We’re fierce advocates for our youngest learners and the people who nurture them along the way.
VOCEL Team
VOCEL team members have diverse backgrounds and prior experiences, but all share a set of common traits – we believe deeply in the potential of all children; build trusting relationships with children, families, and educators; and share a commitment to innovation and growth.
Cristen Brown, Director of Child & Family Learning
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Maritza Castillo, Community Leadership Specialist
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Edith Contreras, Teacher
Edith@VOCEL.org Read more
Callie Crump, Director of School Leader Development Callie@VOCEL.org Read more
Cintia Cruz-Alvarez, Family Support Specialist Cintia@VOCEL.org Read more
Raha Dempsey, Managing Director of Strategy Raha@VOCEL.org Read more
Claribel Diaz, Family Support Specialist Claribel@VOCEL.org Read more
Ryan Edwards, Manager of Educator Supports
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Haley Ford, Director of Teacher Development
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Anais Gonzalez-Fang, Director of Development
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Jesse Ilhardt, Executive Director & Co-Founder
Jesse@VOCEL.org Read more
Deb Perez, Director of Partnerships
Deb@VOCEL.org Read more
Julio Rodriguez, Manager of Member Experience & Events
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Alicia Stipe, Community Leadership Specialist
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Maria Dolores Vaca, Family Support Manager
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Nelly Ventura, Director of Parent & Community Leadership
Nelly@VOCEL.org Read more
Kayla Villalobos, Managing Director of Programs
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Sandi Weiskirch, Managing Director of Finance & Operations Sandi@VOCEL.org Read more
VOCEL Board of Directors
Leadership
Nick Scodro
RBN Insurance Services Chair
Jeannine Cleary
S.L.A.M. Supporting Literacy and Math
Secretary
Jason Mueller
JP Morgan Private Bank Chicago
Treasurer
Elizabeth Keigher
GEM Realty Capital, Inc.
Carrie Littman
The Boston Consulting Group
Anajah Philogene Teach For America Greater Chicago-NWI
Kelly Powers Kelly
Hatch Gemini LLC; VOCEL Co-Founder
Viki Rivkin
SHALVA
Adrian Segura
The Luminary Collective
Members
Jonathan Dhanawade
Mayer Brown LLP
Grant Gochnauer
Vodori
Justin Hance
Harris Associates
Lindy Hirschsohn
The Boston Consulting Group, Alumna Partner
Dr. Marisha L. Humphries
University of Illinois Chicago (UIC)
Frank Karl
Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors
Amy Cahill
Char Damron
Jonathon Fellows
Stacey Gillett
Directors Emeriti
Louis Hellebusch
Jack Krasaeath
Barbara Koren
Lisa Kueng
Phyllis Lee
Ellen Morgan
Ashley Pletz
Aminah Wyatt-Jones
VOCEL Associate Board
Leadership
Rachel Berkowitz
Hoffmann Family of Companies
President
Members
Drew Blackmun
UBC Sauder School of Business
Zach Bradford
KeyBanc Capital Markets
Ginny Brunner
Alphonsus Academy and Center for the Arts
Lori Cole
Berwyn North School District
Mary Evers
PwC
Samuel Muñeton Jr.
Robert R. McCormick Foundation
John Schmidt
GEM Realty Capital, Inc.
Maddy Turner
Field Museum
Emma Vogeler
Baird