make a difference today

Strong Leadership + Bold Vision =
BIG Results

Our Mission is to provide children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one relationships that change their lives for the better, forever.

Our Vision is that all children achieve success in life.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Chicago  is an affiliate of the oldest, most respected mentoring organization in the US. We are a mission driven, performance based organization that is professionally managed and provides high quality 1:1 mentoring services to 1,700 of Metro Chicago’s most at-risk children and their families across four counties: Cook, DuPage and Lake Counties in Illinois and Indiana.

As Metro Chicago and Northwest Indiana’s largest donor and volunteer supported mentoring network, Big Brothers Big Sisters makes meaningful, monitored matches between adult volunteers (“Bigs”) and children (“Littles”) between the ages of 7 and 14.  Private corporate, foundation and individual contributions provide 94% of our revenue base upon which we build programming that meets the needs of each child individually, whether he/she comes from a disadvantaged or single-parent home, lives in foster care, has been abused or neglected, is involved in the juvenile justice system or simply needs a consistent friendship. Our programs are proven to keep kids in school, out of trouble and on the path to post-graduate success.

Our Impact

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Chicago (BBBSMC) helps children realize their potential and build their futures. We nurture children, strengthen communities and believe that inherent in every child is the ability to succeed and thrive in life.
Jeremy Foster
Chief Executive Officer

From 2010 to early 2017, Jeremy was our Senior Vice President – Development at BBBSMC, managing a $3 million portfolio of corporate, foundation, and individual investors. Prior to 2010, Jeremy served as the CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lake County. This year marks Jeremy’s 24th year as a nonprofit professional. Jeremy is originally from Sioux City, Iowa where he graduated from Briar Cliff University, holding a Bachelors’ Degree in Sociology and Business Administration and is a certified Family Development Specialist through the University of Iowa.

Michelle Hanfling
Managing Director of Site Based Programs

Michelle is responsible for the management and oversight of the School, Workplace, Club, Flex and Evening Site Based Programs. She supervises four Managers of Site Based Mentoring and has 18 Site Based Program staff. Michelle has been with the Agency fourteen years and has held positions of increasing responsibility in the Site Based Program area. Michelle received a Masters of Social Work from the University of Illinois at Chicago and holds an undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana. She currently resides in Chicago with her husband and daughter.

Muna A. Walker
Director of Community Based Programs

Prior to joining BBBSMC in December of 2014, Muna spent ten years assisting with the nationwide replication of the Amachi Mentoring Model, a mentoring program for children of incarcerated parents. She served as Program Director at Public/Private Ventures and later as Vice President of Amachi, Inc. Throughout her tenure she worked with more than a hundred BBBS and mentoring organizations across the country. Before joining the nonprofit sector, Muna held various roles in financial services. She holds a Bachelor of Communications from Santa Clara University, a Masters in Journalism from Northwestern University, and an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

Tim Corp
Vice President of Finance

Tim is responsible for all areas of Finance including Accounts Receivable, Accounts payable, Cash Flow Management, Employee Payroll and monthly reporting to the BBBSMC Board of Directors Finance Committee. Prior to joining BBBS in 2013, Tim enjoyed a 20-year career with ADS Logistics Co, LLC where he served as their Chief Financial Officer. Tim holds an MBA from Keller Graduate School of Management and an undergraduate degree in Accounting from Iowa State University. He grew up in Frankfort, IL and attended Lincoln-Way Central High School in New Lenox.

Everardo Franco
Chief Operating Officer

Everardo's career has evolved across all areas of administration and operations including benefits, employee relations, staffing, compensation, physical & technical infrastructure, legal compliance, strategic initiatives and day-to-day agency operations. He has been with BBBSMC for fourteen years. Prior to his career with Big Brothers Big Sisters, Everardo worked with a variety of organizations including the National Center for Latinos with Disabilities (NCLD), where he held titles as Office Manager, Associate Director and Executive Director during his ten year career with the NCLD. He has also worked at the International Latino Cultural Center (formerly the CLC), and the National Puerto Rican Forum. Everardo is a graduate of East-West University and resides in Chicago, Illinois.

