Our Team

Meet the best and brightest
in social purpose

Meet the Cara Collective Team

At Cara Collective, we believe in the idea of “one band, one sound,” meaning we are at our best and strongest when we work together as a community. Born out of the concepts we consistently saw when evaluating what we do and why we see results, these are the values that keep us grounded and guide us in our decision making as an organization.

MOTIVATION

Motivation propels. We identify, instill, and hold onto it. Where there is a desire to succeed, there is an opportunity to transform thought into action.

AFFIRMATION

Affirmation reinforces. We celebrate instances of progress, understanding that the journey in the right direction is just as, if not more, important than the final destination.

COMMUNITY

Community connects. We actively build networks that strengthen us all. If we can get each other, we can serve each other best.

INTENTIONALITY

Intentionality aims. We focus on the endgame during planning and design. In doing so, we build roadmaps to real, lasting success and avoid deriving validation from a quick win.

EQUITY

Equity informs. We commit to taking an antiracist approach in all we do. We leverage our individuality and differences as a way of deepening community and expanding opportunity.

Executive Team

Our Executive Team is a motley crew of entrepreneurs, educators, fundraisers, and career flippers who bring a combined 50 years of Cara experience, and fervently believe they are still just getting started.

Kathleen St. Louis Caliento
President & CEO
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Brady Gott
Chief Social Enterprise Officer
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Emily Billups
Executive Assistant
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Joel Pomerenk
Chief Financial Officer
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Kim Massenburg
Chief Impact Officer
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Lauren Feldman
Chief Operating Officer
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Tara Harper
Chief External Affairs Officer
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Cara Connects

Our mission-driven staffing firm, Cara Connects places top talent in temp-to-perm positions with leading Chicago companies.

Jared Williams 2024 Headshot
Jared Williams
Staffing Specialist
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LaTanya Simpson
Senior Staffing Specialist
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Mariel Corona
Director of Cara Connects
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Cara Plus

Our expansion arm, Cara Plus works with employers and organizations to grow, build, and deploy strong workforce solutions.

Ellen Sauter
Senior Workforce Solutions Specialist
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Liana Bran
Director of Expansion Strategy
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May Anthony
Senior Workplace Solutions Advisor
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Molly Verghese
Workplace Solutions Lead
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Monica Yoo
Director of National Workforce Solutions
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Cleanslate

Our flagship social enterprise, Cleanslate transforms the landscape of our communities by providing transitional employment in exterior maintenance.

Brady Gott
Chief Social Enterprise Officer
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Christian Sotello
Crew Supervisor
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Darius Williams
Crew Supervisor
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Dave Atkinson
Crew Supervisor
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Dennis Rodriguez
Senior Field Foreperson
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George Barnett
Director of Business Administration
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Ivan Campbell
Crew Supervisor & Event Lead
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James Ware
Crew Supervisor
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Jaron Wells
Field Foreperson
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Jeremy Williams
Account Manager
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Juan Rodriguez
Fleet Mechanic & Purchasing Agent
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Larry Burks
Crew Supervisor
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Leroy Johnson
Field Foreperson
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Lisa Frazier
Crew Supervisor
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Lisa Kidd
Senior Account Manager
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Matthew Meyer
Crew Supervisor
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Michael Bellino
Senior Field Foreperson
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Michael Hurst
Field Foreperson
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Nnaji Iwunze
Crew Supervisor
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Ron Holakovsky
Director of Operations
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Rosetta Reeves
Lead Transitional Workforce Specialist
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Rufus Grandberry
Crew Supervisor
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Sam Lovett
Senior Manager of Business Operations
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Santa Washington
Senior Business Administrator
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Shaunathan Johnson
Crew Supervisor
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Tanya Sanders
Crew Supervisor
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Coaching

Our Coaching team works with and supports our participants on every step of their journey to gainful employment and beyond.

Anastasia Vardys
Individual Development Specialist
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Armoni Williams
Individual Development Specialist
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Da’Sean Hillsman
Senior Manager of Coaching & Retention
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Johnny Galloway
Individual Development Specialist
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Kimberly Jones
Lead Individual Development Specialist
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Lawrence Gilmore
Individual Development Specialist
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Shakiera Miller 2024 Headshot
Shakiera Miller
Individual Development Specialist
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Trici Coleman
Individual Development Specialist
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Data & IT

The Data & IT team evaluates, develops, and maintains Cara’s technological toolset and shared knowledge base in order to increase operational cohesion and provide teams with sustainable solutions to meet their goals.

Christopher Bogdanov
Salesforce Support Specialist
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Hugo Patino 2024 Headshot
Hugo Patino
IT Support Coordinator
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Jessie Keeton 2024 Headshot
Jessie Keeton
IT Support Specialist
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Development & Marketing

Our Development & Marketing team amplifies the mission of Cara through engagement opportunities, special events, fundraising, and marketing initiatives.

