Emma Thomas is a private wealth advisor focusing her practice on entrepreneurs, families, and non-profits. Emma is passionate about financial literacy and bettering the lives of her clients. In her tenure as a wealth advisor, she served as a mentor to students in internship programs and analyst programs. She also started a female advisor group at her prior company, fostering culture amongst women in finance and providing a safe space to express themselves.
Emma graduated with a bachelor’s degree with cum laude distinction from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, where she was involved in many organizations. She served at the Vice President of the Financial Management Association and help multiple leadership seats in her sorority including Academic Chair, VP of Philanthropy, and President. As VP of Philanthropy, Emma oversaw event planning for the annual fundraiser, supporting speech and hearing on a global scale in partnership with the Starkey Hearing foundation and the American Society for Deaf Children. Emma has resided in Chicago for 6 years and loves walking on the lake with her rescue dog, Nala. Emma is also a member of the Associate Board at WITS (Working in the Schools), providing books and reading aid to students and teachers of Chicago public schools. Outside of work, Emma loves to travel and experience new cultures.
Rain Montero is an associate attorney focusing his practice in commercial litigation. Rain primarily handles claims involving fraud, breach of contract, shareholder disputes and violations of the Racketeering Influenced Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO). He has trial experience and has argued before the First District Appellate Court of Illinois. Rain earned his Juris Doctorate Degree from the DePaul University College of Law. During his time at DePaul, Rain was elected as President of the Appellate Moot Court Society. As President, Rain’s responsibilities included:
- making executive decisions with respect to the Society;
- managing competitions and meetings;
- maintaining student relations with the law school faculty and staff; and
- assisting with management of the society’s budget.
Prior to law school, Rain also received board organizational experience at Illinois State University, where he graduated cum laude with a double major in political science and legal studies. While at ISU, Rain was elected Vice President of the National Society of Leadership and Success. As Vice President, Rain headed meetings with the Chapter and participated in the management of its affairs.
Amy Sexton Stanislavski is a seasoned fundraising leader with 15+ years of experience helping nonprofits transform their development programs. As the founder of The RD Pro Coach, Amy provides nonprofit development professionals with expert coaching, proven strategies, and ready-to-use tools to raise more money with less stress.
Throughout her career, Amy has personally fundraised and directed fundraising teams that have collectively raised over $750 million for healthcare, higher education, and human services organizations. Her expertise in major gift fundraising includes personally cultivating and securing transformational gifts, including a $27 million blended commitment that combined outright and planned giving strategies.
As President at AES Consulting, Amy partners with nonprofit organizations to build sustainable fundraising infrastructure, develop high-performing boards, and implement major gift programs. She brings a refreshingly candid approach to fundraising, cutting through industry jargon to deliver practical, actionable strategies that work. Amy currently serves as President of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Northwest Indiana Chapter, where she is committed to advancing ethical fundraising practices and supporting professional development in the nonprofit sector.
Victoria Mendicino is an accomplished professional known for her dynamic leadership in the cannabis industry, currently serving as the Director of Investor & Government Relations at Revolution Cannabis. Victoria has held pivotal roles though her eight years at Revolution, including Chief of Staff and VP of Communications & Government Affairs. Her tenure at Revolution has been marked by strategic engagement with local, state, and federal authorities, shaping company communications, and fostering meaningful relationships across sectors. Advancing social and racial equity in the cannabis industry, and beyond, is among Ms. Mendicino’s personal passions, and she utilizes her position at Revolution to advance these causes. Prior to her start at Revolution, Victoria served as Project Director for a cannabis industry association group, where her duties included educating physicians about the then nascent medical cannabis program and working with newly licensed medical cannabis operators on initiatives to improve patient access. Chicago Recovery Alliance 20 Victoria earned a B.A. in English and Political Science from DePaul University and is a current Juris Doctor candidate at DePaul University College of Law.
Mirella Rodriguez holds a Master of Public Health from DePaul University and a Bachelor of Arts in Community Health and Wellness, with a minor in Psychology, from Northeastern Illinois University. With nearly a decade of experience in public health and social services, Mirella has dedicated their career to improving the lives of individuals experiencing homelessness.
Mirella specializes in outreach and advocacy, connecting vulnerable populations to essential resources such as housing, employment, and healthcare. Her work is deeply rooted in community engagement, and she has a proven track record of building trust-based relationships with both clients and community partners.
Madeline Ray has her MSW and MPH from Boston University. She worked in harm reduction on a study providing Naloxone and OD prevention for the prison release population in Rhode Island. She has experience in research, monitoring and evaluation, clinical social work, mutual aid, and work with recently arrived migrants and refugees. CRA will be her first non-profit board service.
Aimee Potter is a clinical social worker with Jesse Brown VA, a union steward with AFGE, and considers herself a harm reductionist. In her current role as a Harm Reduction Coordinator with the VA, she has been able to reconnect with the Chicago Recovery Alliance to provide Safer Syringe Services, including opioid overdose prevention. Her connection to harm reduction began at just 13 years old through the Chicago Recovery Alliance, where she participated in outreach work in Humboldt Park alongside original CRA members including Dan Bigg, Annamaria, John, George, Michael, and Cheryl. She valued the opportunity to support the community and help reduce the spread of HIV and AIDS.
Aimee is grateful for the opportunity to be part of an organisation focused on lasting change and continuing the mission of any positive change. Her early experiences with the Chicago Recovery Alliance helped shape her path toward supporting Veterans in engaging with harm reduction efforts within the VA system, alongside continued collaboration with CRA to provide safer supplies to the Veteran community. She looks forward to working with the board to continue strengthening this work within communities together.
Ralph is a Chicago native who lived in Northern and Southern California for almost three decades. He has experience working in health research coordinating and managing government funded projects focused on people living with HIV as well as people who use drugs. Ralph also spent time at a community-based organization similar to CRA that provides harm reduction services to folks living in Los Angeles. Currently, Ralph is a dedicated public servant and is committed to social justice.