Kristine Brown
Marketing and Communications Manager

Kristine is responsible for planning, development and implementation of the agency’s integrated marketing strategies, both internal and external. Prior to joining BBBSMC, she served in account management and copywriter positions at marketing and advertising agencies, Upshot and Integrated Marketing Solutions. Kristine has worked on various consumer promotion, social media and brand engagement programs. Kristine received a master’s degree in Integrated Marketing Communications from Medill, Northwestern University, and a bachelor’s degree in Communications from Boston College. She graduated from Barrington High School and currently resides in Chicago.

Verna Sutton
Director of Human Resources

As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, Verna is responsible for developing and executing human resources strategies in support of the overall business plan and strategic direction of the organization, specifically in the areas of talent management, talent acquisition, organizational and performance management, employee relations, total rewards, training and development, and HRIS administration. Prior to joining BBBSMC in 2013, Verna managed the Talent Management function of United Way of Metropolitan Chicago. Verna received her Bachelors of Professional Studies degree from Roosevelt University and holds a Professional in Human Resources (PHR) distinction from the Human Resources Certification Institute of Illinois and a (SHRM-CP) Certification from the Society of Human Resource Management. Verna has over 20 years of professional nonprofit experience, specifically working in administration with Sr. Leadership and Human Resources. Verna resides in Chicago.

Jeremy Foster
Chief Executive Officer
my bio
Jeremy Foster
Chief Executive Officer

From 2010 to early 2017, Jeremy was our Senior Vice President – Development at BBBSMC, managing a $3 million portfolio of corporate, foundation, and individual investors. Prior to 2010, Jeremy served as the CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lake County. This year marks Jeremy’s 24th year as a nonprofit professional. Jeremy is originally from Sioux City, Iowa where he graduated from Briar Cliff University, holding a Bachelors’ Degree in Sociology and Business Administration and is a certified Family Development Specialist through the University of Iowa.

Michelle Hanfling
Managing Director of Site Based Programs
my bio
Michelle Hanfling
Managing Director of Site Based Programs

Michelle is responsible for the management and oversight of the School, Workplace, Club, Flex and Evening Site Based Programs. She supervises four Managers of Site Based Mentoring and has 18 Site Based Program staff. Michelle has been with the Agency fourteen years and has held positions of increasing responsibility in the Site Based Program area. Michelle received a Masters of Social Work from the University of Illinois at Chicago and holds an undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana. She currently resides in Chicago with her husband and daughter.

Muna A. Walker
Director of Community Based Programs
my bio
Muna A. Walker
Director of Community Based Programs

Prior to joining BBBSMC in December of 2014, Muna spent ten years assisting with the nationwide replication of the Amachi Mentoring Model, a mentoring program for children of incarcerated parents. She served as Program Director at Public/Private Ventures and later as Vice President of Amachi, Inc. Throughout her tenure she worked with more than a hundred BBBS and mentoring organizations across the country. Before joining the nonprofit sector, Muna held various roles in financial services. She holds a Bachelor of Communications from Santa Clara University, a Masters in Journalism from Northwestern University, and an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

Tim Corp
Vice President of Finance
my bio
Tim Corp
Vice President of Finance

Tim is responsible for all areas of Finance including Accounts Receivable, Accounts payable, Cash Flow Management, Employee Payroll and monthly reporting to the BBBSMC Board of Directors Finance Committee. Prior to joining BBBS in 2013, Tim enjoyed a 20-year career with ADS Logistics Co, LLC where he served as their Chief Financial Officer. Tim holds an MBA from Keller Graduate School of Management and an undergraduate degree in Accounting from Iowa State University. He grew up in Frankfort, IL and attended Lincoln-Way Central High School in New Lenox.

Everardo Franco
Chief Operating Officer
my bio
Everardo Franco
Chief Operating Officer

Everardo's career has evolved across all areas of administration and operations including benefits, employee relations, staffing, compensation, physical & technical infrastructure, legal compliance, strategic initiatives and day-to-day agency operations. He has been with BBBSMC for fourteen years. Prior to his career with Big Brothers Big Sisters, Everardo worked with a variety of organizations including the National Center for Latinos with Disabilities (NCLD), where he held titles as Office Manager, Associate Director and Executive Director during his ten year career with the NCLD. He has also worked at the International Latino Cultural Center (formerly the CLC), and the National Puerto Rican Forum. Everardo is a graduate of East-West University and resides in Chicago, Illinois.

