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
Cristen@VOCEL.org | Read more
Karina Camacho
Program Specialist, VOCEL Families
Karina@VOCEL.org
Maritza Castillo
Program Specialist, VOCEL Families
Maritza@VOCEL.org | Read more
Edith Contreras
Program Manager, VOCEL Families
Edith@VOCEL.org | Read more
Callie Crump
Director of ECE Leader Development Callie@VOCEL.org | Read more
Cintia Cruz-Alvarez
Program Specialist, VOCEL Families Cintia@VOCEL.org | Read more
Raha Dempsey
Managing Director of Strategy Raha@VOCEL.org | Read more
Claribel Diaz
Program Specialist, VOCEL Families Claribel@VOCEL.org | Read more
Ryan Edwards
Manager of Educator Supports
Ryan@VOCEL.org | Read more
Haley Ford
Director of Teacher Development
Haley@VOCEL.org | Read more
Mady Frischer
Manager of Individual Giving & Development Events
Mady@VOCEL.org | Read more
Anais Gonzalez-Fang
Director of Development
Anais@VOCEL.org | Read more
Ashley Hunter
People & Culture Manager
Ashley@VOCEL.org | Read more
Jesse Ilhardt
Executive Director & Co-Founder
Jesse@VOCEL.org | Read more
KaMele Kopplin
Manager of Institutional Giving & Development Operations
KaMele@VOCEL.org | Read more
Deb Perez
Director of Partnerships
Deb@VOCEL.org | Read more
Dulcemaria Rincón
Community Engagement Specialist
Dulce@VOCEL.org | Read more
Julio Rodriguez
Manager of Member Experience & Events
Julio@VOCEL.org | Read more
Alicia Stipe
Program Specialist, VOCEL Families
Alicia@VOCEL.org | Read more
Maria Dolores Vaca
Program Manager, VOCEL Families
Dolores@VOCEL.org | Read more
Nelly Ventura
Director of Programs, VOCEL Families
Nelly@VOCEL.org | Read more
Kayla Villalobos
Managing Director of Programs
Kayla@VOCEL.org | Read more
Sandi Weiskirch
Managing Director of Finance & Operations Sandi@VOCEL.org | Read more
VOCEL Board of Directors
Executive Roles
Grant Gochnauer, Vodori | Chair
Jeannine Cleary, S.L.A.M. Supporting Literacy and Math | Secretary
Jason Mueller, JP Morgan Private Bank | Treasurer
Rachel Berkowitz, Hoffmann Family of Companies
Laura Casselberry Nance, Kirkland & Ellis LLP
Erica Denner, MERGE
Jonathan Dhanawade, Mayer Brown LLP
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
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
Nick Scodro, RBN Insurance Services
Adrian Segura, The Luminary Collective
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
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
Maddy Turner
Field Museum
Emma Vogeler
Baird
Dave Webster
AlixPartners
Mary Evers
PwC
Samuel Muñeton Jr.
Robert R. McCormick Foundation
John Schmidt
GEM Realty Capital, Inc.