Board of Directors

Mary is the Executive Director for RUN LIKE A CHEETAH.  She is a former 1st and 2nd grade teacher who taught in the Chicago Public Schools for over 25 years.  She has an Elementary Education degree, Master in Science of Special Education, Master in Science of Reading, an endorsement in English as a Second Language, and an approval in Gifted Education. She is skilled in classroom management, mindfulness practices, implementing Social-Emotional Learning practices, and behavioral management techniques, including the use of de-escalation to resolve conflict in the school setting.  She has written and received funding for over 95 educational grants that benefitted her students.   She has completed 3 marathons, numerous 10k and 5k races,  and loves to run.  She is committed to improving the mental, emotional, and physical health in kids. 

Jose is a partner  at Cullen, Haskins, Nicholson, & Menchetti.  He focuses on Workers' Compensation, representing injured workers throughout the State of Illinois. He is a native Spanish speaker and  has lectured on the topic representing immigrant workers for the Association of American Trial Lawyers and the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association. He is currently a member of the Illinois State Bar Assoc., Chicago Bar Assoc., the Hispanic Lawyers Assoc. of Illinois, The Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Assoc. of Illinois, the Illinois Trial Lawyers Assoc., The Workers Injury Law & Advocacy Group, and the Assoc. of Trial Lawyers of America. He serves on the Board of Directors and as co-chair of the Workers’ Compensation Committee of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Assoc., as well as the board for the Farmworker Advocacy Project. He is also a member of the Legal Advisory Committee for the Working Hands Legal Clinic. 

Katie is the Director of Education at Candor Health Education after working for over 20 years as a teacher and administrator at the elementary and middle school levels. She has a rich background in child development, curriculum development, and social-emotional learning. In her current role as Director of Education at Candor Health Education, she is able to join her experience as an educator with her passion for improving the physical and emotional health and wellness of young people.

Mirjam is an active member of the American Psychological Association and has worked as a licensed clinical psychologist in Illinois since 2008.  She specializes in working with children and adults coping with anxiety, grief and loss, and mood issues. Her training is focused on learning how to deliver culturally competent, research-based treatment to individuals across the lifespan. At her practice, Mirjam Quinn and Associates, their mission is to help individuals live authentic, connected, and happy lives.

Tim is the Senior Director of Account Management at Adswerve.  He is a driven media and marketing professional with over 20 years of experience on the agency and vendor side of the advertising industry. He has built and executed plans across almost every contact aimed at consumers from kids to grandparents on clients such as Nintendo, Disney Parks, and Darden Restaurants.  He gained extensive restaurant (CDR), gaming, entertainment, retail, CPG and beverage category knowledge within industry-leading agencies. He’s passionate about exploring emerging trends, strategies, and advancements affecting our industry to drive value for clients and to develop agency talent. He takes pride in understanding complex technologies and articulating the advantages and benefits in an easy to digest manner.

Erin Hayes Kelly, PhD is Senior Technical Grant Writing Specialist and Senior Manager of the Women's Wellness through Equity and Leadership Program at the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Dr Kelly earned her graduate degree in Community and Prevention Research at the University of Illinois, Chicago, and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in public health. As a research psychologist, her past research has focused on psychosocial adjustment of children, young adults, and families following spinal cord injury, and she has published nearly 40 peer-reviewed manuscripts. Dr Kelly has secured federal and foundation grants to support several programmatic and research initiatives at the AAP, including efforts around physical and mental health promotion and prevention, public health infrastructure, substance use and abuse, environmental health and justice, physician well-being, and health equity.

Jannet Vega is an Assistant Principal at Dawes Elementary in the Chicago Public Schools.   She is a leader in facilitating relationships between Hispanic families and the school community. She provides support services for children and families of English Learners (EL) and  acts as a liaison between EL parents and the school.  She works with parents to improve their understanding of the school system, maximize their involvement in school activities and minimize any linguistic barriers.   She is a leader in education. 

Dr. Lalley is a retired administrator and teacher with over 45 years of experience in the education field.  He was an educational leader at St. Ignatius College Prep, one of the most successful private schools in Illinois. He was the founding principal of Northside College Prep, one of the most creative and successful public high schools in Illinois.  He is the former Executive Leadership Coach in the Office of Principal Preparation and Development at Chicago Public Schools. He served as an excellent mentor in supporting and developing effective school leaders.