Meet our UtmostU Staff and Board

The UtmostU Staff and Board of Directors are made up of amazing people with a passion and expertise for guiding young adults toward every opportunity to succeed.

Meet The UtmostU Staff

David Bennett Headshot

David Bennett

Associate Executive Director

Christine Witnik Headshot

Christine Witnik

Sr. Manager of Operations

Jasmine Nelson Headshot

Jasmine Nelson

Manager of Post Secondary Coaching

Lydia Lara Headshot

Lydia Lara

Post Secondary Support Assoc.

Max Ebacher Headshot

Max Ebacher

Sr. Manager of Partnerships

Shayna Balting Headshot

Shayna Balting

Manager of Data Narration

Valerie Charles Headshot

Valerie Charles

Manager of Career Services

Kim Hawkins - Headshot

Kimberly Hawkins

Director of Advancement

Iyanla “La La” Smith

Social Media Intern

Meet The UtmostU Board of Directors

Patrica Ford Headshot

Patricia Ford

Executive Director
Steans Family Foundation

Patricia J. Redd Headshot

Patricia J. Redd

Retired Community Schools Initiative Leader, Chicago Public Schools

Greg Mooney Headshot

Greg Mooney

President
Comer Science & Ed. Foundation

Ronald Seymore Headshot

Ronald Seymore

Advisory Managing Director
Enterprise Solutions, KPMG US

Daniel Johnson Headshot

Daniel Johnson

Digitial Specialist
Microsoft

Mike Pincus Headshot

Mike Pincus

Retired Capital Markets and Commercial Banking Executive, BMO Financial Group

Eric Weinheimer Headshot

Eric Weinheimer

Senior Vice President and
Philanthropic Strategist  Nonprofit Consulting Services
Bank of America

Tosha Downey Headshot

Tosha Downey

Sr Program Officer, State and Local Government Relations
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Thackston Lundy Headshot

Thackston Lundy

Vice President of Workforce Pathways at Accelerate U, a division at National Louis University

Lauren Akainyah

Vice President of the Diverse Markets Channel, ADP