2023–2024
Impact Report
In 2024, VOCEL reached an incredible
6,000 children
through our support of parents, caregivers, teachers, and school leaders. We also set an ambitious goal to more than triple our reach by 2029! At that scale, we aspire to change the conversation about play, joy, and early childhood excellence in Chicago — so that every child can thrive, regardless of their zip code.
Join me for a look at our 2029 strategic plan and north star, including highlights from the 2023-2024 program year.
–Jesse Ilhardt
Executive Director & Co-Founder
2029 North Star
Click each line to learn more about our vision.
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This affirms what is special about VOCEL – we do all of our work in partnership with parents, teachers, and school leaders. We equip them with best practices, tools, and a community of support – but it is this network of adults that changes outcomes for kids.
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Starting with the second half here – “brain-building playful learning”. There is a growing body of research that decisively shows that the best way young children learn is through rigorous, intentional play-based learning that’s guided by an adult. When you look at all the factors of strong early development – early relational health between parents and young children, social emotional development, academic foundation, physical development – play is the one thing that unites all of these.
Next - “unlock the power”. So much of this research is locked up in research journals or in an academic context, with the power to transform learning but inaccessible to most potential users. VOCEL has proven our ability to communicate that research effectively to a diverse audience of parents and educators. We’ve seen increasingly that adults do see the power of playful learning – but they still struggle with how to implement effectively every day, or how to prioritize it amongst other pressing demands. -
VOCEL was founded back in 2013 with the aspiration to change the early childhood landscape in Chicago. And we’ve heard over the years how our programs have had a ripple effect in the communities where we work. Over the next five years, we want to be more intentional about how our work can provide a proof point for what early childhood excellence requires – and how we can have an influence on the landscape beyond our core programs.
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We deeply believe (and the research shows) that a strong early foundation has a lifelong impact. As I shared before, brain-building playful learning is a key part of that foundation – and one that lays the groundwork for success across these domains.
This is what our work has always been in service of: kids who are prepared to thrive.
Our Model Today
VOCEL Child Parent Academy
An innovative two-generation program where parents/caregivers and their children learn side-by-side in weekly classes.
FY24 REACH:
20 school partners
228 young children and their parents/caregivers
Powered by VOCEL
A version of the Child Parent Academy led by local parents for the communities they call home.
FY24 REACH:
18 parent leaders
85 young children and their parents/caregivers
Early Educators for Thriving Children
A two year fellowship that combines cohort-based learning and personalized coaching to help early childhood teachers become experts in social-emotional learning and play-based instruction.
FY24 REACH:
44 teachers
1,000+ students
Building Early Learning Leaders
A two-year fellowship that helps school leaders develop and execute a vision for early childhood excellence in their schools.
FY24 REACH:
27 school leaders
5,000+ students in grades Pre-K to 2nd
VOCEL’s Impact at a Single School
Take an inside look at The Chicago Academy — which has participated in all of VOCEL’s family and educator programs — and how our partnership has helped shape their vision for early learning excellence.
2024 Laid the Groundwork
Powered by VOCEL Wins Chicago Innovation Award
In fall 2023, our Powered by VOCEL program received a Chicago Innovation Award for the way it has empowered parents to lead in their own communities.
All In For Kids + NORC Evaluation
At the start of the 2023-2024 school year, we launched our first external evaluation in partnership with NORC at the University of Chicago as part of our All In For Kids Pilot, measuring outcomes for our parent, teacher, and school leader participants.
Deepening Our Work with Principals
This school year, we had the opportunity to lead workshops for CPS principals in partnership with the district — on top of our existing BELL fellowship. Principals at these sessions recognized how VOCEL's joyful approach to adult learning sets us apart as a professional development opportunity.
Team Satisfaction + Our Net Promoter Score
VOCEL is proud to have had a staff net promoter score of 100 this year — meaning every staff member who replied to our survey said they would recommend VOCEL as a great place to work.
VOCEL brought on five new board members and launched a board and staff Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Committee — reinforcing our deepening commitment to rooting equity at the core of our impact and growth.