Kristine Brown
Marketing and Communications Manager
my bio
Kristine Brown
Marketing and Communications Manager

Kristine is responsible for planning, development and implementation of the agency’s integrated marketing strategies, both internal and external. Prior to joining BBBSMC, she served in account management and copywriter positions at marketing and advertising agencies, Upshot and Integrated Marketing Solutions. Kristine has worked on various consumer promotion, social media and brand engagement programs. Kristine received a master’s degree in Integrated Marketing Communications from Medill, Northwestern University, and a bachelor’s degree in Communications from Boston College. She graduated from Barrington High School and currently resides in Chicago.

Verna Sutton
Director of Human Resources
my bio
Verna Sutton
Director of Human Resources

As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, Verna is responsible for developing and executing human resources strategies in support of the overall business plan and strategic direction of the organization, specifically in the areas of talent management, talent acquisition, organizational and performance management, employee relations, total rewards, training and development, and HRIS administration. Prior to joining BBBSMC in 2013, Verna managed the Talent Management function of United Way of Metropolitan Chicago. Verna received her Bachelors of Professional Studies degree from Roosevelt University and holds a Professional in Human Resources (PHR) distinction from the Human Resources Certification Institute of Illinois and a (SHRM-CP) Certification from the Society of Human Resource Management. Verna has over 20 years of professional nonprofit experience, specifically working in administration with Sr. Leadership and Human Resources. Verna resides in Chicago.

Board of Directors: Officers

Experienced. Involved. Passionate. The Board of Directors holds our CEO and organization accountable to the mission of providing children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one relationships that change their lives for the better, forever. The Board is vital to helping secure and sustain corporate partnerships and programs, aid in our fundraising efforts and oversee the work of our CEO, Jeremy Foster.

View Full List  

  • Brian Wrubel

    Board Chair

    Marquette Associates

  • Debra Beinstein

    VP - Program

  • Kathy Herbert

    VP - Operations

  • Toby Coffey

    VP - Board Development

    Connect Search

  • Mark Kaufman

    VP - Fund Development

    Athletico

  • Tom Monson

    VP - Secretary

    Jenner & Block

  • Rob Hallberg

    VP - Treasurer

    MB Financial

Board of Directors: Members

View Full List  

  • Gary Abrahams

    USG

  • Ken Banas

    USG

  • Heidi Barker

    Cleveland Avenue

  • Xerxes K. Bhote

    MKM Partners

  • Brad Block

    Law Offices of Bradford Block

  • Leslie Brewer

    CTCA

  • John Compernolle

    Bank of America

  • Raymond Dennis

    RR Donnelley

  • Carrie Falkenhayn

    Deloitte

  • Steve Giannone

    USI Insurance Services

  • Cara Harrison

    KPMG

  • John B. Hirsch

  • Ashish Karamchandani

    Heitman

  • Dave Kimbell

    Ulta Beauty

  • Bob Kirby

    CDW-G

  • John Koepke

    Accenture

  • Travis Kruger

    GTCR

  • Sandra Linn

    Northern Trust

  • Rob Livingston

    Lockton

  • Manoj Mahenthiran

    PwC

  • Bryan Mark

    Comcast

  • Mark A. McGillivray

    Allstate

  • Jeff Michalczyk

    CIBC

  • Andrea Palmer

    Publicis Health Media

  • Robert L. Parkinson III

    The Vistria Group

  • Jim Rowe

    Kirkland & Ellis LLP

  • Nancy Siepman

    Takeda

  • Sara Spicklemire

    CBRE

  • John Tocora

    Antares Capital

  • Mickey Vaja

    Grant Thornton

  • Andy Watt

  • Jim Wylie

    Marsh

  • Lisa Young

    Axiom

Leadership Board: Officers

Our Leadership Board is devoted to the organization's vision of making a positive difference in a child's life. They provide funds to grow the agency, recruit and develop future mentors, partners and board members, and generate public awareness of the organization. The board is comprised of young professionals who share a common interest in serving our community and enjoying themselves along the way.

