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Megan Kashner
Founder & CEO
megan at benevolent.net
For over 20 years Megan Kashner, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, walked alongside low-income families, creating relationships, programs and supports that would help people reach their goals and provide a sound future for their children. When she woke up on February 13, 2011 with the idea of Benevolent she saw a solution that had the potential not only to plug the gaps for families and support their pursuit of personal goals, but to introduce a new perspective on the experiences of low-income Americans who had for too long been publicly denigrated. Read more…
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Aleca Tesseris Sullivan
Development Coordinator
aleca at benevolent.net
Aleca brings over 25 years of experience in economic development and community outreach experience to Benevolent, crossing the private, nonprofit and government sectors. She has worked in management consulting for private firms both in the United States and abroad, spent several interesting years working for the National Park Service and most recently completed a decade of very fulfilling work in education and community building. Aleca earned her Masters Degree from Boston University in American Studies and Preservation Planning. She earned her BA in economics from the University of Michigan. She is the mother of three wonderful children and one very enthusiastic puppy.
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Samantha F. Brdek
Accounting & Finance
samantha at benevolent.net
Samantha ensures that our clients are able to get the money they need to improve their lives and that Benevolent has the ability to help as many people as possible for many years to come. She received her Masters Degree in Accounting from DePaul University and is a member of the Illinois Certified Public Accountants Society. For the past four tax seasons Samantha has volunteered to help senior citizens complete and feel more confident about their taxes. Before becoming an accountant Samantha had the opportunity to travel to India where she taught English and Math to orphans and underprivileged children. Samantha currently spends her free time with her child and working in her yard. An avid gardener, she works on growing enough food to share with others.
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Michele L. Larimer
Planning & Implementation
michele at benevolent.net
Michele researches, develops and executes Benevolent’s communications program in collaboration with a team of creative advisors. More importantly, she has the privilege of connecting with extraordinary individuals while carrying out the mission of Benevolent. Michele is a focused, creative community outreach, design and development leader with experience in government, higher education and entrepreneurial industries. She earned her Masters Degrees in Urban Design and Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Colorado Denver. Michele has served as a jury member for the Socio Design Foundation, an international architecture competition.
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Emily Brittain
Community Engagement Lead
emily at benevolent.net
Emily Brittain has extensive experience in youth development and community partnership building, and served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Armenia. She earned her Bachelor's from Augustana College in Rock Island, IL and her Master's from the School of Social Service Administration at the University of Chicago, with a focus on community planning, organizing, and development. Emily enjoys hiking, riding her bike, and spending time with a good book. She is excited to be part of the Benevolent team.
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Cay'me Jones
Community Engagement Manager-Charlotte
cayme at benevolent.net
Cay’me Jones comes to Benevolent after having worked the last few years in development and communications. With over 13 years of building community partnerships and advocating for social justice, this seasoned life coach has made her life’s mission working collaboratively to effect change within the larger society for the under-represented. Holding a BA in Psychology from Wichita State University and currently working on her master’s degree in Executive Coaching from Queens University of Charlotte, Cay’me is touted as someone who can see “both the forest and the trees." When she is not trying to save the world *smile*, you can find her singing with her church’s worship team, being silly with her daughter, Zavi (and managing Zavi’s ever-growing fan club), or desperately trying to make her way to the closest beach.
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Ken Goldstein
Community Engagement Manager-San Jose
ken at benevolent.net
Ken has over twenty years of prior experience in the nonprofit sector as a senior executive, board member, volunteer, and ten years as an independent consultant. He has helped organizations through strategic planning, leadership transitions, and fund development training, and has raised several million dollars in grants for small, grassroots organizations. An avid blogger, he has written repeatedly about social media for nonprofits and the importance of storytelling in fundraising. Ken and his wife live above Silicon Valley in the Santa Cruz Mountains, among the coastal redwoods, enjoying long walks through the forest, yet still manage to spend entirely too much time online.
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Andrea Perkins
Community Engagement Manager-Detroit
LinkedIn Profile
andrea at benevolent.net
Dedicated to optimizing the resources and infrastructure of underserved communities, Andrea hails from Detroit as the Community Engagement Manager. With experience in planning, community development, government, grant writing and youth development, Andrea is happy to have joined the Benevolent team and work alongside individuals committed to uplifting communities one resident at a time. When Andrea is not working, she enjoys playing recreational sports, coaching youth volleyball, bike riding (in large groups), gardening and exploring unfamiliar cities large and small. A native of Detroit, Andrea received a BA in Sociology and Political Science from the University of Michigan (Go Blue!) and a Masters in Urban Planning from New York University.
