YNPN CHICAGO EXECUTIVE BOARD

BRIDGET DRURY (SHE/HER)

Manager of Scholar Supports | Chicago Scholars

Bridget is the Manager of Scholar Supports at Chicago Scholars, a non-profit that provides support to first generation college students as they transition into college, persist through college, and begin their careers. She oversees wellness and transfer engagement for the College Success team, and also manages the organization’s student emergency fund. Bridget earned her Bachelor of Arts from Governors State University in Industrial/Organizational Psychology, and her Master of Leadership Studies from North Central College. She also serves on the North Central College alumni board on their membership committee. In her spare time, she enjoys knitting, reading, and spending time with her two dogs.

HANNA JIN (SHE/HERS)

Development Coordinator | NorthShore University HealthSystem

Hanna is the Development Coordinator at NorthShore University HealthSystem. As a member of the NorthShore Foundation team, she helps raise critical philanthropic funds for programs and research that continue to transform the field of healthcare. In her role, she supports the annual and major gifts program by providing data-driven fundraising support on prospect identification, qualification, cultivation, and stewardship and assisting with the production of annual giving appeals. Prior to joining NorthShore, Hanna was the Development Operations Coordinator at Connections for the Homeless. 

Hanna received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in History and Psychology with a concentration in Organizational Psychology. In her free time, she enjoys eating good food and binge-watching shows and movies.

JOCELYN VELAZQUEZ (SHE/HERS)

Lender | IFF

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Jocelyn Velazquez is a lender at IFF, a community development financial institution (CDFI). IFF is a Midwest-based lender, real estate consultant, and developer that supports nonprofits undergoing community facility projects. In her role, she is responsible for deal origination and underwriting activities across Northwest Indiana and Illinois. Prior to IFF, Jocelyn worked as an investment banking analyst for Aon Corporation’s investment solutions team.

Jocelyn received her B.A. in Economics and Business from the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana, IL. Jocelyn is deeply passionate about supporting individuals and organizations investing in communities of color to advance racial equity. She currently serves as Board Treasurer for Star Farm Chicago, an urban nonprofit farm and landscaping service organization located in Back of the Yards. In her spare time, Jocelyn enjoys spending time with her little brothers, exercising, listening to podcasts, and reading self help books.

MARISSA BARNES (SHE/HERS)

Director of Development | Chicago Debates

Marissa Barnes is the Director of Development at Chicago Debates, an organization that is bridging the educational opportunity gap for Chicago Public School students by providing an after school program that shows them the power of debate. In her role, she is responsible for creating fundraising strategies and working with internal and external stakeholders to raise funds to help move Chicago Debates’ mission forward.  Marissa has spent the majority of her career working in fundraising, events and development in the nonprofit sector, working for organizations such as Christopher House, the Alzheimer’s Association and Girl Scouts of Central Illinois. 

Marissa received her MS in Recreation, Sport and Tourism at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and her BS in Recreation and Park Administration from Illinois State University. Outside of work, Marissa enjoys reading in the park, watching reality tv, and traveling across the country to see her favorite musicians. 

HILLARY DALE (SHE/HERS)

Delivery Manager | Provisio Partners

As a Delivery Manager with Provisio Partners, Hillary supports nonprofits across the country with strengthening their program operations and data management. She works with nonprofits of all sizes across sectors to articulate operational challenges and implement technology solutions. Prior to Provisio Partners, Hillary worked with BDO FMA as a nonprofit financial management consultant. Prior to her move to nonprofit consulting, she spent most of her career in program management and operations working with international development and aid organizations, including Action Against Hunger, United Nations Development Programme, and FilmAid International. Hillary started her career in the social sector as a Peace Corps Volunteer where she worked in the Philippines for two years.

Originally from Cincinnati, Hillary received a BA in Cultural Studies from McGill University in Montreal and a Masters of Public Administration and Policy from New York University. In her free time, Hillary loves biking on the lake shore path, long walks with good podcasts, and doing lots of improv. She also loves traveling, reading, and, above all, her cat Lola.

MARISSA DE LA CERDA (SHE/HERS)

Marketing Manager | Chicago Public Library Foundation

Marissa is the Chicago Public Library Foundation’s Marketing Manager. Born and raised in Chicago, she’s passionate about using storytelling to empower communities. As a member of the Marketing team, she helps tell the Library Foundation’s story across digital, print, and social platforms, building awareness of the Foundation’s work and the transformative impact of the Library. Before joining the Foundation, Marissa was the Marketing Assistant at KDM Engineering, the Communications Assistant at DePaul University College of Law, managing all social media platforms and writing external communications including press releases, program brochures and more. She was also a freelance arts and culture journalist, writing about film, television, art, literature, and social justice issues. Her work can be found in the Chicago Reader and The A.V. Club.

Marissa has a B.A. in Journalism and Media and Cinema Studies, and an M.A. in Communication and Media from DePaul University. Outside of work, you'll likely find her reading a book, listening to Bad Bunny, binging the latest Hulu original, or visiting her grandparents. 

MARISSA HIGGS (SHE/HERS)

Senior Marketing Specialist | Indigo Slate

Marissa is theSenior Marketing Specialist at Indigo Slate. She was the former Communications Manager at All Chicago Making Homelessness History, a nonprofit that unites community and resources to provide solutions that ensure and sustain the stability of home. In this role, she was responsible for the planning, coordination, and implementation of marketing campaigns, the design of digital and traditional media, and the management of website and social media. Prior to joining All Chicago, Marissa managed communications and annual fund efforts at Connections for the Homeless in Evanston. With a background in design and journalism, she is passionate about crafting useful and informative materials necessary for moving missions forward.

Marissa received a bachelor’s degree in English Writing and Italian from DePauw University. In her spare time, she is an avid reader with a love for Queer novels, poetry, and storytelling. She also enjoys traveling, hiking, and spending far too much time watching television shows/movies. 

EMILY RAMSTETTER (SHE/HERS)

Communications Specialist | Loyola University Chicago

Emily is a Communications Specialist at Loyola University Chicago. Previously, she worked managing communications at GirlForward, a small nonprofit serving girls in high school who identify as refugees and immigrants. In her current role, Emily works to advance communications with the University’s internal audiences, coordinate campaigns, and collaborate with other departments.

Emily is originally from Kentucky and graduated from Loyola University Chicago with a B.A. in Advocacy and Social Change. She lives in Edgewater in Chicago and you can find her scoping out new specialty coffee shops and looking for the best pastries in town. Otherwise, she is usually spending time outside, baking, watching a movie, and/or listening to podcasts!