digital product development and digital marketing. Along the way, I've founded or co-founded three companies, two nonprofits and a global support group with over 10,000 members on Facebook. I have...
Rod Holmes
Founder & Managing PartnerPilot Digital Marketing I'm an old'ish geek and business person with a long and diverse business background. My first career was at a bicycle manufacturing company where I was a purchasing manager and ultimately the director of...
Alex Mendoza
Lead Product ManagerE*TRADE Former CBOE floor trader trained by Susquehanna International Group with extensive theoretical and practical knowledge of option theory and markets. Passion for building internal as well as customer-facing trading tools and platforms....
Sara M Samuels
Financial InspirerNorthwestern Mutual Chicago I am a former civil defense litigation attorney and runs my own financial planning firm since 2008, working with clients all over the country and the world. Sara works with people in all industries; but specializes in...
Brandies L Mevaa
CEOSourceDigital Marketing I'm the CEO of SourceDigital Marketing. We specialize in fine-tuning communication. We aim to create more human exchanges between people. My personal motto is to "Need less and Give MORE." I've been so busy building the agency, that I've...
Nicole Roy
Client Management Director O'Keefe Reinhard & Paul I am an energetic, marketing professional originally from Memphis, TN. This is my second go-round in Chicago as the allure and rich culture brought me back to this great city. I am looking to continue to grow...
Christina Sterzel
Director of Strategy & DevelopmentAmerican SPCC I am a creative thinker with an analytical background who likes to look at solutions from a variety of angles before deciding upon the best approach to a problem. My passion lies in helping others and getting to...
April Chancellor
Curriculum Specialist, Biomedical ScienceProject Lead The Way April’s background includes over 20 years of experience working in nonprofits, museums, and education. Over the last 15 years, she’s focused on STEM education and developed programming for change...
Emily Carter
UX Designer / Program LeadFTD / Designers + Geeks As a designer and mentor with over 15 years of experience at ad agencies, media companies and tech startups, I've been a strategic consultant in design, UX/UI, and marketing for Fortune 500 clients as varied as...
Jen Sanford
Product Marketing ManagerBlue Lava I’m an innovative and highly-motivated professional with 10+ years of experience in branding, strategy, content marketing, and project management. As an active supporter of several Chicago nonprofits, I’m seeking new opportunities...
Jane Scudder
Founder The New Exec I'm an energetic, intuitive, deeply caring human person who loves connecting with others, making sense of problems, and supporting individuals & groups make positive, sustainable growth. I run a leadership development firm that has grown...
Alifya Kagalwalla
Director, EngineeringDigitalOcean LLC. Experienced Executive and Technology leader with a demonstrated history of working in the eCommerce, SaaS, Cloud Infrastructure, marketing and advertising industries. Skilled in organizational change, strategic growth...
Felip Ballesteros
Lead Strategist Purple Group I've served on several boards in the past, focusing on strategy and fundraising projects, driven by the intersection of youth education, arts, and technology, Latinx and LGBTQA+ causes. What I can bring to a board Strategic thought,...
Kelly A Pease
Community Manager Catapult Chicago By day, I am the Community Manager at Chicago's only non-profit and peer selected tech incubator. In 2016, I graduated from DePaul University with a degree in Environmental Sustainability and a specialty in Non-profit Management...
Malik Woolfork
Human Resources Project CoordinatorScience and Industry Museum I currently serve as the Human Resources Project Coordinator at the Museum of Science and Industry. Throughout my career in diversity, I have made great strides at the college level, but am looking for...
Lauren Haynes
Product Manager Arity Lauren is a strategist with a passion for helping organizations with a social mission (whether non-profit or for-profit) do good. She drives results at the intersection of technology and business through design thinking and change management....
Caitlin McAllister
Executive Director Catapult Chicago Caitlin is the Executive Director of Catapult Chicago, the only non-profit, peer-selected community that empowers founders through experience sharing. With the bulk of her career based in hospitality at luxury-level resorts, her...
Robert Thomas Jones
Director of Analytics and Business IntelligenceThe University of Chicago My experience in nonprofits is both broad and deep. I have worked as a frontline case manager working with the chronically homeless, have managed grants and contracts from both public and...
