GADS HILL CENTER BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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James (Jim) A. Brett retired as Vice President of Marketing and Business Development for Natural Gas Pipeline Co. of America (NGPL), a joint venture of Kinder Morgan Inc. and Brookfield Infrastructure Partners. He was responsible for commercial activity, including the strategic development and negotiation of natural gas transportation and storage agreements. Jim joined Kinder Morgan in 2007 in the role of Vice President, Business Management for Central Region Gas Pipelines, and had previously worked for NGPL and predecessor companies for 19 years. He also has worked for Peoples Energy Services and Integrys Energy Services over 5 years, directing the sale of retail gas and power services to end users. Jim has a B.S. degree from Northern Illinois University and an MBA from the University of Chicago. Jim has previously served on the Board of the Chicago Council on Urban Affairs (1994-1998) and as Board Member and President of Midwest Ballet Theatre (2000-2007). President
James A. Brett Natural Gas Pipeline Co. of America (NGPL) |
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Jorge is a partner at Michael Best & Friedrich LLP, specializing in ERISA and employee benefits law. Jorge is active with various bar associations and is a member of the Economic Club of Chicago. Jorge joined the Gads Hill Center Board in 2015. Vice President
Jorge Leon Michael Best & Friedrich, LLP |
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Mark is a partner at Reed Smith LLP, specializing in insurance recovery. He is an experienced trial lawyer, appellate lawyer and investigator. From 1991 to 2000, Mark was a federal prosecutor with the U.S. Attorney's Office in Chicago, receiving the Director's Award for Superior Performance as an Assistant U.S. Attorney. Mark joined the Gads Hill Center Board of Directors in 2012. Board Member
Mark S. Hersh Reed Smith |
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Jim has been active on the Board of Directors at Gads Hill Center since 1968. He has served as a past Board President. Today, Jim continues to serve on the Gads Hill Center board with equal enthusiasm and commitment. Jim is a retired Human Services professional. Board Member
James P. Brett BorgWarner Automotive |
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Tonya Bibbs, PhD, LCSW is an Associate Professor at Erikson Institute in Chicago where she is a faculty in the child development and social work programs. Her social work practice includes project coordination with Illinois’ African American Family Commission and the Women’s Self-Employment Project’s childcare division. She also served as a program leader in statewide projects. One integrated domestic violence provisions with Temporary Aid to Needy Families, while another developed a statewide system for infant and early childhood mental health consultation. Dr. Bibbs has two areas of research foci. First, she investigates both how policy supports families’ capacity to achieve well-being, and how families and communities advocate for effective policies. Second, Dr. Bibbs studies the development of Black children’s development, particularly as it relates to the racially marginalizing problems they encounter. Dr. Bibbs serves as the principle investigator for the Early Development Instrument research project. This project investigates how communities use population data to develop structural approaches to child well-being. She is also conducting a study in which she investigates Illinois stakeholders’ implementation of the Family First Act, with particular attention to issues of racial equity. Dr. Bibbs is the director of Erikson Institute’s Policy Concentrations, wherein she develops and oversees two policy concentrations and a dual-degree program. Board Member
Dr. Tonya Bibbs |
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Amber Crain is a Learning Business Partner at Slalom Consulting, where she designs, implements, and facilitates a variety of learning and development programs that achieve strategic business goals and operational objectives while growing the capabilities and careers of Slalom team members. Amber has twenty years of professional experience including leading the learning and talent management division of a marketing technology start-up and progressive HR business partner experience at a Fortune 100 company. Amber holds a BA in Organizational Leadership through Roosevelt University and multiple professional facilitator certifications. Amber resides in the city’s Tri-Taylor neighborhood with her partner, Will, and their two sighthounds Pony and Fritz. She and Will are beer enthusiasts, having visited every brewery in the state of Illinois. Board Member
Amber Crain Slalom Consulting, LLC |
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Debra Clayton has over 35 years of financial services expertise. She is currently a Senior Vice President at Northern Trust Company. In her current role, Debra is responsible for leading a global team responsible for product management and development of accounting based products supporting large corporate and institutional clients. Debra supports various diversity and inclusion programs. She holds a B.S. in Finance and M.A in Training from Roosevelt University. Debra has been a member of Gads Hill Center since 2007 and has serves on the Finance Committee. Board Member
Debra Clayton Northern Trust |
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Virginia is an attorney who has spent most of her career working in non-profit organizations and has been a strong advocate for Latinos, women, and children. She is a well-known nonprofit management consultant and collaborative leadership trainer. Virginia had the lifechanging opportunity of participating in the 1995 UN Conference on Women in Beijing and is a frequent speaker on issues affecting Latinos, women, and children. Virginia has volunteered with many organizations over the years, including co-chairing the capital campaign for the Gads Hill Center Early Childhood Education Center on Ogden Ave. Board Member
Virginia Martinez, J.D. Civic Leader |
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Juan joined the Telemundo Chicago team in October 2011 as the Station Relations and Sales Marketing Manager. Currently, Juan works to maintain a strong relationship with Chicago’s Hispanic community by supporting non-profit organizations and organizing relevant events for the viewers of Telemundo Chicago. In 2017, Juan began his most recent role as Director of Public Relations for Cicero School District 99. Board Member
Juan F. Orta Cicero School District 99 |
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David joined the Board in 2013, yet his involvement with Gads Hill Center began long before. As a Business Group Leader with Walsh Construction, David has supported Gads Hill Center through grants and much needed capital improvements for a number of years. David is also a dedicated volunteer at the Edgewater Baptist Church. Board Member
David Shier Walsh Construction |
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Leslie J. Drish is the Director of Diversity and Inclusion for the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago. In this role, Leslie implements and monitors programs that advance the diversity and inclusion journey within the Bank. She is responsible for strategically supporting leadership on D&I, focusing on innovative, engaging and cutting-edge initiatives that drive D&I deeper into the Bank’s organizational culture. Leslie has over 25 years’ experience developing innovative diversity, volunteer and educational programs with proven ability to drive performance, program improvement, quality initiatives and quantifiable results. She has been recognized for community outreach and development of programs that engage support for organizational mission, vision and strategy. In 2019, Leslie was named as a Chicago Defender Woman of Excellence. Prior to joining FHLBC, Leslie was the Inclusion and Diversity Manager for Tyson Foods, Manager of Diversity & Inclusion at the YMCA of the USA and the Director of Education at the Chicago Urban League. In addition, she was Educator at Morgan Park High School in Chicago, IL. Leslie earned a Master of Educational Leadership from National-Louis University, a Master of Public Administration from University of Illinois at Chicago and a Bachelor of Arts in Education from DePaul University. Board Member
Leslie Drish Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago |
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Jen is a dynamic executive with 20+ years of HR experience and has held senior leadership roles at U.S. Cellular, Grainger, and Aspen Dental. She is currently the EVP of People at Magid Glove and Safety. She has a track record for building strong teams, creating a high performing culture, and leading organizational transformation. Board Member
Jennifer Almodovar Magid Safety |
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