Our Team
Dedicated to Equity. Driven by Impact.
At Skills for Chicago, our team is united by a shared commitment to expanding access to meaningful employment for job seekers across Chicago. With our engaged Board of Directors, we work together to break down barriers to employment, advocate for equitable hiring, and create sustainable economic mobility for underrepresented job seekers across Chicago's south and west sides. Our team is focused on driving employment that goes beyond job placement—building a future where opportunity is accessible to all.
Meet Our Staff
Our staff is at the heart of our mission. Supporting job seekers, building strong employer partnerships, and driving successful outcomes—whether connecting individuals to jobs, facilitating hiring events, or working behind the scenes, our team is dedicated to transforming Chicago's workforce talent.
Arturo Alarcon
Community Partnerships Associate/Talent Acquisition Lead
Stephanie Alvarez
Director, Human Resources
Blanche Anglea
Salesforce & Systems Administrator
Cecily Arroyo
Manager, Credential & Career Coaching
Sarah Black
Director, Finance
Allie Brinskelle
Manager, National Partnerships
Tia Brunt
Talent Acquisition Lead, New Business
Adam Claus
Talent Acquisition Lead
Al Current
Manager, Employer Engagement
Philip De Guzman
Senior Talent Acquisition Lead
Kim Dole
Director, Business Operations & Compliance
Chelsey Echevarria
Senior Manager, Client Services
Erica Eckhardt
Senior Manager, Development
Berkeley Gaither
Data & Recruitment Marketing Analyst
Nathaniel Gold
Senior Talent Acquisition Lead
Cori Garrett
Talent Acquisition Lead
Peter Haefner
Senior Talent Acquisition Lead
Sarah Herlihy
Director, Data & Insights
Melissa Knowski
Senior Associate, Operations & Training
Gread McKinnis
Program Specialist
Lacee O'Brien
Senior Development Manager, National Expansion
Yesenia Perez
Director, Learning & Development
Richard Pineda
Manager, Client Services
Dwaine Porter
Talent Acquisition Lead
Troi Roberson
External Affairs Generalist
Eduardo Rocha
Senior Talent Acquisition Lead
Erica Sanchez
Talent Acquisition Lead
Crystal Savage
Manager, Community Partnerships
Link Schneider
Workforce Coordinator
Nathaniel Gold
Senior Talent Acquisition Lead
Tanille Smith
Director, Strategic Initiatives
LaTrina Spaulding
Director, Marketing Operations
Kiara Thaxter
Director, Events
Suzetta Whitaker
Talent Acquisition Lead
Malaysia White
Talent Acquisition Lead
DeAnna Williams
Senior Talent Acquisition Lead
Meet Our Board of Directors
Our Board of Directors is composed of business and community leaders who guide our strategic vision and ensure that Skills for Chicago remain a powerful force for change in workforce development. With their expertise, leadership, and commitment to our mission, they help shape policies and partnerships that create lasting impact.
Manika Turnbull, Ph.D.
Board Chair
2024 - PRESENT
Dr. Manika Turnbull brings over 15 years of leadership in human resources, diversity, and corporate social responsibility. As SVP and Chief Human Resources Officer at Health Care Service Corporation, she champions workplace inclusion and economic mobility. Recognized by Modern Healthcare and DiversityMBA for her impact, she is dedicated to workforce development and mentorship. Her leadership strengthens Skills for Chicago's mission to connect underrepresented job seekers to meaningful employment.
Mark Hoplamazian
Board Chair Emeritus
2018 - 2024
President and Chief Executive Officer of Hyatt Hotels Corporation
Penny Pritzker
Founding Board Chair
2012 - 2013
Founder and Chairman of PSP Partners; Former U.S. Secretary of Commerce
Bridget Altenburg
Chief Executive Officer
Skills for Chicago
Jeff Bilek
Partner, Central Talent Leader
EY
Jennifer Bloomquist
Vice President, Human Resources
Northwestern Medicine
Carolyn Booth
Head of Distribution, US Personal and Business Banking
BMO Harris Bank
John Challenger
Chief Executive Officer
Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc.
Adonis Clark Sr.
Vice President | Regional General Manager
Walmart
Michael Clayborne
Senior Vice President, Global Commercial Banking
Bank of America
Christina Corley
Chief Commercial and Operating Officer
CDW
Gillian Darlow
Chief Executive Officer
Polk Bros Foundation
Andy Eichfeld
Formerly EVP, Chief Human Resources & Administrative Officer
Discover Financial Services
Rich Floersch
Senior Strategic Advisor
HR Policy Association
Yvonne Franzese
Chief Human Resources Officer
CNO Financial Group, Inc.
Craig Freedman
Chief Executive Officer
Freedman Seating Co.
Daniel Gamba
President, Asset Management
Northern Trust
Corliss Garner
Executive Vice President and Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer
Old National Bank
Juatise Gathings
Founder
Just Act Partners
Srron Graham
Managing Director, Accenture Strategy
Accenture
Courtney Kammer
Senior Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer
Rush University Medical Center
Sami Kamhawi
Managing Director
Goldman Sachs
Mark Kendall
Chief Revenue Officer
Career Highways
Kelly Manthey
Chief Executive Officer, Americas
Valtech
Holly Moorehouse
Vice President, People Success
Ulta Beauty
Malaika Myers
Chief Human Resources Officer
Hyatt Hotels Corporation
Sammy Patel
Vice President, Commercial, Vantage Airport Group; CEO, Midway Partnership
Vantage Airport Group; Midway Partnership
Claudia Saran
U.S. Sector Leader, Industrial Manufacturing
KPMG
Arbin Smith
Chief of Staff, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives
DePaul University
Dianna Sparacino
Chief People Officer
Endeavor Health
Gina Stuart
Senior Vice President, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Wintrust
Cory White
Chief Legal Officer/ COO, Production and Delivery (Forestry, Services, Construction)
Milhouse Engineering and Construction, Inc.
Michael A. Wilder
Chairman of the Board of Directors
Littler Mendelson, P.C.
Audrey Williams-Lee
Formerly Chief People Officer
Children's Hospital of Chicago
