The Hope Chicago Team
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Janice K. Jackson, EdD
Chief Executive Officer
Prior to Hope: Chief Executive Officer, Chicago Public Schools
Education: EdD & MEd, University of Illinois Chicago, MEd & BA, Chicago State University, CPS Alumn
How did Dr. Jackson pay for her higher education?
When I started in higher ed, Pell and MAP grants were enough to cover in-state tuition. I also received an Illinois Minority Teachers Scholarship, which helped with living expenses. If I had to do it all over again today, those same supports wouldn’t even cover half the annual costs of higher education in 2022.
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Matt Lyons
Chief Financial and Operations Officer
Prior to Hope: Chief Talent Officer, Chicago Public Schools
Education: MA, Brown University, BA, University of Rochester
What drove Matt to work at Hope Chicago?
It's impossible to overstate the importance of education in my own life. Working every day to provide real opportunities to succeed for thousands of Chicago's students and families is the highest calling I can imagine.
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Michele Howard
Chief Program Officer
Prior to Hope: Senior Project Manager, K-12 Scholarships, Chicago Public Schools
Education: MA, Concordia University Chicago, BA, Howard University, CPS Alumn
What was Michele’s first declared major in college?
Marketing.
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Cameron Hardamon
Chief Impact Officer
Prior to Hope: Principal, C Squared Management and Consulting, Director of Special Projects, City of Chicago Office of the Mayor
Education: MPA, Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis, BS, University of Tennessee, Executive Leadership Fellow, Northwestern University-Kellogg School of Management,
What was Cameron’s first declared major in college?
Sports Management
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Jennifer Bell
Chief Development Officer
Prior to Hope: Chicago Botanic Garden, WBEZ, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab
Education: BA, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
How did I pay for college:
Loans, parents, jobs including waitressing, bartending, babysitting, health club front desk associate, golf course beverage cart driver, and office receptionist.
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Veronica Brown
Senior Director of Development
Prior to HC: Chief Development Officer for Marillac St. Vincent Family Services
Education: M.N.A., University of San Francisco, B.A. University of Southern California
What’s a fun fact about Veronica?
I love yoga and traveling. It's my goal to do as many yoga retreats in various locations around the world.
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Jason Charet
Controller
Prior to Hope: Controller at The ARK
Education: BSBA, Washington University in St. Louis
What drove Jason to work at Hope Chicago?
My son is currently in college and is taking out loans to pay for his education. I want to help provide all students with the ability to go to college and graduate debt-free.
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Dr. Megan Conklin
Data Systems Director
Prior to Hope: Director of Insights & Analytics, Teach Upbeat
Education: B.A., Flagler College; M.Ed., Vanderbilt University; Ph.D., University of Florida
What was Megan’s first declared major in college?
Psychology (Pre-Med)
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Tasia Conway
Student Success Coach
Prior to Hope: College Counselor, Urban Prep Academies
Education: BS, Northwestern University
How did Tasia pay for Higher Education?
I received a full-ride (need + merit-based) scholarship [no loans!]
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Maritza Del Real
Program Manager
Prior to Hope: Outreach Transition Coordinator, City Colleges of Chicago
Education: MA, Northeastern Illinois University, BA, University of Illinois Chicago
How did Maritza pay for Higher Education?
Loans! I also had 2-3 different jobs at any given point to help offset costs as well.
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Joeysha Dobbins
Program Manager
Prior to Hope: Teacher, Flossmoor School District
Education: MA, New York University, BA, University of Illinois Chicago, CPS Alumn
What drove Joeysha to work for Hope Chicago?
My professional experience has taught me that to positively affect college persistence both money and wraparound support are required. At Hope Chicago, we are diligently ensuring our Scholars have this layered support—it’s a professional dream come true!
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Belen Galvez
Student Success Coach
Prior to Hope: Program Manager, EmployIndy
Education: BA, Denison University
What was Belen’s first declared major in college?
Anthropology/ Sociology
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Nation Garza
Digital Community Manager
Prior to Hope: Political Organizer, Democratic Party
Education: BS, Northwest University
What drove Nation to work at Hope Chicago?
First, I love Chicago more than anywhere else, and I want to help the city prosper. Second, my deep and abiding belief in the value of public schools and my desire to help public school students thrive after high school.
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Lauren Gaynor
Development Director
Prior to Hope: Director of Development, Urban Initiatives
Education: Fundraising for Good Certification, Loyola University Chicago, BA, Michigan State University
How did Lauren pay for college?
It was a combination of my parents, scholarships, and student loans.
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Brandis Haugabrook
Outreach and Engagement Manager
Prior to Hope: Diverse Learning Educator, Chicago Public Schools
Education: MAT, Relay Graduate School of Education; BA, Spelman College
What drove Brandis to work at Hope Chicago?
I am deeply committed to being a champion for students of color as a result of my educational journey. Hope Chicago is opening the door for students and families to receive equitable access to postsecondary pathways.
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Zach Jesse
Program Support Specialist
Prior to Hope: Scholarship Specialist, Chicago Public Schools
Education: BFA, School of the Art Institute of Chicago
What drove Zach to work at Hope Chicago?
The organization's mission to support families in disinvested communities with access to economic and social wealth building opportunities.
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Stepfanie Johnson
Parent Program Manager
Prior to Hope: Senior Program Manager at One Million Degrees,
Education: BA, Northern Illinois University, MA, Governors State University (in progress).
What drove Stepfanie to work at Hope:
I strongly believe that one way to stop generational curses is for families to obtain higher education. Hope (Chicago) allows me to help advocate for supporting students AND their parents.
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Paris Jones
Student Success Coach
Prior to Hope: Re-Engagement Specialist, Chicago Public Schools
Education: BA, Clark Atlanta University, CPS Alumn (Morgan Park High School!)
How did Paris pay for her higher education?
Scholarships and student loans.
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Andrea Lee
Program Manager
Prior to Hope: CPS high school Professional School Counselor
Education: MS, National Louis University, BA, Howard University
What was Andrea’s first declared major in college?
Television Production.
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Jorian Lewke
Development Manager
Prior to Hope: Development Coordinator, Women Employed
Education: MA, Northwestern University, BS, University of California Berkeley
What drove Jorian to work at Hope Chicago?
Hope perfectly combines my obsession with the education system and its socioeconomic impacts with my love for, and background in, advocacy and policy.
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Maria Marungo
Student Success Coach
Prior to Hope: Community Outreach, ISAC
Education: BS, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
What was Maria’s first declared major in college?
Psychology
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Chris Naranjo
Finance & Operations Manager
Prior to Hope: Advancement and Foundation Manager, City College of Chicago
Education: MBA, Barry University, BS, Clemson University
How did Chris pay for his higher education?
Student loans.
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Elizabeth Salmonowicz
Director of Institutional Giving
Prior to Hope: Senior Manager of Development, Illinois Network of Charter Schools
Education: BA, DePaul University
What was Elizabeth’s first declared major in college?
Business.
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Collin Seaman
Communications Director
Prior to Hope: Director of Digital Communications, Chicago Public Schools
Education: BA (x2), San Francisco State University
What was Collin’s first declared major in college?
Radio and Television.
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Nicole Turner
Director of Administrative Services
Prior to Hope: Director of Special Projects, Chicago Public Schools
Education: DePaul University
What drove Nicole to work at Hope Chicago?
I love to serve! And what an AMAZING way to serve students and families.