Executive Committee
JACKIE TAYLOR HOLSTEN, CHAIR
Jackie Taylor Holsten is Senior Vice President and General Counsel of Holsten Real Estate Development Corporation and Chair of the nonprofit Holsten Human Capital Development. Ms. Taylor Holsten spearheads property management of all housing types in the Holsten portfolio and ensures the healthy blend of its buildings and residents to create thriving communities. Holsten Real Estate Development Corp. has developed more than $500,000,000 in mixed-income, mixed-use housing, and commercial development throughout Chicago, becoming a leading innovator in multi-layered development financing, resident and commercial screening and selection, fiscal and asset management, resident services, and property management. Holsten Human Capital Development, NFP (HHCD) is a nonprofit, charitable organization with the mission to strengthen at-risk populations by expanding their access to viable resources that promote self-sufficiency, wellness and stability through comprehensive service provision, developing low income and affordable housing, and fostering economic development. Ms. Taylor Holsten earned her juris doctor from Loyola University and has served as a Trustee on the university’s Board of Trustees.
RON CLEWER, VICE CHAIR
Ron Clewer is the Illinois Market President for Gorman & Company specializing in downtown revitalization through collaborative urban development, dedication to the preservation of affordable, public, rural, and workforce housing, and the adaptive repurposing of historically significant properties. Ron joined Gorman & Company after collaborating on several projects with the organization as the CEO of Rockford Housing Authority. He has more than 20 years of multi-use real estate development and asset management experience. He earned his B.Admin. degree from Benedictine University and holds an Executive Leadership certificate through a partnership between the University of Michigan and the Alliance for Strong Families and Communities. Ron resides in Rockford, Illinois.
EMILIO PADILLA, AIA, SECRETARY
Emilio Padilla is a project director at JGMA (Juan Gabriel Moreno Architects). Emilio studied architecture at the University of Illinois at Chicago and also lived and studied in Merida, Mexico, and Barcelona, Spain, during his academic career. At JGMA, Emilio oversees and manages multiple projects through the design and construction phases. Through his work experience and influence, Emilio’s portfolio includes a wide range of local and international project types; public and private sector, hospitality, commercial and nonprofit organizations. Emilio has served as President of Arquitectos Inc., where his mission-driven leadership has expanded the organization’s services offered to students, emerging professionals and licensed professionals seeking further professional development. Emilio is also a member of AIA Chicago and serves on the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion roundtable. He is very active in his community, and has served as a commissioner for the historic preservation commission and lives in a historic bungalow in Berwyn.
TERRI SALAS, CPA, TREASURER
Terri Salas is an Associate with Plante & Moran in its Housing and Community Development Solutions Group where she brings more than 25 years of experience in real estate and accounting to assisting clients with structuring and monetizing federal and state historic and New Markets Tax Credits. Terri also serves as a technical resource for Low Income Housing Tax Credits and is known for providing exceptional client service. Terri frequently speaks at internal and external workshops on the topic of tax credit incentives. Prior to joining Plante & Moran, Terri worked extensively in the Low Income Housing Tax Credit industry for both a real estate developer and a regional tax credit syndicator. Terri graduated from the University of Michigan-Dearborn with a Bachelor’s of Business Administration.
GARY ANDERSON, AIA, BOARD DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE CHAIR
Gary Anderson is the Principal Architect at Studio GWA, a Rockford-based architecture firm working across Illinois and the Midwest Region. Gary was elected Chair of the Landmarks Illinois Board of Directors in 2022 and served as Vice Chair from 2019-2021 before sunsetting from the board for one year. He most recently co-chaired Landmarks Illinois’ DEI Collaborative. Gary envisioned a career in which he could combine his passion for architecture with community activism and revitalization. His interest in historic preservation, sustainability, reinvention, and renovating historic structures has shaped and defined the firm’s quality of work as well as its reputation. He founded what is today Studio GWA in 1982 and continues to maintain and service many of those decades-long client relationships – a testament to his philosophy of caring, understanding, and commitment. Gary shares his knowledge, love of local history, and passion for the community in which he born and raised by leading summer walking and biking architecture tours of downtown Rockford. Gary was awarded the 2021 Excalibur Award by the Rockford Register-Star.
