ABOUT US

Director of Grants Management

Brittany oversees the grants administration process, data management, and regulatory compliance for the Walder Foundation’s grantmaking programs.

Prior to joining the Foundation, Brittany served as a program and grants manager at the Harvey L. Miller Family Foundations, where she worked for four years. In her role, she managed a portfolio of grant making initiatives, led the board book production process, tracked and monitored grants, and supported the family’s next generation in their philanthropic giving.  Prior to that, she worked for 12 years for a variety of non-profit organizations, primarily in grant writing and development roles. Her experience ranges from serving non-profits in the environmental, human services, and health sectors.

Brittany holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Missouri-Columbia. Brittany is a 21/64 certified adviser, as well as a member of PEAK Grantmaking.

Program Officer, Jewish Life

Elana supports the Foundation’s Jewish Life funding area. Having moved to Chicago almost a decade ago, Elana enjoys thinking critically about the needs of the Chicago Jewish community and how to create an impact on Jewish life locally and abroad. Prior to joining the Foundation, Elana led foundation and corporate fundraising at the Anti-Defamation League Midwest and in development at JCC Chicago, which helped her gain a perspective on how to develop impactful programs.

Elana received her master’s degrees in Jewish communal service and non-profit management and Holocaust and genocide studies from Gratz College, and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Yeshiva University-Stern College for Women.

Program Associate, Performing Arts

Sara assists the Performing Arts Pillar in their work to create a long-lasting impact in Chicago’s Performing Arts sector.

Sara is an award-winning theater producer and has further experience as a director, stage manager, and more. Prior to joining the Foundation, Sara served as Director of Communications at the Chicago Latino Theater Alliance, where she worked to bring Latine stories to new heights. She serves on the 2024 TCG Conference Marketing/Communications committee and National Louis University's Communications Advisory Council. served in the steering committee for the Department of Cultural Affairs' 2019 Year of Chicago Theater and was nominated for Outstanding Stage-Management of a Play for 2018 Alliance of Latinx Theater Artists of Chicago Awards.

She graduated with a BA in Theater Arts and a minor in Communications from Dominican University.

Associate Grants Manager

Monica supports the director of grants management and day-to-day grants management support for the Foundation’s grantmaking operations, systems, and data.

Prior to joining Walder Foundation, Monica served as administrative assistant to the director at Skokie Public Library and worked as a civil rights and immigration paralegal, assisting on a contract with the Government of Mexico at Hughes Socol Piers Resnick & Dym. She also has experience in community organizing with Logan Square Neighborhood Association on issues of immigration and education.

Monica holds a bachelor’s degree in political science with a minor in anthropology from the University of Illinois and has completed master’s coursework in international affairs and development from George Washington University.

Program Officer, Performing Arts

Ebony is committed to addressing the racial and financial inequities within the artistic community and uplifting the necessary process that artists and arts organizations undergo to enrich the Chicago performing arts industry. Before joining Walder Foundation, she served as the development coordinator for TimeLine Theatre Company in Chicago, focusing on event planning and donor relations. She has also served in positions of stage management, producer, and assistant director for numerous theater organizations across Chicago.

Ebony’s artistic work includes theater performance through the lens of immersive and devised mediums. Ebony holds a bachelor’s degree in theatre from Grinnell College and is a Posse Scholar Alumna.

Chief Financial Officer

Kate serves as the primary advisor on financial operations for the Foundation and related entities.

Her background includes executive and financial leadership roles in for-profit companies, academia, private foundations, nonprofit organizations, and private operating foundations.

Kate graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, and from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management – Northwestern University with a master’s degree in business administration. She earned a certificate from the Harvard Business School in Strategic Perspectives in Non-Profit Management, and a coaching certificate from Northwestern University’s Executive Learning and Organizational Change program.

Senior Program Director, Migration

Juliana is committed to understanding the root causes of migration and engaging diverse perspectives to inform policy solutions. She has experience working on local responses to global migration trends with a focus on advancing welcoming societies.

Juliana joined the Foundation after 18 years at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, where she most recently served as the director of global cities and immigration. Juliana managed research, partnerships, and a worldwide network of fellows on urbanization, migration, city diplomacy, and a global Chicago.

A dual citizen of the United States and Brazil, Juliana has participated in emerging leader dialogues hosted by the BMW Foundation, the British Council, Bucerius Stiftung, and the Rotary Foundation. She earned a degree in political science and French from the University of Iowa and a certificate of political studies from Sciences Po in Lyon, France.

Human Resources

Adina manages human resources for the Walder Foundation. She began her career as a high school teacher, and then worked for 18 years in payroll management and HR coordination at Integrated DNA Technologies. Before joining the Foundation, Adina worked on employee engagement and retention in the nursing home industry.

Senior Program Director, Performing Arts & Operations

Meg’s work as a practicing artist informs her two decades of experience developing programs in the performing arts. Before joining the Foundation, she was the director of programs for United States Artists, a national award program recognizing individual artists. Meg was the communications and program officer at the Irving Harris Foundation, a family foundation that supports early childhood development, arts and culture, reproductive health and justice, and Jewish values both in the United States and Israel.

Meg’s artistic work includes music, performance, and visual art, for which they have received numerous awards, residencies, and exhibitions throughout the United States. She has taught arts administration and policy at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

Meg holds a bachelor’s degree from Smith College and masters degrees from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

Digital Producer

Susie brings stories about Foundation programs to life through visual communications, including video, animation, and multimedia presentations. Before joining the Foundation, Susie worked on multiple film projects at Loyola University in Chicago. She holds a bachelor’s degree (with honors) in film and digital media and a minor in visual communication from Loyola University.