Board Growth & Commitment to EDI
Associate Board Trivia Night
This spring, the Associate Board brought together VOCEL supporters both old and new for a competitive game of trivia at local favorite Great Central Brewing Co. — fundraising nearly $10,000 to support our programming in the new school year.
Baird “Kids Win!”
VOCEL won the $100,000 Paul Purcell “Kids Win!” Grant Award from the Baird Foundation — a massive honor and investment in our mission. Rachel Berkowitz, a VP at Baird and the Vice President of our Associate Board, was instrumental in supporting VOCEL’s application.
Celebrating 10 Years of VOCEL!
We celebrated our 10th year at CREATE: VOCEL’s 10th Anniversary Benefit Dinner! Learn more here.
“In VOCEL, parents can feel really supported and engaged with their child.”
2029 Priorities
PRIORITY 1
Advance the use of rigorous playful learning in early childhood education
Goal 1:
More than triple our reach, enriching the lives of 20,000 children annually through training, coaching and peer support programs for parents, teachers and school leaders, in Chicago and surrounding Chicagoland communities.
Goal 2:
Refine key impact metrics and establish an evidence & research base to drive program iteration.
“At A Better Chicago, we fund nonprofits dedicated to making significant impacts on children & youth and fostering lasting change. VOCEL exemplifies the crucial role of data-driven decision-making in early childhood education, emphasizing innovative, outcome-focused programming. Their model and commitment to innovation demonstrate that investing in children from their earliest years can have profound, long-term benefits for both the individual and their community.”
Chief Investment Officer
A Better Chicago
Goal 3:
Grow VOCEL’s reputation for high-quality, human-centered, joyful, playful strategy and programming.
“Play is a superfood for children‘s development. It nurtures critical thinking, collaborative language and social skills, while seeding a resilient, optimistic mindset.”
VOCEL Board Member
PRIORITY 2
Center Equity in Our Organizational Leadership and Community-Driven Programming
Goal 4:
Strengthen impact in prioritized communities through community-centered innovation and programming tailored to their assets, values, and needs.
Goal 5:
Enrich the diversity of VOCEL’s leadership team and board of directors to mirror the multicultural identities of the communities we serve.
“Centering equity in strategic planning is crucial because it ensures an organization’s priorities and resource allocation are intentionally focused on dismantling systemic barriers and advancing racial justice. By making equity a throughline in their plan, VOCEL’s unwavering commitment to equity shines as they amplify community voices, champion leadership diversity, and expand opportunities in Black and Latinx communities.”
CEO
Avanza Strategies
PRIORITY 3
Scale our People-First Culture and Infrastructure
Goal 6:
Accelerate revenue growth to support expanding impact by scaling our relationship-focused fundraising approach and building new revenue sources.
Goal 7:
Position VOCEL as a leading joyful, inclusive, and people-first workplace, renowned for attracting, developing, and retaining top talent.
“Our team loves working here because we truly put people first and take their needs and ideas seriously. Our team culture is a superpower, and now we’re committed to scaling it.”
PRIORITY 3
Scale our People-First Culture and Infrastructure
Goal 6:
Accelerate revenue growth to support expanding impact by scaling our relationship-focused fundraising approach and building new revenue sources.
Goal 7:
Position VOCEL as a leading joyful, inclusive, and people-first workplace, renowned for attracting, developing, and retaining top talent.
“Our team loves working here because we truly put people first and take their needs and ideas seriously. Our team culture is a superpower, and now we’re committed to scaling it.”
“VOCEL means the world to me. It’s given me lots of tools, lots of knowledge, lots of confidence as a parent.”
“VOCEL really helped me develop a lens for early childhood education that I hadn’t had before.”
“VOCEL made me a better educator. It reminded me that curiosity is inherent in us as human beings, and that the best way to nurture it is quite frankly through play.”
Our Staff & Boards
Lists as of June 30, 2024. Visit Staff & Board to view updated lists.