JOSEPH ANTUNOVICH, FAIA, MEMBER-AT-LARGE
Joseph M. Antunovich, FAIA is the Founding Principal and President of Antunovich Associates, a dynamic 100-person Architecture, Planning and Interior Design Firm with offices in Chicago, Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles. Joe also has specialized in the design of historic preservation and adaptive re-use projects that celebrate the rich urban context and history of cities across America. Over the years, Joe has participated passionately in a number of significant preservation projects that have ensured that our marvelous historic buildings are preserved for future generations. Joe is a native of New Zealand and earned a Masters of Architecture degree from the University of Southern California. He previously served as President of the Landmarks Illinois Board of Directors and has donated many pro bono design hours to benefit the organization’s partner projects.
PETER BABAIAN, REINVESTMENT COMMITTEE CHAIR
Peter Babaian is the Building Technology Division Head in Simpson Gumpertz & Heger (SGH)’s Chicago office and former leader of the Building Enclosure Commissioning Practice. His experience includes designing, investigating, and rehabilitating a variety of building enclosures and structures. Peter’s projects involve exterior enclosure consulting for new construction, rehabilitating existing structures and enclosures, historic preservation, building enclosure commissioning, investigating non-performing building enclosures, and providing expert services related to construction litigation. Peter is an active member in many professional industry groups and serves as chair of The Masonry Society’s Technical Activities Committee.
MARIAH DIGRINO, OUTSIDE PRO BONO COUNSEL
Mariah DiGrino is a Partner with the international law firm, DLA Piper. Based in Chicago, Mariah concentrates her practice in the areas of land use and zoning, public-private financing, public incentives, historic preservation, and community and economic development, as well as general real estate. Mariah was named a 2022 Influencer by Landmarks Illinois at its Preservation Forward event. She received a B.A. from Western Illinois University and a J.D. from the University of Illinois College of Law.
TRACY DILLARD, PRESERVATION FORWARD EVENT COMMITTEE CHAIR
Tracy Dillard represented historically and architecturally significant and interesting Chicago-area properties for over two decades as an award-winning real estate broker. She continues her deep and broad professional involvement with architecture and history through a business selling curated old and unusual objects from the Midwest to collector and dealer clients in the U.S. and other countries. In Chicago, Tracy served on the Mies van der Rohe Society Board of Directors of the Illinois Institute of Technology, chairing its programs and nominating committees. Her Chicago home is in a 1956 Mies-designed building. Tracy was also a member of the Intuit: Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art Board of Directors. Professionally, she had leadership roles with the Lincoln Park Zoological Society (director of programs) and Oak Park Area Arts Council (executive director). In her native Southern Illinois, where she has a home in a former American Legion post in Cobden, Tracy is a philanthropist and member of the Emeritus Board of regional arts agency Artspace 304, the headquarters of which are in a modernist former public library in Carbondale. Tracy received a master’s degree in public administration from The George Washington University, Washington, DC. She held senior administrative posts in that city with the Mayor’s Blue Ribbon Committee on the Arts and Economic Development and national nonprofit Partners for Livable Places.
MAGDALENA NOVOA ECHAURREN, DEI COLLABORATIVE CO-CHAIR
Magdalena Novoa Echaurren is an Assistant Professor of Urban and Regional Planning at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Magdalena’s work focuses on the intersections of historic preservation and social justice, the politics of cultural heritage and memory, gender and deindustrialization, grassroots organizing and alternative planning approaches in the Americas. A native from Chile, her interest in historic preservation and cultural heritage as a resource for community development has been a sustained topic of her academic and professional experience. Magdalena received her Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin. She also holds a M.A. in Arts and Cultural Management from the London School of Communication, a B.A. in Fine Arts from Pontificia Universidad Cat61ica de Chile, and a B.A. in Education from Universidad Gabriela Mistral. She resides in Champaign, Illinois.
JEAN FOLLETT, MEMBER-AT-LARGE
Jean Follett is an historic preservation consultant who has served in volunteer leadership positions with the City of Hinsdale, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the Gaylord Building Historic Site and Landmarks Illinois, amongst many. Jean was elected to her fourth, six-year board term in 2024 recognizing her professional experience, wisdom and innovative thinking in contributing to Landmarks Illinois’ organizational transformation. She has chaired the Preservation Issues Committee and twice led the organization’s strategic planning processes. Previously, she served in multiple staff positions at LI including Interim President in 2011. With a B.A. in the history of architecture and planning from Brown University and a Ph.D. in American and New England studies from Boston University, as well as a long-time passion for historic preservation, Jean was and continues to be a tremendous resource for Landmarks Illinois.
