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
Maritza Castillo, Teacher, Program Coordinator
Maritza@VOCEL.org Read more
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 Program Strategy Raha@VOCEL.org Read more
Claribel Diaz, Family Support Specialist Claribel@VOCEL.org Read more
Ryan Edwards, Manager of Educator Supports
Ryan@VOCEL.org Read more
Anais Gonzalez-Fang, Development Director
Anais@VOCEL.org Read more
Jamie Huenink, Director of Teacher Development
JamieH@VOCEL.org Read more
Jesse Ilhardt, Executive Director & Co-Founder
Jesse@VOCEL.org Read more
Deb Perez, Director of Partnerships
Deb@VOCEL.org Read more
Aleisha Ramos, Program Support Specialist
Aleisha@VOCEL.org Read more
Julio Rodriguez, Member Experience Manager
Julio@VOCEL.org Read more
Alicia Stipe, Teacher
Alicia@VOCEL.org Read more
Maria Dolores Vaca, Family Support Manager
Dolores@VOCEL.org Read more
Nelly Ventura, Director of Parent & Community Leadership
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
Paige Williams, Senior Manager of People & Culture Paige@VOCEL.org Read more
Lisa Kueng
Invesco
Carrie Littman
The Boston Consulting Group
Anajah Philogene Teach For America Greater Chicago-NWI
Viki Rivkin
SHALVA
Adrian Segura
The Luminary Collective
Members
Grant Gochnauer
Vodori
Justin Hance
Harris Associates
Lindy Hirschsohn
The Boston Consulting Group, Alumna Partner
Frank Karl
Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors
Elizabeth Keigher
GEM Realty Capital, Inc.
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
VOCEL Board of Directors
Kelly Powers Kelly
Co-Founder & Former Executive Director
Amy Cahill
Char Damron
Jonathon Fellows
Directors Emeriti
Stacey Gillett
Louis Hellebusch
Jack Krasaeath
Barbara Koren
Phyllis Lee
Ellen Morgan
Ashley Pletz
Aminah Wyatt-Jones
VOCEL Associate Board
Leadership
Rachel Berkowitz
Hoffmann Family of Companies
President
Haley Ford
Chicago Public Schools
Vice President
Members
Drew Blackmun
PwC
Zach Bradford
KeyBanc Capital Markets
Lori Cole
Berwyn North School District
Pierre de Smet
The Boston Consulting Group
Mary Evers
PwC
Tejan Kapoor
Axial
Samuel Muñeton Jr.
Robert R. McCormick Foundation
Jenna Munger
JP Morgan Private Bank Chicago
Members
Timi Omotunde
The Boston Consulting Group
Praneeth Penmetsa
GTCR
Gabriel Rojas
University of Chicago - Sociology PhD Program
Jack Scaletta
ActiveCampaign
John Schmidt
GEM Realty Capital, Inc.
Arielle Shanker
Shanker Education Consulting; Former Early Childhood Educator
Joe Tereba
Houlihan Lokey