View Full List  

  • Brian Kohout

    Board President

  • Alex Basto

    VP - Board Development

  • Jennie Berman

    VP - Fund Development

  • Taylor Fraleigh

    VP - Big Recruitment

  • Rachel Gradner

    VP - Membership

  • Jessie Haramis

    VP - Social/Networking

  • Bethany Whittles Harris

    VP - Board Development

  • Courtney Hickman

    VP - Fund Development

  • Natalie Matthews

    VP - Marketing

  • Logan Sauter

    VP - Membership

  • Lindsey Scott

    VP - Big Recruitment

  • Amber Smith

    VP - Social/Networking

Leadership Board: Members

View Full List  

  • Bob Achstatter

  • Brian Adams

  • Lindsay Basto

  • Jake Beck

  • Shawn Bradley

  • Chad Broderick

  • Peter Buckstaff

  • Claire Byrne

  • Courtney Cooper

  • Natalie Demeris

  • Paige Dorfman

  • Dave Dytko

  • Kelly Wagner Dytko

  • Matt Elakatt

  • Erik Ellingson

  • Kristen Erekson

  • Lee Foley

  • Chris Forfar

  • Nicole Gatens

  • Luke Gilpin

  • Peter Greig

  • Patrick Hickey

  • Paul Hittman

  • Brianna Hudson

  • Jeff Huelskamp

  • Melissa Johannesen

  • Chris Jones

  • Zach Krantz

  • Liz Lamorena

  • Sean Lappin

  • Jim Matthews

  • Mike Morales

  • Katie Morris

  • Brett Neumann

  • Michael Notton

  • Alex Novak

  • Alex Page

  • Sean Paquet

  • Theo Paskal

  • Dan Persa

  • Dana Cohen Plotkin

  • Jared Rapoport

  • Sean Riordan

  • Anna Robinson

  • Billy Rohaly

  • Deepa Sheth

  • Liz Sheyn

  • Sara Smets

  • Kate Sorensen

  • Nick Squier

  • Kelly Sweeney

  • Kyle Sweeney

  • Matt Tarshis

  • Celex Thomas

  • Brett Wallace

  • Bob Wierema

  • Konrad Stoick

Our Team

Our dedicated staff of over 55 talented individuals have made it their mission to make a difference in a child’s life each and every day.

View Full List  

  • Kelly Alday

    Manager of CB Customer Service & Processing

    312-207-5647

  • Erika Alvarado

    Bilingual Enrollment & Matching Specialist

    312-207-4246

  • Sydney Blanch

    Site Based Program Coordinator

    312-207-4230

  • Erika Bonilla

    Bilingual Site Based Program Coordinator

    312-207-5636

  • Sam Brady

    Site Based Program Coordinator

    312-207-4240

  • Kristine Brown

    Marketing and Communications Manager

    312-207-5605

  • Anthony Bryant

    Site Based Program Coordinator (AmeriCorps Member)

