Introducing the Fall 2023 Peer Mentoring Cohort

By Jennifer Dettloff
Director, Alumni & Volunteer Engagement, UChicago Medicine & Biological Sciences Development

Announcing - the Fall 2023 Peer Mentoring Class. We are excited to welcome another cohort of protégés and mentors to this year-long experience of partnership, conversation, career exploration, networking, and growth.

This cohort is our largest since the pandemic with 14 pairs who include 19 women and 9 men. The diverse group is comprised of 25 percent individuals of color, 32 percent members of the LGBTQ+ community, and individuals with a disability. Program participants represent a variety of nonprofit sectors – from Arts and Culture to Consulting to Healthcare and Human Services, and more.

The class convened for our virtual kick-off program on Friday, October 27 where they learned more about the program and heard tips and tricks to a successful peer mentoring relationship. Over the course of the next year, protégés will meet with their mentors to discuss their goals and other career-related questions as they arise. We recommended that pairs meet monthly, usually virtually, but many matches connect in-person from time-to-time.

The Fall 2023 Cohort members are:

• Hannah Acker, Chicago Public Media (protégé) and Amy Funk, TWB Fundraising (mentor)
• Patricia “Trish” Bailey, CFRE, National Kidney Foundation of Illinois (protégé) and John Huebler, CFRE, MPA, Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University (mentor)
• Rick Boyte, Arthroscopy Association of North America (protégé) and Nick Schafer, CFRE, Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation, A Restorative Justice Hub (mentor)
• Margaret Davis (protégé) and Kirsten Boyce, Campbell & Company (mentor)
• Lara Diaz, Development Coordinator, WTTW/WFMT (protégé) and Jennifer Dettloff, UChicago Medicine and Biological Sciences Development (mentor)
• Melissa Graham, The Night Ministry (protégé) and Bill Nalley, Court Theatre at The University of Chicago (mentor)
• Amy Johnston, Shedd Aquarium (protégé) and Barbara Khalouf, Access Living (mentor)
• Emily Livaudais, Chinese American Service League (protégé) and Joshua Sovell, Feeding America (mentor)
• Skyla McKim, Orchard Village (protégé) and Noelle Moore, CFRE, The HAP Foundation (mentor)
• Malorie Nagel, Communities in Schools of Chicago (protégé) and Kimberly Vann, CFRE, Greater Chicago Food Depository (mentor)
• Bintu Njie, Great Lakes Academy (protégé) and Ann Grant, Adler Planetarium (mentor)
• Vicente Robinson, The Art Institute of Chicago (protégé) and Christopher Chantson, National Louis University (mentor)
• Alina Sepanski, After School Matters (protégé) and Logan Heggemann, CFRE, The University of Chicago (mentor)
• Austin Thomas, The Morton Arboretum (protégé) and Jennifer Biehler, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (mentor)

Thank you to all our participants, especially to the mentors who will lend their time and expertise to help this year’s protégés expand their careers and networks. We wish everyone a fantastic experience.

For more information about joining the Peer Mentoring Committee or becoming a protégé or mentor in our next class in Spring 2024, contact Christopher Chantson or Jennifer Dettloff, Committee Co-Chairs.

Thank You to our Sponsors