JEFFREY GOULETTE, PRESERVATION FUND AND EASEMENTS COMMITTEE CHAIR
Jeffrey P. Goulette is co-founder of Sullivan, Goulette & Wilson Architects and serves as Design Principal. Throughout SGW’s 25 years, Jeff has specialized in the design of multi-family residential developments, and his award-winning work has been featured in national and local publications, as well as on HGTV. He serves on the board of Landmarks Illinois, where he chairs LI’s Fund and Easement Committee, and on the board of the Chicago Chapter of the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art. He’s also a member of the Home Builders Association of Greater Chicago, the Congress for New Urbanism, and the Association of Licensed Architects. Jeff earned a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of Michigan.
BONNIE MCDONALD, PRESIDENT & CEO
Over her 12-year tenure as President and CEO, Bonnie McDonald has led Landmarks Illinois to become a statewide and national voice for relevant change at this inflection point for the preservation movement. Bonnie’s transformative leadership has led Landmarks Illinois to focus on people and their vital connection to place, and to develop collaborative solutions addressing community concerns like climate change, affordable housing and lack of access to capital. Her policy work to incent preservation has led to over $6B in investment in existing buildings and over 30K new jobs created. The James Marston Fitch Charitable Foundation awarded Bonnie its 2020 MidCareer Fellowship to inform, inspire and support preservation’s evolution through the Relevancy Project, a four-year interview and research initiative culminating in “The Relevancy Guidebook: How We Can Transform the Future of Preservation,” published by Landmarks Illinois in November 2023. During this time, she has also maintained her commitment to serving as volunteer and mentor in the preservation community. From 2018-2021, Bonnie chaired the board of the National Preservation Partners Network, the national nonprofit representing preservation organizations, and she currently serves as an appointee to the State of Illinois Route 66 Centennial Commission and the National Council on Public History Labor Task Force. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot appointed Bonnie co-chair of the Chicago Monuments Project Advisory Committee in 2020 to help lead a two-year truth and racial reckoning process around the city’s problematic artworks. Bonnie and Landmarks Illinois proudly received the AIA Chicago Distinguished Service Award in December 2022. She holds a master’s degree in Historic Preservation Planning from Cornell University.
BRAD MOELLER, REAL ESTATE AND BUILDING INDUSTRIES COUNCIL COMMITTEE CHAIR
Brad Moeller serves as Senior Vice President of Construction Management for CA Student Living and oversees the construction and management team. Since Brad’s arrival in 2011, he has overseen over 2.5 billion in development and construction in various positions within the Student Living Development team. Brad joined CA Ventures from Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture, where he worked for seven years managing design and construction for numerous residential and mixed use projects, including some for CA Student Living. Prior to Hartshorne Plunkard, he worked for Northeast Collaborative Architects in Newport, Rhode Island, where he gained experience in designing a wide range of building types, including student housing developments. Brad holds degrees in Architecture and Landscape Architecture from Miami University as well as a Master of Architecture and MBA from the University of Illinois. He is a Licensed Architect in the State of Illinois, and a LEED Accredited Professional.
LAUREN PACHECO, MEMBER-AT-LARGE
Lauren M. Pacheco is a third-generation Mexican-American born and raised on Chicago’s southwest side. She is an arts and culture practitioner with 15 years of professional experience in arts administration, curation and project management. Her experience is grounded in social practice and public engagement with a personal mandate to responsibly and respectfully invest in targeted communities. Pacheco has become a resource to policymakers and has helped engage in the public dialogue about issues that impact artists and creative enterprises. She is co-founder of the Chicago Urban Art Society, the Chicago Lowrider Festival and, in 2012 – 2015 Pacheco developed and curated the award winning public art initiative, ‘Art in Public Places’ along the 16th street viaduct in Chicago’s Pilsen community. In September 2017, Pacheco won a public art grant that will transform outdoor vacant space in Gary, Indiana into a walkable, art-park. Additionally, Pacheco serves as Artistic Director for #PAINTGARY, an initiative bringing over 40 pieces of public art to Downtown Gary’s historic Broadway Avenue. Currently she serves on the executive board with Chicago Creative Reuse Exchange (CCRx), and steering committee member with the Indiana Arts Commission. She has received grant funding from the Knight Foundation, Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Legacy Foundation, Chicago Community Trust and the National Association for Latinos Arts and Cultures. Pacheco has presented, and guest lectured with Creative Mornings Chicago, the Association of Arts Administration Educators, Illinois Institute of Technology’s School of Architecture, Pratt Institute, the University of Chicago, Michigan State University, the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, among others. She holds degrees from Northwestern University, Evanston, IL (Communication Studies), School of the Art Institute of Chicago (Arts Administration and Policy) and, the University of Illinois at Chicago (Social Work). Pacheco is faculty lecturer at Indiana University Bloomington, and currently works as Director of Arts Programming and Engagement at Indiana University Northwest in the Fine Arts Department.