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Nick Scodro
RBN Insurance Services
ChairPhyllis Lee
Manifold Group
SecretaryJason Mueller
JP Morgan Private Bank Chicago
TreasurerJeannine Cleary
Supporting Literacy and MathGrant Gochnauer
VodoriJustin Hance
Harris AssociatesLindy Hirschsohn
The Boston Consulting Group; Alumna PartnerFrank Karl
Kayne Anderson Capital AdvisorsElizabeth Keigher
GEM Realty Capital, Inc.Lisa Kueng
InvescoCarrie Littman
The Boston Consulting GroupLaura Muriello
Social Impact LeaderViki Rivkin
SHALVAAdrian Segura
People-Centered Management Consulting
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Kelly Powers Kelly
Co-Founder & Former Executive DirectorAmy Cahill
Char Damron
Jonathon Fellows
Stacey Gillett
Louis Hellebusch
Jack Krasaeath
Barbara Koren
Ellen Morgan
Ashley Pletz
Aminah Wyatt-Jones
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Nick Coetzee
Axial
PresidentRachel Berkowitz
Baird
Vice PresidentJessica Bohorquez
Small Business OwnerPierre de Smet
The Boston Consulting GroupHaley Ford
Chicago Public SchoolsJenna Harrison
JP Morgan Private Bank ChicagoTejan Kapoor
AxialSamuel Muñeton Jr.
Robert R. McCormick FoundationTimi Omotunde
The Boston Consulting GroupLori Pluchrat
Berwyn North School DistrictGabriel Rojas
University of Chicago, Sociology PhD ProgramJack Scaletta
ActiveCampaignJohn Schmidt
GEM Realty Capital, Inc.Arielle Shanker
Shanker Education Consulting; Former Early Childhood EducatorJoe Tereba
Houlihan Lokey
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Cristen Brown
Director of Child & Family LearningMaritza Castillo
Teacher, Program CoordinatorEdith Contreras
TeacherAmarilis DeLeon
Family Support SpecialistRaha Dempsey
Managing Director of Program StrategyClaribel Diaz
Family Support SpecialistAnais Gonzalez Nyberg
Development ManagerJamie Huenink
Director of Teacher DevelopmentJesse Ilhardt
Executive Director & Co-FounderGreg Lowe
Managing Director of DevelopmentDeb Perez
Director of PartnershipsNelly Pineda
Director of Parent & Community LeadershipJulio Rodriguez
Member Experience ManagerAlicia Stipe
TeacherMaria Dolores Vaca
Family Support ManagerKayla Villalobos
Managing Director of ProgramsSandi Weiskirch
Managing Director of Finance and Operations
Financials
All financial data is preliminary, as of June 30, 2024. Audited financials will be available in Q4 2024.
| Cash and Equivalents | $941,842.48 |
| Accounts Receivable | $102,183.31 |
| Growth Reserve | $307,603.65 |
| Operating Reserve | $645,589.05 |
| Other Current Assets | $68,394.24 |
| Other Assets | $160,471.73 |
| Total Assets | $2,226,084.46 |
| Total Liabilities | $281,303.80 |
| Total Equity | $1,944,780.66 |
| Total Liabilities and Equity | $2,226,084.46 |
FY24 Revenue and Expenses
| Total Revenue | $1,812,337.62 |
| Total Expenses | $2,133,743.11 |
| Net Revenue | -$312,405.49 |
Click on graphs to view larger.
Help VOCEL unlock the power of brain-building playful learning.
Thank you to all of our supporters!
CREATE Sponsors
Presenting Sponsors
Lindy & Mike Keiser
Frank ten Brink & Jeannine Cleary
Empowering Sponsors
Lindy Hirschsohn & Chris Coetzee
Mary & Paul Finnegan
Lead Sponsors
Linda & Kevin Conway
Char & Larry Damron
Frank & Lauren Karl
Cecily & Arthur Kaz
Supporting Sponsors
Lori & Bruce Fogelson
Barbara Koren
Lisa Kueng & Tony Green
Carrie Littman & Nelson Iginla
Table Hosts
The Berkowitz Family
Grant Gochnauer & Gabriel Fontes de Faria
The Hellebusch Family
Jesse & Ben Ilhardt
Ankeet & Lauren Kansupada
Laura & Luke Muriello
Irene & Rich Parisi
Tom & Sally Powers
Cathryn & Justin Schmaltz
Nick & Ariele Scodro
In-Kind Sponsors
Gabriel Rojas Photography
Our Champions
All donors to VOCEL between July 1, 2023 and June 30, 2024. Listed alphabetically.
