Girls Inc. Of Chicago

Brianna Villegas

Brianna Villegas is a program coordinator at Girls Inc. Of Chicago. She is passionate about empowering young people and strengthening the communities she serves. She blends strong communication skills with thoughtful planning to deliver efficient, youth-centered programming. Known for her collaborative spirit, attention to detail, and mission-driven approach, Brianna creates supportive environments where young people can grow and thrive.

Austin Coming Together

Clara Bonnlander

Clara Bonnlander (she/her) grew up in Pensacola, Florida, and graduated from Emory University in Atlanta with a BA in English in May 2022. After multiple internships and volunteer positions in education and social services, including a 3-year role with a tutoring non-profit in Atlanta, Clara moved to the Chicago area to pursue a career in the social services sector full time in February 2024. She serves as the Social Services Specialist for Austin Coming Together, a collective impact agency in the Austin neighborhood of Chicago, which recently relocated to the Aspire Center for Workforce Innovation after its grand opening on June 19th, 2025. Clara is passionate about creating space for authentic connection and collaboration and championing local leaders and initiatives to advance social progress.

NAMI Illinois

Emily Fagan

Emily Fagan is the Director of Youth and Young Adult Programming for NAMI Illinois and is passionate about using her experience as a longtime NAMI speaker and mental health advocate to help support the young people of Illinois. At age 17, she became one of the first personal speakers for NAMI’s Ending the Silence school program. Shortly afterward, she championed mental health awareness on her college campus through efforts to start a NAMI on Campus club.

As a staff member for NAMI Illinois, Emily works to create and implement mental health programs for youth and young adults across the state. Her initiatives range from developing education programs for elementary school children to creating workgroups of young adults to leading state program trainings. Additionally, she serves on the board of NAMI KDK and speaks to first responders through the State of Illinois Crisis Intervention Training Program.

Taskforce Prevention & Community Services

Isaiah Gonzalez

Isaiah Gonzalez is the Program and Outreach Manager at Taskforce Prevention & Community Services, where I lead initiatives designed to strengthen community engagement and support. His background in mental health counseling and group therapy allows him to integrate clinical expertise with program development, advancing holistic approaches to community well-being. He holds a dual bachelor's degrees in psychology and Sociology from Roosevelt University, which provides him with both a deep understanding of individual behavior and the broader social systems that shape communities. In addition to his work at Taskforce, he serves on the Steering Committee for the Alliance for Research with Chicagoland Communities (ARCC) at Northwestern University, contributing to collaborative research that bridges academic and community priorities. Guided by a commitment to equity for youth in professional settings, his work emphasizes inclusive practices, sustainable partnerships, and the empowerment of young people across diverse communities.

Enlace Chicago

Ismael Dominguez

Ismael Dominguez is a Resource Coordinator in the Education Department with Enlace Chicago. He has a strong track record in establishing meaningful partnerships between community based organizations, religious institutions, and most recently, public academic institutions. His work at Enlace focuses on facilitating the Chicago Public School Community Schools model at the Little Village Lawndale High School Multiplex. This work includes overseeing close to 20 after-school programs for students, co-oversight of 8 adult programs for students’ parents, and consulting the 4 administrations within the high school campus. The purpose of his work is to ensure that the programs and resources which are made available to both the students and their parents, promote their intellectual and interpersonal well-being. Ismael excels in fostering relational well-being for all parties involved through his multifaceted approach which includes the institutions he represents, the organizations he collaborates with, and the constituents that they all seek to serve.

Nonprofit Healthcare Agency

Jessica Burks

Jessica Burks is a CPA with both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in accounting from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. She began her career in public accounting as an auditor at a top accounting firm in Chicago, serving clients that included a realm of nonprofit organizations such as foundations, colleges, and universities, before transitioning to private industry. Today, she serves as the Assistant Controller at a leading nonprofit healthcare agency in Chicago, overseeing financial operations that support critical services for the community.

