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
Managing Director of Cleanslate
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Emily Billups
Executive Assistant
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Joe Mutuc
Chief Business Development Officer
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Joel Pomerenk
Chief Financial Officer
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Kim Massenburg
Chief Program Officer
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Sara Wasserteil
Managing Director of Expansion & Integration
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Tara Harper
Chief Philanthropy 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.

Joe Mutuc
Chief Business Development Officer
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LaTanya Simpson
Staffing Specialist
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Mariel Corona
Senior Manager 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
Workforce & Workplace 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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Monica Yoo
Director of National Workforce Solutions
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Sara Wasserteil
Managing Director of Expansion & Integration
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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
Managing Director of Cleanslate
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Darryl Thompson
Crew Supervisor
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Dave Atkinson
Landscape & Snow Crew Leader
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Dennis Rodriguez
Senior Field Foreperson
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George Barnett
Manager of Business Administration
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Herman Richardson
Crew Supervisor
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Ivan Campbell
Crew Supervisor & Event Lead
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Jacqueline Holly
Crew Supervisor
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Jaron Wells
Crew Supervisor
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Jeremy Williams
Account Manager
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Jonte Collins
Crew Supervisor
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Juan Rodriguez
Auto Mechanic & Facility Supervisor
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Kanesha McNeil
Crew Supervisor
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Leroy Johnson
Field Foreperson
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Lisa Kidd
Business District Maintenance Manager
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Lisa Peters
Office Support Manager
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Michael Bellino
Senior Field Foreperson
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Michael Hurst
Field Foreperson
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Paris Brown
Crew Supervisor
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Ron Holakovsky
Director of Operations
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Rosetta Reeves
Senior Recruitment Specialist
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Sam Lovett
Senior Manager of Business Operations
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Santa Washington
Administrative Specialist
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Steven Thomas
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.

Aaron Jones
Individual Development Specialist
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Da’Sean Hillsman
Manager of Coaching & Retention
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Erin Rubenstein
Individual Development Specialist
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Johnny Galloway
Individual Development Specialist
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Kimberly Jones
Senior Individual Development Specialist
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Lawrence Gilmore
Individual Development Specialist
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Trici Coleman
Individual Development 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.

Claire Roehri
Senior Expansion Marketing Specialist
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Ed Briscoe
Director of Development
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Eftiola Trebicka
Institutional Giving Lead
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Lisa Schreck
Development Specialist
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Manal Haroon
Content Marketing Specialist
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Mark Toriski
Director of Marketing & Communications
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Timothy Loeffler
Corporate Engagement Officer
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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
Corporate Account Specialist
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Corneisha Fowler
Corporate Account Specialist
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Elaine Ross
Senior Manager of Placement Services
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Kathie Stokes
Business Development Director
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Kelly DeBouver
Senior Corporate Account Manager
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Liz Jones
Senior Corporate Account Manager
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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.

Christine Allen
Senior Engagement Specialist
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Katrina Meekins
Participant Engagement Specialist
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Michael McNeil
Participant Engagement Specialist
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Rita Balzotti
Director of Engagement & Supportive Services
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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
Controller
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Keshawn Idris
Senior Staff Accountant
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Laura Louden
Senior Contracts & Compliance Analyst
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Lauren Rogers
Senior Manager of Contracts & Compliance
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Sanyu Kyeyune
Accounting Specialist
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Shawnon Morris-Steinohrt
Grants Billing & Compliance Specialist
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HR & Operations

The HR & Operations Team supports the entire Cara Collective from managing the day-to-day of our campuses to payroll and benefits services to ensuring our staff continues to grow and thrive in their Cara careers.

Bernita Griffin
Administrative Services Supervisor
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Carrie Shaw
Manager of Office Services
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Justin Jones
Human Resources Specialist
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Kristin Boelkens
Director of HR & Operations
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Mary Belville
Senior HR Generalist
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Theaderic Crocker-De Ruiter
Facilities Services Supervisor
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Willie Chatman
Lead HR Specialist
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Recruitment

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

BreShaun Reddick
Admissions Specialist
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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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Solutions

The Solutions 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.

Clare Murrell
Salesforce Administrator
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Jessie Keeton
IT Support Specialist
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Michael Yonkman
Salesforce Administrator
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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.

Abby Mladic
Supportive Services Coordinator
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Clennetta Trotter
Lead Financial Coach
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Maryam Arbaboon
Manager of Participant Health & Wellness
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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
Training Specialist
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Jesse Teverbaugh
Director of Student & Alumni Affairs
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Rikako Nishimura
Manager of Training
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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.