L&F’s New Fiscal Year Brings New Faces

July 16th, 2015 Community, Programs

Loaves & Fishes Community Services has welcomed new leaders to assist us in achieving our strategic objectives and to continue alleviating poverty in the western suburbs of Chicago. At Day Without Hunger in June, Megan Selck, Loaves & Fishes’ President & CEO, spoke of transformation in reference to our new grocery market layout, our Client Engagement Model and our Share the Joy volunteer movement.

“I am excited for what lies ahead for Loaves & Fishes,” said Selck. “We have seen so much progress over the past year through our programs and our community partnerships. To continue this forward momentum, we have added more depth to our board and staff.”

L&F Board Members Alicia McCareins, Laura Ann Spencer, David Brown and Brian Bolliger gather at John Greene Realtor's Polo Event

L&F Board Members Alicia McCareins, Laura Ann Spencer, David Brown and Brian Bolliger gather at John Greene Realtor’s Polo Event

Mike Havala, President and Founder of GoldTree Capital Advisors, will lead Loaves & Fishes’ Board of Directors as the new chair. Peggy Beata served as board chair for the past year. Havala has been a stalwart supporter of Loaves & Fishes, helping secure the purchase of 1871 High Grove Lane in 2011, which allowed Loaves & Fishes to dramatically expand our programs over the past 4 years. He will be joined by Dr. Alicia McCareins, Founder & CEO of Research, Evaluation & Consulting Associates, LLC, who will serve as Vice Chair of Governance; Paul Novotny, retired former Chairman & CEO at The New York Blower Company, who will serve as Vice Chair of Finance; David Brown, Vice President of Commodity Price & Risk Management at Mondelez International, who will serve as Vice Chair of Advancement; Kevin O’Hara, Private Wealth Advisor-Business Financial Advisor at Ameriprise Financial, who will serve as Treasurer; and Celeste Wagner, owner of C•SAW Marketing Group and owner of Aurelio’s Pizza locations in Naperville and Woodridge, who will serve as Secretary.

Loaves & Fishes’ also welcomed the addition of George Kestler, retired former President & CEO at Americall Group, Inc.; Corey Schmidt, Wealth Advisor at Thrivent Financial; Laura Ann Spencer, Executive Vice President at Perma-Seal; and Kathy Van Eeuwen, Attorney. For a full listing of our current board, click here.

IMG_2349In addition to our board growth, Loaves & Fishes hired LaVerne Mathews as the Director of Advancement. Mathews has worked in a variety of positions in fund development for such organizations in Chicago as La Rabida Children’s Hospital, Holy Trinity High School, Family Christian Heath Center and Constitutional Rights Foundation Chicago. Her experience in researching and successfully securing financial support for non-profit organizations spans over 15 years.

“I love the basic message of Loaves and Fishes’ mission, ‘to end hunger in our community,'” explains Mathews when asked what drew her to Loaves & Fishes. “I look forward to working with area businesses, community partners and individuals to help further this mission.”

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