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Alicia Bowles
Executive Assistant
alicia at benevolent.net
Alicia came to Benevolent with a can-do attitude and took the team by surprise. Whether she is booking travel, setting up meetings or organizing schedules and the office, there isn't much she can't or won't do. Alicia grew up in the south and graduated with a BA in Broadcast Journalism from Ole Miss. When she is not working or volunteering, she does what every southern girl does and cheers on her favorite college football team, HOTTY TODDY.
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Danielle Siebert
Operations & Metrics Volunteer
danielle at benevolent.net
Danielle leads Benevolent's Operations & Metrics team, ensuring the complexity of Benevolent's processes never surpasses the importance of its mission. Danielle is an experienced project manager with over 20 years of experience in data mining and data processing, as well as process development and improvement. Before joining Benevolent, Danielle served as the senior analyst for Pattern Associates, a data mining and modeling consultancy based in the Chicago area. Prior to Pattern Associates, she held several managerial and technical positions with Corning Incorporated in both the United States and Germany. Although her professional experience is largely technical, Danielle brings many years of personal nonprofit experience in educational fundraising and development, operations in transitional housing and social services for seniors. She holds a BS in Materials Science Engineering from Purdue University. When not chasing after her husband and two wonderful children, Danielle enjoys gardening, board games, and international travel.
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Christopher Barrett
Development & Partnerships Volunteer
christopher at benevolent.net
Christopher is a recent transplant to Chicago and was immediately drawn to the incredible model Megan and her team developed for Benevolent. Christopher has spent the past ten years in the non-profit sector both managing organizations and serving as a consultant. Prior to Chicago, Christopher lived in NYC where he worked with nonprofit organizations to help them reach their capacity through strategic consulting in development, design, board recruitment and communications. His clients included institutions throughout the sector including LGBT, HIV/AIDS, performing and visual arts, environmental and anti-violence groups. In addition to his work with Benevelont, Christopher currently works as a philanthropic advisor--aiding his clients in their philanthropic pursuits throughout the country and helping fund effective and sustainable organizations. Christopher, his partner Tim and two darling dogs – Tess and Pepper, are delighted to be starting a new life in Chicago!
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John Power
Community Engagement Volunteer
john at benevolent.net
John comes to us with deep roots in the financial industry including his recent retirement from his position as Managing Director for Customer Service at LiquidPoint and previous role as Vice President at the Chicago Board of Options Exchange. John’s role on the Benevolent team focuses on connecting with nonprofit organizations and forging partnerships to enlarge Benevolent’s network and revolutionizing Benevolent’s technical and operational approach to managing relationships. When he’s not working like crazy for Benevolent, John works on the local nonprofit he leads called Santa for the Very Poor with which he’s been involved for many years.
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Tim Whiting
Marketing Volunteer
Tim leads Benevolent’s Marketing function focused on brand strategy, digital marketing, social media and demand generation to achieve Benevolent’s growth and expansion goals. Before joining Benevolent, Tim was Vice President of Marketing for Lawson Products and has over 20 years of global technology sales and marketing experience with companies including Motorola Solutions, Motorola Mobility and AT&T. Tim is a serial pro bono consultant to Chicago-area non-profits and deeply values the opportunity to leverage his marketing and technology expertise to support philanthropic causes. Tim attended the Kellogg School of Management, DePaul University and the University of Illinois and holds an MBA and an MS in Computer Science. Tim’s life at home has resulted in a practical understanding of Minecraft, 1 Direction (1D), Guinea Pigs and the fashion philosophy behind wearing mismatched socks.
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Amy Schumacher
Community Engagement Intern
Amy joins the Benevolent team as a student intern from the School of Social Service Administration at the University of Chicago. She has seven years of experience in the nonprofit world, primarily with youth and young adults. Amy is interested in ongoing program development and is looking forward to partnering with other non-profits in Chicago and beyond. When she’s not studying or working, Amy enjoys baking, reading, and spending time with loved ones.
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Tome Allali
Community Engagement Intern
Tome is a student intern from the Marriage and Family Therapy program at Adler School of Professional Psychology. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Illinois-Chicago. She is interested in focusing mostly on children and families and hope to one day own her own practice. When Tome is not studying or working, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, watching good films, and being outdoors.
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Lindsey McNamara
External Relations Volunteer
lindsey at benevolent.net
Lindsey McNamara graduated with her BA in English at the University of Illinois at Chicago, and is currently pursuing her MS in Public Services at DePaul University. After years of working and volunteering at numerous nonprofits around the Chicago and Peoria areas Lindsey is excited to be a part of Benevolent. In her spare time Lindsey enjoys running, reading, cooking, and cheering on her favorite sports teams.
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