Ambassadors Council

The Ambassador Council is a group of professionals who provide support to the YWCA Metropolitan Chicago, with a collective goal to raise awareness, empower women and eliminate racism. As ambassadors of the YWCA, the Ambassador Council works to raise money and donate time to benefit the YWCA.

who we are

1. An Ambassador Council member is mission-connected and dedicated to fundraising. Excited to give their time and talent, this person brings with her/him diversity that is complementary to the other members of the Ambassador Council.

2. Ambassadors are distinguished as key influencers in the City of Chicago working to support the invaluable work of the YWCA, one of the most highly regarded and largest women’s organizations in the city.

3. Ambassadors have access to networking and meaningful relationship-building opportunities with other leaders within the YWCA, including the Board of Directors.

4. Ambassadors have an opportunity to affect change in the lives of women and girls by being a part of the inner circle of the YWCA movement.

5. Ambassadors have the unique opportunity to receive board training and skill building to enhance personal goals including serving on future community boards.

Chair

Kara Goodbrand
Legal & General Investment Management America

Membership Chair

Lauren Connelly
Merrill Lynch

Members

Sandra Adam, CPA
RSM US LLP

Dheera Anand
EY

Jamie Burke
CDW

Heidi Davis
HR Director
Gensler

Obinna Ekwueme
Vice President – CREB Portfolio Managing Officer III
Bank of America

Michelle Bradley Emebo, MPH
Emebo Medical Associates

Kerri Franklin
Principal
Mercer

Meghan Hartsell Garza
William Blair

Riley Haemer
Beam Suntory

Lindsey Hayes
IDEX Corporation

Tatum Hunter

Kristel Jensen
Fifth Third Bank

Sarah Langum, GRI
Compass Real Estate

Ciara Leahy
Wipfli, LLP

Tondalaya Lloyd
Lloyd Law Firm LLC

Tamiko M Peete, PMP
AT&T

Allison Pink
UBS

Sarah Poulimas, JD
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.

Samantha Rice
Associate Director, Strategic Initiatives
KPMG

LaDora Robinson-Locke
Lincoln Park Zoo

Ada Roman
Discover Financial Services

Audrey Rose
Chicago Mindful Psychotherapy

Laura Shiffman
Senior Manager, Americas FAAS
EY

Allyce Stanley
‎Sales Strategy and Operations Manager
Google Cloud

Vanessa Ward
Chicago Cubs

Shatisha Wilks
Healthcare Service Corporation

Emeritus

Melissa Cooper
Linda Hodo
Laticia Holbert
Maureen Flood
Trak Patel
Kristen Prinz, JD
Sandra Talbott, JD
Nura Yanaki, JD

YWCA Metropolitan Chicago Staff Contacts:

Brian Starr
Director, Inspired Engagement
1 North LaSalle, Ste. 1150
Chicago, IL 60602
312.762.2710
brian.starr@ywcachicago.org