    312-207-5601

  • Monica Calderon

    Bilingual Site Based Coordinator

    312-207-5642

  • Laura Clark

    Match Support Specialist

    312-207-5639

  • Timothy Corp

    Vice President of Finance

    312-207-5648

  • Gabriel Cunine

    Site Based Program Coordinator

    312-207-5633

  • Ellen Daniels

    Senior Site Based Program Coordinator

    312-207-5628

  • Alyssa Del Angel

    Site Based Customer Relations Specialist

    312-207-4227

  • Adriana Delgado

    CB Bilingual Match Support Specialist

    312-207-5614

  • Sarah Denton

    Site Based Program Coordinator

    312-207-5619

  • Vanessa Figueroa

    Manager of Site Based Customer Relations & Processing

    312-207-5608

  • Jeremy Foster

    Chief Executive Officer

    312-207-5610

  • Everardo Franco

    Chief Operating Officer

    312-207-5607

  • Lizette Garza

    Bilingual Site Based Program Coordinator

    312-207-5630

  • Carmen Guzman

    Manager of Site Based Programs

    312-207-4242

  • Rachel Hampton

    Project 6 Program Manager

    312-207-5600

  • Tabetha Handy

    Match Support Specialist

    312-207-4226

  • Michelle Hanfling

    Managing Director of Site Based Programs

    312-207-5626

  • Alyson Hankwitz

    Match Support Specialist

    312-207-4254

  • Dianna Harris

    Project 6 Recruitment Specialist

    312-207-5600

  • Derrick Hessler

    Site Based Program Coordinator

    312-207-4248

  • Paris Jackson

    Site Based Program Coordinator

    312-207-5629

  • Beth Juarez

    Site Based Program Coordinator

    312-207-5635

  • Leah Kirk

    Site Based Program Coordinator

    312-207-5620

  • Elizabeth Lancaster

    CB Enrollment & Matching Specialist

    312-207-4220

  • Nicole Leitner

    Quality Assurance Specialist

    312-207-5632

  • Paul Lewis

    Senior Manager of Site Based Programs

    312-207-5618

  • Veronica Lindsey

    Receptionist

    312-207-5600

  • Emma Macdonald

    Manager of Community Based Match Support Specialists

    312-207-4228

  • Katherine Markiewicz

    Site Based Program Coordinator

    312-207-4236

  • Kylie Marshall-Egli

    Site Based Enrollment & Matching Specialist

    312-207-4234

  • Jennifer McCool

    Senior Bilingual Enrollment & Matching Specialist

    312-207-5612

  • Shameco Moore

    Recruitment Specialist

    312-207-4222

  • Simone Newsome

    Site Based Enrollment & Matching Specialist

    312-207-4244

  • Casey Nunes

    Community Based Recruitment Specialist

    312-207-5615

  • Indira Orozco

    Manager of Site Based Programs

    312-207-5611

  • Dee Phillips

    Site Based Program Coordinator (AmeriCorps Member)

    312-207-5627

  • Lizzet Proa

    Bilingual Site Based Program Coordinator

    312-207-5640

  • Marisa Pyatt

    Match Support Specialist

    312-207-5616

  • Rukayat Raji

    Project 6 EMS/MSS

    312-207-5600

  • Miesha Ransom

    Site Based Recruitment Specialist

    312-207-4249

  • Raymonda Reese

    Site Based Program Coordinator

    312-207-4247

  • Kate Rhodes

    Manager, Individual Giving & Major Gifts

    312-207-5622

  • Lauren Schulte

    Site Based Program Coordinator

    312-207-4233

  • Jacqueline Shack

    Project 6 EMS/MSS

    312-207-5600

  • Lina Shoaibi

    Accounting Manager

    312-207-4237

  • Sam Strait

    Match Resource Specialist (AmeriCorps Member)

    312-207-4229

  • Verna Sutton

    Director of Human Resources

    312-207-4225

  • Tiffany Tarsitano

    Match Support Specialist

    312-207-4253

  • Melissa Tesch

    Site Based Program Coordinator

    312-207-4221

  • Erin Towle

    Community Based Customer Relations Specialist

    312-207-5643

  • Stephanie Tu

    Senior Site Based Enrollment & Match Specialist

    312-207-4241

  • Michelle Velez

    CB Enrollment & Matching Specialist

    312-207-5602

  • Pedro Velez

    CB Bilingual Customer Relations Specialist

    312-207-5646

  • Muna Walker

    Director of Community Based Programs

    312-207-5625

  • Kelly Walter

    Manager of Grants & Foundations

    312-207-4238

  • Natasha Webb

    Site Based Program Coordinator

    312-207-4235

  • Brad Whitlock

    Manager of Corporate Partnerships

    312-207-4239

 

Financials

Putting Your Generosity to Work

BBBSMC has built a strong foundation for sustainable growth. Your generosity keeps us going and enables us to start more kids on the right path. We look forward to sharing how your contribution is being used to serve children, their families and our communities.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Chicago is an independent 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with its own audited financial statements.

 

FY18 Financial Statement FY18 Form 990
FY17 Financial Statement FY17 Form 990
FY16 Financial Statement FY16 Form 990
FY15 Financial Statement FY15 Form 990
W-9

 

 

Alumni

Welcome Back!

We love hearing from our past Littles.  And Bigs.  And Board Members.  Anyone, really, who touched our organization and made it better.

Share your stories with us – They inspire others to join our organization

Connect with other alumni  – You never know what that will spark

Reconnect with BBBSMC – There’s always plenty of new opportunities around here

 

We’re committed to our alumni.  We’re looking to give voice and build momentum for our mission, raise capital support for our vital mentoring programs, and provide opportunities for networking.

When our alumni get back involved, we ensure that our nation’s children will have the opportunities they need to reach their potential.

Reconnect with us today!