With a passion for numbers and a heart for service, Jessica combines her financial expertise with a commitment to making a positive impact. She is dedicated to inspiring others to pursue excellence, lead with integrity, and embrace opportunities for growth—both personally and professionally.

Harper College

Jorge Perez

Jorge Perez is a Latino higher education and student success professional with experience in enrollment services, data operations, and program management across community colleges and mission-driven organizations. He specializes in building impactful student-centered initiatives, strengthening community partnerships, and improving access, inclusion, and career readiness for diverse learners. With a background in business support and client success, Jorge brings strong analytical skills, a commitment to equity, and a passion for empowering students and communities through meaningful, results-driven work. 

Cicero Family Service

Julio Rodriguez

Julio Rodriguez is a community outreach worker at the Family Service and Mental Health Center of Cicero, or Cicero Family Service. He has been working at CFS for three years. In this role, he focuses mainly on logistics and in-person outreach, and he also manages a state-awarded grant for problem gambling awareness. He is the central person at the agency who manages this grant and its outreach activities, implementing the grant’s materials into Spanish-speaking communities and accomplishing its deliverables. He has since helped organize and host three professional conferences for the Latinx community, participated in multiple marketing campaigns with media giants such as Univision, and created many culturally sensitive awareness materials. He does what he does because he enjoys helping others, and because of the lack of sufficient resources in his community.

Girls Inc. Of Chicago

Kaila Davis

Kaila Davis is a native of Little Rock, Arkansas where she graduated from Arkansas State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education. She is an educational professional with over a decade of experience strengthening partnerships among schools, families, and community organizations. Kaila currently serves as Program Manager at Girls Inc. of Chicago, where she helps lead program teams, curriculum, and scheduling efforts. Previously, she served as the Director of Family and Community Engagement and Out-of-School Time programming at Ingenuity Prep in Washington, D.C., leading school-wide engagement strategies and managing before- and after-school, out of school time operations. She also spent five years with Communities In Schools of Chicago building partnerships that connected Chicago Public School students to essential services in the Chicagoland area. She began her career as an elementary educator in Prince George’s County Maryland. Kaila is committed to advancing equitable, student-centered programs and creating strong, collaborative school communities.

Obama Foundation

Kiah Williamson

Kiah Williamson is a Program Associate for Leaders USA at the Obama Foundation, where she supports the design and implementation of leadership development programming and is deeply committed to empowering marginalized communities as future leaders and changemakers. In her role, she oversees the application review process, serves as a lead point of contact to consultants, analyzes data to inform application review strategy, and facilitates interviews to help select future program cohorts. Kiah also develops the curriculum for Community Groups and leads both the facilitation and ongoing management of these sessions, strengthening participant learning, connection, and growth. Before joining the Obama Foundation, Kiah served at the University of Chicago’s Career Advancement Office as Program Director for the Social Sector Leaders Program, supporting students pursuing careers in the social sector through curated networking events, faculty-led research workshops, and leadership competitions. She also served as Associate Director for Student Employment, advising first-generation and low-income students on securing meaningful internship opportunities and building strong professional foundations. 

The Institute For Nonviolence Chicago

Michael Winters

Michael Winters is an emerging leader in the nonprofit sector, bringing a unique blend of business knowledge and social-work experience to his role at the Institute for Nonviolence Chicago. There, he supports the reentry and support services departments and coordinates victim services with city partners. He also leads the Chicago Community Violence Pilot Site for the Intersections Project, which supports individuals impacted by both community and domestic violence in targeted neighborhoods. Raised in the Austin neighborhood on Chicago’s West Side, Michael carries great pride in serving the community that shaped him. He is committed to addressing systemic inequities and amplifying the voices of those who call these neighborhoods home. Michael is excited to join the YNPN Leadership Institute to deepen his leadership capacity, build cross-sector connections, and strengthen his impact on communities most affected by violence.