SANDRA RAND, MEMBER-AT-LARGE
Sandra Rand is retired Director of Supplier Diversity for United Airlines, where she was responsible for the development and implementation of the company’s Supplier Diversity strategy. Today, she is a civic leader and philanthropist serving on the board of the Women’s Business Development Center, the Women’s Board and the Leadership Advisory Committee of the Art Institute of Chicago. She serves on the Chicago Sinfonietta Ball Committee and chaired its 25th and 30th Masquerade Balls. She supports the Southside Community Art Center. She is a three-time Chair of Landmarks Illinois’ 800-person Legendary Landmarks Celebration, which funded 60 percent of LI’s advocacy program annually, and is also LI’s past Chair, Vice Chair and a member of the organization’s DEI Collaborative. Sandra holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communications.
ZIAD SALAMEH, FINANCE COMMITTEE CHAIR
Ziad Salameh PhD, PE is Principal-in-Charge at ZS Architectural Engineering, a firm specializing in Structural Engineering, Building Envelope Consulting, Forensic Science, and BIM Consulting to create enduring building solutions. For over a quarter century, the ZS LLC team has been leading the profession in structural engineering, building envelope consulting and forensic engineering, as demonstrated by the successful completion of countless challenging engineering projects. Dr. Salameh holds two advanced degrees in Structural Engineering and Mechanics from University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, and a BS in Engineering from the University of Jordan.
WILL TIPPENS, MEMBER-AT-LARGE
William (Will) Tippens is Vice President at Related Midwest where he specializes in land use planning, economic incentives for historic structures and project management both on the market rate and affordable side. Will has a specific expertise in historic preservation and is responsible for managing and directing all efforts associated with achieving historic tax credits. He has played a major role in redevelopment of Lathrop Homes, the rehabilitation of a Chicago Housing Authority property along the Chicago River into a mixed-income community. He also managed the planning and design process for redevelopment of the National Landmark District of Fort Sheridan and the adaptive reuse of the National Landmark Cleveland Arcade. Previously, he worked for the City of Chicago’s Department of Planning and Development and the Chicago Park District. He is Trustee of the James Marston Fitch Charitable Foundation and serves on the board of Preservation Action. Will holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Architecture from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a Master of Science degree in Historic Preservation and Conservation from Columbia University.
ALLISON TOONEN-TALAMO, RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE CHAIR
Allison Toonen-Talamo is an associate with the firm of Simpson, Gumpertz & Heger (SGH). She was previously an Associate at Klein and Hoffman supporting the architectural and building enclosure team. She applies her knowledge to investigative procedures, historical review and research, development of technical specifications/construction documents, condition assessments and construction administration services of existing structures including historic landmarks, residential, commercial and municipal buildings. Allison has a Bachelor of Architecture and Master of Structural Engineering from Illinois Institute of Technology and serves the following board and organizations: prior Chair of the Landmarks Illinois’ Skyline Council, is currently Chair of the Landmarks Illinois’ Resource Development Committee. She is a member of the Association for Preservation and Technology (APT) (Western Great Lakes Chapter), serves on the Preservation Engineering Technical Committee for APTI, serves on the Board of Directors for Evanston Community Lakehouse and Gardens, serves on the National Trust for Historic Preservation – Where Women Made History Campaign and is a member of the Structural Engineers Association of Illinois. She received the 2020 American Aspire Award presented by the National Trust and has been listed as one of 2021 Landmarks Illinois 50Forward Influencers.