Kelly James
Recruitment and Talent Partner creative werks Currently, I am a Recruitment and Talent Professional. I'm very proud of what I have accomplished but my resume doesn’t define me as a person. As a person, I’m funny, I love to smile, I like to make others feel...
Fionna Millett
Operations Excellence Consultant West Monroe Partners I am an energetic consultant eager to get further involved in the non-profit community and contribute my skills towards meaningful causes, specifically on issues related to the environment and climate change. I...
Kevin Broz
COO/CFO Children's Urgent Care of IL, LLC I am presently COO/CFO of a healthcare group in Chicago specializing in pediatric urgent care. I co-founded the business raising equity and securing debt to get the clinics built and open. I then assumed the role of COO/CFO...
Megan Robinson
VP Marketing @revenue Megan is an analytically driven strategic marketer with a natural ability to blend data-driven insights into creative executions. Excellent at solving business challenges through strategic solution and focused on producing measurable results,...
Dalia Ahmed
Customer Success Operations ManagerVibes Media, LLC. I am a Marketing graduate, Operations manager, and Humanitarian-driven individual. My long-term goal is to be an advocate and supporter of people through compassion filled environments and organizations. "As we...
Brian Greenberg
Partner Fortium Partners Brian Greenberg is a Partner at Fortium Partners where he helps companies as an executive technology leader on an as-needed basis as an interim or fractional CIO or CTO. Brian Greenberg is a Forbes contributor and is a member of the Forbes...
Tracey Suppo
CEO and Co-founder Book+Main Passionate CEO that loves meeting others who are equally as obsessed with their careers and the world at large. Reader. Traveler. Animal Lover. What I can bring to a board I have a 25+ year career both in corporate (marketing) and as a...
Jonathan Matta
Founder / Designer NoElle+ Collective Some things haven't changed, like how all organizations are made of 2 things: people and money. Conversely, other things have really changed, like how organizations today face unparalleled complexities amidst the chaos of the...
Yvette Steele
Director, Member Communities CompTIA Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) professional focused on accelerating business results through the execution of DEI strategies. I am keenly focused on supporting underrepresented minorities enter and thrive in the...
Chandra Raju
Product Service Designer I am a technologist with reputation for delivering innovative business solutions and transforming organizations to adapt innovation led road map. Accomplished engineer and inventor with 2 patents and 1 patent pending, problem-solver, dynamic...
Larry Deutsch
Chief Innovation Officer Blue Chip Marketing As a champion of creativity, collaboration and change, I am a passionate leader and evangelist for innovation to deliver transformational growth. As Chief Innovation Officer at Blue Chip Marketing, I apply...
Karrin Burns
Founder/CEOFlying Start, LLC I am the Founder of Flying Start, a startup that connects high school classrooms/students with tech skills to small businesses that need tech resources. I am a licensed Illinois educator, an amateur iOS App Developer, an entrepreneur, an...
Kelly T McNallan
Forensic Scientist State of Illinois I'm fiercely curious and a true scientist across multiple disciplines. I am passionate about propelling data-driven decisions and collaboration. What I can bring to a board I bring fresh perspective, heart and an active...
Yo Alrawi
HR Manager HERE Technologies Focusing my experience on gender barriers in the work place. Specifically, focusing on barriers of entry for woman in the tech world. What I can bring to a board A different perspective as a person of the Middle East. I will also bring...
Laura Litton
Director of Enablement ThinkCERCA I create and innovate on companywide processes to support all teams by working collaboratively with leadership, sales, success, marketing, and product team members. With my expertise in curriculum planning and implementation as...
Peyton Short
Founder Peyton Short Digital I am a young mass communication and public relations professional with exceptional experiences in various industries who is excited to pursue a career with an organization dedicated to purpose-driven work. I thrive under pressure, love...
Ken Litton
Engagement Manager Mu Sigma 2+ years experience succeeding and failing on Data Science teams across Energy, Insurance, and Advertising industries. I have an intense curiosity for knowledge and am passionate about tackling high-level, complex topics through the...
Mea Andrews
Founder & CEO / VP of Client Communication & Engagement Haystack Conferences / Rimini Street Melissa (Mea) Andrews has over fifteen years of B2B technology experience in the areas of growth-driven marketing, go-to-customer strategies, marketing operations...