SparkShop

Mikayla Carter

Mikayla Carter is the Operations Specialist at SparkShop, where her work involves coordinating volunteer events, assisting with inventory, and ensuring the delivery of individual student kits to schools all around Chicago. Mikayla started her career in higher education at a small university in central Ohio. In that role, she worked in the diversity and inclusion office leading a variety of student-focused initiatives for historically marginalized student populations. Prior to her professional career, she received her Bachelors in Psychology from The Ohio State University. In her time at Ohio State, she developed her passion for working with students with marginalized identities and building community with involvement in Black Student Association, Morrill Scholars Program, and African-American Heritage Festival.

Chicago Commons

Monica Gamon

Monica Gamon is a Chicago native and proud graduate of Chicago Public Schools. She currently serves as a Program Manager at Chicago Commons, where she leads a team focused on advancing digital literacy, workforce development, and financial empowerment initiatives that expand economic mobility and post-secondary opportunities for city residents. Before joining Chicago Commons, Monica worked as a college advisor at a local high school. She has supported hundreds of young adults and adult learners through personalized coaching, curriculum design, and data-informed program improvements. A fluent Spanish speaker and first-generation college graduate, Monica is deeply committed to strengthening pathways to higher education and career advancement for families—guided by her belief that education is one of the most powerful drivers of socioeconomic mobility. She holds a degree in Political Science from Amherst College. Outside of work, she enjoys journaling and spending time with her chihuahua mix, Marnie.

Negaunee Music Institute

Rachael Cohen

Rachael Cohen is a devoted arts administrator who is passionate about building a more equitable classical music landscape where all feel welcome to participate. With a background as a classical flutist and teaching artist, Rachael currently serves as Program Manager for the Negaunee Music Institute, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s education and community engagement department. In this role, she plays an essential role in shaping the organization’s community and social impact initiatives, with a primary focus on overseeing the Civic Fellowship program, an opportunity for emerging professional musicians to explore the intersection of their musicianship and humanity through projects in artist planning, music education, social justice, and project development. Prior to this, Rachael honed her French language skills as the Learning Center Coordinator at the Alliance Française de Chicago, where she managed class enrollment, events and language exams. Outside of work, Rachael enjoys cooking elaborate meals for her friends and family and exploring Chicago’s vibrant food scene!

Revolution Worshop

Tiana Colar

Tiana Colar is a people-centered Program Manager at Revolution Workshop, where she oversees the day to day operations for the Roseland location and ensures that both staff and trainees feel supported, prepared, and empowered. She is known for her calm, structured, and intentional approach to leadership, balancing empathy with accountability to help individuals grow and succeed. Outside of her program management work, Tiana coaches youth Double Dutch programs, supports financial literacy initiatives, and continues to expand her impact through community-based leadership. She is passionate about equity, opportunity, and helping people reach their full potential.

Defy Ventures Illinois

Tori Sims

​Tori Sims is Defy Venture’s Illinois Career and Reentry Program Manager. In their current role, they coordinate both the intimate details of reentry planning as well as overseeing data management, community partnerships, and employment readiness/digital training for returning citizens. They received their undergraduate degree in sociology with a minor in nonprofit management from the University of Nebraska Omaha, previously serving as a student member of the University of Nebraska Board of Regents. Currently, they are earning their master’s degree in social work, and draw from a wide breadth of professional experience working with children and families, acute mental health crisis, older adults, individuals with severe and persistent mental health challenges, and reentry. Tori is passionate about collaborating with others to achieve their goals, and building strong networks of support for each member of our community. When they aren’t at work or school, Tori loves to read, catch up on TV, and practice yoga.

Sarah's Circle

Tucker Miles

Tucker Miles is a mission-driven operations and technology professional passionate about building efficient, people-centered systems. As the Operations Manager at Sarah’s Circle in Chicago, he has a lot of  current projects that have led him to develop automated workflows, data platforms, and cross-department processes to improve transparency, reduce downtime, and strengthen responsiveness.