Annie Drew 2024 Headshot
Annie Drew
Senior Events & Auxiliary Boards Officer
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Ashli Adibe
Director of Institutional Giving
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Claire Roehri
Senior Expansion Marketing Specialist
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Eliza Nugent
Institutional Grant Writer
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Lisa Schreck
Development Specialist
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Manal Haroon
Business Development Specialist
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Mark Toriski
Senior Director of Marketing & Communications
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Prynston Whittington
Marketing Specialist
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Regan Traphagen 2024 Headshot
Regan Traphagen
Manager of Marketing & Communications
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Sharla K. Nolte
Director of Individual Giving
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Timothy Loeffler 2024 Headshot
Timothy Loeffler
Associate Director of Corporate Partnerships & Business Development
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Employment Services

Our Employment Services team manages the relationships with Cara’s employment partners while working with job seekers on finding the best job for them.

Cara Klyn
Senior Corporate Account Specialist
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Corneisha Fowler
Senior Corporate Account Specialist
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Deaje Martin
Employment Specialist
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Elaine Ross
Director of Employment Services
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Kanesha McNeil
Employment Specialist
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Kelly DeBouver
Corporate Partnerships Lead
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Liz Jones
Corporate Partnerships Lead
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Engagement

Our Engagement team works with participants to assure their success at every step of their journey with us, including coordinating and setting up sessions with volunteers, training on our job search platforms, and referrals for supports and assistance, among others.

Amber Stojak 2024
Amber Stojak
Participant Engagement Specialist
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Carmita Coleman
Manager of Engagement
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Katrina Meekins
Senior Participant Engagement Specialist
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Rita Balzotti
Director of Engagement & Supportive Services
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Tanorviette Spruill
Participant Engagement Specialist
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Finance/Contracts & Compliance

Our Finance and Contracts & Compliance Teams ensure the financial viability of our organization while overseeing public, government, and donor-directed funding.

Cheryl Gavin
Senior Controller
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Dominique Darko 2024 Headshot
Dominique Darko
Contract & Compliance Specialist
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Keshawn Idris
Senior Staff Accountant
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Laura Louden 2024 Headshot
Laura Louden
Manager of Contracts & Compliance
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Sanyu Kyeyune
Accounting Specialist
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Shawnon Morris-Steinohrt
Senior Grants Billing & Compliance Specialist
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Human Resources

The Human Resources team supports the entire Cara Collective from ensuring HR compliance and implementing effective protocols and policies to payroll and benefits services to ensuring our staff continues to grow and thrive in their Cara careers.

Justin Jones
Human Resources Specialist
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Kiya Brooks
Human Resources Associate
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Kristin Boelkens 2024 Headshot
Kristin Boelkens
Senior Director of Human Resources
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Mary Belville
Manager of HR
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Willie Chatman
Lead HR Specialist
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Operations

The Operations team ensures that our staff, job seekers, and visitors have a safe, clean, and productive physical environment to best support our transformative work that happens each day.

Bernita Griffin
Administrative Services Specialist
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Bobbie Wallace
Administrative Services Specialist
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Remy Wilbanks 2024 Headshot
Remy Wilbanks
Manager of Office Operations
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Rich Byrd 2024 Headshot
Rich Byrd
Facilities Coordinator
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Theaderic Crocker-De Ruiter
Facilities Services Supervisor
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Recruitment

Our Recruitment Team works tirelessly to find, interview, and onboard the newest jobseekers who join our Cara community.

Ebony Johnson 2024 Headshot
Ebony Johnson
Senior Recruitment & Admissions Specialist
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Jazmin Bernal 2024 Headshot
Jazmin Bernal
Admissions Specialist
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Jill Lewandowski 2024 Headshot
Jill Lewandowski
Manager of Recruitment & Admissions
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Julia Billups
Admissions Specialist
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Tauheedah Abdullah
Business Development Specialist
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Supportive Services

Our Supportive Services teams assist our participants by providing comprehensive wraparound services such as housing, financial and digital literacy, mental health, childcare, and more.

Clennetta Trotter
Lead Financial Coach
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Iris Lewis
Supportive Services Coordinator
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Maryam Arbaboon 2024 Headshot
Maryam Arbaboon
Manager of Participant Health & Wellness
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Rachel Kellogg 2024 Headshot
Rachel Kellogg
Clinical Counselor
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Rita Balzotti
Director of Engagement & Supportive Services
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YaSheka Williams
Supportive Services Specialist
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Training

Our Training Team works with Cara participants in developing the personal and professional skills that will ensure long-term success.

Jennifer Deak 2024 Headshot
Jennifer Deak
Training Specialist
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Jesse Teverbaugh
Director of Training & Alumni Affairs
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MarShay Berry
Manager of Training
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Patricia Powell
Director of Strategic Innovation and Programming
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Vaughn White 2024 Headshot
Vaughn White
Training Specialist
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Vicki Hudson-Stapleton
Manager of Curriculum
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Meet Our Leadership

These are the hardworking individuals that help guide our team and our mission forward.

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Have a question or want to learn more about Cara Collective? We’ll help point you in the right direction.