Individual, Corporate and Foundation
A Better Chicago
AbbVie
Michael Abello
Allison Ackerman-Guberman & Daniel Guberman in honor of Sandi Weiskirch
Tilia & Pedro Albuquerque
Maril Alsup & Joseph Patt
Jennifer Alter Warden & Robert Warden
Anonymous Donors (4)
Arkes Family Foundation
Gerardo Arriaga
Javier Arriola-Lopez
Steve Auman
Baird
Judd Barron
Steve & Carol Barron
Mitchell Barrows
Greg & Lois Basil
Rachel Bates in memory of Audrey Wiltjer
Beam Suntory
Amy Beck
Tom & Lucy Bednar
Alejandra Esqueda Belmonte
The Catherine J. Benjamin Trust
Robin Bergman Minkow
Ellen Berkowitz & Steve Auman
Kirsten & Charlie Berkowitz
Rachel Berkowitz
Patricia Blanco
María de Lourdes Blanco Sánchez
Jessica & Marlon Bohorquez
Etta Boot
Boston Consulting Group, Inc
Jesenia Briones
Tracy & Tom Brooker
Debbie & Matthew Brown
Adam Brunner
Brandon Bush
Elwanda Butler
Amy & Gabe Cahill
Gina Campanella
Canon Solutions America
Johnny Carlson
Brian & Andrea Cercek
Craig & Ana B Channell
Hillary Child
David & Debbie Chizewer in honor of Frank Karl
Mia Cleary
Shayne Cleary
William Cleary
Cleary ten Brink Family Foundation
Laura Clementi
CME Group Foundation
Gaby Coetzee
Nick Coetzee & Bari Seigerman
Helen Cohen
Nancy Cohen
Stephanie Cohen in honor of The Fontes-Gochnauer Family
Justin Cole
Tricia Collins
Kevin & Linda Conway
Jonathan Cooper
Yasmin Corrales
Dave Cotugno
Crown Family Philanthropies
Char & Larry Damron
Lauren & Lee Davidson
Erin Davis
Leah Day
Pierre de Smet
Maya Defoe
Raha & David Dempsey
Stephen & Kristine Dieter
Discover Financial Services
DRW Foundation
Ravae Duhaney
Cynthia Dvorak
Matthew & Christina Eaves
Michael Ebsen
Jennifer Edgcomb
Shawn & Sang Ellis
Envestnet Giving Program
Nick & Christy Etz
EverThrive Illinois
Ryan Faoro
Jonathon & Valencia Fellows
Patricia & Jerry Fellows
Ryan Ferdowsian
Finnegan Family Foundation
Imelda Flores
Julia Flores
Whitney Fogelberg
Fogelson Family Foundation
Haley Ford & Todd Dummett
Melissa Ford
David Frankel
Frechette Family Foundation
Stanley & Ruthie Friedell
Jonathan & Rachael Fritz
Dana Galati
Alfredo Garcia
Melanie Garrett
Cameron Gearen
Paul Gearen in honor of Barbara Koren
GEM Realty Capital
Ema Geniti
Aamer Ghaffar
Stacey & Gabriel Gillett
The Gochnauer Family Foundation
Sam Goldberg
Edgar Gonzalez & Perla Gámez
Anais & Riley Gonzalez-Fang
Douglas Goodwillie
Max Gould
Rachel Graham
Brittany & Jerry Graunke
Josh and Elena Grotto
Laura Grover
GTCR
Celine Guerrero
Christina & Adam Hachikian
Justin Hance
Jenna Harrison
Dan Harvey
Julie & Stephen Hellebusch
Lou & Meredith Hellebusch
Shonnika Henry
Henry Crown and Company
Nora Herrera
Dwight Hingtgen
Lindy Hirschsohn & Chris Coetzee
Josh Hoen & Blair Hannah
Barbara Hoffman
Myra Holman
Jacqueline Horn
Houlihan Lokey
Spencer Howard
Ben & Jesse Ilhardt
Doug & Bonnie Ilhardt
IMC
Mckinley Imus
Invesco Mgt LLC