SARAH VAN DOMELEN, MEMBER-AT-LARGE
Sarah Van Domelen is a professional engineer and senior associate for Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates (WJE). Sarah holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Michigan State University and a Master of Science in Historic Preservation from the University of Pennsylvania. Sarah is a member of the Association for Preservation Technology International and a member of Landmarks’ Illinois Skyline Council.
ALEX WOLKING, PRESERVATION ISSUES COMMITTEE CHAIR
Alex Wolking is a realtor licensed in Illinois and Iowa with and works with Keller Williams Chicago-Lincoln Park. Alex, who grew up in the Quad Cities, has assisted in closing more than $20 million worth of transactions, partnered with industry professionals on community and organizational projects, and shared his tech-savvy with dozens of agents in growing and streamlining their businesses. Alex was named Quad City Area REALTOR® Association’s 2012 “Rookie of the Year” Award and received the 2013 HGTV Doory Award for “Best DIY Dream Home.” Alex was the first and only real estate professional in the Quad Cities to become a member of the Institute for Luxury Home Marketing. Alex is an active member of the Skyline Council of Landmarks Illinois and leads architectural tours in his neighborhood with his community group, the Buena Park Neighbors.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
CATHERINE BAKER, FAIA
Catherine Baker, FAIA is the founder of Nowhere Collaborative, a woman-owned and place-based architecture practice formed in 2022 that addresses sustainability, incremental development, and community-based design. Her work is rooted in the intersection of the social and technical disciplines of architecture. Catherine has over thirty years of experience in community-based design in Chicago and she is now focused on applying this experience to understanding people and problems, making connections, and formulating equitable solutions to the development, design of buildings, and built-environments in a rural context. Catherine is an adjunct professor at IIT, regularly participates on design juries, and has been invited to speak at local and national conferences on housing and community-based design. She was a member of AIA’s delegation to the United Nation’s Habitat III in Quito, Ecuador, and she has presented on community-based design at the Danish Architecture Center in Copenhagen, Denmark.
ERIC DEXTER
Eric Dexter is Vice President of Berglund Construction’s Restoration Division, leading the team and overseeing multiple initiatives. He specializes in a wide range of job scopes, including restoring significant buildings to bring them back to their original glory. Eric believes that no amount of education or training can ever teach you what you learn from watching the work performed in the field and listening to people with many years of experience. Eric has been an active member of Landmarks Illinois Skyline Council for over five years. He earned a Bachelor of Architecture Degree, with Honors, and a Minor in Construction Management at IIT in Chicago. Eric resides in Chicago, Illinois.
ALYSSA FRYSTAK
Alyssa Frystak is the Director of Research and Data Analytics at the Washington D.C.-based firm, PlaceEconomics. As a national and international firm, PlaceEconomics provides data-driven analysis on the economic, demographic, and catalytic impacts of historic preservation. They also specialize in policy, tool, and incentive development that responds to community needs. In her role, she is responsible for data acquisition and preparation, methodology development, and analysis, and is well versed in GIS, census data, municipal data, and various other data resources. She is currently cycling off as the Skyline Council Chair, where she was also the project team lead for the Heart Bomb and Youth Programming initiatives. She is also a former Landmarks Illinois intern (2018), where she assisted with the Most Endangered and Richard H. Driehaus Awards programs.
STACY GRUNDY
Stacy Grundy, the Vice President of Route History, Inc., is a public health practitioner, researcher, and health equity champion, has a distinguished 10+ year career that reflects driving innovative, cost-effective population health strategies within healthcare systems and diverse communities. Her practice and research focuses on the drivers of health inequities among underserved, vulnerable, and marginalized populations. Dr. Grundy is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where she received her B.S. in Human Nutrition. Dr. Grundy also holds a Master of Public Health in Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences from the University of Texas Health Science Center-Houston, and a Doctorate in Public Health in Advanced Practice Leadership from the University of South Florida, College of Public Health.
EVAN JAHN
Evan Jahn specializes in environmental policy and sustainable design. After receiving his master’s degree from IIT in Environmental Management and Sustainability, he began a green analyst with Howard Ecker + Company, a mid-sized green office consultancy, for four years. He then moved to Chicago design firm Forum Studio to become Environmental and Sustainable Policy Analyst for the next six years. After a short term at Clayco, Evan moved on to become a developer, investor and entrepreneur with FG Holdings wanting to manage both the development and design process. He joined JAHN, his father Helmut Jahn’s design firm, a year ago as Vice President. Evan does not sit on any boards currently and is eager to volunteer his sustainable policy expertise pertaining to Landmarks Illinois’ Guiding Principle to fight climate change and promote environmental justice.
