TEEN
PHILANTHROPY
INITIATIVE

Lauren DeSimone, CFRE

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Became TPI Mentor: August 2023

Years living in Naperville/Bolingbrook Area: 37 years

Career Synopsis, Current Employer, Position: I spent the first 15 years of my career on the frontlines of fundraising for non-profits in the Chicagoland area. In this time, I led annual giving, events, marketing/communications, donor relations, major gift/capital gift solicitations, grants, data/donor databases and strategic planning, and nonprofit collaborations/mergers. In 2021, I transferred this experience into the nonprofit consulting space to better serve my fellow nonprofit professionals. I am currently a Senior Consultant with DBD Group, a team of dedicated nonprofit professionals dedicated to helping nonprofits thrive through deep experience and creativity (www.dbd.group.)

Spouse’s name and children’s names and ages: Jeff DeSimone (Husband), Colin (son, 3 yrs. old)

College/University, Academic degree(s), Major(s): Graduated from Naperville Central High School in 2003. Secured a Bachelor’s Degree in Musical Theatre from North Central College in 2007. Certified Fund Raising Executive since 2017. Graduate of the “Ladder to Leadership” program through the Center for Creative Leadership in 2017. Charitable Boards and Volunteer Activities: I serve as Co-Chair for the Naperville YMCA Advisory Board and have been a volunteer for the Board since 2012.

One interesting fact: I was in the 1995 World Cup opening ceremony representing Mexico at Soldier Field when Chicago hosted the World Cup.

Amanda Kunzer

Became TPI Mentor: August 2023

Amanda Kunzer is a graduate of Northern Illinois University, a Licensed Addiction Counselor, and a Certified Anger Management Specialist. She has worked in the mental health field for over 20 years. Amanda has extensive experience counseling the chronically mentally ill, helping homeless women and children find and maintain housing, and treating individuals struggling with substance use issues. In addition, she is trained in crisis intervention and has been a member of the DuPage County Disaster Team.

Amanda is passionate about connecting with friends, neighbors, schools, chambers, and community members, and is a strong advocate of the importance, and acceptance, of mental health treatment. Her broad background is a tremendous asset when someone is struggling to find the appropriate type of care for a friend, family member, or themselves.

Amanda is the Director of Operations at Susan Myket, Ph.D. & Associates, a Child, Teen and Family Psychology Practice. Amanda’s mission at Myket is to increase youth and family access to excellent psychological assessment and treatment and to work with community members to design programs to meet local needs.

Amanda was born and raised in Naperville and resides here with her son, a recent graduate of Naperville schools. In her free time, she can be found walking, volunteering, reading, or the occasional Netflix binge.

Dawn Portner

Became TPI Mentor: August 2023

Years living in Naperville: from 2004 – 2012. Since 2012, I have lived in Plainfield, IL.

Career Synopsis, Current Employer, Position: I am currently the City Clerk for the City of Naperville. I was sworn in on October 30, 2023. Prior to my current role, I was the City’s Special Events Coordinator. That role had two main responsibilities: Coordinating the Special Events Team, which is a multi departmental (Community Services, Police, Fire, Public Works, Naper Settlement, Naperville Public Library, TED), and multi-jurisdictional (Edward Hospital, Naperville Park District, and the Downtown Naperville Alliance), where we were responsible for over sixty events a year. I was also the Staff Liaison for the SECA Commission. The SECA Commission allocates over two million dollars each year, to help and support over fifty nonprofit organizations who have events and programs in Naperville.

Before I was hired by the City of Naperville, I was the Events and Marketing Manager for 360 Youth Services, in Naperville for ten years. I have also spent several years in the corporate world as a Corporate Investigator working for companies in Chicago, Minneapolis, and Washington D.C.

Family: I have two kids; my daughter Carolyn lives in California and is in the TV industry and my son Nicholas is still at home with me in Plainfield and works at a local grocery store.

College – Degrees and Education:

• Event Certification from George Washington University, Washington DC
• Master’s degree in Criminal Justice from Lewis University, Romeoville, IL
• Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from California State University, Sacramento

Charitable Boards and Volunteer Activities:

• Alive Center – Executive Board member since 2015
• Exchange Club of Naperville Board member since 2008
• Exchange Club of Wheaton – Board member since 2022
• Parent Mentor with Strong Families since 2014

One interesting fact: I have had three career changes since I graduated from college, and I have never once regretted the choices I have made!

Marion Ruthig

Became TPI Mentor: August 2023

Years living in Naperville: 12 years

Career Synopsis, Current Employer, Position: I am the founder and Executive Director for Inside Out Club DuPage, which empowers kids to live each day with good character envisioning that those children will go out and make the world a better place. Before starting IOCD in 2012, I was a CPA with 10+ years of experience including 7 years with Ernst & Young, LLC.

Family: My husband, Greg, is a professor at North Central College and we have three children: Jackson, Robbie, and Anne

College/University, Academic degree(s), Major(s): Bachelor of Arts from Colgate University in Economics, Masters in Accounting from the University of Virginia, Character Education Certificate from North Central College

Charitable Boards and Volunteer Activities: I am the president-elect for Naperville Sunrise Rotary Club, which hosts the St. Paddy’s Day 5K, Rotary Ride, and Naper Lights events that raise funds to support youth, families, and the community.