Jane & Michael Janik
John Jennings
The John Buck Company
Ryan Jones
JP Morgan
JP Morgan Chase Foundation
Cathy & Ethan Kahn
Ruth Kahn in memory of Cathy Kahn
Noel Kamenica
Ankeet & Lauren Kansupada
Tejan Kapoor
Frank & Lauren Karl
Zack Karmin
Katten Muchin Roseman LLP
Calvin & Mary Katter
Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors Foundation
Cecily & Arthur Kaz
Elizabeth Keigher
Lindy & Michael Keiser
Erin Kelly
Mike & Arlene Kelpsch
Douglas Kempler
Jane & Jason Kenyon
Nick Kester
Shelby King
Kirkland & Ellis
Madeline Kojs
Kathleen Kolodgy
Barbara Koren
Jack & Becky Krasaeath
David Krzemienski
Lisa Kueng & Tony Green
Leigh Anne & Andrew Larsen
Tena Latona
Carolyn & Mike Laughlin
Lillian Lazu
Stacey Leadley
Ken Leonard
Karen Lewis in memory of Nancy Cohen Nowak
Mara Lewis Shear in honor of Arielle Shanker
Mia Lewisman
Lillian and Larry Goodman Foundations
Tom & Jess Lisnich
Carrie Littman & Nelson Iginla
Rose Lizarraga
Judd Loewenstein
Louis Calder Foundation
Bill & Diane Lowe in honor of Greg Lowe
Stephanie & Greg Lowe
Ivette Loza
Kyra Marcano
Andy Marek
Bob Marshall
Daniel & Hayley Martin
Erica Martinez
Christopher McCarthy
Kelly McCarthy
Jen McConnell
David McCormack
William McIntosh in honor of Paul Gearen & Barbara Koren
Nayeli Medina
Cynthia Melk
Alejandra Menendez
Merchant Giving Project
Elizabeth Mihas
Christopher & Amanda Miller
Allie Mintz
Moon Sail Capital in memory of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Ellen Morgan & Sheldon Zenner
Alex & Brenna Moss
Arlene Moss
Karen Moss-Lux
Carrie Muehlbauer
Christina & Jason Mueller
Samuel Muñeton Jr.
Laura Muriello
Jennifer Naguit
Rajiv Naidu
Neal & Stacey Nath
Wendy Newberger in honor of Lindy Hirschsohn & Chris Coetzee
Northern Trust
Brian O'Connell
Elizabeth O'Neil
Ms. Kristen O'Rourke
Timi Omotunde
Origami Works Foundation
Michelle & Anu Parekh
Irene & Rich Parisi
Dolly Patel
Ms. Amy Perkal
Lisa Pluchrat
Lori Pluchrat
Chad Podkulski
Points By J
Angelica Pop
Robert Powers
Sally & Tom Powers
David & Kelly Powers Kelly
Kevin & Rachel Price
Carol Prins & John Hart in honor of Joseph Patt & Maril Alsup
Kyle Prokup
Jessica & David Rabie
RBN Insurance
Dylan Remick
The Retirement Research Foundation
Corey Richardson
Jacob Ringer & Dana Sodikoff
Krystal Rios
Giovanna Rivano Gomez
Michele & Larry Rivkin
Viki & Tom Rivkin
Robert R. McCormick Foundation
Teresa Rodriguez
Laura Romero
Samantha Rossborough
Matt Rubin
David & Stacey Rudd
Sagalyn Family Foundation
Yusuf Salloum
Cynthia Sanchez
Melissa Sanchez
Ryan & Laura Sandahl
Adam Sanders
Ewelina Sandill
Andrea Sarther
Jack Scaletta
Alex Schapira
Carly Schirber
Cathryn & Justin Schmaltz
Johnathon Schmidt
Nick & Ariele Scodro
Noah Shaffer
Arielle Shanker & Matthew Lux
Elayna Shanker
Lisa Shanker
Maureen Shinners-Gearen & John P. Gearen
Skolnik Industries, Inc.