CHERYL JOHNSON
Cheryl Johnson serves as PCR’s Executive Director. She is the daughter of the late Ms. Hazel Johnson who founded PCR and is known as the Mother of Environmental Justice. Cheryl learned the fundamentals of community organizing from her mother and carries on the work of PCR’s mission to enhance the quality of life of residents living in communities affected by pollution. A lifelong resident of Altgeld Gardens, Cheryl is a well-known and highly trusted community leader. She is a fierce advocate for economic equity and environmental community benefits for south side residents. Cheryl has played an integral role in the functioning and success of PCR’s programs and administration since 1987. In 2001, she assumed the role of PCR’s Executive Director. Under her leadership, PCR has continued to work for environmental justice and economic equity, expanding our outreach across the region. Since then, PCR has stopped discriminatory recruiting practices from the Ford Motor Company on the far south side, prevented hundreds of units in Altgeld Gardens from being torn down and displacing residents, pressured the CHA to create a redevelopment plan that included community input, secured safe environmental cleanup on the southside and stopped (another) landfill from being placed in our community. Cheryl’s deep community connection and long-term vision for a thriving far south side and commitment to carrying her late mother’s legacy fuels her work. Cheryl recently served on the Environmental Protection Agency’s National Environmental Justice Advisory Council, the Illinois Environmental Justice Commission, and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s transition Environmental Justice Subcommittee. She is also a certified trainer International Chemical Workers Union Health and Safety Council/Coalition of Black Trade Unionists. Cheryl currently serves on the National Environmental Protection Act subcommittee.
JAYNE LOURASH
Jayne Lourash is the Executive Director of the Laborers’ Home Development Corporation (LHDC), a nonprofit affordable housing development company affiliated with the Laborers’ International Union, Midwest Region. Jayne evaluates communities for new affordable housing developments and facilitates meetings with community leaders to discuss how LHD can provide for their housing needs. Out of LHDC’s 952 affordable housing units, Jayne has acquired the funding for 300 of them through federal Low Income Housing Tax Credits, HOME funds, DCEO Energy grants, Federal Home Loan Bank AHP funds, Federal Historic Tax Credits and Illinois Historic Preservation Tax Credits. Jayne led LHDC’s Tiger Senior Apartments development in Paris, IL – LHDC’s first ever historic, adaptive reuse project, which was awarded a 2021 Landmarks Illinois Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Preservation Award. Jayne takes pride in bringing LHDC’s expertise and experience to underserved communities and she aspires to expand their affordable housing portfolio across Illinois and beyond.
ZEB MCLAURIN
Zeb McLaurin is CEO of McLaurin Development Partners. He is an entrepreneur whose work and thought leadership has created nationally recognized developments for urban communities and Fortune 500 companies. Zeb credits his humble beginnings as the spark that sustains his work in the development and revitalization of marginalized neighborhoods. He is a visionary leader whose accomplishments have been recognized by the NFBPA, Illinois Governor, Illinois State Treasurer, Mayor of Chicago, Chicago Public Schools, and Chicago Housing Authority.
JACKIE MONTESDEOCA
Jackie Montesdeoca is a Senior Director with Elevate, a Chicago-based nonprofit organization that wants everyone to have access to clean and affordable heat, power, and water in their homes and communities. Jackie has worked for Elevate since 2010 and has led the organization’s building electrification program. She previously served as a consultant with MacRostie Historic Advisors and interned for Heritage Consulting and the World Monuments Fund. She has a bachelor’s degree in architecture and Spanish from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and a master’s degree in historic preservation from the University of Pennsylvania.
BRAD MULAY
Brad Mulay serves as Vice President and Commercial Account Manager for Chicago Title Insurance Company, National Commercial Services, in Chicago. He joined the company in 2006 and has been a perennial Million Dollar Club company award recipient every year since. Brad manages a diverse customer portfolio, which includes large institutional lenders, Fortune 500 companies, developers, multi-family, agricultural, industrial, federal, city, and county governmental entities, publicly traded REITs, and major law firms. Brad prides himself on delivering a value-added single-source solution through dedication and hard work. He strongly advocates for his clients through effective internal and external communications. With this value-added approach, he has successfully closed various complex single and multi-site transactions. Brad is also active in several professional organizations, including Real Estate Investment Association (REIA) Chicago Loop Alliance (CLA).