Stephen Riley
Director of UX Critical Mass I'm a human-centered designer and user experience leader looking to help organizations transform themselves around the needs of their customer.What I can bring to a board Both teaching credibility and the on the ground experience to help...
Jennifer Hufnagel
Nonprofit Fundraising, Management & Operations Executive I bring with me more than thirteen years of work experience within the non-profit community and have held senior-level fund development, campaign fundraising, and program management positions at...
Timothy Lu Hu Ball
Director of Security Civis Analytics I serve mission driven organizations enabling philanthropic teams to operate as securely as possible. With almost 20 years of experience working with presidential campaigns, government entities, and non-profit groups, I have...
KT Speetzen
Co-founder and Confidence Producer/Creator and Executive Producer Pitch At Us/Mother Cluckers Comedy KT Speetzen is your favorite comedic storytelling strategist. As Co-founder and Confidence Producer of Pitch At Us, KT empowers founders, C-suite executives and...
Sarah Collins
Founder and Principal Strategist The Get Agency I help brands connect with people. At The Get Agency, we develop brand voices and digital strategies that get heard, because we start with real conversations to understand the audience we're trying to reach. What I...
Colleen Pellissier
Design Researcher ShopRunner I’m a design researcher and podcast producer. I’m passionate about storytelling and people. I use the principles and practice of human-centered design to create design that’s inclusive and of service to my community. What I can bring...
Lorena Mesa
Data Engineer GitHub Political scientist turned coder, Lorena Mesa is a data engineer on GitHub's software intelligence systems team, Director on the Python Software Foundation, and PyLadies Chicago co-organizer. Lorena's time at Obama for America and her...
Deborah Cohen
Director of Thought Leadership RSM US LLP I am a former longtime journalist who now works in the corporate world building the brand of a financial services business through authentic stories. My firm serves a wide variety of middle market companies, and I am...
Lauren Forest
Senior Customer Success Manager Hireology Throughout my career I’ve worked for corporate, government, and nonprofit organizations and have found that I excel in a fast-paced environment where I’m able to adapt quickly to business changes, advancements, and...
Patti Ernst
Independent Marketing Consultant Strategic Marketing Consultant As a dynamic, influential marketing leader, I have a track record of increasing market share, brand awareness and revenue in business service organizations by developing and executing innovative and...
Eric Vazquez
Chief Technology Officer Office of the City Clerk of Chicago Value creating executive with 10+ years' experience in product development, strategic planning and process improvement. Skilled at design thinking, project management and developing cross sector industry...
Risa Rifkind
Program Manager ADA 25 Advancing Leadership As Program Manager at the Chicago Community Trust, Risa Jaz Rifkind manages disability inclusion initiatives including the Disabilities Fund and ADA 25 Advancing Leadership. Risa is passionate about the arts and serves as...
Erika Hobbs
Editor, digital content producer and strategist, journalist Patch, WBBM Newsradio, self (freelance) I am a storyteller, strategist and architect of digital newsrooms. I create content, plans and policies that cultivate audiences and drive results. I help nonprofits...
Victoria Lynn Guerrero
Software Developer I'm a biologist turned software developer who wants to use her polyglot skills to help your nonprofit succeed. I love nature, helping underrepresented communities, and I want to raise money for your organization! What I can bring to a board I have...
Bill Ryan
Product Manager Cars.com I am a detail oriented and compassionate business leader. My current expertise lies in software product management, and my prior experience spans operations, process improvement, and overall business strategy. My passions are centered...
Griffin Caprio
CEO Dante32 I'm a mesh of backgrounds and experiences, ranging from engineer to CTO to CEO in a variety of companies ( startups, corporations and NPOs). I take a much different approach to technology and companies, focused deeply on the people involved as much as...
Harrison Jones
Business Development London & Partners I am currently a business development specialist with a demonstrated history of working in international and local economic development organisations. With a background in, transportation, policy analysis, and account...
Dan Lutger
Sr Design Manager Label Insight I'm an experienced and certified UI/UX Product Designer. I want to continue to grow and lead in my field.What I can bring to a board I bring many years experience including a startup that quickly went from 4 to 100 people working...
Tess Smith-Meseth
Owner/Founder The Grateful Dawg LLC I am an animal advocate, a mother, a fire wife and a strong voice for human rights. I stand up for what I believe in and have respect for everything living. I have an in-site that allows me to connect with people and understand...