Cori Sloan
Ruchika Sohoni
Jason Sondag
Ronald Sonenthal
Megan & Eric Stavriotis
Joseph Stokes in honor of Lisa Kueng
Bryan Stokes
Jason Stoneberg
Dean Strang
Rachel & Rush Sturges
Laura Sturrus
Susan and Stephen Baird Family Foundation
Scott & Patti Swakow
Robert Szabo
Ardis Tabb
Ken Tallering
Pauline Taylor
Kimberly Taylor Smith in honor of Jon & Valencia Fellows
Joseph P. Tereba
Stephanie Thai
Susan Toth
Shawn Trimble
United Airlines
United Way of Metro Chicago
Kristen VanderVelde
Vivo Foundation
Dirk & Donna Vos
Melissa and Anthony Walters
Nicole Weber
Marcus & Anne Wedner in honor of Lindy Hirschsohn
Becky Weinberg
Nate Weiskirch
Sandra Weiskirch
Steve Wierema
Tiffany Wiggins
Matilda Wilhoite
William Blair
Oriana Wilson
Jodi & Chris Wine
Joe Winner
Wolter Investment Co LLC
Worldreader
Nicole Yeska & Matt Adams
Yield Giving
Heather Yutzy
Ronna & Steven Zoll in honor of Lindy Hirschsohn
Laura Zumdahl
Parents for VOCEL
Maril Alsup & Joseph Patt
Rachel Bates
Amy & Gabe Cahill
Mia Cleary
Whitney Fogelberg
Jennie Funk & Brian Jansen
Grant Gochnauer & Gabriel Fontes de Faria
Brittany & Jerry Graunke
Ankeet & Lauren Kansupada
Frank & Lauren Karl
Alex & Brenna Moss
Irene & Rich Parisi
Amy Perkal
David & Kelly Powers Kelly
Jessica & David Rabie
David & Stacey Rudd
Cathryn & Justin Schmaltz
Nick & Ariele Scodro
Megan & Eric Stavriotis
Nicole Yeska & Matt Adams
Grandparents for VOCEL
Greg & Lois Basil
Bill & Diane Lowe
Ellen Morgan & Sheldon Zenner
Kim & Bruce Scodro
Lisbeth Stone
Scott & Patti Swakow
Frank ten Brink & Jeannine Cleary
Tilly Wilhoite
In-Kind Donors
Amy Krouse Rosenthal Foundation
Color Swell
Fitch
Gabriel Rojas Photography
Katten Muchin Roseman LLP
Motion Source
Share Our Spare
Gift of Joy Supporters
The Allshouse-McLaughlin Family
The Anderson Family
The Bailey Family
BBR Partners
The Benford Family
Rachel Berkowitz
Jessica Bohorquez
The Bolero Family
The Burik Family
Amy & Gabe Cahill
The Capers Family
The Clayton Family
The Corrao-Leonard Family
Raha & David Dempsey
The Fellows Family
Patti & Jerry Fellows
The Fellows-Lese Family
Haley Ford & Todd Dummett
Dana Galati
The Giles Family
Grant Gochnauer & Gabriel Fontes de Faria
Anais & Riley Gonzalez-Fang
The Gregg-Mitchell Family Jenna Harrison
Jesse Ilhardt & Friends
The Jackson Family
The Jones Family
Kayne Anderson Capital Chicago
Cecily & Arthur Kaz
The Keogh Family
The Knupp Family
The Koo Family
The Long Family
Kathryn Mattie
The Melk Family
The Mihas Family
The Moll Family
Jennifer Naguit
Nicole Smith & Family
The Novara Family
The Parekh Family
James Patterson and Chrystal Chang & Family
The Pemberton Family
The Peterson Family
The Porter Family
David Kelly & Kelly Powers Kelly
The Puri Family
The Rigby Family
Julio Rodriguez & Derrik Castillo
Gabriel Rojas
Vibha Sanghvi
Grace Sartin
John Schmidt
The Seymore Family
Arielle Shanker & Matthew Lux
The Shrake Family
The Snyder Family
The Sternberg-Weiss Family
Leslie and Mike Taylor & Family
Ashley and Larry Taylor & Family
The Taylor-Smith Family
Frank ten Brink & Jeannine Cleary
The Vlahos-Madry Family
Sandi Weiskirch