JEFFREY PEZZA
Jeffrey Pezza is a Vice President with The Walsh Group, a Chicago-based building and development firm with regional offices located across North America and ranked the 13th largest US contractor by ENR Magazine. Jeff is a 27-year veteran of the construction industry. During his past 18 years at Walsh, he has been instrumental in building a strong backlog of work on historic/preservation and other projects, helping grow the company into the largest builder in the Midwest. Jeff also opened the Toronto office – the first Walsh office outside of the United States. His project history reflects his passion for historic renovation work, which totals approximately $325 million and includes Cook County Hospital, the Oriental Theater, and the Palmolive Building. Jeff holds a Bachelor of Science in Communications from Marquette University and he studied at the Rome Center for the Liberal Arts in Rome, Italy.
SARA PHALEN
Sara Phalen, J.D., is the Director of the West Chicago City Museum and Warrenville Historical Museum & Art Gallery, the Co-Founder and Board President of People Made Visible, and the proprietor of 140East, a National Register Historic Home community project in rural Illinois. For over 20 years Sara has worked towards equity in local history and preservation, including partnering with area artists for redevelopment and community engagement projects.
STEVE SCHNEIDER
Steve Schneider is Senior Vice President of Wintrust Commercial Banking. Prior to being recruited out of retirement to work for Wintrust by Ed Wehmer, Steve worked for the accounting firm of Plante Moran for two years. He joined the accounting firm of Blackman Kallick in 1981 and was elected Managing Partner in 2008. Prior to joining Blackman Kallick in 1981, Schneider was a manager in the banking practice at Peat, Marwick, Mitchell & Co. (now KPMG). A native of the Chicago area, Schneider received his Bachelor of Science in accountancy from the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign.
DIANA SHOTT
Diana Shott is the President and CEO of Resource Bank, N.A., the last remaining locally-owned community bank in DeKalb County, leading a team of over one hundred eighty employees throughout fifteen, and soon to be sixteen, locations. She first joined the bank in 1987 as the Director of Marketing, where her talents and dedication propelled her to ever-increasing roles and responsibilities. She joined the Board of Directors in 2008, became CEO in 2016, and President in 2022. Growing up in Genoa, IL, Diana’s roots run deep within the community she serves and continues to call home. She is a proud alumna of the NIU College of Business, and she remains a driving force behind Resource Bank’s mission to empower and support small towns and our local communities.
MARTIN C. TANGORA, LIFE DIRECTOR
Martin Tangora is a retired associate professor of mathematics at the University of Illinois at Chicago. He consults on architectural history and has been active in Chicago preservation issues since 1971. He has a B.S. from the California Institute of Technology and a PhD in mathematics from Northwestern University.
JUDY TIGHE
A native of Jacksonville, IL, Judy Tighe is an SIU-C alum with a BS in interior design. Prior to owning her own design business for 12 years, she was a drafter and designer for engineering and architectural firms in Colorado and Illinois. Judy was also a freelance writer for an online interactive newsletter when becoming the Jacksonville Main Street manager in 2001. Currently the longest serving director in Illinois, she became a Certified Main Street Manager and was voted Executive Director of the Year by cohorts in 2006. Judy served on the Illinois State Historic Sites Advisory Council, Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area Council, and as a Certified Local Government grant reviewer. She has helped Jacksonville Main Street earn National Main Street Accreditation for 23 years plus over 40 Lt. Governor Awards in Excellence in Downtown Revitalization, 3 Richard Driehaus Preservation Awards, a Governor’s Hometown Award, and the Great American Main Street Award in 2012. She has helped downtown Jacksonville become a National Register Historic District as well as encouraged over 50 building renovation projects. She currently serves on the Illinois Main Street Advisory Council and on boards of the Jacksonville Enterprise Zone Development Corporation, Jacksonville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, Chamber, Looking for Lincoln, Jacksonville Area Museum, Land Bank Advisory Committee, and Jacksonville Historic Preservation Commission.