STAFF
Staff
Jennifer Yonan
Executive Director
Jennifer is a successful executive with broad-based experience in the fields of nonprofit leadership, fundraising, marketing, community/government relations, economic development and business operations. She holds a Master’s in Business Administration and a Certification in Fundraising Management from North Park University as well as a Bachelor of Science degree from University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, IL with a degree in Communications.
Jennifer served for twelve years as Vice President of Marketing and Development with the United Way of Lake County and most recently as Executive Director with Zacharias Sexual Abuse Center in Gurnee and Skokie.
Jennifer was drawn to YCC because she wanted to serve the vulnerable in the area where she was born and raised and because she recognizes the importance of education and hands-on experience in the trades. In her spare time, she enjoys cycling around the Lake County Forest Preserves. Her favorite word is Courage.
Jim Malecha
Finance Director
Beth Pierson
Director of Development and Strategic Partnerships
Beth brings a diverse background in business, education, and nonprofit work to her role at YCC. She earned a BA from Kenyon College, an MA in English Literature from the University of Pittsburgh, and an MBA in Marketing and Finance from Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University. She began her career as a high school English teacher and has since focused on supporting young people and organizations that serve them, combining her expertise in education, development, and strategic partnerships.
Originally from Pittsburgh, PA, Beth has lived in Massachusetts and New Orleans, LA, and now calls northern Illinois home, where she has raised two young adult children. She is proud to call Lake County home.
Karen Rios
Program Director
Karen joined YCC as Program Director in 2020. She has over 20 years of experience working with community-based, social service organizations and is passionate about ensuring that people have the resources they need to succeed.
Karen earned her Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and International Studies from Iowa State University and her Master’s degree in Business Administration from Aurora University. Karen was excited to join the YCC team and have the opportunity to serve youth who are in the process of transforming their lives.
Karen loves to spend time with her family, travel and learn about other cultures. She is developing her cooking skills in Puerto Rican cuisine and is active in scouting. While she won’t say that she loves it, she has developed an appreciation for camping.
Michael Bartler
Career Placement Manager
Michael serves as Career Placement Manager at YCC, where he helps members connect with job opportunities that align with their long-term goals. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee and brings over eight years of experience in business administration and human resources. Passionate about guiding young people in their career journeys, Michael is dedicated to helping them discover their own potential and build meaningful, fulfilling futures.
Outside of YCC, Michael enjoys mountain biking, photography, videography, and drone work—creative pursuits that allow him to explore and capture the world from new perspectives.
Edith Elias
Program Enrollment Coordinator
Edith brings a strong commitment to youth development and community service to her role at YCC. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Communication from the University of Wisconsin–Parkside, where she was first introduced to the AmeriCorps VISTA program while working at a nonprofit organization. Through that experience, she saw firsthand the importance of civic engagement and the power of service in shaping young people’s futures. Drawn to YCC’s mission of supporting youth through education, training, and service, Edith is passionate about connecting members to opportunities that will help them succeed.
Outside of work, Edith enjoys spending time with her family and staying active with her two boys. She also loves spending time in nature and walking local trails.
Bill Foltz
Outreach & Community Service Coordinator
Bill brings a strong background in communications and decades of youth mentorship experience to his role at YCC. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications from Illinois State University, with a focus in radio, television, and journalism. After years of volunteering with church youth groups and mentoring fraternity members, Bill was introduced to YCC in 2012. He began as an AmeriCorps VISTA member and Bridge to College Specialist, and has since become an integral part of the team, helping young adults overcome barriers and achieve their goals through outreach and community service.
Outside of YCC, Bill prioritizes time with his family and remains actively involved with Illinois State University as the chapter advisor for Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. He loves to watch baseball and is a longtime Chicago Cubs fan.
Susan Green
Instructional Services Manager
Susan has been with YCC for ten years, serving as Instructional Services Manager with a focus on helping community youth earn their GEDs. Over the course of her career at YCC, she has supported more than 140 members in achieving their high school equivalency diplomas. Susan holds a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Lewis University and a master’s degree in Instructional Leadership from Loyola University Chicago, bringing both expertise and dedication to her work with youth.
Outside of YCC, Susan takes road trips with her family to the Colorado Rockies, where they hike, camp, and explore the outdoors. She is a proud lifetime member of the Girl Scouts, a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and an avid reader with a particular fondness for cozy mysteries.
Courtney Hoffman
Development Manager
Dan Knight
Residential Construction Foreman
Michelle Lord
Finance Assistant
Jimmy Ollie
Construction Supervisor
Jimmy first joined YCC as a YouthBuild member as an opportunity youth that the program served.
He said that his construction teacher handed him a hammer and it changed his life.
He was able to turn his life around thanks to YCC and he now teaches the National Center for Construction Education and Training (NCCER) Core Curriculum Class to members from similar backgrounds to him.
He enjoys guiding members down a positive path in life!
Steven Panos
Construction Skills Coordinator
Steven began his journey with YCC in 2020 as a member of the construction program, where he earned his construction credentials before joining the organization’s full-time construction crew. Over time, his roles and responsibilities have evolved, leading to his current position as Construction Skills Coordinator. With an Associate’s Degree in Business Administration and ongoing studies toward his bachelor’s degree at North Park University, Steven brings both hands-on experience and academic knowledge to his work. His passion lies in supporting opportunity youth as they pursue education and career goals, drawing on his own path through the program as inspiration.
Outside of work, Steven likes to spend time with his partner, explore Lake County’s expansive forest preserves and parks, and play video games with friends.
Sadaf Surani
Data & Grants Manager
Sadaf brings over a decade of experience in the nonprofit sector to her role at YCC, focusing on program development, tracking performance, and managing compliance and reporting. She holds a B.S. in Economics and Finance and an MBA in Finance and Banking from the Institute of Business Management (IoBM). Drawn to YCC by the opportunity to support youth and be part of transformative experiences, Sadaf is dedicated to helping young people achieve their educational and career goals while contributing to the future leadership of the community.
Outside of work, Sadaf enjoys traveling, spending quality time with her family, and cooking.
James Taylor
IT Instructor
Teryan Washington
Construction Crew
Fred Williams
Member Services Manager
Fred received a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications at the University of Iowa and a Master’s of Divinity/Pastoral Care and Counseling at Northern Seminary in Lombard, IL. He is a United States Air Force Veteran.
As the Case Manager, he’s had success with members by working with them directly in an effort to build a sense of self-motivation from within.
In his spare time, he’s a smooth jazz and R&B aficionado. He enjoys discovering obscure tracks and plans to share them with the world as an internet radio DJ.