Project Specialist

Elisa assists the Foundation staff with office management and grants administration. Before joining the Walder Foundation, Elisa was the community outreach coordinator for JCC Chicago. She also worked in the public affairs office for the Consulate General of Israel to the Midwest.

Elisa has a bachelor’s degree in international relations and a master’s degree in Middle Eastern studies.

Senior Technical Advisor

William manages various IT support requests as the first point of contact for staff seeking technical assistance or solutions for ongoing operations.

William has experience in audio visual technologies and information on IT products or services.

Prior to joining Walder Foundation, William provided technical support for an immigration law firm.

Director of Cybersecurity and Technology

Ryan has over 12 years of IT management and cybersecurity experience, specifically with mission-based organizations spanning Chicago, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C. Previously, Ryan managed IT and cybersecurity for Green Courte Partners and the Illinois Holocaust Museum.

Ryan is CISSP, Security+, and ITIL certified and holds multiple additional industry certifications. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities from Shimer College, a Master of Arts in Communications from the European Graduate School, and a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology Security from Western Governors University.

Program Director, Jewish Life

Jenni Richton is the Program Director for Jewish Life at the Walder Foundation, a private family foundation in Skokie, IL. In this role, Jenni designs strategy and oversees grantmaking for the foundation’s Jewish and Israel portfolios. She works in partnership with Elizabeth Walder to drive forward the Jewish pillar's mission to create a more inclusive, unified Orthodox community, led by strong and diverse leadership. Prior to this role, Jenni worked in a number of positions in Jewish and philanthropic organizations, directing programs in leadership development, teen engagement, and adult Jewish learning. She received her MBA and a master’s degree in Jewish professional leadership from Brandeis University.

Program Officer, Environmental Sustainability

Casey supports the development of programs and funding opportunities related to environmental sustainability. She brings a passion for systems thinking and building more just, equitable, and resilient communities that harness and advance the power of nature.

She has experience in program development, project management, research, and community engagement. Having worked in government, academia, and NPOs, she brings experience working with a wide range of partners to develop and implement innovative and meaningful projects.

Casey most recently served as a research scientist and project manager at the Illinois Coastal Management Program, a joint position with the UIUC Prairie Research Institute and IDNR, where she coordinated the program’s coastal resilience work.

She received her B.A. in Environmental Studies from Northeastern Illinois University and a Master of Urban Planning and Policy with a concentration in Environmental Planning and Policy from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Vice President, Communications

Tamar is a communications leader with deep experience in the philanthropic sector. In her role as VP of Communications, Tamar drives all branding and communications across the Walder philanthropic and mission-driven organizations, including the Walder Foundation. Prior to joining the Foundation, Tamar served as the Senior Director of Marketing and Communications at the Jewish Communal Fund of New York, the largest and most active Jewish donor advised fund in the country.

An award-winning journalist, she worked for several years as a staff writer at The Jewish Week in New York and has been published in the Wall Street Journal, Inc. Magazine, The Forward and other publications.

Tamar holds a master's degree in journalism from Columbia Journalism School, a Masters in Public Administration (MPA) from NYU/Wagner, and an MA in Hebrew and Judaic Studies from NYU. She graduated summa cum laude from Lander College, a division of Touro University. She is a 21/64 Certified Advisor.

Executive Assistant to the President and Executive Director

Elvira has extensive experience in executive administrative support in the corporate, academic and non-profit sectors. Prior to joining the Foundation, she was the executive assistant to the chair of the Brain Innovation Center at the Shirley Ryan Ability Lab and to the section chief of Traumatic Brain Injury at their flagship hospital. 

Elvira was the office operations manager at the U.S. headquarters for thyssenkrupp, North America, where she managed the digital transformation of the Chicago office. She has served as the administrative assistant to the dean of libraries at Loyola University and as a staff assistant to the director of the Institute for Ethics at the American Medical Association.

Elvira has a Bachelor of Arts in Art History from Roosevelt University and a Certificate in Museum Studies and Nonprofit Management from Northwestern University School of Professional Studies.

Director of Finance

Jeff oversees the investment management of Foundation assets, performs financial due diligence on prospective grantees, and advises grantees with capacity issues.

Before joining the Foundation, Jeff spent 16 years at Integrated DNA Technologies, where he served as vice president of corporate development, overseeing budgeting and support for new product development. Jeff has provided investment banking advisory services to middle-market companies at Merrill Lynch, after first gaining experience with a venture capital firm focused on the health sector.

Jeff has an MBA in finance and accounting from the University of Chicago, a master’s degree in history from Harvard University, and a bachelor’s degree in history (with high honors) from the University of California at Santa Cruz.

Program Director, Environmental Sustainability

Jack is committed to building grantmaking programs that make the Chicago region more sustainable and resilient for its residents and its nature. Jack is a plant biologist by training and has experience in academic research, government, and nonprofit sectors. Throughout his career, he has dedicated himself to translating advances in science and technology and building collaborations to develop solutions for a more sustainable planet.

Before joining the Foundation, Jack was the external affairs director at the 2Blades Foundation; a nonprofit focused on developing new solutions to crop disease to address global food insecurity. Prior to 2Blades, he was the Head of Science and Innovation at the British Consulate in Chicago.

Jack holds a Ph.D. in plant sciences from the University of Cambridge and a bachelor’s degree (with honors) in natural sciences from the University of Cambridge.