One interesting fact: I am talented in art, specifically charcoal drawing and making collage pieces out of torn magazine pages.

Yashica Weeks

Became TPI Mentor: August 2023

Career Synopsis; Current employer: Currently the Director of Gift Planning for DuPage Foundation. As director of gift planning, Yashica works closely with individuals, families, businesses, and their advisors to help them plan and accomplish their unique charitable goals and learn about opportunities for making an impact locally.

Yashica has over ten years of experience in donor cultivation and planned giving in DuPage County, previously serving as major gifts manager for Elmhurst Memorial Hospital and assistant director of development for College of DuPage Foundation. Prior to moving to Naperville, Yashica worked as a performing arts fundraiser at Clayton State University’s Spivey Hall in Atlanta, GA.

She is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) and Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP®). As a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), Chicago Chapter, Yashica serves as a course facilitator and mentor. Yashica is also an active member with the DuPage County Estate Planning Council (DCEPC), and a board member for the West Suburban Philanthropic Network (WSPN). She received a bachelor’s degree in public affairs and entrepreneurship from Columbia College of South Carolina and a master’s degree in higher education administration, with a concentration in institutional advancement, from Bay Path University.

Bill Hassett

https://www.linkedin.com/in/billhassett/

Became TPI Mentor: August 2024

Years living in Naperville Area: 33 years

Career Synopsis, Current Employer, Position: Currently consulting to nonprofits and also coaching executives and entrepreneurs, as well as assisting them in strategy, revenue growth, and hiring. Previously a partner in a national CPA firm with clients that were primarily commercial and affordable housing real estate organizations.

Spouse’s name and children’s names and ages: Wife Cindy and sons Kyle 33 and Colin 26; daughter-in-law Maddie

College/University, Academic degree(s), Major(s): Graduated from Loyola University Chicago with an Accounting major; CPA.

Charitable Boards and Volunteer Activities: Involved for more than 30 years in a variety of social service, faith community, community foundation, community service, nonprofit consulting, and veteran and senior organizations in the city and western suburbs. Have served in all board officer roles and chaired and served committees including executive, governance, strategic planning, ED search, finance, and development.

Kristen Refness

Became TPI Mentor: August 2024

Years in Naperville/Bolingbrook Area: 35 years

Career Synopsis; Current Employer: I am currently Director of Financial Planning and Analysis for Endeavor Health. I have almost 20 years of experience in healthcare finance working for Endeavor (previously Edward-Elmhurst Health) with seven of those years spent in treasury management and 13 years in hospital finance. My main areas of responsibility include budgeting, financial reporting, profitability analysis and financial analysis. I currently oversee a team of three analysts and support cardiology, behavioral health and radiology service lines within the full Endeavor health system as well as Edward Hospital inpatient nursing units.

Family: My husband, Scott, also works at Endeavor in Treasury Management. Our daughter, Olivia, is 12 years old and we have a dog named Willow.

College/University, Academic degree(s), Major(s):

• Naperville Central High School
• North Central College, BA in finance and economics
• Northern Illinois University, MBA in Finance

Charitable Boards and Volunteer Activities:

• KidsMatter (2015-2020): Served as Treasurer and Board President
• Loaves and Fishes (2021 – Current): Served as Treasurer in 2023 and became Board Chair in July 2024. I have also been a volunteer since 2021.

Fun Fact: Mrs. Sommerville was one of my teachers at Naperville Central High School more than 25 years ago!

Lynne Nolan

Became TPI Mentor: August 2024

Years living in Naperville: from 1976 – present

Career Synopsis; Current employer: I recently retired from District 203 where I served as the Dean of Student Activities at Naperville Central for 22.5 years. Prior to working in administration, I taught Science at Neuqua Valley for three years when the school first opened. Before that, I began my teaching career at Naperville Central in 1989 and taught Biology and Physics for 8 years. I advised the Senior Class Council, started the Step Team, and coached Ultimate Frisbee at NCHS. I started the Interact Service Clubs and coached Girl’s Soccer at both schools.

Family: My husband, Scott, is an entrepreneur. I have three adult children, who all went to NCHS and are currently scattered across the US.

College – Degrees and Education:

• University of Illinois – BA in Teaching of Biology/Minor in Physical Science.
• Postgraduate work in Cell Physiology at the University of Nice, France, as a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar
• Master’s degree in Teaching, Aurora University
• Master’s degree in Educational Leadership, Aurora University

Charitable Boards and Volunteer Activities:

• Rotary Club of Naperville-Sunrise, member since 1997
• Co-coordinate Naper Lights displays, assist with St. Paddy’s Day 5K
• USA Ultimate, NGO, board member 1996-1998
• Illinois Youth Ultimate, board member/treasurer 2007-2019
• Illinois Ultimate, board member/treasurer 2017 – present

One interesting fact: I went to the Olympics in France! My sister lives in Paris, and I speak French. I’m an Olympifan – I can’t stop watching at home, so I just up and went!!